I adore this post! And I adore graphic tees. I love collecting them AND wearing them. Just got my newest one from a cafe with the best grilled cheese in Lille.
Lindsay, I’m so glad you refreshed us on your beginnings in the industry because I either did not know or did not remember!! lol, here’s a story for you - when I was in 9th grade my dad wrote in my birthday card that he would take me shopping at A&F and it was THRILLING to me. I picked out a bright red long sleeve shirt that had:
ABER
CROM
BIE!
written in giant white letters. I wore it to school and someone yelled “hey where is your shirt from” (sarcastically, clearly) and I wanted to die!! I never wore it again! But looking back I think it was fun and I stand by my selection hahah.
Anyways!!!! I loved this combo of history lesson, inspiration, clever writing, and LINKS! I think I need your J Crew bangles :) Bravo!!!
I remember those tees! We called them “stacked logos” - they had their own category haha and we spent a lot time figuring out how to split the letters! I’m sorry for that dumb guy but that is such a sweet gift from your dad!
I always admired the graphic design teams where I worked…so much creativity and skill is needed to create a killer graphic! I don’t own a lot of graphic tees but the ones I have, I’ve had forever!
Such great inspo but my favorite might be those marigold stripe pants 😍
(Those are my favorite, too!) You’re completely right about the graphic design teams - so much creativity and skill, and often on relentless calendars! I don’t know how they do it. It’s so impressive and inspiring.
I grew up on Crazy Shirts and Hard Rock Cafe souvenir shirts (my youngest is still wearing mine from childhood) so graphic tees are part of my DNA. I have deep regrets for donating some of my earliest concert tees, not knowing how fun and nostalgic they would be to have now and make a point to keep (and wear) the graphic tees I have now.
I love that you’ve passed some down. I have some from my dad which are truly treasured possessions. I also have some regret - I am a feverish delcutterer. And I’ve definitely parted with some gems way too soon. Love the hard rock tee! A classic!
Loved learning about the early beginnings of your fashion career — that is SO cool!
The history teacher in me really appreciated the historical context you shared about the graphic tee. Maybe this is dramatic, but I can never pick a graphic tee unless it's connected to something I genuinely love or care about — a favorite band or sports team, a cause I support, a place I love to visit, or even a food I’m obsessed with! This post truly had something for everyone!!
Thank, Traci! That’s what I love about graphic tees - the personal connection! (Although for me that connection is sometimes just liking a great design!)
I own exactly ONE graphic tee my friend. Perhaps I’ll wear it soon in your honor- bc you’re giving me so much inspo and so many ideas on how to get it done!!!
THIS IS GOLD, LINDSAY. I learned so much (about the backstory of graphic tees, about *you*!) and want to put several of these tees on my wishlist. Love the way you broke it all down and all the inspo throughout. Ty for your service, graphic tee queen. 👑
Thank you, Elin, for this kind comment! I really love graphic tees, I think they’re so fun and capture so many great memories - which I’ve loved reading about from everyone here!
I’m so glad you wrote this piece because you are the QUEEN of a history lesson on fashion! The Beatles pioneering band shirts? I love that I have that trivia knowledge now. I enjoy a graphic tee in both the oversized and baby variety. But my favorite way to shop graphic tees is the men’s section 😳 Zara Mens has really good graphics!!
Thank you, Kelly! I loved learning that, too, and it also made me laugh that apparently their manager was like, a merch deal for you! And a merch deal for you! And a merch deal for you! Such a good tip to shop the men’s section, I’ll have to check out Zara’s!
I am with you 💯 on the graphic tee life. It’s such a fun part of my wardrobe. I love the way you explained it. I love the art, fruit, and location edits so much. Heck, I love it all. Consider this a RSVP to your graphic tee party!! 🎉
THANK YOU SO much for the mention!! Made me so giddy!!
I adore this post! And I adore graphic tees. I love collecting them AND wearing them. Just got my newest one from a cafe with the best grilled cheese in Lille.
Graphic tees really are the best scrapbooks! They carry so much sentiment and memory. I love how you style yours!
Thanks! And I love that. Yes, scrapbooks. Beautiful analogy.
Lindsay, I’m so glad you refreshed us on your beginnings in the industry because I either did not know or did not remember!! lol, here’s a story for you - when I was in 9th grade my dad wrote in my birthday card that he would take me shopping at A&F and it was THRILLING to me. I picked out a bright red long sleeve shirt that had:
ABER
CROM
BIE!
written in giant white letters. I wore it to school and someone yelled “hey where is your shirt from” (sarcastically, clearly) and I wanted to die!! I never wore it again! But looking back I think it was fun and I stand by my selection hahah.
Anyways!!!! I loved this combo of history lesson, inspiration, clever writing, and LINKS! I think I need your J Crew bangles :) Bravo!!!
I remember those tees! We called them “stacked logos” - they had their own category haha and we spent a lot time figuring out how to split the letters! I’m sorry for that dumb guy but that is such a sweet gift from your dad!
I always admired the graphic design teams where I worked…so much creativity and skill is needed to create a killer graphic! I don’t own a lot of graphic tees but the ones I have, I’ve had forever!
Such great inspo but my favorite might be those marigold stripe pants 😍
(Those are my favorite, too!) You’re completely right about the graphic design teams - so much creativity and skill, and often on relentless calendars! I don’t know how they do it. It’s so impressive and inspiring.
I had so many freaking amazing A&F graphic tees in college - I wish I still had them and that they still fit! 😂
Off to poshmark 😂!!
this whole post made me smile. All the colour mashed together was a fun ride! Your history breakdown as usual such a unique POV. Loved it!!
Thanks, Jordyn! So happy you enjoyed it.
The behind-the-scenes of your tee hustle was sharp, funny, and so relatable. Loved this post, thanks for the reshare.
Thanks, Evonne! Some things never leave you 😂
I grew up on Crazy Shirts and Hard Rock Cafe souvenir shirts (my youngest is still wearing mine from childhood) so graphic tees are part of my DNA. I have deep regrets for donating some of my earliest concert tees, not knowing how fun and nostalgic they would be to have now and make a point to keep (and wear) the graphic tees I have now.
I love that you’ve passed some down. I have some from my dad which are truly treasured possessions. I also have some regret - I am a feverish delcutterer. And I’ve definitely parted with some gems way too soon. Love the hard rock tee! A classic!
My dad loved a graphic tee too, the sillier the better.
LOVED this Lindsay!
Thank you!!
Loved learning about the early beginnings of your fashion career — that is SO cool!
The history teacher in me really appreciated the historical context you shared about the graphic tee. Maybe this is dramatic, but I can never pick a graphic tee unless it's connected to something I genuinely love or care about — a favorite band or sports team, a cause I support, a place I love to visit, or even a food I’m obsessed with! This post truly had something for everyone!!
Thank, Traci! That’s what I love about graphic tees - the personal connection! (Although for me that connection is sometimes just liking a great design!)
I own exactly ONE graphic tee my friend. Perhaps I’ll wear it soon in your honor- bc you’re giving me so much inspo and so many ideas on how to get it done!!!
My work here is done 😂 I’d love to see how you style it, I’m sure it will br fabulous!
THIS IS GOLD, LINDSAY. I learned so much (about the backstory of graphic tees, about *you*!) and want to put several of these tees on my wishlist. Love the way you broke it all down and all the inspo throughout. Ty for your service, graphic tee queen. 👑
Thank you, Elin, for this kind comment! I really love graphic tees, I think they’re so fun and capture so many great memories - which I’ve loved reading about from everyone here!
I’m so glad you wrote this piece because you are the QUEEN of a history lesson on fashion! The Beatles pioneering band shirts? I love that I have that trivia knowledge now. I enjoy a graphic tee in both the oversized and baby variety. But my favorite way to shop graphic tees is the men’s section 😳 Zara Mens has really good graphics!!
Thank you, Kelly! I loved learning that, too, and it also made me laugh that apparently their manager was like, a merch deal for you! And a merch deal for you! And a merch deal for you! Such a good tip to shop the men’s section, I’ll have to check out Zara’s!
Be still my beating heart!! You know I love a tee Lindsay and to see all of these offerings in one place - I’m saving this to refer back too! x
You wear them so well!!
Some great ideas — I love a graphic tshirt but can never make it quite work so I’ll be referring to this.
Thanks for reading, Zara!
What a cool job!! I know you rocked it!
I am with you 💯 on the graphic tee life. It’s such a fun part of my wardrobe. I love the way you explained it. I love the art, fruit, and location edits so much. Heck, I love it all. Consider this a RSVP to your graphic tee party!! 🎉
THANK YOU SO much for the mention!! Made me so giddy!!
Yay! So glad you RSVP’d yes!! Love your style, and finds, Ginny!
Thank you so much! I love YOURS!
100% agree a graphic tee looks great under a blazer. Good ones are hard to find, thanks for the round up.
My favorite way to wear them!