The Heat is On: Remembering the Global Hypercolour T-Shirt Craze of the 90s

Ah, the early 90s. A decade filled with questionable fashion choices and trends that have made us look back in amusement and, let’s be honest, some horror. From neon spandex to oversized flannel shirts, we thought we had seen it all. But, oh no, we were wrong. Say hello to the Global Hypercolour T-shirts.

For those who are not familiar, Global Hypercolour was a line of T-shirts and shorts that were, dare we say, revolutionary. They had a thermochromic pigment, which means they changed colour with heat. Yes, you read that right. You could make your T-shirt change colours just by heating it up. I mean, who needs a mood ring when you have a Hypercolour T-shirt?

Colour Changing Fabrics

Now, the concept of a T-shirt that changes colours doesn’t sound too bad, right? Well, that’s where you’re wrong. These T-shirts came in a range of colours and designs, but they all had one thing in common: the armpits. Yes, the armpits. These shirts were notorious for changing colours in the armpit area due to sweat and body heat. So, you could be walking around with a bright blue shirt, but once your body heat kicked in, you would have a lovely pink stain in the armpit area. How charming.

But let’s be real, we all loved these shirts. We didn’t care that they made us look like we had sweaty armpits all the time. We just wanted to be part of the trend. There was something magical about seeing your shirt change colours before your eyes. It was like a real-life science experiment. And what’s better than science? Nothing, that’s what.

Believe It Or Not – For A Brief Moment, These Were A Big Deal!

The popularity of the Global Hypercolor T-shirts reached new heights in the early 90s. Everyone wanted one. Even celebrities like Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer were spotted wearing them. Generra Sportswear Company of Seattle, who manufactured the line, was ecstatic. Their T-shirts were flying off the shelves, and they were making a killing. They were stocked in many stores, including even C&A! But as with all good things, this trend soon came to an end.

Perhaps the downfall of the Global Hypercolor T-shirts was due to the fact that they were a bit of a nightmare to wash. You couldn’t throw them in with the rest of your laundry because the thermochromic pigment would ruin other clothes. So, you had to wash them separately, or even better, just not wash them at all. Hey, it’s not like anyone would notice the sweat stains, right?

Looking back, it’s hard not to chuckle at the thought of the Global Hypercolor T-shirts. They were a trend that defined a generation and one that we will never forget. Whether we cringe or laugh at our fashion choices from the past, it’s important to remember that trends are just that – trends. They come and go, but the memories of wearing a Hypercolour T-shirt will stay with us forever.