The tank top in the movies, a cult garment with a history

It's a menswear classic that remains a trend, season after season, virtually unchanged. The history of the tank top in film , starring in unforgettable scenes, explains much of the success of this simple garment. A true symbol of the elegant power of seduction, no actor has been able to resist wearing it in front of the cameras. If you haven't yet included it among your wardrobe essentials , at Abanderado we'll give you reasons to do so.

The tank top in cinema: from classics to modern films

Who would have thought that a garment conceived as sportswear would end up becoming an all-time fashion classic ? This transformation can only be understood by remembering the role it has played in the history of cinema. The big screen has always served as a source of inspiration for fashion designers, and the tank top is one of the clearest examples of how far that influence can go. At Abanderado, we've understood this potential from the very beginning, and that's why the tank top is a key piece in all our underwear collections . We revisit some of those film scenes inevitably linked to the image of a tank top.

'It Happened One Night' (1931)

It may not have been the first time an actor appeared on screen taking off his shirt, but they always left their underwear on. Clark Gable's innocent topless scene with Claude Colbert was a turning point . Taking off his tank top and baring his chest was too daring for the demure society of the 1930s. Even so, 'It Happened One Night' was a box office smash, and in fact, the actor won his only Oscar for this performance.

'A Streetcar Named Desire' (1951)

Without a doubt, the young Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire" is one of the most iconic images of the seductive power of the tank top in cinema. It was the 1950s, and the image of young Stanley Kowalski in his sweat-soaked T-shirt ushered in the era of a new masculinity , in which Brando was the ultimate sexual symbol. Until then, the tank top was a garment associated with comfort. It was with this film that it moved beyond the realm of mere underwear and became an element of seduction.

'The Sting' (1973)

Another great among the greats of cinema, he also couldn't resist highlighting his charms by showing off his torso dressed in a simple tank top. We're talking about Paul Newman and his unmistakable style and elegance, also in a T-shirt. He had already worn this garment in the film 'Harper, Private Investigator'. But it's in his role as the attractive con man in 'The Sting' where Newman takes full advantage of the seductive tank top . In fact, he is one of the main figures responsible for the current concept of this garment and its value in creating simple, sensual, and elegant looks.

'Raging Bull' (1980)

With Robert De Niro, the history of the tank top in cinema takes another turn. This time, to popularize it and turn it into an everyday item of clothing . The actor's physical and mental transformation to play the role of boxer Jake LaMotta is priceless. His weight gain and muscularity were clearly visible thanks to the tank tops he wore.

'Die Hard' (1988)

We have Bruce Williams to thank for a new milestone in the role of the tank top in men's fashion. His "Die Hard" saga, which began in the 1980s, is the best example of how these t-shirts have become a true trend . No one has been able to rock a tank top in any situation like John McClane, that tough guy, always ready for action and a bit of a braggart, and he's also incorporated the color black as an innovative element.

'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' (2009)

Authentic British style is not at odds with tank tops. If you have any doubts, just watch any of the science fiction films in the 'X-Men' series. Actor Hugh Jackman, although born in Australia, is one of the best examples of the genuine elegance of the English gentleman . He also demonstrates it in tank tops. Even when he plays a fantasy character like the superhero Wolverine. Yet another example of how eternal and timeless the tank top is .

The Adam Project (2022)

We conclude this review of the history of the tank top in cinema with an impossibly more recent example. The film 'The Adam Project,' released in 2022 and starring the unmistakable Ryan Reynolds. This time, a new science fiction film focused on space-time travel. What better way to demonstrate the usefulness and adaptability of the tank top ! Ryan wears it just as well when he's in his original year 2050, his true time, as when he's transported to the past, specifically to 2022. We've only mentioned a small selection of the actors who have played a role in the history of the tank top in cinema. Brando, Newman, and Bruce Williams could be joined by other names like Schwarzenegger and Vin Diesel. Even in a zombie film like 'The Walking Dead,' there's room for Norman Reedus to wear a tank top. A trend that has been around decade after decade, without the tank top losing its prominence. At Abanderado , we've updated this garment in all our collections, always incorporating those small details that make our underwear a hallmark of elegance, style, and comfort .