T Shirt: Cult, Culture, Subversion at the Fashion and Textile Museum

What can we say about the humble t shirt? This wardrobe staple is the most basic of basics, providing a useful stop-gap between your statement necklace and statement trousers, or just an extra layer in the cold.

In fact, the Fashion and Textile Museum has a lot to say about this simple garment. 200 statement t shirts are going on display in their upcoming spring exhibition: T Shirt: Cult, Culture, Subversion. You'll find protest shirts from Vivienne Westwood's back catalogue, punk t shirts and works of art in clothing form.

British designer Dame Vivienne Westwood is known for her political activism, particularly around climate change. Her white t shirts with black lettering are in-your-face un-missable. The designer has always been involved in political protest, from her 1989 Tatler cover (dressed up as Margaret Thatcher) to her 2015 'I am not a terrorist' t-shirts designed for British Civil Rights group Liberty.

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And the political tee is still as relevant as ever. The Fashion Awards 2017 recognised Dior director Maria Grazia Chiuri at their December awards ceremony. Chiuri's biggest success in 2017? Launching the 'We should all be feminists' t shirt. This exhibition arguably comes at a time when slogan tshirts rule. Short, punchy protest messages do well on catwalks, in photographs, and on Instagram feeds.

As well as political t shirts (look out for the 'No more page 3' shirt and the Guerilla Girls' 'Advantages of being a woman artist' shirt), the exhibition will look at how band t shirts from Joy Division to The Rolling Stones have come to mean far more outside the music world, how Vetements turned the DHL logo into a designer item and how modern brands like BOY have kept logo t shirts current.

So, tee up and head to this exhibition. You may end up with a new appreciation for the most popular item of clothing in the world. And let's hope there are some for sale in the gift shop.

Images: © Press Association.