Worn by everyone from Paris Hilton to Britney Spears, from rock musician Avril Lavigne to Drew Barrymore, her look is iconic. My boyfriend is out of town-. They were the essence of copied off-duty looks worn by women. It’s girls 2000s: Printed T-shirts, the cornerstone of Y2K fashion for many years. Keep in mind that their return is imminent. And despite the great iconic moments they gave to pop culture, printed t-shirts have been a vehicle for more or less subtle messages for years — years before social media existed. Britney Spears has made it her secret weapon against the tabloids by wearing certain shirts at certain times in her life. How did she manage to silence rumors about the breakup with Justin Timberlake? In a blue T-shirt with the inscription: drop it -signed Juicy Couture-. All this is combined with low-waisted sweatpants, a fur jacket and a baker’s hat. Not only does the look go around the world, it becomes cult and copied by millennials from all over the world; but the message comes through loud and clear. He perfects his art over the years: they come I’m a virgin (but it’s an old t-shirt), I’m the American dream, SEXSI -to consolidate the partnership with Pepsi-, He loves me -during her relationship with Kevin Federline-, MILFs in training, brunettes are so hot right now -2004, Britney Spears dyes her hair. The world seems to be in shock.
The baton then passes to the most talked about heiress of all time, Paris Hilton. Between launching a socio-political message and a dose of healthy irony, Paris Hilton crafts her character ad hoc, and does so with precise stylistic choices. T-shirts with slogans above all: they bring a smile and seem to be the first step towards the coronation of a socialite as a reality TV queen. Thus was born the myth of Stop being desperate, Too pretty to work, Don’t be jealous, queen of the universe. The dress code for Heiress Y2K is a slogan tank top, low-waisted miniskirt and mules. There’s never a shortage of glittery eyeshadow, colored lens sunglasses and lip gloss, and the company of a loyal Chihuahua.
Over the years, t-shirts with slogans lose their role as a glamorous representative. Social networks come and steal jobs. They do not disappear completely, in some iconic moments of recent years, t-shirts with slogans become the main characters. Victoria Beckham and shirt Fashion stole my smileOr Gigi Hadid LOL you are not Zayn Malik.
In 2023, with the unexpected return of 2000s fashion from skirts and trousers to low-rise leggings, it looks like their time has come. T-shirts with slogans are starting to reappear on the new It Girls. To make a return, Charlie XCX with a children’s t-shirt They don’t build statues of critics. Or Hailey Bieber with a crop top Nepo Baby. Perhaps it’s time to ditch social media again in favor of deliberately cryptic messages – but so explicit?
