Vintage T-Shirt Forum & Community Authentication Appraisals

Hi All - new to the forum, but a long time lurker here. Been using you guys as a long time resource but never contributed. Know I should've introduced myself in the introductions section, but either way.

I have my hands on a great condition Running Man Champion t, 100% cotton. My question is, how did these old Running Man tees supposedly fit? The one I have is abnormally long..

It's 100% cotton, and know they were intended for sports use - which might may explain the length. 50s sports tees may've been intended to be tucked into gym shorts? Who knows.

Anyways, any knowledgeable input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all - just want to know if this something to be expected in Running Man era tees.

Welcome! I've seen a few like that too. Some were made tall...what are the dimensions? What's the design BTW?

Thanks for the welcoming!

It's a heather grey blank - tagged 48, but with a 21 pit to pit. Length is crazy - clocks in at 32 inches. Bottom hem stitching looks right for that period of Champion, but the length is nuts.

At first I thought it might be a reproduction because of its amazing condition, but then realized it would have never been reproduced w such a long length.

I guess a production run for taller people could explain it. Hmm still sorta stumped...

Maybe it was altered? labelled 48 - but it falls way short of that. check the stitching ..or it was a manufacturing defect. dunno, weird!

I'll take a few pictures of it later and post to the thread. Always nice to have more hi-res shots of tags, amirite! Tag has some light fraying

Doesn't seem to be altered - still tube body of course. Seams at the bottom have the right period stitching (slight dimpling, if anyone knows what I mean).

Thinking about keeping it for myself and having it altered to my ideal length - wonder how much that will run me. In any event, more pictures to come!

I've run across this same issue pretty much across the board in terms of categories (in other words not just sports related t-shirts) but usually always with 70's and early 80's tees.

I'd have to say it's always vexed me. I could never understand why some tees seemed to have these unusual lengths.

My best conclusion is that at one time it was fashionable to tuck in your t-shirt with your cords or Levis and a belt. Especially in the 70's. If you look back at a lot of the candid photos of rockstars or candid photos of audiences it was fashionable for guys to tuck in their t-shirts. So I think some companies producing the blank garments which would later be screen printed made the garments with the extra length for this very purpose.