#6 Oversized White Ts

There are several issues with this entry.  For example, Black people obviously are not the only people who wear White Ts.  Also, wearing the White T was a very popular part of the style of the 50s and, furthermore, many white people wear white Ts, especially the V-neck White T.  I chose, however, to put the White T as an entry to this for several reasons.  Among these reasons is the fact, in the 90s up until nowadays, Black people have contributed to the popularization of the White T through street and hip hop culture which are basically one and the same thing.

The populariztion of the White T has made it so that many Black people will wear a white T almost everywhere they go.  In addition, the popular form of the white T is not a regular sized T-shirt but a white T-shirt that is made as large as possible for the particular consumer.  The fashion statement of the white T is also obvious to anyone who is "hip," meanning anyone who knows about and fits into street and hip hop culture.  The most obvious message is that of the persons social class standing. 

The white T, as a result, is in direct opposition to the suit and tie.  The suit and tie says that I am a part of the "system," which many white T fanatics are basically against.  It also says that the person is a conformist and agrees with the values of mainstream America.  The white T is not fancy, it's not luxurious, and it's not neat.  If you notice a person wearing the oversized white T, it is possible that you  may also notice that the T that the person has on is not exactly the most orderly or neat shirt on Earth.

Because of the nature of the oversized white T in street and hip hop culture, the fashion statement is obvioius.  The white T says "I am not a conformist," "I am not a suit," "I am not a part of the system or the establishment," and "I don't necessarily agree with mainstream American values."  This opposition is evident in the fact that the oversized T is not acceptable wear in corporate America or for almost any job and mainstream society dictates that collared shirts are more acceptable.  Just go to any restaurant, office,  convenience store, or any place where people are working.  You will notice that everyone had on at least a collared T shirt if not a long sleave shirt with a collar.  Even mechanics wear collared shirts for Christ's sake.

The popularization of the oversized T is also a direct result of institutionalized racism and oppression, in other words, "the system" that so many people in street and hip hop culture complain about.  It's a form of expression.  It says that the person is "down with it," "down for whatever," or "hip to the game."  All of these phrases basically means that the person is ready for what social situations may come about within the social circles that are a part of in street and hip hop culture.