tee

Fight Global Women's Organic T-Shirt

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

If you’re going to be a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl, you’ve got to go out of your way to make sure your tees have something interesting to say. If you’re going to be a t-shirt and jeans girl who lives in New York City, that message should make a statement about art or politics. The Fight Global Women’s Organic T-shirt from Autonomie Project does both.

Specifically made for a female body, this soft-cotton tee lightly clings to my curves while still providing room to breathe. I'm an XL wearin' gal, so this seemingly small detail is important. I love my body and all, but I'm not trying to show my goodies to the globe, ya know?

The cap sleeves and scooped neck design breathe a smidge of femininity into this traditionally genderless top. The deep charcoal color flirts with a kind of rock 'n roll sex appeal that is enhanced by the stencils-and-spraypaint DIY-esque design. The additional length of the shirt suits my above average height; instead of creeping above my belt like other tees, the bottom seam of this one remained at my hips.

True to its own message, the Fight Global Tee is made with eco-friendly dyes through a Fair Trade and sweatshop-free business practice. The message is also an apt fit for this particular time in my life. After living in India for two years, I’ve decided to shift my grassroots organizing work toward one with a focus on international needs. Perhaps wearing this tee when I interview will give me a bit of an edge; at the very least, I’d make an impression.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, March 8th 2010

Ladies Live Truth T-shirt

admin — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:52:00 +0000

By Truth

I had never seen a T-shirt made out of bamboo before, so I had no idea what it would feel like or how it would fit. This particular shirt is sixty-six percent bamboo, twenty-eight percent cotton, and six percent spandex jersey—and it is one of the softest I have ever worn in my life. The shirt drapes nicely over my body, and does not cling to my chest. The cut is flattering and tapers in towards the waist with a scoop neck that dips slightly below the collarbone. It can be worn during the day or as a workout T-shirt. While it did absorb more moisture than other workout shirts, my back still felt a tad wet after forty minutes of cardio.

A note on the sizing. The T-shirt was labeled a size large; however, it fit like a medium at the shoulder. It is slightly longer than some shirts, reaching down to my hips. But the longer length does come in handy if you choose to wear it during a workout.

The Ladies Live Truth T-shirt can be put in the washer and dryer, like any other shirt. After at least five washes, the T-shirt has not shrunk in size, nor has there been any color bleeding. Instead, it has even gotten softer. Besides being environmentally friendly, it is also an incredible fit and one of my favorite shirts.

Written by: Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch, December 25th 2009

Skinny Scarves

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:02:00 +0000

By Masala Tee Collection

The first time I came to Kolkata, I was swindled by a little girl who couldn't have been more than six years old. While trying to find a pair of shoes in New Market, this cutie pie grabbed my hand as I was walking, turned her grinning face toward me, and cheerfully said, "Hello! What is your name?" Caught off guard, and a little stupid from lingering jet lag, I said, "My name is Mandy." Her eyes grew wide and she dropped my hand. Holding her hennaed palm to my face she squealed with delight, "Mehndi!"

I laughed and agreed, "That's exactly right: mehndi." I then proceeded to allow this tiny tout to drag me into her father's (so she said) scarf shop where I promptly bought two "pashmina" scarves for what I now know to be triple the actual price, a common skin affliction my partner refers to as a "cracker tax." I knew I was being taken for a ride, but I couldn't bring myself to care. The miniature mehndi charlatan was doing what she had to do to get by, and she was so darn good at it that I felt obliged to play my role as the "dumb American tourist."

Ultimately, it turned out to be a good thing I did because after leaving Kolkata, my partner and I took a fourteen-hour long overnight train to Benares... in the second class sleeper car... in late-December... with nothing more to fight the cold wind that readily seeped in through the cracks than a hoodie and those two scarves. Easily the most miserable fourteen hours I have ever spent, I gained a deep affinity for scarves and swindlers that very long and uncomfortable night.

These days I act on that affinity by scooping up scarves left and right, and my most recent acquisition is from the Dehli-based, woman-owned Masala Tee Collection, whose designer organic cotton t-shirts adorned with Swarovski crystals have already been mentioned in the Indian editions of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire magazines. Inspired by the feminine beauty of their homeland, the Tee Wallahs (Sheikha Mattar-Jacob and Noelline Besson) founded the company less than a year ago while chatting over (what else) a cup of tea. They design the Masala Tees with screen-printed faces of five women (Divya, Sapna, Pia, Sitara, and Maya), and this fall they have added Skinny Scarves made of organic bamboo fiber into the mix.

Offered in either gray or sage, the Skinny Scarves are 50 x 180cm of gauzy goodness as soft as clouds of kittens. The eco-friendly accessory can be worn in a variety of ways—such as a proper scarf or a head wrap—making it a most versatile simple yet stylish addition to your urban outfit. For every sale made, the Tee Wallahs donate a portion to humanitarian organizations serving women and children in India under the social justice mantra "Masala Tee is for Humani-Tee."

The fashion industry is exploding right now in India, and designers are using the boom to bring both political awareness and casual chic clothing to the country's growing middle class. Though they don't have a web-based store set up just yet, the Masala Tee Collection is sold in boutique stores throughout India—including Ogaan, The Neemrana Shop, The Box, Bombay Electric—and can be purchased through a secure Paypal link by shooting the Tee Wallahs an email. For the dudes out there who think Masala Tee is hot, they're working hard to unveil a men's collection soon.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 2nd 2009

Slate T-shirt

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:32:00 +0000

By Recycle A Tee

George Carlin once observed that a house is where you keep all your stuff, until you have too much stuff, and then you get a bigger house so that you have enough space for your stuff. I appreciated the Annie Leonard digital video The Story of Stuff. The site details the social and environmental impact of consumption, and the fact that in a consumerist milieu, the entire sense of self-worth appears to be predicated on what you buy, what you wear, and having new and more “stuff.” Getting new stuff becomes a duty: wearing things to the point of disintegration is unAmerican. Whether terrorist attack or fiscal meltdown, the admonition is to “buy more.” Regardless of impetus, it is good to know that people are attempting to provide conscious alternatives.

Recycle a Tee makes organic cotton clothing with the environment in mind. The lifecycle of the shirt—from cotton field to landfill, from root to chute—is considered. They watch their waste at point of manufacturing, and give the shopper options if the top becomes too threadbare for further wear. Shirts can be sent back, shipping gratis, for a twenty-five percent store credit, or donated locally. Just log your donation at the site, and your account will be credited.

The jersey is light and resilient, and items include plain tanks and tee styles with v-necks for men. The t-shirts are printed with water-based inks with your choice of either a three-bent-arrows recycling logo or a tree design. Low-impact dyes color them white, red, yellow, pink, pomegranate, slate, and sky. Considering the earth and the sky? Consider Recycle a Tee.

Written by: Erika Mikkalo, August 17th 2009

Smile Pin-Up Girl Tee

admin — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:17:00 +0000

By Furlesque

As soon as I fixed my eyes on the Smile Pin-Up Girl tee, my initial reaction was: simply gorgeous. When I put it on, it looked even more stunning; its wonderfully soft cotton fabric enwrapped me like a polite hug, and its earthy hue ensured an effortless appearance, with the pin-up girls motif adding just enough glamour. My second reaction was of disbelief: I couldn’t get over how perfectly the small size fit me. Every contour matched my own body shape; I was destined to own it!

Sculpted with a round neck and long sleeves, the tee has a cool turquoise and orange print, making it a must for summer days, yet its surrounding darker tone means it’s also perfect for the fall. It can also be worn in the gloomy winter months as part of layers, and the bright ‘smile’ lettering will work magically to overturn that frosty frown. To add to this sparkling list of attributes, now that I own three fabulous Furleque tees, I’ve also found that they don’t shrink in the wash either!

Furlesque tees are not just shirts; they are works of art. Skilfully crafted and designed by Maggie Maki and Dion Macellari, each striking t-shirt is as unique as the person fortunate enough to own one. Feminine and delicate, yet bold and brash, both textile and artwork seem to contradict one another—and boy does it work. Not only does Furlesque cut their tees in an exaggerated way to flatter your figure, but their inside-out seams and raw-edge hems will show the keen observer that you’re certainly not part of the crowd.

I guarantee these t-shirts will become something of a cult favourite for women who require an outlet for this male-dominated reality, as well as those who live on the fringes of society and need to express their individuality. I’ll be surprised if they don’t; they’re edgy and daring after all—leaking confidence and character, and ultimately making you feel good. So if you’re feeling particularly optimistic and want to ooze some serious sass, then show off with the Smile Pin-Up Girl tee! This is one funky and fearless store to keep a watchful eye on.

Written by: Payal Patel, November 28th 2008

Reflective Girl Tee

admin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:27:00 +0000

By Furlesque

Boasting funky girl tees, Furlesque certainly delivers with the beautiful "Reflective Girl." Featuring a lovely drawing of a sorrowful (or the obvious "reflective") girl adorned with roses on the front of the shirt, this is one of the most original designs that I've seen to date. And I wasn't the only one to think so—I've never received so many compliments on a t-shirt in my life!

Sheer and lightweight, this tee was a grand slam in comfort. A funky and beautiful mauve color (called "cherry") was something that stood out to me. It looked like an almost heather rose and was completely unusual, which was great. This tee fit true to size, was perfect in length and the amount of attention that was given to the tee (even from perfect strangers) left me congratulating myself on a great outfit choice (and Maggie and Dion from launching such a successful operation).

These one of a kind shirts are great to wear on a casual day and I guarantee that your shirt will catch a lot of attention and be one of a kind. This alone justifies the $49 price tag. Even after a few wears and washes, it still looks brand new and has taken up regular rotation in my closet. Seriously—buy one of these shirts. You won't regret it.

Written by: Megan Blair, October 23rd 2007

Solo Girl Tee

admin — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 03:07:00 +0000

By Furlesque

The face that launched a thousand shirts. Okay, don’t quote me on the numbers. But believe me when I say this Solo Girl tee – the first in a line of edgy tops – rocks. How many positive thoughts can one shirt induce? Let’s see. One: soft. There’s nothing better than a truly touchable tee, and this one delivers. Two: work of art. The shirt’s understated dusty green hue and baby pink trim perfectly complements the Solo Girl centerpiece. Her pensive demeanor, oversized head, and anorexic body evoke compassion, pity, discomfort, and familiarity all in one shot. Three: flattering. With a slight stretch, this 100% cotton tee looks good–and feels good. Best of all, it’s thin, so you can wear it alone or layered for endless options. Why, hello, new favorite tee!

So who’s responsible for this love-at-first-sight experience? Artistic collaborators Dion Macellari and Maggie Maki. The silkscreen design comes from original watercolor drawings by Dion, the company’s owner. The edgy website was stylist Maggie’s idea. She was inspired by Dion’s most recent body of work, “Pop Culture Victims.” Together, these entrepreneurs are creating fearless fashion styles that make a T-shirt and jeans look runway worthy.

I recently swarmed the Furlesque site and drooled over their newest fall designs. I highly recommend you check it out and experience it for yourself. But act fast—the designs are limited, but I doubt their fans are.

Written by: Adrianne Munkacsy, October 11th 2007

Distressed Goth Girl Tee

admin — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 13:25:00 +0000

By Furlesque

So the Goth phase passed with the nineties, but that doesn’t mean you can't still wear a distressed little Goth girl on your tee to reflect your inner darkness. Furlesque’s tees look handmade, and there is no reason to doubt that they came from a hand-painted watercolor design. Their tees are soft to the touch and a little see through, but not too pleasing on the eye. Either the design of the little Goth girl in the middle is too small or there just isn’t enough to make this tee shirt feel like more than a fashion victim of a Goth trend.

The assortment of different sized rose prints on the front and the tree print on the back are a good way to put more into this design, but it feels like an add on rather than compliment to the shirt’s over all look, and you might get asked if you’d made the tee yourself. I admit that the design didn’t bring my Goth out to the surface, but it did remind me of that stack of Depeche Mode CD’s I’ve stashed in the garage.

Written by: Annie Moss, October 7th 2007

Furlesque T-Shirt

admin — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:00:00 +0000

By Furlesque

Fun, funky, and functional art. Who doesn’t love the sound of that?

From the minute I saw the t-shirts created by Dion and Maggie, the founders of Furlesque, I was in love. Sheer and pretty, the t-shirt is form-fitting, but surprisingly warm. I wore it alone and was quite comfortable on a cool day here on a Central Californian beach. Come fall, it will look equally fantastic layered with my favorite strappy tank tops.

Furlesque was launched in 2006 by Maggie. With her great entrepreneurial sense and eye for brave fashion, she thought that Dion's recent body of work (female pop-culture victims) would be perfect as limited edition t-shirts. That was the beginning of Furlesque, but Maggie and Dion have been long time friends and artistic collaborators.

Keep your eyes open and spread the word. My t-shirt gets a lot of attention, and I expect to see many great things come from their collective, creative genius.

Written by: Gina Hobbs, August 30th 2007

Aviator Tee

admin — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:31:00 +0000

By Damned Dollies

When I first discovered this t-shirt, I was pleasantly surprised. I have to say, though, I was a little taken aback with the color. It is not something I would normally choose to wear. I usually go for more formal colors in whites, blacks and muted shades. I immediately put it on to test it for form, shape and length. It was marked a large, but it felt like a small to medium on my frame. I was a little disappointed with that.

I did, however, study the amusing scene trailing across the upper right shoulder of the garment. It features a girl flying a plane. She looks melancholy, with a cigarette hanging from her mouth. A scarf of stripes flies in the wind behind her. There are birds flying all around the plane. The plane itself is bright red, which really catches your eye. She has on a cute little jacket, emblazoned with a red crest, and a little cap and jacket to finish the ensemble.

On a positive note, it felt good on and, upon further inspection, was actually made of 100% cotton, which is great because we all know that cotton breathes. The washing instructions were simple and required just a warm wash and tumble dry. This is certainly an easy garment to care for, which is always a plus considering our hectic lives. After wearing it for a while, it remained comfortable on the skin, and I like the shorter sleeve length.

I would say that other than the fit and the color, this is a good little tee. It is fun and vibrant with a sense of whimsy, which we can all use from time to time.

Written by: Amber Whitman-Currier, July 17th 2007

“No More Blood for Oil” Tee

admin — Thu, 17 May 2007 13:00:00 +0000

By No Star Clothing

No Star is a clothing company based out of Portland, Oregon, that came about due to the founders’ love of t-shirts and graphic design. No Star businesses can be found in thirty-one states and eight countries. I was sent their “No More Blood for Oil” t-shirt to review.

This t-shirt is red, with a green brontosaurus on the front saying the words, “No More Blood for Oil.” Perhaps the reason a dinosaur is saying these words has to do with extinction, meaning that the dinosaurs are extinct, and humans will be also if they do not stop killing each other for oil.

Other interpretations are feasible, however. Perhaps the brontosaurus represents the death and extinction of oil as a commodity on this planet, just as dinosaurs became dead and extinct. Perhaps because oil itself is composed of ancient, formerly organic materials, such as dinosaurs, the brontosaurus represents oil itself with the red of the shirt representing blood, and therefore, it is all the more profound that it is the brontosaurus saying "No More Blood For Oil." Did that make sense? Anyway, the message seems to reach people, and even if they couldn't say exactly what the precise message is, they still had a gut reaction to that message that was meaningful.

There are many possible interpretations of this t-shirt's message, and that is another reason to wear it. It's so interesting! And who doesn't love red and green? I did receive many “I like your t-shirt” comments when wearing the shirt, and many people applauded the shirt’s message (whatever their interpretation was...)

Written by: Kent Page McGroarty, May 17th 2007

Is That a Hybrid or Are You Just Happy to See Me T-shirt

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 20:08:00 +0000

Rudechix

It’s reassuring that edgier girls, even when they become moms, can look to Rudechix tees for a little self-reverential, sassy fun. A phenomenon that hit big from its very first chops busting attitude tee in 2004 (“I’m Cuter Than You”), Rudechix is hotter and ruder than ever with a new series of to-die-for tee collections, including The Tattoo Line, The Environmental Line, The Bitter Waitress Collection and The Baby Surf Collection.

The fantastically inventive Sherry Mattson, owner and president of the company, is all about creating something beyond the typically prosaic one-liner. Besides earning a place as a cult fashion item, especially for the alterna-mom and her wild child, people are also cooing over the tees for their high quality ultra-soft cotton and because they are made in Los Angeles—never in sweat shops.

Rudechix receives strong ovations for straight-up righteous statements like “recycle dammit,” “my mommy’s tattoos are sick” and “I really don’t care how you like your eggs.” As a t-shirt fanatic, I’m hooked and plan to snap up a bunch more. When I wore mine from The Environmental Line, a lot of people wanted to know where I got it so they could get one, too. The fit is great and the shirt maintains its shape after repeated washings. Tees are priced at $20 for kids and $25 for adults.

Most importantly, I like the spirit of Rudechix, created especially for a provocative, empowered female who is cool and fun enough to express herself openly. The Rudechix motto? “You Think It, Dare To Say It.”

Why not? Especially when it looks and feels so damn good.

Written by: Cheryl Reeves, March 6th 2007

No Sweat T-Shirt

admin — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:54:00 +0000

By No Sweat Apparel

This product changed my mind about t-shirts on so many levels. With cap sleeves and baby ribs that hugged my curves I hardly knew I had it on. Not only is it comfortable, it washed beautifully! Made of 100% soft-combed, organic cotton and adorning the image of Rosie the Riveter, this product is fun and functional.

The best part about wearing this shirt, however, is sharing the message: Bienestar International manufactures union-made footwear and casual clothing under the brand name No Sweat™. No Sweat™, while supporting independent trade unions, helps fight the operation of sweat shops around the world. Organic products (that protect the earth) that are Union made (safeguarding the rights of workers) are marketed directly to consumers and rely primarily on internet sales for distribution. They provide a competitive product and a living wage to their workers by, believe it or not, not advertising! No Sweat™ relies on conscientious customers to spread the word, which isn’t difficult! While wearing this t-shirt many people commented and asked questions, making it very easy to share the message.

Not only is this product functional, comfortable and fun to wear, it enables the consumer to be a proactive force in our global community. Check out their website for ways you can be a part of this global campaign.

Written by: Gina Hobbs, February 27th 2007

"Decaf Tastes Like Ass" T-Shirt

admin — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 11:04:00 +0000

By Rudechix

The Rudechix line is all about honesty – letting your t-shirt/tank top/underwear say what you are too polite to say. Ranging from "I'm Cuter than You" to "Getting Tattoos When I'm 18" baby-wear, the clothes are funky, fun, and full of attitude. They are ideal for women who are tired of the old adage, "Sugar and spice and everything nice."

When my t-shirt came in the mail, I was very excited. Inside a coffee cup was the commentary, "Decaf Tastes Likes Ass." Red so soft it's almost pink, the shirt was pretty and biting at the same time.

Unfortunately, I did not get my chance to model it for the neighborhood. While this reviewer does not shop in plus-size stores, the XL tee was surprisingly small. Naturally, as a feminist, I was disappointed. I had requested an XL to be safe – surely XL women are not this size! I was forced to give it to my younger sister, who normally wears smalls and mediums.

The idea and style are both fantastic; my only hope is that Rudechix will realize that chunky girls have something to say too.

Written by: April D. Boland, February 19th 2007

Comic Book "Girl Power" & "Ladies Night" Tees

admin — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:17:00 +0000

By 80s Tees

Batgirl has been my hero since I was a small girl. As a young comic book geek, Batman was my favorite comic universe, and I absolutely adored Batgirl, because she had all the cool things that Batman had – but she was a girl. Supergirl was another favorite. I remember being four years old or so, and staring at the cover of a novelization for “Supergirl” the movie; it was frustrating, because I hadn't learned to read, but I liked looking at the picture.

Needless to say, these shirts are a fun homage to my childhood heroes. I'm not usually a t-shirt fan, since they generally look like shapeless bags on me; but these have a flattering cut, and a fun, old-school look. On one, Batgirl, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl are all portrayed on a dark blue background with gold, glittery trim, and a proclamation of “Girl Power!”. One the other, six female super heroines declare that it's "Ladies Night." I love the nostalgic design – not to mention that Supergirl looks like Olivia Newton-John. This tee brought back good memories, and makes me want to do some crime-fighting of my own...or at least get in a good workout at the gym.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, January 24th 2007