The baby tee—a snug, cropped T-shirt—has experienced a dynamic journey from its origins in the 1990s to its resurgence in contemporary fashion. Linda Meltzer, a stylist in the early ’90s, was instrumental in popularizing the baby tee. Dissatisfied with the limited availability of children’s size French-cut T-shirts from the 1970s in thrift stores, she launched her own line, Tease Tees, in 1993. As fashion trends shifted in the early 2000s, the baby tee’s popularity waned. The rise of different silhouettes and styles led to a decline in its mainstream appeal.

The baby tee has made a notable comeback, embraced by a new generation of fashion enthusiasts. Fashion brands have responded to this renewed interest. Linda Meltzer rebranded her original line as Pretties and reissued classic designs, including the tie-dye heart baby tee. Additionally, contemporary labels like Marc Jacobs’s Heaven, Praying, and Ashley Williams have introduced modern takes on the baby tee, blending nostalgic elements with current aesthetics.