I Give Up On T-Shirts
I’m tired of t-shirts. They’re utilitarian and comfortable in the summer, but I’m beginning to feel that they’re really lazy. They’re just billboards for brands, bands, and ideologies, and there’s usually not much thought put into their design. They’re the textile equivalent of the obnoxious status messages on Facebook. If I have to read one more clever slogan or look at one more badly-silkscreened image on someone’s chest I think I’m going to crawl into a hole. T-shirts add to the feeling that everyone is just screaming at everyone else in this overgrown, over-stimulated, anti-intellectual, throw-away culture. I like the idea of getting older and maturing. I look forward to grey hair and wrinkles. I like the idea of showing respect and dignity through your clothes. I like suspenders. Look at the above image from Jim Jarmusch’s Stranger Than Paradise to see what I mean. I’m just not into the perpetual adolescence so many people seem to be stuck in, and t-shirts, especially expensive fashion-y t-shirts, are on par with collector sneakers in terms of being indicative of how youth-fixated we’ve become. I know a lot of Lost At E Minor readers and contributors don’t feel the same way, but I thought I’d just throw that out there.
Tagged: t-shirts
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YOU'RE SAYING (19)
Aaron Malys said | 2 October, 2008
In total agreement, the T-shirt is a has been!
BEhold the time of the G-SHIRT!
Zac said | 2 October, 2008
Nice thought there Gerry. I must say I do a double-take when I see middle-aged men in cargos and vans. Being someone who’s rapidly approaching that age…perhaps I do need to review the wardrobe in this light.
Great post.
Huna said | 2 October, 2008
Great post. I went out last night and the copius amounts of white tshirts really annoyed me.
Jack said | 2 October, 2008
I’ve been saying this for a while now, I mean there’s just SO many other better looking options. I’ve relegated all my t-shirts to the back of the closet where swimsuits and work clothes go, no hanger for them!
Maria said | 2 October, 2008
Here, here!
I was much happier and at peace with myself and the world when I didn’t care what brand or message my clothes and shoes were displaying…
Adrian said | 2 October, 2008
I agree to an extent. Certainly there’s something to be said for the unoriginality and crudeness of t-shirts these days and I especially dislike ones with slogans and “jokes”. As a result I’ve been moving away from the default “jeans and t-shirt” look to something a little more dapper and interesting. And I agree, people showing respect and dignity through clothing is a great thing.
However – there is an artistry to some t-shirts, whether simple or detailed, that can be intriguing, pleasant and non-offensive. I don’t feel that there’s anything adolescent or wrong about wearing that sort of thing. Sometimes it’s just nice to wear a simple t-shirt with some interesting imagery or colours.
c said | 2 October, 2008
i think you’re looking too much into it. Don’t wear a graphic tee if you don’t want to, but you don’t have to look down upon a whole generation of people because they want an image on their shirt. I mean yeah i get you, there comes a time when people need to grow out that look. It’s mostly spun by the youth anyways. That’s what they like and i mean there are a lot of nice graphics tees out there. Slogan shirts have been lame ever since they were started. But really clothes don’t define a personality. I mean unless the person is wearing an “I heart Nazis” shirt, what more can you conclude about someone’s thoughts and opinions? It’s just all too stupid to care about. And brand name popularity has been around us ever since people started companies with brand names. It’s always been there and it’s not going to stop with shirts that don’t mean much anyway. I guess it just depends on how much you actually give a shit.
Damian Z said | 3 October, 2008
So glad that someone finally said this–and I love the indie film example from “Stranger than Paradise”. As someone who is guilty of lazy choices as well (jeans ‘n t-shirts), I’ve always loved the cinematic fashion of the 60’s (Mods, French New Wave) that Jarmusch picks up and runs away with. High-priced, label t-shirts are *lazy* fashion. Having an Ed Hardy shirt simply signifies that you have the $$ to buy one, but that you don’t have the creativity to put together your own unique look.
Gerry said | 4 October, 2008
I think I have an “I Heart Nazis” t-shirt somewhere.
Chris said | 4 October, 2008
I completely agree, and I hate when people buy an article of clothing saying “i’ll just wear it around the house” why do you want to look like a slob at home?
Andy said | 5 October, 2008
Very nicely articulated Gerry, and I agree – it’s more and more rockin’ button shirts for me these days. Vintage Wrangler pearl snaps and old flannels get the tick from me, and during summer I chose singlets over tees. Hey, call me Aussie, but damn – they just look so much cooler (and they are!).
Gerry said | 5 October, 2008
Also, I love rolled-up sleeves in the summer. It makes me feel like I’m getting stuff done. I have a couple hoodies, but they make me feel like I should be dragging a Radio Flyer behind me with a little beagle sitting in it.
david said | 6 October, 2008
Not all t-shirts have slogans or crappy designs. I believe it’s the best thing you can wear in summer. And many old people look really good in T-shirts. Let the kids be that and if they ever grow up intellectually maybe they will change the way they dress. It’s not about age, it’s about people looking good with what they wear. And most people don’t. But who am I to judge. Like Tom Waits, I don’t wanna grow up, if growing up means not being able to wear screaming T-shirts whenever I want to.
megan. said | 17 October, 2008
Chris said | 23 October, 2008
Megan, threadless is for lame people who want other people to think that they are “quirky” and “interesting”
i for one don’t really want to walk around pretending that a joke someone else came up with and put on a t shirt is actually a reflection of who I am
rommel said | 5 November, 2008
i like t-shirts but leave it blank ,plain and cotton.
Podenphant said | 6 February, 2009
Thought #1
I recently came to the rational conclusion that wearing plain one colored t-shirts would work best. That it would be the most honest. But when bringing the idea into reality I felt like I was lying wearing a plain white T. So on with the old black rock’n'roll T again.
Leif said | 17 March, 2009
Who wants to look like a slob at home?! Uh, ME!!
I look at old pictures of my grandpa dressed up in a 3 piece suit with shoes to eat dinner. My uncles say they never saw his bare feet. I guess you could make an argument for the validity of being overdressed everywhere, but i argue that there is a place for a t-shirt, just like there is for a quickie, just like there is for a lykke li pop song! Not everything needs to be so dramatic and overwrought…
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Sal said | 2 October, 2008
I agree with you. I am enjoying being an adult. I love the fall so i can finally wear my hats and jackets again and leave t-shirts where they belong, as undershirts.
For one, I am on your side.