New 2001 Spring Fashion Trend: "T-shirts"
   This year, fashion shows worldwide are focusing on a stunning new Spring trend: “T-shirts.”  These very affordable, simple unisex garments, also known as “tee-shirts,” are casual, short-sleeved collarless tops that take the form of a T when spread out.
   “The key is ‘casual,’” said Giorgio Armani, a major fashion designer.  “It's beautifully simple in that regard.  A hole for the head, two smaller ones for the arms, and a large one for the body to fit up through.”
   It may be hard to imagine what this so-called “T-shirt” looks like without a diagram.  Just imagine your typical cross-stitch pique dress shirt—without the collar, without the buttons, and with the sleeves cut just above the elbows.  Also, this shirt is often made entirely of cotton, with no particularly special weaving pattern.  You say you want a revolution?
   “We are taking a very big chance with this new product,” said Mark Weber, president of Van Heusen.  “People are tired of always wearing ties and silk jackets to go to the store to get some cigarettes.  And women are certainly fed-up with wearing dresses made out of credit cards or wicker.  We're banking on the fact that people like to be comfortable.  Nothing supplies the comfort like ‘T-shirts.’  Did I say that right?”
   As expected, consumers are having mixed reactions. 
   “I'm so used to wearing these spiraling lampshade-like dresses,” said Melody Parker, a fashionable young 22-year-old.  “I don't know if I can change.”
   “I can't wait to get my hands on these new, casual shirts,” said Hank Cooper, 42, of Los Angeles.  “It takes me forever to get dressed with my suede microfiber suits.”
   Designers have already started planning designs for the “T-shirts.”  They are looking forward to printing their company's logos, as well as catchy slogans, on them.
   “We could do so much,” said designer Ralph Lauren.  “We could use ’T-shirts’ to express political ideologies, to support sports teams, or even to tell jokes.  How about a shirt that lists ways to tell if you watch too much NASCAR?  That would be a gas!”
   “T-shirts” will hit major stores like Foley's and Wal-Mart later this month.