T-shirts are a social indicator. They help sociologists judge what most concerns the general public and which issues are so widespread that they can be put on a T-shirt because they are universal enough for everybody to understand the message they convey.  In the past 12 months, the economic crisis, aging and the environment have been key subjects that have featured on the fronts of the T-shirt wearing section of society. Here are ten that have proved most newsworthy:

1.    Statistics mean never having to say you’re certain – This one’s always a popular favourite, but with bank crashes and climate-change-gate, it’s proving to be both amusing and highly topical
2.    Don’t mention the war – made famous by John Cleese, this top is turning up all over the place, particularly in regimental towns where you can pick which war not to mention and where it’s often seen on the front of a hoodie
3.    Retired = I was tired yesterday and I’m tired again today – suddenly very popular, who knows why?
4.   The government gave billions of our money to the banks but I still had to pay for this lousy T-shirt – another bank-based garment, riffing on the ‘lousy T-shirt’ theme
5.    I married Mr Right, but I didn’t know his first name was Always – this one’s selling especially well in the USA
6.    I have the body of a God. Unfortunately the god is Buddha – seen around February, worn by on those who broke their New Year’s Resolution to go to the gym
7.    I know I came into this room for a reason – another T-shirt that proved popular with the older generation recently, possibly because they are the first generation to have worn slogan-printed T-shirts and have now reached the age where they can’t remember why!
8.    This T-shirt was tested on animals. It didn’t fit – funny update on the animal cruelty debate
9.    Buckle up. It makes it harder for the aliens to snatch you from your car – this one’s another American fave, but it burst into the UK market at the end of 2009 and has been seen widely around university campuses.
10.    I used to be schizophrenic, but now we’re just fine – a perennial top pick, always worn, for some reason, by men.