A plain white tee is a foundational part of any wardrobe, but if you want to up the ante this summer, the twist is adding some art into the mix.
Tops splashed with famous prints from Van Gogh to Monet seem to be everywhere this summer, given the designer nod of approval by Loewe, who showed the former’s Irises print on its SS25 catwalk.
Meanwhile, more contemporary alternatives include tees emblazoned with the works of legends like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat for those who want to introduce a graphic tilt to their OOTD.
Take a proper look around next time you’re out in the city. You no longer have to venture into a gallery to glimpse incredible works of art.
The beauty of such tees lies in their versatility. They’ll be just at home thrown over a swimsuit or bikini at your local lido as they will under a blazer on your way to the office. Pair them with barrel jeans over the weekend, or stuff them into your festival backpack for casual options on the green fields.
Whichever you pick, it’s best to have memorised a few lines about the print or artist you’re wearing, ready to roll out if questioned. Because, like wearing a band tee just because you like the font, donning such art for the aesthetics alone just looks naff.
Join the fashion culture club and shop the best arty t-shirts below
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Loewe printed cotton-blend jersey t-shirt
Designed for customers who could probably fork out for an original print, Loewe debuted its Van Gogh tribute on the SS25 catwalk. Its version of the legendary Dutch painter’s famous Irises, 1890, retains those rich oil on canvas strokes with a distressed finish on top. Rendered over comfortable, airy cotton, the loose fit tee is made for dressing up with a floral midi skirt or black jeans and a biker.
It's available in XS - M sizes.
Buy now £595.00, Net-A-Porter
Twelfth Night Organic Cotton Unisex T-shirt
What was Shakespeare if not an artist of words? His iconic line from Twelfth Night is on this cotton tee in all its glory, complete with a giant red heart that looks as though it’s been hand-painted. Available in sizes XS - 5XL.
Buy now £25.00, Shakespeare's Globe
YMC x Bat Girls & Acid Boys Andy Warhol T-Shirt
An illustration borne out of an after-hours party game, this rendering of Andy Warhol sits on an oversized organic cotton t-shirt and comes in sizes small to XL. Weird enough to elicit interest.
Buy now £75.00, End Clothing
Uniqlo MoMA Art Icons UT Graphic T-Shirt
Uniqlo nails t-shirt collaborations, using everything from music to films to colour its fashion. One of the standouts this year is its tie-up with the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where this Van Gogh work has been borrowed from its extensive archives.
Available in sizes XS - 3XL.
Buy now £19.90, Uniqlo
Coto7 Monet Water Lily Pond Classic Paintings T-Shirt
Make your debut to the culture club with this simple yet statement tee which depicts Monet’s famous water lilies and Japanese bridge. One of a series of 12 paintings from the French artist done in his Giverny garden, the bold cut-out font on the tee gives it a contemporary edge.
Buy now £21.99, Debenhams
Reclaimed Vintage oversized t-shirt with licensed Monet flower print in white
Show me the Monet. Designed to be seen and appreciated, the sheer number of colours in this flower-themed tee makes it a fabulous pairing with practically anything in your wardrobe.
Buy now £25.99, ASOS
New Look White Van Gogh Printed Relaxed T-Shirt
Just a girl, standing in front of a mirror, admiring Van Gogh’s sunflowers. Nice visual, right? Well, it could be you in this arty tee available at New Look. It comes in sizes 8 - 16
Buy now £15.99, New Look
Basquiat Floral Acid Wash T-Shirt
Primark has been the low-key place to pick up fun collabs at an incredibly wallet-friendly price.
This homage to Basquiat is perfect for easy summer style with subtle floral embroidery on the front before a full-blown work across the back.
It's available in sizes XS - 2XL, and while you may find it in the men's department, this has unisex styling all over it.
Available for Click & Collect.
Buy now £12.00, Primark
Reclaimed Vintage licensed Matisse t-shirt in pink with art print
Matisse takes centre stage in this Reclaimed Vintage t-shirt, available in sizes 4 - 18. Since there are so many shades in this piece, you can team it with basic separates and still emerge looking like a rock star.
Buy now £25.99, ASOS
