T-shirt season (or stocking up for it, at least) is just around the corner.  Purists like us, however, rock our tees year round (as the base layer to our lifestyle). Our closets don’t need to be as sad as the rest of the economy, and this option is artsy, bold and affordable, making it a favorite in our book. Soak up some style on the cheap– it’s available from size M in 100% cotton. [$28 at revolve]

Glow in the dark just got dangerous: Olly Moss’s “Contraband” version lights up with all the naughty stuff we probably shouldn’t be hiding. A tough guy’s dream and an airport attendant’s nightmare, this 100% cotton tee highlights the best (skulls, handcuffs, and, um, unauthorized produce) that must have a special room all to itself in JFK. Gets you thinking in a two-color screen print with plastisol ink; sizes from XS to 3X for guys. [$18 at threadless]

Grayscale checks go far in our world–sometimes they beat a cheery plaid when you’re feeling rough-and-tumble. Wesc designs also impress with subtle details, this time including a straight bottom hem, side slits, and a bias cut check. Bias cut allows for a greater ease of movement (yay!) and makes this shirt want to stay on all week. Just try to give it some time to meet the washer/dryer occasionally. It’s going to be tough! [$70 at 80spurple]

StyleCrave’s 80sPurple Giveaway continues!  Each day, we’ll select one 80sPurple featured product to share with you.  To win one of five $75 gift certificates for 80sPurple.com, head over to the 80sPurple giveaway page.

Display the smarts of great American men on your chest: pick words from Founding Fathers that have been buried in the history books for too long. Isn’t it a good time to get totally patriotic without looking, shall we say, dorky? Exclusive to Urban Outfitters, each shirt includes a select quote from George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, respectively [$28 for ben, george, and thomas]:

• “Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.”
• “Those Who Would Sacrifice Liberty for Security Deserve Neither.”
• “We surely cannot deny to any nation that right whereon our own government is founded, that every one may govern itself according to whatever form it pleases and change these forms at its own will…The will of the nation is the only thing essential to be regarded.”

Germaphobes, beware: this shirt makes everyone want to wash their hands. If you’re into shock treatment and amazing design, this is a great end of ’08 buy. UNIF gets a hand (get it?) for making this cotton tee look more appeaing than the designer stuff, and appropriate for just about any going-out occasion. Available in Medium to Extra-Large. [$38 at 80spurple]

With so many tee shirt companies sprouting up, saturating the market with the latest and greatest “clever” shirts, it’s hard to stand out. People Like Us Collective out of Australia has your answer. If your willing to pay a premium, People Like Us offers the highest quality tees with prints from the best artists out there. For about $50 for a tee or ($tba) for a hoodie, you’ll be rocking something worth the hype. We included some examples in the pic above, but for the full line, check out the site.  Make sure you check the box indicating you’re buying as a gift to get an instant 10% off.  [PeopleLikeUsCollective via ButteryBlend]

This soft cotton tee combines two themes in one to save you cash: it’s a striped top and graphic tee in one. The Kill City Stripe Tee is an Urban exclusive, and it has been made in the States to boot. Hey, if you need a reason to buy it, you can just tell yourself that you’re contributing to the economy! Machine wash makes things easy. [$34 at urban outfitters]