‘Fits Like a Meme

While most closely associated today with cat jokes, viral tweets, and the infamous typeface known as “Impact”, memes appear to be quintessentially a symbol endemic to the Internet. But did you know, memes have been around since Ancient Greece? While we can certainly see Zeus, Hera, and Aphrodite in some primordial version of the classic “New Girlfriend” meme, the roots of this universal language come from different seeds. Stemmed from the Ancient Greek verb meaning “to imitate” or “mime” a meme is defined as any idea, behavior, or style that spreads by means of people copying from other people within a culture. In a sense, fashion itself is one big network of memes, from the bikini to the burqa.

Obviously, that means memes can take on different forms and are still traded between us sartorially every day—and what better iconoclast of this style of communication than by use of the t-shirt?

Universal, utilitarian, and ironically enough a site for everyone to express their uniqueness, the t-shirt is the perfect vessel to fill with our varied views via vestments. From political slogans to nostalgic ephemera, we can wear our hearts on our sleeves—or chests—with this simple fashion staple. Take, for example, the multiple “Versace Goddess” tees from the Italian house, announcing (in Versace-style, not-too-subtly) the wearer’s allegiance to feminism and fashion-ism.

Known for beginning her career by scrawling slogans on shirts, that punk pulse beats deep at Vivienne Westwood, where expletives written in (printed) chicken bones and defaced rococo masterpieces deck shirts and corsets declaring devotion to art and fashion.  And it’s not just shirts or messages—Memes can be closely tied to fads, too. Like the Astro boy boots that blew up social a few weeks back, or Schiaparelli’s taxidermy realness from the last couture season (though a full-sized replica of a lion’s head on your bodice may be harder to pull off than a cheeky graphic tee…)

Tie-dye as well is a great example of memeified fashion: the hand-dyeing technique is handed down from generation to generation in some form in every culture from batik to shibori. Coupled with the advent of the ‘90s/early aughts resurgence putting tie-dye squarely in the crosshairs of trendy prints of the moment, this perfectly exemplifies a fashion item that gives strong meme energy. Offerings from Urban Outfitters and Fit Sun boast an array of graphic t-shirts with familiar characters and internet fare, letting you bring the LOLs IRL.