We all know t-shirts are a fashion staple, worn everywhere from concerts to sports events to school and lounging around at home. They can be dressy or casual, and make a statement in the most recognizable way. They go with jeans, shorts, skirts, pants—you get the point; they go with everything. Celebrities wear them and so do the rest of us. Let’s cut to the chase: tees are a unisex classic that never goes out of style. At Spencer’s, we are all about t-shirts of all kinds, from funny to famous faces to symbols that are instantly recognizable.
Well, because we know just how much everyone loves ’em, we’ve gathered the 10 most memorable t-shirts over the last 40 years to take you on a trip down memory lane. Props to you if you’ve seen someone wearing every one of these! The best part is that future generations can also enjoy these iconic tees.
If you’ve ever attended a concert, you know that music t-shirts are about so much more than the band or performer pictured. They not only highlight the kind of songs you jam out to, whether rock, reggae, or other genres, but also give you a chance to bond with fellow fans and show your personality. So it makes sense that the first four tees on our list have to do with playing some tunes!
We’ve also got a classic from the era where everything was groovy, a few from the ‘80s, a decade that impacted pop culture in a major way, a tribute to one of the greatest cities in the world and some modern shirts that will likely be worn by the next few generations of tee wearers, too.
Johnny Cash Middle Finger T-Shirt
Johnny Cash was the ultimate rebel, and this iconic middle finger t-shirt pays homage to his lifelong dedication to siding with the underdog. The infamous man in black who performed at Folsom Prison and sang hits like “I Walk The Line,” “Ring of Fire” and “A Boy Named Sue” also formed The Highwayman with Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Capture his spirit instantly when you rock this tee of him flipping the bird.
The Rolling Stones were one of the first to create an iconic image that generations of rock fans have proudly worn. Here’s a fun fact: The big red tongue was created by a college student, Joe Pasche, in response to a request from the Stones. No, he wasn’t officially inspired by Mick Jagger’s lips, though he’s admitted that perhaps subconsciously he was paying homage to them. The tongue appeared on the cover of their album Sticky Fingers and has been inextricably linked with their musical brand.
Guns N’ Roses took over the musical airwaves in the late 1980s with their hard rock sound and hits like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine” from their debut album Appetite for Destruction. Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler inspired youth all over the world to rock out. And even though their lineup has gone through changes over the years, they’re still going strong with a reunion tour and appearance at the 2019 Louder Than Life Festival. Their logo literally embodies what GNR is all about and is a classic symbol of a forever-popular band.
Who could forget the grunge sound that took the ‘90s by storm? The powerhouse trio of Nirvana were at the forefront of this Northwest music style, aided by the classic smiley face image. The artwork was drawn by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain and appeared on a poster for the release of their album Nevermind. There are several theories about where the smiley face came from, including that it was inspired by Seattle strip club the Lusty Lady. It’s hard to go anywhere even now and not see someone wearing this classic music tee.
Every reggae fan knows the music of Bob Marley, and his face has become a familiar one on college campuses and beyond. With his unique look and red, yellow and green rasta colors, the “No Woman No Cry” and “Redemption Song” singer, who started off with The Wailers, lives on long after his death. A Bob Marley tee is symbolic of his music and Jamaican culture, not to mention he was a hero to stoners everywhere, and his image lives on forever. If you didn’t wear a Marley tee while you were in college, did you really attend?
Whether you remember the early days of MTV or not, this logo is a classic that recalls the glory of ‘80s music and elaborate videos by stars like Madonna. Did you know that “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles was actually the first video MTV played? This tee is perfect to wear while you crank up some tunes that stand the test of time.
This classic style of the 1960s lives on today with its vibrant swirly colors that offer the perfect retro flair. Whether you rock a tie-dyed tee you’ve made at home or one adorned with a message or a band logo, this eye-catching look is timeless. A Grateful Dead tie-dye tee with dancing bears is the epitome of this style.
Throwback to this classic offshoot of wrestling with a WWE t-shirt in the style of the Garbage Pail Kids. Recall the days when Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash teamed up under this bad boy grouping of wrestlers.
Coed Naked T-Shirt
Who could forget this classic line of tees that celebrated everything from Coed Naked Bar-hopping to Coed Naked Lacrosse (“Rough, Tough and in the Buff”). With their suggestive nods to, well, wearing just your birthday suit and doing the things you love, they’ve forever won a place in every t-shirt lover’s personal hall of fame.
I Heart NY T-Shirt
Maybe you’re a born and bred New Yorker, or perhaps you’ve done all the touristy things like visit the Empire State Building and Times Square. If you can’t get enough of the Big Apple, you’ll relate to this classic tee about one of the most beloved cities in the United States.
This Harley Quinn t-shirt is relatively new but has been a huge hit with everyone who can’t get enough of the Suicide Squad villain. Whether you’re a bad girl or guy or simply want to dress up like your favorite movie character, this tee, with its instantly recognizable lettering, is a modern classic for movie lovers.
Steven Rhodes Let’s Summon Demons T-Shirt
Okay, we know that this Steven Rhodes tee hasn’t been around that long, but we are confident in saying that it’s also a modern classic. With its humorous retro artwork and playful take on old-fashioned children’s book covers, it’s destined to be worn by anyone who likes to make people laugh for decades to come.
