When I was in high school, t-shirts with ironic and goofy prints were the big thing. I remember circling particularly funny tees in urban outfitters catalogs and later seeing someone wearing one of them at school. Obviously this trend isn't going away. People love the funny tees (hello, threadless).
I would have really dug this one.
As I've gotten older and begun to think about becoming a professional adult, I've pretty much written off the graphic t-shirt. I can still enjoy them on someone else, like that goofy hipster I see standing across the street. And I think a plainly colored, decent quality tee is still a good thing. I mean no offense if you are this sort of t-shirt person, but I believe they are no longer for me.
That said, having one or two in your out-and-about wardrobe isn't so bad, as long as it's not the thing you wear more than once every 2-3 weeks (because the people you see on a regular basis will remember you only wearing that shirt). If you wear them around the house, it's cool, who can judge? (I'm a bit of a slob at home so I certainly can't) And so, here are some graphic tees that I think are OK if you're going to wear one. In fact, I kind of, you know, wouldn't mind having that zebra shirt for myself.
Tees with drawings and phrases by my favorite 4-year -old internet sensation, French little miss Capucine. Proceeds go to building libraries in Mongolia.
"The problem is, that I love you."A bit of t-shirt Trompe l'eoil. For a slightly dressier look? Would be cute with nice jeans and ballet flats?
Zebra tee. Cute animal t-shirt on an adult=all the false wit and irony you need. 
Gum tee. (designed after chewed gum!)
Abstract, clean, colorful, and a potential conversation starter at parties.
*a word of self-deprecation and/or apology:Fashion is, to me, an elusive art. I don't really get it. I try to pay attention to style, go with intuition, use my critical thinking skills as well as just appreciate 'pretty.' Thing is, I'm often reevaluating my wardrobe and trying to figure out what works. When all else fails, modernism and simplicity. Plus, I think to engage in fashion, one might need to shop more than I do (perhaps even a lot). This is why you totally shouldn't listen to me if the graphic tee is your thang. Or if you think 'fashion' is for the birds, that's totally OK too...don't you kind of hate it on What Not to Wear when they scold people who could absolutely not care less? And if anyone has better advice or explanation of this fashion dilemma, feel free to pass on your wisdom. Otherwise, I may have to explore clothing through this blog a bit more.
6 comments:
I have multiple things to say, and since you specifically invited me, I'm just going to dive right in.
Firstly, I think your fashion sense is generally right on. Simple-modern as a default (is this was Greenburg/Corbusier wanted?) is very safe, and leads people to think that you're know what's going on when it's happening—or at least that you can exhibit shame in a way that's beyond participants of "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Outta Here!" Maybe, if I can offer a critique you err on the side of caution too much (as we probably all do). What can one say.
Secondly, I think you're conflating the graphic tee with the snarky tee. "the Second Amendment" shirt (however hilarious)≠Gee's Bend rhombus of color. There's a place for "I listen to bands that don't even exist yet," I'm sure of it (or, please God...I hope there is, and only now am beginning to think there may, in fact, not be) but it's not on a tee. Sadly, that I now have a job, I find I have very little time to wear anything but work clothes. This is sad for a lot of reasons, namely, I don't have any work pants that are really tight (nor am I sure that's totally appropriate, though some of my cow orkers would disagree) or show off my ass and legs...sigh... But I think weekend hanging out, time with friends, whathaveyou, a Zebra on the breast is totally appropriate. The older I get, the less irony seems to be saying "I get something you don't get" and the more it seems to be saying "I'm not sure I get this either..." At any rate, I think the not taking oneself too seriously is an important part of life, if a graphic tee can help me with that, so much the better. All of this having been said, I can't quite draw the line between graphic and snarky. I have a feeling text might have something to do with it. Though I'm drawn to those french children's drawings, I think there's something preeminently douchy about wearing a language one doesn't understand.
Finally, and most briefly, this: I like fashion too. And much like you, I'm not sure I totally understand it. Like music it seems to be exclusively the purview of people who spend too much (or all of their) time doing it. Fortunately for me, I've got a little history with music, (and a few blogs I lean on) and I'm fine. But I think the blog is a great place to explore it more. Though I can't promise (as a matter of fact, I can probablly promise the inverse) that all of my responses will be this long, this funny, or this considered, they'll come. And I'd like to hear your meanderings. And see them.
This is precisely the commentary I was hoping you'd provide. And you're right, there should be clarification in graphic vs. snarky. A t-shirt may not be the place to take a stance or a declaration, unless that be, I was a participant in a high school musical or a benefit to eradicate polio. I can face it, I don't have that much against the t-shirt, and it's not of much importance. But to really wear your beliefs on a tee (heart on your sleeve?) or use it to display your fondness for sarcasm is a little tiring. Do I need to care that boy at concert has a better music catalog than me? Not really, thanks. (And you know someone is wearing that shirt to a concert, no doubt...but for good, or for evil?) Text on the chest might be the suspicious culprit here...plus it makes girls a little uncomfortable (no need for more excuses to stare).
And also, thank you for mentioning the light-heartedness of the t-shirt. It defends the rationale of the tee and makes my point about the snarky tee at once--life, and certainly a t-shirt, shouldn't be taken too seriously if it isn't serious.
How I miss being able to meet midway in the kitchen. :)
(ps, you've watched that show too? i saw one episode, and i already hate that spencer guy so so much, which drives me crazy because that's what he wants! grr! janice, however, i am quite fond of.)
PSS- I also didn't bring up fashion to imply that t-shirts can be counted as fashion. More in that if I want to participate in fashion, I probably should stop wearing t-shirts. I don't care what Agnes Deyn thinks.
I love the Capucine shirts - I must have one... she is entirely too precious! :)
I agree Shelene! Someone should crown that girl a princess. love her.
what an interesting commentary!! Art criticism for the t-shirt. If it still fit me, I might still have occasion to wear my "I have Polish roots" shirt.
Love, MOM
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