My deep rooted love of band tees started in the most predictable way: falling in love with music.
Finding music as a teen changed everything: I appreciate that I have mentioned this countless times – it was the main factor in discovering who I am, what I am passionate about, and made me truly stick with being myself.
A new album, with the release date carefully added to my scrapbook of a diary [complete with Kerrang! cut-outs, photo-booth pictures & ink pen, naturally] would endure hours of listening [first listen: always alone, in my bedroom, tracks played in order]. Artwork was a crucial part of the opening of a new album: C.D booklets looked over, page to page, devoured with keen heart eyes. When I went to my first ’proper’ concert aged 13 – Marilyn Manson, Godhead & Disturbed – at the now non-existent Docklands Arena, London – my mind was utterly blown. ALL THESE PEOPLE. IN ENGLAND. INTO THE SAME SHIT AS ME? How was this possible?! My isolated existence, having people tell me I was a freak, was [somewhat] over: it made me totally ecstatic.
It was on this fateful night: I purchased my first, ever, band t-shirt.
From my teenage years, I have a handful of much loved t-shirts that – shockingly – are now described as ‘vintage’ [feeling like a proper grown-up right about now] – there is something so intrinsically passionate about my love of these fabric items.
A couple of years ago, back to feeling the most ‘myself’ I had felt after the birth of my son – with the deep psychological impact the entire motherhood process had upon me [whoa, that’s a deep one] – I started to properly build upon my little collection. I’d sought a few gems out on eBay some years prior [a Smashing Pumpkins number, won for 99cents on eBay, most definitely being the best score I have had to date] but really started being able to tick some items off the never-ending, beautiful wish-list.
I cannot imagine a time in which I will not reach for these tees: I am most definitely not of the mindset that they are meant for teenage years alone, and I feel, strongly, that they can be styled time & time again regardless of someone’s age [wear what the hell you like, wear it with passion]
Vintage is going to continue to see a surge of interest as certain perils of fashion continue.
This, combined with celebrities wearing them, inadvertently bringing them to the masses, alongside those collecting continuing to collect; will no doubt fuel interest.
For many, clothes are simply meaningless fabric, allowing the wearer to be: a) somewhat warm & b) semi-presentable – and the thought of ever parting with hundreds of pounds on a graphic t-shirt – most likely v faded, with holes & marks, that lord knows how many people have worn & owned; is seemingly barbaric.
…but for the holy grail vintage lovers: that shirt, with the combined feelings of nostalgia, true love, art appreciation, rarity – is everything.
a curation of vintage finds, below:
NIRVANA:
TYPE O NEGATIVE:
HOLE:
CURATED FAVOURITES:
Such a great post! Love it when you talk about what you’re passionate about, really shines through the writing <3
It was a joy to write tbh; I’m stoked you got that vibe <3 thank u! xx
I appreciate the sentiment of this writing. As someone who’s always tried to fit in, and felt pressured to “conform”, at 31 years of age I’m finally realizing who fucking cares what I wear and what decorated fashion I want to use to express myself. We’re all freaks now, in the dope show.
amen, never try to fit in if you don’t want to <3
totally - as Dr.Seuss would say - those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind x
Yup agreed lol
❤️❤️❤️
Great post! Love the topic and like the other comments have said, your passion and love really shines through making it even more enjoyable to read!x x x
so appreciate! thank you x
Oh I love this! Back in the 90’s when the soundtrack of my youth (I’m 41) came out, I was all about the band t’s. And yes, they did have a different meaning back then with my teenage mind than they do now. It does sting a bit that they are now ‘vintage’ because it just ages us, but like the music, we are timeless. We kept the music alive through our children. We listened to it at home and in the car, then a few years later a joy came over me when I heard MY music coming from… Read more »
love this 🙂
I’m curious to see what happens with vintage band t-shirts in the next few years. I’m 27 so my teen nostalgia era was during the whole MySpace scene phase and I don’t think merchandise from that era has aged well at all, and it really doesn’t fit into the whole “vintage” vibe. I’d love to see some gems reveal themselves so I can wear band tees from my glory days.
I think they will become big as well – as time goes on, and things become ‘vintage’, and rarity and nostalgia creep in, they’ll be more and more interest
I’m so glad you wrote this! I had much of the same experience with music and band tees
And enjoyed hearing your story!
oh so stoked to hear – thank you 🙂 x
I completely Love this story! I absolutely love all my band tees as they bring back so many cherished memories of concerts I attended. Speaking of cherished fabrics, every day when I open my closet I’m in such awe of all my Sammi scarves. I can’t thank you enough for Creating such a cherished fabric for me to adore. Happy New Year Sammi, you truly are an inspiration.
oh this is so lovely of you – thanks so much for being here <3
This was such a great read. Most people see the shirts we wear on a surface level and look at them purely as a fashion statement or a trend, when in reality the shirts are way more than that. They are an expression of ourselves and there’s so many different reasons each person will love and connect to a specific piece. A shirt can say so much about us without speaking a word.
thank you so much! completely – this post was semi-fuelled by a few comments I have received (always on Nirvana, obviously) and hit my core youth feelings.
I love everything about this post! 🖤 so beautifully written and I can relate 100%
ah tysm! x
ah thank you 🙂
I have just started collecting, are there any tips you can give to a newbie?
eBay & Etsy are your friends when it comes to hunting down specific items & also potentially getting them for under market value – I have had this happen numerous times – follow specific curated stores via Instagram 🙂
What a beautifully written post. Music has always played an enormous part in my life and as I get older the music I grew up listening to is even more special to me now.
thank you – I know the feeling 🙂