Posts Tagged ‘graphic tees’
how do you wear yours?
Monday, May 16th, 2011
The key in any styling choice is trying not to outsmart yourself (while looking like you’re not trying). If you look in the mirror and have to convince yourself that yes, you look OK, you prob don’t.
These decisions are not always clear cut, but you can certainly mitigate your risks.
Graphic t-shirts is one of the places where people have made this a lot harder than it has to be. Additionally, many would-be sartorialists have gotten into men’s + women’s heads, telling us that true style is way too “mature” for these popular artistic pallets. Puh-Sha. Obviously, being the co-founder of a graphic apparel brand I’m slightly biased. However, I also happen to love wearing graphic tees, so my intent here is dual in nature.
Now, it is possible to violate some rules of fashion when it comes to graphic t-shirts, especially when you start to head north of 30 years-old. Some examples; wearing size XXXL when you are clearly a size large, wearing size large when you are clearly an xxxl, and half-naked women on the front are just a few of the problems we commonly see. You’d do well to avoid these.
When it comes to a well fitting, appropriately designed graphic tee, you can’t screw things up too much. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind; if the shirt is really loud (huge graphics, bright colors, etc.) you would do well to tone down the rest of your choices for that day (muted tones, dark denim, solid color sweatshirt or cardigan layered on top) in order to balance things out. Conversely, if the shirt is more mellow and conservative in nature, go crazy with the other options (Red denim, a highly-patterned sweatshirt…go nuts!).
By and large, don’t over-think the whole graphic tee thing; if you like it, wear it. Who cares what I say.
Tags: fashion, graphic tees, how to, style
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Your fashion choices; what do they say about you?
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
I (Jason) came across a quote the other day on a personal blog:
“Fashion and style, in the past, was all about creating an image but now that image can also include the personal value set of the wearer and it looks as if this connection between fashion and social issues is here to stay.”
It got me to thinking about my own fashion choices and the brands that I support. Do I make choices above and beyond how the item I am purchasing looks/feels? If the article of clothing or the accessory does not reveal the brand name to anyone other than the wearer, am I influenced by the name? Certainly we all know the power of brands and the reason why companies such as Coach or Burberry command the prices they do. But I’m talking about more than just a logo. It’s not just the quality or the look of the item (although that comes first in the mind of the buyer), but it’s also the promise made to the consumer. A promise of quality, of originality, of beauty, and now more than ever, a promise of social responsibility. Our culture has never been more influenced by the conscientiousness of businesses, large and small. The New York Times has a very popular blog, Green Inc., which highlights various corporations and alerts consumers as to who is and isn’t environmentally responsible. Making that list, for one reason or another, can have a profound impact on a companies image and even their bottom line.
All in all, I believe this is a good thing (our cultures trend of holding brands responsible). With that in mind, how far are you willing to go when it comes to fashion? Will you boycott irresponsible brands? Will you seek out and support those that associate themselves with positive and influential movements? Why or why not? What do your fashion choices tell others about what is important to you? Have you ever become emotionally involved with a brand?
We all like Mickey and Ozzy, but with their level of influence, should they be saying something more?
Clothing should be fun and allow for a range of expression. It can be both playful and thought provoking. It can be about the actual piece of clothing being worn, or it can be about the name on the tag. Alison Lurie says that “To choose clothes, either in a store or at home, is to define and describe ourselves”. Some may see that as too much pressure. On the contrary I think it can be a very natural fit with our personality. The key is finding that brand that represents what is important to you. You can be verbally vocal about your value system, or you can say it with fashion. What fun that is!
Tags: authentic, brand responsibility, graphic tees, Our thoughts, socially responsible
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Am I too old (read:too uptight) for a graphic t?
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
The short answer, is “no”. We can say with a fairly high level of confidence that if you’re packing your
kids off to college and your daughter’s roommate has the same tee…OK, time to move on.
Having said that, just because you may be out of college and are in the “I have to wear a suit to my 9-5 Mon-Fri” phase,
it doesn’t mean you need to kiss creativity and boldness goodbye for good, my friend. In fact, that’s why the weekend
was invented! (“For t-shirts?” you ask…no, for fun we say!). Whether paired with your favorite jeans and a scarf, or slightly hidden beneath a button up for that “no, I’m not going to let you see the whole design” look, it’s still one of the great ways to reveal your expressive side (side note: even if you don’t really have an expressive side, giving off the impression that you do can’t really hurt, right?).
You’ll notice in the F&F collection that our offerings range from bold to subtle, specifically for the reason that we want you to be able to represent that side of you that doesn’t make it out during the work week, but without looking like you sit ringside for ultimate fighting bouts or a reality TV reject. Which brings us nicely to example #1, of how not to rock the graphic tee:
Ed hardy throws up on Jon Gosselin
Now, we’re glad to hear that Mr. Gosselin has sworn off his fashion disaster ways (see his self deprecating “funny or die” video), but nonetheless here serves as a wonderful example of what to never, ever, ever, wear. It’s not his style, it doesn’t fit his personality, and the built in undershirt just looks ridiculous.
This example of poor taste aside, there are some very tasteful and bold looks you can pull off with the appropriately timed graphic tee,which is exactly the sort of practice we promote! Take for example our good friend Ashton Kutcher (ignore the suspenders and celebrity wife for the moment…two things at this stage that you are surely convinced you could not pull off):
Ashton color coordinating the jacket and multi color T
The always fashionable JT:
JT & Cameron may be a thing of the past, but his style carries on
This look fits the personality of the wearer, incorporates both a graphic tee and a classic piece (the cardigan), and does not scream “look at me”.
So there you have it; one glaring example of how not to express your love for the graphic arts, and two more fashionable, prudent choices (in fact, Ashton and Justin are a couple of great examples of guys who push the fashion boundaries without going over the top, and may even serve as an inspiration for you). The bottom line though, is this: Whatever look you decide to go with, wear it with confidence….and own it. That’s a look, people will have to respect.
Disclaimer for the ladies: We hope you don’t feel ignored here. Truly, it’s the men who need the help. Let’s work together on this. More coming for you….
Tags: advice, Ashton Kutcher, fashion advice, graphic tees, Jon Gosselin, Justin Timberlake, style
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