Read me
If you haven't got a clue about what's going on in the mind of the wearer…

By Ishani Ranasinghe
Feel like making a statement? The '70s were the time that people had many things to say and they said it loud and clear, with their t-shirts. Political statements, feminist statements, green statements, etc. You name it… they wore it. But as time went by, just like everything else this fad slowly died down.

Now it's back. And you have only to take a walk down a Colombo street or drop by a mall to see just how much.

T-shirts are very affordable, simple, unisex garments, casual, short-sleeved collarless tops that take the form of a T when spread out. The slogans we found making their rounds were eye-catching and often thought provoking.

"Errors have been made others will be blamed" or "Warning; I have an attitude and I know how to use it" Would you wear that? Statements like these are the latest trend that will leave you either more enlightened or more confused than ever about what's really going on in the minds of the wearer. "Especially if it is a girl wearing it," says Rehan. "It's really a form of self expression," he explains. "When I was younger I had a t-shirt that said, 'If you think I am cute wait till you see my grandma'," he chuckles.

"I think it's really cool and definitely the 'in' thing these days," says Shehara, who is wearing a t-shirt that reads (in big bold letters), "And your point is…" when we catch up with her. It seems it's also about being able to wear it and not mind the stares.

"It's obvious that when you have something written on your t-shirt that people are bound to stop and read it, and you should be ok with that," says Harsha, who says that he is a proud owner of a t-shirt that reads, "Heaven refused me and hell is too scared to take me in".

Some seem to believe that this is a trend for guys. "That's just plain stupid, I know a lot of girls who wear t-shirts with crazy slogans. It's all about your attitude," says Kaushalya who adds that as long as you are bold enough you shouldn't care what the others think.

"It also bring a bit of individuality and tells others of who you really are," says Shalini who owns a t-shirt that says "Next mood swing 6 minutes and counting". She says that when she is in a really bad mood it's her favourite attire.

"It's like a warning bell that says 'don't mess with me'."

So far it has worked for her but she admits that you need the hard look to go with it.

Browsing through a few stores in Colombo many didn't really have much to offer by way of t-shirt emotions, but the Arena department store did offer a wide variety of interesting, if slightly cheeky, slogans.

In Love
Slogans that caught the eye
I am busy. You're ugly. Have a nice day
You! Off my planet!!!
Do not start with me you will not win.
I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
My husband and I divorced over religious differences-he thought he was God and I didn't.
Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them
Don't make me mad! I am running out of places to hide the bodies.
Finally 21 and legally able to do everything I have being doing since I was 15
The trouble with life is there is no background music.
I don't believe in miracles I rely on them.
Guys have feelings too. But like…who cares?
Drinking Problem, keep practising.
You are just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder
Consciousness: the annoying time between naps
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again.
To err is human, to really foul things up requires a computer
Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up
Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.
A journey of thousand miles begins with a cash advance
Out of my mind. Back in five minutes

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