Fool's Mate

Fool's Mate from Endgame

Although it may not quite look like it this tee is for chess lovers. For the uninitiated the term Fool's Mate refers to a checkmate in just 2 moves. Sounds impossible but it can happen. So even though only certain people will get it, this design is still good enough to stand on its own. 

Audio Visual

Audio Visual from LiHai

I have seen a few modern takes on the Alphonse Mucha style but they have all been well known modern characters done in his style. This tee is something different. There are hints to Mucha here but the artist has imparted his own style which is much more modern. The sexy dj girl really takes that to another level though.

Never Say Die

Never Say Die from 8-bit Zombie

I remember as a child watching The Goonies repeatedly. I loved that movie. In fact I still do, although I have not seen it for a while now. This tee brought all those fantastic childhood memories flooding back. So much so that I am going to turn off the computer, rummage through my old movies and kick back to enjoy this classic all over again. Always remember, Goonies never say die.

Improviso

Improviso 2.0 by rodisley jose da silva

This is a really unique take on the old happy/sad clown cliche. The smile looks like it has been drawn in crayon, or possibly makeup, which really makes it stand out against the lifelike seriousness of the face. It seems the message is that real life is full of suffering while happiness is a fake veneer that we show the world.

We've Got Some Work To Do Now

We've Got Some Work To Do Now by Travis Pitts

Yay Threadless has finally reprinted this awesome Scooby Doo design. You may have seen the picture before as it has been plastered all over the net. Not surprising really. Scooby and Velma looking all tough and mean during a zombie apocalypse, what's not to love.

Dream Quest

Dream Quest from Qetza

I just love designs with incredible amounts of detail like this. They draw you in to discover all their secrets. It is that quality that sets this tee apart from all the other dream catcher tshirts out there. Truly stunning artwork.

Sounds Like Hell

Sounds Like Hell by coubo

This tee really made me laugh. I love the way it takes the complaints about modrn music made by the oldr generation and flips it all around. With the Grim Reaper on the turntables it will really sound like Hell.

Drop Knowledge Not Bombs

Drop Knowledge Not Bombs from Almaic

I don't usually like tees with pithy sayings on them but this bought back memories of a comedy routine I saw by Wil Anderson. He was talking about the footage on tv of the war on terror and claims that a bomb that had been dropped cost one million dollars. The joke was that a million dollars worth of anything dropped out of a plane would cause damage. Washing machines and fridges were mentioned. I can only imagine what a million dollars worth of hardcover books would do.

Yeah I Work Out

Yeah I Work Out from Junk Food Clothing

This is how I roll, ripped purple pants outta control. I'm nerdy and I know it.

Dead Elvis Jail House Dump

Dead Elvis Jail House Dump from Chalked

Cliche Alert!!!. Fat Elvis with junk food and drugs sitting on the toilet. Yeah nothing new there. Rather than the subject matter it is the style of the artwork that makes this tee so unique. While all the set props have been rendered realistically the King himself has been done in a chalk effect. I find that really interesting as it is a parody of the chalk outlines drawn around dead bodies by forensic scientists. The hound dog tucked into the corner is just the icing on the cake.

Ganesha

Ganesha by Corey Courts

Ganesha is one of the most widely recognised and worshiped deities of the Hindu faith. Therefore it does not come as a great surprise to realise that there are a lot of tshirts around that feature him. This one sets itself apart purely by the fantastic artwork. It becomes even more amazing when you find out the artist is self taught. There is just no substitute for natural talent.

Zombie Bart

Zombie Bart from Forbidden Ink

A batch of nuclear waste from the power plant has wreaked havoc, turning the citizens of Springfield into zombies. Holy cow man. They don't want to eat your shorts, they want to eat your brains. Run for your life.

Chief Eagle

Chief Eagle from Rook

There are a lot of tshirts that feature a native American headdress as part of the design, usually with an animal as the subject. This tee stands out by actually using the man, but the inclusion of a pair of sunglasses gives it a whole new twist. The bright blue lenses become the focal point, really standing out amidst the monochrome. It is as if the traditional is colorless while the modern is too bright, making me ponder if the middle ground is ideal.

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis from Miles To Go

This tee is inspired by "the Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka. I have to admit that I have not read it, well not all of it anyway. I started reading it a few years ago but I was having some personal problems at the time and just found it too depressing. After seeing this tee I am inclined to go back and have another go.

La Nona

La Nona by Diego Verhagen

I guess you would describe this as pop surrealism meets steampunk, although to be honest I am not really sure. It is bizarre in a strangely comforting way. What I love is seeing something new done with the steampunk genre.

Big Foot

Big Foot from Threads Or Tales

I love tees that tell a story and this quirky shirt certainly does that. This poor bigfoot has been afflicted with small feet. The poor fellow looks quite dejected about it. This is not helped at all by the bug siting on his head holding a sign that reads "You know what they say about small feet?". I like to think of it as an advantage as humankind's trackers will never find him. Now you know why sightings are so rare. Apparently there is a story under the label so you can find out the real story. I want to buy one just to find that out.

Evil Fairy Doing Magic

Evil Fairy Doing Magic by Al Rio

Something a bit different for today's post. The late Al Rio was well known for his sexy pin ups but he took a bit of a departure for this one, turning her into a evil fairy. I just love that cheeky, malevolent imp face. It reminds me of a girl I used to know who always seemed to have an ulterior motive in everything she did. Yes that is why she is someone I used to know, we all got thoroughly sick of her and her scheming.

Threadless Tshirt Review

Threadless

It is always nice to get home from work and discover a package of tees waiting for you. In this case it was three shirts from the recent insanitee sale at Threadless. These are far from the first that I have bought from the site so I already knew what to expect, but what is life without a few little surprises. The first thing I noticed was the packaging. Where all my other orders came in white plastic envelopes with the company logo on them, this time around it was a lain grey plastic envelope. Not sure if this is a move to cut costs or if they had just run out and to be honest it really doesn't matter. I am interested in the shirts rather than the packaging. When I opened it up I discovered a sticker nestled in amongst the tees which was a pleasant little surprise.

The tees themselves are just what I have come to expect. Nice clean crisp printing that is perfectly centered. The custom printed tag inside the neck area is a feature I just love as it has not just the name of the design, but also the artist. The only thing I can pick on is that the prints are not quite as nice to the touch as rivals Design By Humans. I am talking a very slight difference and it is certainly not a deal breaker. They are still soft and vibrant, they just feel ever so slightly a bit plasticky. It is not the sort of thing you notice unless you have the two side by side. 

Ship Destroyer

Ship Destroyer from Rise To Glory

This is the perfect sort of tee for those looking for an alternative to the common skull tshirt. A giant sea worm / monster thing destroying ships is just so horror, rock n roll looking that it could easily be a band poster. The artwork is just incredible and detailed that I want to get closer for a better look.

Octohug

Octohug from Sharp Shirter

Wee all need a hug sometimes and surely nothing on earth could hug better than an octopus. The most amazing thing about this tee is the 360 degree printing. It is not something you see very often and this is the first time I have ever seen it done like this. Amazingly cool.

Design By Humans Tshirt Review

Design By Humans

If you haven't already heard of it, DBH has something they call the Tee Grinder. Looking something like an electronic one armed bandit, you choose your gender and size, push the button and three random tees show up. Keep pressing the button until you get a selection you like. Simple. This is a unique way for a company to move old shirts and it is great for the consumer as your three tees cost just 25 bucks. I couldn't resist and ending up buying two lots.

Less than two weeks after I ordered the package was on my doorstep. That is amazing speed considering that I am in Australia. I ordered some tees from another site the week before these and am still waiting for those to arrive. The black plastic package has a see through window in the shape of the smiley face DBH logo which looks great. Nestled inside with the tees was a bonus sticker which is pretty cool. We all love freebies.

The shirts themselves are fantastic. Nice and soft even where the prints are. There are a lot of companies that could learn something here, although the secret is probably heavily guarded. The blanks are a nice length and fit, much like Threadless tees. I honestly can't fault the printing on any of them, even after a long thorough inspection. I am very impressed and am sure that you will be too if you order some.

Esoterica

Esoterica from Vicious History

I love the artwork and the subject matter on this tee, it is one of the most unique out there. Plague doctors were medical physicians who saw those who were infected during the Black Death. It is the sort of job that only those not quite right in the head would take on. Perfect subject choice for a company called Vicious History.

Make a Wish

Make a Wish by d.b

Unfortunately this is very close to being added to the denial files as there are very few of them left. Not hard to see why as the illustration artwork is stunningly good.

UPDATE - was just surfing and found this design on another site called DVNT.

Sacrifice

Sacrifice by darel

This snowman wants toasted marshmallows so much that he is willing to sacrifice his frozen body by standing right next to the open fire. It is funny and creepy at the same time. The creepiness is really amped up by the artwork. The orange glow in the night, the wickedly twisted branches for arms and the shadows on his face giving a slightly menacing aspect to his features all combine to give me a sense of uneasiness. This is really clever artwork.

TshirtOS

TshirtOS by Ballantine’s and CuteCircuit

I have been thinking about this for a while now and I just don't know what to make of it. At first it seems really cool in a Teletubby sort of way. Being able to change your tshirt motif at will is extraordinary. The problem comes when I start pondering issues like privacy, copyright etc. Would you put a picture from the net on your tee if it meant you could be sued? I can also imagine advertisers jumping all over this. I wear tees that have a message sure, but do I want to be advertising for companies?

At the moment this is more a curiosity than anything but as technology improves this could easily become our fashion future. The question is how are we going to handle it?

The Visitor

The Visitor by Alice X. Zhang and Melanie Herring

Something really different today in the form of a cosmic fish thingy. I love the flowing design that leads your eyes down from the top to reveal the person that the fish is looking at. The creature seems to be made of pure energy and also to be revealing the secrets of the universe. The water ripples surrounding the small, insignificant human are a nice juxtaposition and help cement the piece. This is a really well thought out artwork that would look as good hanging on a wall as it would decorating your chest.

Sweet Child O’Mine

Sweet Child O’Mine by DCAY

Time to add another tee to the denial files. That's right you can't own this creepy number as it has been sold out for a while. Guess you will just have to spend your time wondering just what the heck is in that baby carriage.

And So It Begins

And So It Begins by BenFellowes

Everything old is new again. I find it funny that the zombie hand bursting up through the ground became such a cliche that it became unpopular and people stopped using it. As a result seeing one now makes it look fresh and exciting. The beautiful job the artist has done with the text above the hand really has helped with that feeling as well.

Minotaur

Minotaur from Myth Clothing

Greek mythology has come to life. This Minotaur has busted through the wall and is coming to detach your head from your body with his war axe. Sounds good but I have to admit that when I first saw it my first thought was World Of Warcraft. Guess that just goes to show how much pop culture influences us.

Croc Lord

Croc Lord by BeastWreck

Behold the ancient reptilian swamp-deity the Croc Lord. He captures water nymphs that inhabit his watery realm and drains them of their power to increase his own. This is just amazing artwork, which becomes even more mind blowing when you realise that only three colors are used. This is the power of the halftone when done by a master.

Available in both mens and womens

Thomas The Assault Engine

Thomas The Assault Engine by midgerock

This could be the greatest steampunk / pop culture mashup ever. Thomas the Tank Engine has gone all transformer and turned into a steam powered weapon of war. He really is a very useful engine. I like to imagine the show would be something like Wild Wild West 2 voiced by Ringo.