I need help. My friend is about to make a big mistake.

Hello Everyone,

Nooby here, and I need some clear opinions on if this Graphic Tee trend is dying or already dead. I ask because my close friend who has typically never been too style conscience has, for the past few months, been working at the store Metro Park, and has become basically brainwashed, in my opinion, into thinking that large print graphic tees are very IN and very stylish. So much so that he is seriously considering starting his own brand with this second rate graphic designer that he met at school.

When he approached me about the subject I tried to explain to him why I thought this was not as lucrative as he might think and that the whole graphic tee trend is sort of being run into the ground and kicked out the door, but he didnt buy it. He told me that Polo shirts are out and Graphic tees are in, he said something like "T shirts are like the modern canvas for artists man", now I can see what he means when it comes to some, I actually like Imaginary Foundation, but still I would maybe buy one and rarely ever wear it.

As for polo shirts being out, I dont ever think that is the case, are they not a staple in fashion that doesnt really fade in or out? I know the whole popped collar thing was sort of a trend but wasnt that it?

Anyways, I need some clear opinions on the subject because this guy is seriously about to drop some cash on something that I think he will regret once he tries to sell his shirts.

I know the topic of graphic tees has been talked about at nauseum around here, but most the points against them are just that they are ugly and "I dont wear them". I need some points on reasons why. I tried myself, but it was hard for me to formulate an argument on something that I have never even really contemplated before, I just got a bit frustrated when he didnt understand why I didnt consider them or guys who wear them to be stylish at all, I told them they were more like a contrived high school style that tries to hard to be cool, but he just told me that that is what is in now.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to get some feedback.

Nathaniel

lol. Okay, I realize you may think I am a troll and/or I am just going to get my chops busted a bit for being brand new to the forum, but I hope I do get some serious responses mixed in.

Thanks k4ppah I appreciate the response, thats is pretty interesting and I will definitely shine some light on that news. Yeah, you are probably right about not trying to go toe to toe with him about fashion in general, people can get pretty offended when others criticise their style, but i just cant take him thinking that these shirts are somehow cutting edge. For example he likes Kallusive, Obey and LRG shirts, I personally cant stand any of their stuff, some of Obey looks cool, but it is more fitting for a poster then a t shirt.

All good points, and I totally agree that it usually takes a person with a strong background in art to actually create a solid looking Graphic T, which he does not really have. His idea is to offer aspiring artists in college opportunities to put their work on his tees, and he thinks that if he creates a cool enough story behind his brand that it will be strong enough to gain a following. I basically call BS on most of that, but I dont have any experience in the streetwear culture, he seems to think it is all about having a cool message behind each shirt, but I just cant see shirts selling because of that and I cant see how many people would want to donate their designs, that is if they are even good, to his brand. I dont know if he plans on paying them or not. Brett, I think he is going for something in between novelty and trendy, shirts that are not as aggressive as lets say affliction but not as corny as novelty. He really likes Obey, but isnt shepard farrey behind that brand and isnt he like one of the most well know american street artists? I totally agree with you on how over saturated the market is with all over print tees and I am sick of them as well.

Yeah, if he is adamant about going through with this I guess the best thing I could do tell him is to make sure he finds the best designers he can. And, keep reminding him that subtle goes farther then flashy.