U. S. Navy 1930’s & ’40’s Tee Shirt “Skivvy,” Off-White
The tee shirt is surely the most ubiquitous item of clothing that exists in our society today. It fills the wardrobes of billions and is available in all shapes, sizes and colors, and its had just about every logo, slogan and advertisement put upon it known to man, but its lineage is one of humble utility, being nothing more than a basic, white undergarment that functioned as underwear.
Sailors and Marines of the U. S. military in WWII were issued with these white tee shirts, officially known as a Quarter-Sleeve Undershirt, or known in military slang in conjunction with under drawers - "Skivvies." These service personnel were often seen stripped down to just this basic garment when working in hot environments or relaxing on a ship's decks; though such casual use of the undershirt didn’t begin in WWII, it was never before seen so worn in such great numbers as it was in WWII. In the decades that followed the war, especially the ‘50s, this casual style was solidified by the youth who unconsciously made it fashionable, which was further inspired by Hollywood; silver-screen icons such as Brando and Dean and a host of other heart-throb stars could be seen attired in a classic white tee shirt. Like flying jackets and jeans, the white tee shirt has secured its place in the classic-clothing wardrobe forever.
Over the years, the tee shirt has gradually evolved from its original ancestor in terms of cut, construction and quality, but it is only the original, white, military tee shirt of the late 1930s – 1940s that we identify with as markedly distinctive and more flattering than those typically encountered these many decades later.
This U. S. Navy WWII Tee Shirt we offer was copied from a new-old-stock vintage example, stitch-for-stitch. Even the nomenclature stamp in the neck with U. S. Navy contract number is reproduced exactly from the vintage example. Crafted from a fine- quality “slub yarn” cotton, they are constructed as per the original in terms of cut, seam style and color shade. The neck opening, for example, is the correct style, which is slightly bigger than most modern-day tee shirts and has no ribbing; rather, the neck is opening is simply taped in the same fabric as the shirt. The sleeves are of the true shorter, quarter-sleeve length of that era, which is much more flattering than so-called short sleeves we see today that hang down to your elbow. The shoulders are correctly proportionate to most body types relevant to chest measures and don’t droop over onto your arms as typically seen in tee shirts of the current era. And the torso is slim but also not gripping, and is long enough to be comfortably tucked in and not come out, yet also not long enough to be considered a dress as is the case with too many tee shirts on the market today. Although we refer to the shade of this shirt as "white,” actually it is an off-white color as per the original; we have matched everything exactly.
The original tee shirts were made on loop-wheel, “body-size” looms which yield a shirt with no side seams, thus weaving a perfect tube. To do this requires special looms that are only used by specialist manufacturers these days; subsequently, the looms are hard to source and expensive to produce garments on because you need one loom for each size you want made - but it's the proper way to make a vintage-style tee shirt, and it's the only way they were made for the U. S. military in the 1930's- ‘40's.
The expertise for making such a garment is largely only found in one place in the world these days - Japan. The Japanese have become renowned as world experts in vintage-style garment manufacture and home of body-size construction, being able to produce super-accurate, vintage-quality fabrics. Needless to say, we were only interested in producing the very best that could be achieved, so our U. S. Navy Tee Shirts are made in Japan.
For those who appreciate the fine details and quality of a vintage garment and, therefore, the absolute authenticity of a high-end reproduction, the Eastman U. S. Navy Tee Shirt is sure to delight. This is the definitive, classic, white tee shirt of all time.
Available in sizes 36 - 44. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Imported from Japan
U. S. Navy 1930’s & ’40’s Tee Shirt “Skivvy,” Off-White
SIZING TIPS
About this Style: The sizing on the undershirts is sensible if you wish to wear the shirts as originally intended - as an undergarment or to simply fit as if it was an undergarment. Just as with traditional underwear, the fabric will stretch nicely to the size and shape of your body.
Tip 1: Determine if you want to wear this shirt like traditional underwear (like a second skin), or looser than traditional underwear (with some excess fabric). For example: If your chest measures 40” and you want the shirt to fit more like traditional underwear, order size 40. If you prefer a looser fit than traditional underwear, order size 42 (one size up).
Tip 2: Follow the instructions entitled “How to Use Product Measures to Obtain a Good Fit” listed under the PRODUCT MEASUREMENTS tab for this product. After finding no substantive conflicts with your body measures obtained from the tab entitled BODY MEASURING, order this garment in a size that is equal to your chest circumference measure. If you prefer a roomier or longer fit, then order the next available size after reviewing all relative measures that pertain to that size.
Tip 3: Please note that your chest circumference measure is not necessarily the labeled size you wear in another garment you may own from a different maker or even the same maker, so please take the time to obtain your true chest circumference measure so as to compare to our chart of measures; this will enable us to perform a better job getting you the right size and minimize your chances in having to deal with the hassle and cost of exchanges.
Please ask us for fitting advice if in doubt.
Tip 4: Individuals who prefer looser fits and/or those with a waist measure that is nearly equal to or greater than their chest circumference measure may jump up one size in this shirt for comfort and desired fit (when we refer to waist measure we do not mean your trouser size; we mean the actual circumference measure of your waistline at its widest point). If you are unsure of the size to order we will assist you; please contact us with the following information: Height, waist circumference measure, chest circumference measure, body weight, and the type of fit you prefer: Trim, roomy or over-sized.
U. S. Navy 1930’s & ’40’s Tee Shirt “Skivvy,” Off-White
PRODUCT MEASUREMENTS
The following table provides actual product measures. These measures are provided as an aid because, in conjunction with the information found under the SIZING TIPS tab for each product, they can sometimes be very useful when comparing the measurements from this garment to the measures of your body; however, acting as an armchair tailor should be done with caution, as well as with knowledge of other important areas of fit that are not displayed here. Armchair tailors frequently fail to take into account other significant elements that impact fit; following the information found under the SIZING TIPS tab for each garment on this web site is strongly suggested, which can be very useful in supplanting or supplementing the listed measures below.
Our measures were derived from averaging many garments of the same size from each specific size in the range of any given product, thus the measures provided are representative for each size but they may not be exactly what you will receive. Some fluctuation in size is normal and to be expected, especially in these garments that have been manufactured on vintage machinery using natural fibers; the vintage machinery and techniques that create sought-after looks and fabrics are also less precise than machines contemporary to the current era.
| Size | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| Chest width | 18 1/8" | 19 1/8" | 20 1/8" | 21 1/8" | 22 1/4" |
| Shoulder width | 14 1/2" | 15" | 16" | 16 3/4" | 18 1/2" |
| Back length | 27 1/2" | 27 1/2" | 28" | 28 1/2" | 28 1/2" |
How to Use the Product Measures to Obtain a Good Fit:
1) Using the measurements listed for this product and information found under the tab entitled MEASURING GARMENTS to understand our measuring technique, please double the chest measure to obtain the total external chest circumference of this garment. For example: If the chest measure listed for size Medium 40 is 20”, doubling this measure yields a 40” external chest circumference.
2) Measure your chest circumference as per the tab on this web site specifically addressing BODY MEASURING, then compare your chest measure to the chest measure of this product.
3) Underwear garments are cut in such a way that the wearer can require zero to even negative space in the shirt due to the stretch characteristics of the fabric. If your chest circumference is 40”, a product with a 20” chest width has a 40” external chest circumference and would provide no external room in this scenario (chest measures 40”, external chest measure of the shirt is 40”, thus zero external room would be realized).
4) If desired, repeat the measuring comparisons for back length.
5) Compare your body measures to the listed garment measures and follow the advice found under the SIZING TIPS tab to obtain a good fit.
Sometimes-Problematic Way to Determine a Good Fit:
Due to differences in how even near-identical garments are cut by different manufacturers, it is not necessarily a good idea to compare the listed measures of this product to the measures of an existing, similar product in your wardrobe to determine the correct size to order in this product. Though such comparisons can indeed work some of the time, and maybe even most of the time, vast experience with and knowledge of the products we market has proven such practices will sometimes fail. This inaccurate measuring methodology doesn't factor in other key variables of fit relative to you and the garment that includes: Armhole opening, shoulder slope, high-point shoulder, high chest, width of sleeves at all points including the all-important elbow, waist measure, and the thickness, plumpness, and rigidity of the material the garment is made from, naming just some variables influencing fit that do not appear on any list of measurements for a garment or that a customer is likely to account for.
It is best to compare your actual body measures to the listed measures of this product AND follow our advice listed under the SIZING TIPS tab specific to this product to obtain a good fit in this style.
A Good Fit:
This is highly subjective - what one person may think is too big, another may think fits perfectly. Some garments are cut quite generously and others are cut quite trimly. If comparing measurements of one of our products to another you may own, some individuals will surely find that none or maybe only one area of measure is commonly shared or remotely close to being the same. Ultimately, chest measure is the most important area to properly fit, then all other areas of measure will have to fall into place. And some individuals who are extremely tall may find that body and/or sleeve length are more important to accommodate than even chest measure.
It is best to compare your actual body measures to the listed measures of this product AND follow our advice listed under the SIZING TIPS tab specific to this product to obtain a good fit in this style.
We strive to create a crisp fit between our products and the customer, and not a loose, sloppy look. If you prefer your clothing to fit more loosely, then we will do our best to work with you to that end, though, by the very nature of our product designs and fits it may not be possible to duplicate the slack looks found in many mainstream clothing brands even if you go up one or two sizes in our products.
