Geeks do not, as a general rule, offer much in the way of challenge for the contemporary fashion designer.  You can pretty much sum up the majority of our clothing lines in the with a basic formula :

1. Take one black t-shirt.
2. Print something witty on it in white text.  You can also substitute an obscure pop culture reference.  Bonus points if it’s witty AND an obscure pop-culture reference.
3. ???
4. Profit

Truly, one of the oft-repeated jokes you’ll hear at any sizable convention is “Meet me at [location].  I’ll be the fat guy in the black t-shirt.” While we’re doing our best here at ShrinkGeek to help you shake off the first part of that joke, it’s an indisputable fact that most of you reading this probably have your fair share of dark shirts in your closet.

Fortunately for you that means you’re less likely to develop skin cancer.

Spanish scientists have published an article in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research claiming that dark cotton fabrics offered up the best protection against ultraviolet radiation (the harmful byproduct of spending too much time basking in the light of the evil day star).  The study did not actually measure the effectiveness of black dyes in protecting against UV rays, but it did determine that fabrics with “darker or more intense colors had better UV protection.”

You really can’t get much darker than black, can you?

So rejoice my geeky brethren!  Not only do your witty shirts show off your quirky intellect and offer up plenty of opportunities for you to talk to strangers (“What does your shirt mean???”), they also protect you against skin cancer.

If, you know, you ever actually go outside during the day in the first place.