The Classic T-Shirt Brand "Hanes" – the "Beefy-T®," Launched in 1975, Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Born in North Carolina, USA, Hanes is a brand renowned for being the go-to standard in inner T-shirts, best known for their multi-pack "3P-T" shirts. This year, Hanes' "Beefy-T®"—first introduced in 1975—marks its 50th anniversary. Let's revisit the rich history of Hanes and explore what makes the Beefy-T® so special.

The Union Suit: A Breakout Success in Industrializing & Urbanizing America

Before diving into the story of the Beefy-T®, let's get to know the basics about the brand.

Hanes began in 1901 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina—an area known for its vast cotton fields—under the company name "P.H. Hanes Knitting." The founders, brothers Pleasant Henderson Hanes and John Wesley Hanes, converted a former tobacco factory into a sewing factory and started making men's underwear.

With modernization sweeping America in the 1910s, more people started wearing workwear, and many city dwellers donned classic suits and hats as a result of industrial growth and urbanization. During this era, a one-piece, all-in-one style of underwear known as the "Union Suit" became revolutionary and wildly popular—that was in 1913.

This huge success helped propel Hanes into becoming a beloved underwear brand nationwide.

Hanes—known as "The King of Pack T-shirts"

When you think of Hanes, the first thing that comes to mind is surely their iconic pack T-shirts.

In 1947, responding to the desire of consumers who wished to "stock up on everyday essentials at a reasonable price," Hanes released their multi-pack T-shirts. This staple soon defined the brand and solidified Hanes' unshakable status in men's underwear.

Currently, the "3P Red Label Crewneck T-shirt," "3P Blue Label Crewneck T-shirt," and "3P Gold Label Crewneck T-shirt" are the mainstays of their multi-pack lineup. With "comfort" as its core value, Hanes has earned global love as an approachable, essential brand—leading to its reputation as "the king of pack T-shirts."

Beefy-T®—Born as the Body for Printed Tees, a Symbol of Hippie Culture

Now that we've explored the brand's history, let's take a deeper look at the Beefy-T®, which turns 50 this year.

In 1975, the Beefy-T® was developed as the ideal blank canvas for printed T-shirts at the time. The unique name "Beefy-T®" comes from its iconic bull logo—inspired by the product's thick, tough, and durable qualities, much like a strong, robust steer. This innovation helped redefine T-shirts, making them a mainstay not only as innerwear but also as outerwear.

The hippie movement of the late 1960s to early 1970s saw young people donning colorful and varied T-shirts, which pushed the humble tee into the fashion spotlight.

What sets the Beefy-T® apart is its heavyweight, long-lasting fabric and rugged neckline that doesn’t overstretch or lose shape, even after repeated washes, making it highly durable. Crafted from 100% cotton, it boasts outstanding comfort, getting even softer and fitting more naturally with every wash.

The cut features a classic American box silhouette. Thanks to tubular "circular knitting" with no side seams, it feels truly stress-free when worn. The tagless neck print prevents any irritation—a thoughtful, minimalist detail that captures Hanes’ commitment to comfort and quality.

Beefy-T® 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Colors

This year, Beefy-T® released special 50th anniversary colors as a limited-edition collection. The selection includes four colors inspired by hippie culture: light yellow, bright blue, bright pink, and light orange. These vibrant shades draw inspiration from the colorful tie-dye and ethnic patterns worn by the youth known as hippies back in the day, delivering a pop of color perfect for summer style.

Hanes is a beloved staple for basic apparel such as T-shirts and holds the top share for underwear within the United States.

While this time we focused on Beefy-T®, Hanes has been a trusted basic apparel brand for over 120 years, offering a wide lineup of comfortable and feel-good products—from undergarments to casualwear, bottoms, and even socks. Hanes continues to support comfort in everyday life and is sure to keep making history into the future.