Treasured T-Shirt

Treasured by Chow Hon Lam only $15 at Threadless.

Retro T Shirts

Image Credit: Gemma Jones

Can’t think of anything to give to a friend who’s stuck in the 70’s? Want to give your parents something they will surely enjoy and that will make them reminisce? Give them a retro t-shirt!

Retro t-shirts, sometimes used interchangeably with the term vintage t-shirts, are t-shirts that were popular in the past decades. Designs of retro t-shirts typically include a famous slogan popularized during that decade. Examples of slogans are “It’s OK, I’m with the Band”, “Make Love, Not War”, “Groovy!” and “Do Your Own Thing”, to name a few. Retro t-shirt may also be designed with logos of famous 60’s, 70’s or 80’s bands.

However, in recent years, there has been a surge in the number of vendors selling reproductions of retro t-shirts. If you want to buy a real, honest-to-goodness retro t-shirt that fits, here are some tips you should consider:

• Check if there is a photograph of the item. Search for close-ups, and inspect it carefully, taking into account pixels, colors and sizing. Also, compare the pictures with pictures of the authentic retro t-shirt.
• Consider the t-shirt material. Retro t-shirts were typically made of a blend of polyester and cotton.
• Real retro t-shirts may have been worn and washed to various degrees. When checking the size, don’t forget to factor in some shrinkage or stretching of the fabric.
• If possible, ask for the size and measurements of the t-shirt, specifically the length and the chest measurements, to make sure that it fits.
• Look for the tag or ask for the brand. Popular t-shirt brands of the past include Sportswear, Screen Stars, Ched and Touch of Gold, to name a few.
• Make sure that the vendor has a reasonable return policy.

If you follow these tips, you’ll surely find an authentic retro t-shirt in no time!

Gothic Clothing

Image Credit: gothic

Gothic fashion represents an alternative, occasionally eccentric, fashion style. Gothic clothing is characterized by dark pieces worn from head to toe. Some consider the style to be morbid or vampire-like. Some pieces are inspired by designs in the Victorian and Elizabethan era.

Gothic clothing is typically composed of black clothes, usually combined with bold accents in red, deep purple or silver. Designs of gothic clothing include crosses, Wiccan symbols and Egyptian ankhs, to name a few. On certain occasions, instead of the typical all-black ensemble, Goths also tend to wear all-white clothing.

Typical clothing for female Goths includes elaborate dark-colored corsets and detailed gowns. Fitted jeans and boots are also favorite pieces worn by female Goths. To add more drama to the outfit, girls also wear fishnet stockings, veils and black boots.

On the other hand, typical clothing for male Goths includes rugged or tight pants combined with a dark suit. They also tend to wear black trenchcoats. Occasionally, male Goths also wear female clothing, such as skirts, corsets and even dresses.

Goths typically wear black make-up to further enhance the dark look. Both males and females wear dark make-up. Black eyeliner, black lipstick and black nail polish are usually worn. Goths also usually wear white powders on the face to appear pale, a stark contrast to the dark make-up. The hair of Goths are also usually dyed black, although some Goths choose brighter colors, such as deep shades of red or violet. Tattoos and body piercings are also common in the Goth subculture.

There has been a gradual but steady increase in the number of clothing stores selling gothic apparel. This continuing growth has led to the development of various gothic fashion shows, where gothic clothing is showcased. Examples of these include Seattle’s Gothique Fashion and Melbourne’s Nocturnal Instincts.