Preparations have unlike anything Ms Brown has taken on before for the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka. The museum put out a call for politically inspired t-shirts and, while never sure what piece might arrive next, Ms Brown found each t-shirt had a story. A bold fashion statement.

“There is one t-shirt, really fragile, that says ‘The World is Stupid’. It is old, worn, obviously loved and well-kept...it really kind of says the anti-establishment sentiment that runs through the whole exhibition,” Ms Brown said. “That t-shirt is my favourite.”

One of the most iconic t-shirts in Australian history holds a prime space: “It’s time”. The slogan, and celebrity-spruiking jingle, was the catch-cry of the 1972 Gough Whitlam campaign that successfully returned the Labor party to power after 23 years of coalition federal governance.

Almost a decade ago, Labor’s catch-cry was Kevin ‘07 – and there is one in the collection, too.

Anti-nuclear and gay rights protest t-shirts are in strong representation through the exhibition. Tucked behind closed wardrobe doors, are blacklisted t-shirts like the iconic Guy Fawkes masked symbol of online social justice ‘hactivists’ Anonymous and the yellow Bersih4 tee from Malaysian election rallies last year. Also in there is the “I can’t breathe” t-shirt, worn by the likes of basketball superstar LeBron James and United States president Barack Obama to promote justice and equality between races after a new York policeman suffocated an African-American man in July 2014.

Catchy slogans or distinct graphics, even colour, continue to make the humble, casual t-shirt a powerful political tool. The tee offers branding and a clear stance without a spoken word – a walking billboard to campaign.

MADE director Jane Smith said the exhibition made for a fascinating look at history and the impact the right t-shirt could play.

“In the ‘70s with Whitlam, t-shirts were like the Twitter of the day, before the 140 characters,” Ms Smith said. “They have moved into modern design fashion and protest. T-shirts, with social media now, are part of brand-me stuff.”

Advertising guru and television personality Todd Sampson is known for his seemingly endless supply of quirky statement t-shirts. Ms Smith said the trademark style was a great concept to reinforce his cleverness and cool, modern vibe.

Daylesford-born model Olivia “Ollie” Henderson is a leader in the new-generation fashion protest.

House of Riot was sparked from Ms Henderon’s frustration with the political climate in Australia while living in New York. So she took action.

Her riot started small with models, photographers and stylists sporting hand-painted slogans at Fashion Week in Sydney. Her t-shirts have spread worldwide.

​"We wanted this movement to be about individuals voicing their opinions rather than jumping on a bandwagon of something trending," Ms Henderson has told The Courier.  "...Our goal is to inspire young people to speak up about political issues they believe in and give them opportunities to do so."

Ms Smith likened House of Riot work to influential style that of fashion designer Katherine Hamnett, who smuggled in a t-shirt to wear for a reception at Downing Street. Approaching then-British prime minister Margaret Thatcher for a chat, Ms Hamnett threw open her coat to reveal a t-shirt painted with “58 per cent don’t want Pershing”, reinforcing unpopular opinion on the government’s decision allowing US missiles stationed in Britain. Ms Thatcher squawked.

Ballarat MP Catherine King can hardly wait to look through the exhibition and reminisce a little. Ms King said a good t-shirt could really capture people’s imagination.

“Gough Whitlam’s “It’s time” – you can’t go past the Gough Whitlam t-shirt as one of the most iconic symbols in the Labor movement. The minute you see it, the phrase and colour, you immediately think Gough,” Ms King said. “My other favourite is one I own, (former Victorian premier) Joan Kirner gave to me. It’s a tiny child’s t-shirt in pink and purple with ‘next prime minister’ written on it. I really like that one.”

MADE’s Political T’s exhibition features more than 100 social and political commentary t-shirts. The museum started with 21 in their own collection and drew on a selection from the collection of prolific t-shirt hunter Eddie Zammit. The rest are loans from the general public.

The exhibition showcases t-shirts from Australia and internationally. They range from humourous, including lifestyle and surfbrand Mambo, to the controversial and even the historically beautiful, like a portrait of Argentinian Eva Perón (Evita).

MADE director Jane Smith said the exhibition reinforced the words of English singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, who wrote “The revolution is just a T-shirt away”.

And you can buy Bragg’s words on a t-shirt, too.

*Political T’s is on show at the Museum of Democracy at Eureka from February 5 until April 10.