6 Times Celebs Told Us How They're Really Feeling With Graphic Tees
See all the times our favorite style icons like Kaia Gerber, Rihanna, and Zendaya have made a statement with casual street-style looks.
As it turns out, the best way to make a statement as a celebrity isn't with a long-winded Instagram post or a snappy Tweet. Instead, many of the most iconic style savants beloved by the Internet are turning to fashion to convey their messages.
Witty statements ranging from political to personal appear front and center in many of these looks. In an age where the appearances of celebrities are seemingly examined under a microscope by fans and paparazzi alike, it's no surprise that those in the spotlight are utilizing fashion as a vehicle to convey sentiments that may be difficult to express through verbal or written statements. Aside from the sense of finality that a graphic tee offers, this new wave of celebrity looks also conveys a sense of nonchalance and sass integral to the It girl image that many of our favorite stars have been labeled under.
Below, see all of the ways celebrities have utilized the simple, but effective graphic tee to respond to criticism, make political statements, and offer the public a small glimpse at a hidden sense of humor.
Following incessant media speculation on the status of her next album, Rihanna sported this blue t-shirt while walking the streets of NYC with her partner, A$AP Rocky. Although she has two children under two years old, fans have taken to the Internet to comment on every move the artist makes, theorizing that every outfit and hair change could signal a new era ahead of an album in the works. Seemingly fed up with the demand for new music—which is especially baffling considering she hasn't given even the slightest hint at new content—the "Work" singer donned a casual t-shirt emblazoned with the words "I'm retired. This is as dressed up as I get," sending a powerful and characteristically wry message to fans and media outlets alike.
During her set at Coachella 2024, Sabrina Carpenter switched out her typical performance attire in between songs, and donned an oversized t-shirt that read "Jesus was a Carpenter," as a comedic nod to both biblical history and a play on words referencing her massive success over the past year. As a pop star known for her dry sense of humor, as seen in the adlibbed outros of "Nonsense," this graphic tee came as no surprise to fans, who were glad to see the singer acknowledging the explosive popularity that she has enjoyed throughout the past months.
As the trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump rocked the media throughout its duration in New York City, model Emily Ratajkowski donned a graphic tee in support of the woman at the center of the legal battle. Ratajkowski is no stranger to the politically-charged slogan tee, as she has previously sported t-shirts supporting presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Amid the peak of the nepo baby discourse taking the Internet by storm in 2023, Hailey Bieber took to the streets of Los Angeles in a plain white baby tee with the words "Nepo Baby" emblazoned across her chest. Through this laid-back outfit, Bieber both nonchalantly affirmed her status as a "nepo baby" and took a dig at the unproductive nature that the debate had taken on at the time.
After becoming the unwilling subject of a widespread Internet discussion regarding her own appearance, Sydney Sweeney donned this witty crewneck sweater, subtly snapping back at the salacious, distasteful tabloid headlines that she has been the core of since her acting career began.
Promoting her book club and the importance of keeping up with literature, Kaia Gerber wore this plain grey graphic tee while on a leisurely morning walk, showing critics that there are more sides to her character than her career.
