It was Mark Twain who said, “Clothes make the person. Naked folks have little or no impact on society.” That saying still rings true, as our culture is rolling out into one that uses apparel as a means to share one’s social status. Basically turn through the pages of a woman’s fashion magazine to read breathless coverage of the fashion statements being made on the couture runways of Paris, Milan, and Nyc. Listen to a gaggle of senior school girls decrying the must-have fashion item of last season as “so last year.” Also men are not immune to the whims of the fashionistas – particularly those trend moguls who have been once (or still are) rap moguls.
They also use it as a way of self-expression, if both men and women use apparel to mention social status. The fictitious style editor in “The Devil Wears Prada” always accessorized with a white Hermes scarf. Donald Trump is well known for his decorative neckties. And Woody Harrelson is famous for wearing almond.
Starting in the 1960s, T-shirts became a means of self-expression. In those days, simple white T-shirts transformed into tie-dye artwork proclaiming the rise of “flower power” and urging, “Make love, perhaps not war.” Quickly, communications started appearing on T-shirts applying silk screening or screen printing. Bands began selling branded T-shirts for their supporters at shows, and teenagers began carrying band T-shirts as emblematic of the personal identities.
For recent years, visual t-shirts are also used as promotional and branding resources. Whether the term “Gap” is printed throughout the front of a T-shirt or a representation of a beloved Disney character adorns the wearer, the T-shirt has become a method of marketing a product or company.
This marketing may have started at the organization level, but soon became personal. From the modest beginnings of link dye and peace symbols, T-shirts have changed into a lasting trend of people carrying their values, philosophies, and senses of humor on what are termed “graphic tees.” Visual t-shirts can range from funny T shirts and laugh shirts to party shirts and even rude shirts. Indeed, visual tops are those who want to communicate their minds, standard issue for school kids, and those who consider themselves outcasts. During times of political conflict, interesting tees take the spot of (or are an to) bumper stickers. The boldness and bravado of the individual is visible for many to see.
Some people believe visual tees fall into the sounding “rude clothes,” while others consider a form to them of free speech. Indeed, as opposed to wearing your heart on your sleeve, you can use your political beliefs, spiritual beliefs, sense of humor, or sense of outrage printed upon your chest.
There’s no doubt that interesting tee shirts, joke shirts, celebration shirts, and even rude shirts will be the ultimate kind of self-expression. It may seem like, yet again, Mark Twain got it right!
For more information, please go to: hawaii web design