A Long, Awesome History There are different theories as to the origin of the slogan tees. One suggests that slogans on T-shirts grew out of the pre-war practice of college athletic departments stenciling, say, “Property of Virginia Tech” on their athletic shirts. Another traces it back to the Chicago hipsters, who may have started the trend by displaying different designs on their shirt-bosom. Still others view slogan tees as a direct descendant of a fad that had consumed America for several years: the slogan pin-back button. In any case, “No Flies on Me” may be the casual kiss-off of the moment, the “whatever” of 1897 slang, but with a few strokes of the pen to the shirtfront a tee can be changed into a handy personal billboard. The most persuasive explanation for the appearance of the slogan tees lies with the American collage artist Barbara Kruger, who is famous for her layered photographs with pithy and aggressive texts that involves the viewer in the struggle for power and control. In her trademark white letters against a red background, some of her instantly recognizable slogans read “I SHOP THEREFORE I AM” and “YOUR BODY IS A BATTLEGROUND.“ After her exhibition of slogan art at Times Square, New York City in 1983, Kruger’s work could be found in museums and galleries worldwide, on billboards, bus cards, posters, and even appeared on a train station platform in Strasbourg, France! It was during this period of time that slogan tees started to emerge. As for classical contributions to slogan tees, we cannot overlook the British designer Katherine Hamnett. She wore a “58% DON’T WANT PERSHING” T-shirt to meet Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at Downing Street in 1984 to demonstrate her attitude toward nuclear weapons. Her clothing line was once full of T-shirts printed with CHOOSE LIFE, WORLDWIDE NUCLEAR BAN NOW, or EDUCATION NOT MISSILES. Yes, wherever the origin of Slogan T-shirts, many people around the world have long been fans of them. Why Slogan T-shirts? Tired of plain T-shirts all the time? Then let a slogan tee spice up your dull routine. It is easy to find an edgy look or a casual look for both sexes. People used to wear tees to be comfortable, but now people wear them to spread consciousness of themselves and the world around them, or even simply for fun. In the book A T-Shirt History: From Underwear to Outerwear, Mark E. Dixon sees wearing T-shirts as a complex display of attitude. For example, feminists put on T-shirts as they would don armor to fight for their beliefs, and this is may be what Katherine Hamnett had in mind when she said our bodies are battlefields. Some people, who don’t really buy into this kind of thinking, may ask: “Aren’t tees with funny slogans just for kids?” Well, yes, it’s true that lots of kids love T-shirts with funny slogans, but then there are also many adults who never outgrow them! There are some people who consider wearing slogans weird because they feel like they’re telling others what to do, and there are some who would never dare put on T-shirts with rude messages. But as the saying goes, “There is no accounting for taste.” Personal choices, after all, are personal. There is really no need to make a fuss. They Will Never Leave Though people’s perspectives vary, clothing lines here and abroad have never stopped printing T-shirts; this is not only because they remain marketable, but also because they will always be fashionable. Through collaboration with top models and fashion designers, Henry Holland’s brand House Of Holland produces slogans that play with rhymes and have a bit of sex humor, for example, “CAUSE ME PAIN HEDI SLIMANE,” “DO ME IN THE PARK MARC” and “I’LL SHOW YOU WHO’S BOSS KATE MOSS.” Unsurprisingly, Katherine Hamnett has resurrected her famous “CHOOSE LIFE” and “WORLDWIDE NUCLEAR BAN NOW” tees from the 80s and started to sell them again. Controversial fashion designer Nicholas Morley sent models down the catwalk with clothing that spoke out against convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby. Even some local brands here in Taiwan are jumping on this train and printing things like “態度” or “ㄍㄢˋ!好熱” on their tees. These slogans are gaining popularity with the youngsters. But, sometimes when mis-spellings or bad grammar appear on a tee, the company in question risks bringing shame to its clothing line as well as its consumers. Anyway, slogan tees, are now a major trend in world fashion circles and are often used for relaying cultural and political messages besides personal shout-outs. Supporters of national political figures or political parties may wear slogan tees to demonstrate their ideologies and religious groups may wear tees printed with “法輪大法好.” An interesting question to ponder is: Do people put on a T-shirt after understanding the literal or the more spiritual, deeper meanings of the slogan? Or, do they simply feel cool in a T-shirt? Certainly, T-shirts may convey attitude, but there is nothing more important than having your OWN attitude! So, while making some space in your wardrobe and on your chest for this summer’s slogan tees, don’t forget to choose ones that you can really identify with. a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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