Singapore's favourite fashion item, the T-shirt, just keeps on evolving.

It has had its day with different shapes, colours and materials - clingy, baggy, neon, stripes, V-necks, Lycra.

And now, T-shirts sporting designs that suggest individualism, creativity and self-expression are in.

A check by Urban found that several stores like Stitch and Graniph specialising in such shirts by both imported and local designers have opened over the past few years.

Prices range from $17.90 to $65, which are higher than run-of-the-mill T-shirts from shops like Giordano, which cost about $7.

Ezekiel Sim, 23, owner of local T-shirt brand Stitch, says: 'T-shirts by local designers, which can also be found at stores like Fourskin and Revoltage, make our fashion scene much more vibrant.'

Alvin Chee, 25, store manager of Flesh Imp, which sells T-shirts by young, local in-house designers, says: 'Our design is mainly influenced by the hip-hop culture and are more street-style.'

Fittingly, store owners say their customers are mostly teens and young working adults.

A result of this trend towards individualism is that the designs on the shirts are viewed as a chance to express artistic creativity.

Brian Ong, 32, operations manager of Graniph outlets here, says: 'People are drawn to the design because they want to understand what the artist is trying to express.'

The Japanese brand has come up with a way to let customers get more involved with their T-shirts.

It holds an annual worldwide design competition for people to submit their design ideas. For more information, visit www.graniph.com

Says freelance designer Mohd Khairoen Anwar, 25, who was browsing through T-shirts at Graniph: 'I usually wear T-shirts because they're comfortable, versatile and affordable.

'I like designs that are unique.'

GRANIPH

This popular Japanese label has designs that range from cute to artistic. The brand showed up in Singapore four years ago when clothing outlet Sidewalk10 in Far East Plaza brought the T-shirts in. The first Graniph outlet eventually opened at Bugis Junction in July last year. Others have followed at Plaza Singapura and Shaw House.

Prices are $35 for one tee, $60 for two and $90 for three.

Appeals to: Those in their mid-teens to young working adults who want something out of the ordinary.

02-20 Bugis Junction

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FUNKYB

Christian outlet FunkyB started as a push-cart outside Junction 8 three years ago before opening its shop at Trinity Church in Paya Lebar last August. Its T-shirts are imported from popular American Christian label Kerusso and have creative designs that pun on the Gospel. FunkyB's own quirky motto is: Be Hip, Be Bold, Believe!

Prices are from $28.80 to $46.

Appeals to: Religious teens and young adults.

247 Paya Lebar Road, 01-04 Trinity Church

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STITCH

Local T-shirt designer Ezekiel Sim started out selling his own women's T-shirt fashion line, Stitch, from a push-cart at Cathay Cineleisure in March 2006. The following year, he opened his first shop. It is known for T-shirts that are original and funky.

Prices range from $16.90 to $20.90.

Appeals to: Teenage girls who want to make a statement with their clothes.

03-40A Far East Plaza

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLESH IMP

Flesh Imp's T-shirts are made and designed in Singapore. The shirts are known for their street style and outside-the-box designs. Its first outlet opened at The Heeren seven years ago and it now has others at Wisma Atria and Plaza Singapura.

Prices range between $35 and $65 for a men's T-shirt and between $23 and $35 for a women's T-shirt.

Appeals to: Teens, young adults and young executives who want a street-smart edge.

03-27/28 Wisma Atria