2 minute read

In decades past, wearing a message across your chest could render you more vulnerable than wearing your heart on your sleeve. In the 70s, 80s and 90s, once marginalised groups such as lesbians and transsexuals wore T-shirts printed with protest messages to further their political cause, but they often bore the brunt of others’ derision for doing so.

When Ms magazine ran a cover featuring celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg wearing a “This is what a feminist looks like” T-shirt (Barack Obama also wore one on the cover of the same magazine in 2009), the fashion industry took the concept and ran with it, making slogan tees a “must-have” rather than merely a cliquish craze. One of the most famous was Dior’s “We Should All be Feminists”. Although the sentiment was lauded, the price tag prompted widespread outrage – costing more than €500, the T-shirt sent a message of inclusivity but at an inaccessible price point.

Today, message T-shirts are more popular than ever, especially, it turns out, amongst midlifers and whatever your personal mission statement, passion or purpose, you’ll probably find a slogan top that will represent it. And we’re all for it. Here are a few that have caught my eye…