Fashion can be a tricky game. Take my recent holiday to Morocco for instance (smug much). Having managed to respectfully cover up both of my shoulders and all of my knees, I merrily marched out into the souks of French-speaking Marrakech with ‘Bonjour Boys’ emblazoned across my chest. Now, as someone with a bosom barely ample enough to muster a ‘Sup Lads’, let alone a ‘Hello Boys’, the reaction I received to said t-shirt came as bit of a shock. Closely followed by a whole lot of embarrassment. But it did get me thinking about the hidden perils of the slogan tee. A big hit with the fash’ pack right now, there’s barely a celeb in Tinsletown who’s not signed up to slogans. And, with the trend showing no signs of abating just yet, you too may be looking to invest. If you want to make sure you tee shouts ‘Slogan!’ and not ‘Woe-gan’, why not have a read of the following do’s and don’ts before you buy….
DO
Show Your Support
Kick started by Katherine Hamnett’s anti-Thatcher tees of the early ‘80s, slogan tees have long been a favourite with fashionable sorts looking to find their voice. Whether you choose ‘Use A Condom’, ‘Save The Rainforest’ or ‘Stay Alive in 85’ with a retro ‘Choose Life’ tee, you can’t go wrong with campaign chari-tees.
CELEBS – Audrina Patridge & Hayden Panettiere
DO
Have A Laugh
But, while a House of Holland ‘Chill The F**k Out’ Tee may cut it with trendites down your local, when it comes to explaining it to your boyfriend’s nan? A touch more awkward. The same goes with Katie Price and her hahbloodyhah ‘Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy’ tee. GSOH or not, if your audience is unknown, it’s best to play it safe with a feel good style - a la Katy Perry.
CELEBS – Katy Perry & Katie Price
DON’T
Wear Your (Broken) Heart On Your Tee
Remember when Eva Longoria was forced to apologise to Jennifer Aniston for her “I’ll Have Your Baby, Brad” tee? Or when Paris switched between Team Jolie and Team Aniston? Both proved it pays to exercise a little caution when slipping on an emotionally loaded style. Especially when you’ve got a point to prove. Victoria Beckham’s thinly veiled threat - ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’ - just about worked last week, but Tara Reid? Not so much. The fashion equivalent of an ill-advised drunk text, when you’re publically airing and wearing your dirty laundry, you know you’ve gone too far…
CELEBS – Eva Longoria & Tara Reid
DON’T
Wear Slogan For Slogans Sake
Did you actually play for an LA Varsity Baseball Team in 1982? Are you really the star quarterback for the New York Giants? Are you in fact sponsored by Coca Cola? Probably not. So, unless you want fellow shoppers to read yours and weep, it’s best to steer clear of all generic slogan tees. Period.