Gawker: t-shirts

Urban Outfitters' Cunning Plan to Revive the Republican Party

Pareene — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:14:42 EDT

Oh, hey, here is a hip T-shirt that basically guarantees the eventual retaking of Congress by the GOP in 2010. Much more subtle than previous efforts, Urban Outfitters!

Urban Outfitters founder and chairman Richard Hayne is, of course, an ultra-conservative billionaire who hates the gays and funnels millions to Republicans. But his money is probably less valuable to the party than his passion for "outfitting" America's worst young people in terrible shirts that make everyone hate liberal youths.

Christians and Hipsters Agree on T-Shirt

Hamilton Nolan — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:34:53 EST

Oh yes, these shirts are really for sale. And they didn't forget you, Ex-Homosexuals and Ex-Fornicators! Guaranteed to get you laid by a Christian. [P4CM.Com]. UPDATE: Oh good, an explanatory video:

The Shirts Off of Microsoft's Back

Owen Thomas — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:40:15 EST

Microsoft's first-ever mass layoffs bore unusual fruit for Microsoft obsessive Todd Bishop, who spent the weekend in Seattle-area thrift shops. He discovered more discarded Microsoft logowear than ever. Some of his finds:

Laid-Off Media Elites' Club Achieves T-Shirt Status

Richard Lawson — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:18:00 EST

Are a you laid off media person? Have you joined The American Society of Shitcanned Media Elites (ASSME)? You should, because they're a seriously legitimate organization now. They have T-shirts and everything!

Every sad laid-off blogger (or other media type) type will love this 100% cotton navy blue T-shirt that features the irreverent, Obama-skewering line "Yes We Canned." Plus, giving good souls that they are, they're giving all the profits to charity. God bless 'em.

The fun times group had a swell open bar party recently for all the newly jobless to commiserate and get drunk. And while we can't exactly say that we hope to join their fine organization, we were bummed we couldn't attend the party.

And now we're even more bummed because we can't wear the T-shirt. What if it was donned in noble solidarity? Would that count?

New Photos Highlight Illegal Obama/Bambu Resemblance

Pareene — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:44:23 EST

Our supercool, smokin' President-elect has already inspired ironic T-shirts, lawsuits based on those T-shirts, and now a classic "this thing looks like that thing" post, all in one week!

The good people at Bambu, a cigarette rolling papers concern, are suing some ironic T-shirt maker who infringed their trademark with a shirt replacing the iconic panama-hatted Bambu guy with our iconic new President. But the president himself infringed on this very same trademark, back in college, in those hilarious photographs that Time tracked down this week!

Yes in those 1980 photos of Barack Obama, he's wearing a Panama Hat and smoking what appears to be a hand-rolled cigarette, and he's looking pretty smug, just like the Bambu guy. So either Bambu should sue 1980 Obama, or 1980 Obama should sue the T-shirt guy, or everyone should just get high and forget about it.

Maureen Dowd will work this into a column, mark our words—or mark the word "OBambu," when you see it in her column. Mark it out, in black Sharpie, so you don't have to read it again.

Now Republicans Can Dress Like Williamsburg Trash Too!

ian spiegelman — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:00:40 EDT

Annoying clothing designers have been all over Barack Obama throughout the campaign, but won't someone please create some cool streetwear for McCain supporters? Or at least something that hiptards can wear to be even more ironic? Complex can. Check out the McCain couture after the jump.

James Franco Nervously Denies T-Shirt Theft

Hamilton Nolan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:04:42 EDT

Earlier this week we brought you damning evidence that the new Seth Rogen comedy Pineapple Express may have engaged in the shocking, unauthorized theft of a t-shirt design from a small Brooklyn company called WOWCH. The scandal now threatens to swamp the movie's marketing efforts like a tidal wave of justice. James Franco, the shifty long-haired actor who was the wearer of the shirt in question, took a brief break from seducing swooning women in order to stammer a denial of the crime's very existence:

"What? That's ridiculous," Franco exclaimed. "We completely created that shirt and that shark. [Director] David [Gordon Green, who they say came up with the shirt design himself] wanted me to wear a purple Monterey Bay T-shirt with a whale on it. I said I wasn't into the whale shirt, so he came up with his own design, which was the shark."

Franco was then swarmed by a crowd of women demanding to have sex with him (seriously, read the story). Does he really like sex? Or is he simply looking for a convenient way to slither away from the hard questions about his shark-and-kitten shirt? The truth will emerge, Franco. The truth will emerge.

[NYDN]

Did Pineapple Express Steal This T-Shirt?

Hamilton Nolan — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:37:48 EDT

Sartorial scandal alert: Is the upcoming Seth Rogen film Pineapple Express guilty of wanton t-shirt design theft? A small Brooklyn t-shirt maker called WOWCH says that co-star James Franco's character appears in the movie wearing shark-and-kitten shirt that is really just a slightly altered version of a WOWCH design that was sold at Urban Outfitters in 2005. But the big stars don't give the little guys credit at all! The photographic evidence for this potential merchandising mockery—and the demands for redress—after the jump.

The original WOWCH shirt:

The Pineapple Express poster:

A closer look at Franco's shirt-wearing:

On WOWCH's blog, the company points out an interview in which Franco credited the shirt's design to director David Gordon Green. Yea right! WOWCH is demanding free tickets and popcorn to a showing of Pineapple Express to make up for what is, in all likelihood, the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of licensing fees (we just made that figure up). Justice!

Buy A Rolling Stone T-Shirt. It's Iconic Or Something

Hamilton Nolan — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:45:24 EDT

Rolling Stone, America's most frustrating magazine (yay, Matt Taibbi; boo, excruciating music coverage) has been having some trouble selling ads lately. So to help revitalize its "iconic and revolutionary brand," the magazine has slapped some of its classic covers on t-shirts. They're for sale at Macy's for $36 each. Eh, not really worth it. Oh, wait: each shirt comes with a free subscription to Rolling Stone. Eh, still. Better idea: make the magazine better so it sells. "The new collection of Rolling Stone tees appeals to today's cross-channel lifestyle, bringing together the influences of fashion, music, celebrity and entertainment," says a Macy's exec. "Macy's is honored to be exclusively bringing back these covers in a new, wearable way." OH NOW I GET IT. [via Ad Age]

CNN Throwing Away Best Shirts

Ryan Tate — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:33:12 EDT

CNN.com's business of selling t-shirts is starting to gain some traction and go viral, even after the network closed a security hole that let you write whatever headline you wanted. Obama supporters flocked to buy the "Obama Makes History" headline on a shirt last week, breaking sales records. Another boost came when Anderson Cooper said he wanted Donna Brazile to be his "boo," and people flocked to buy a shirt reading, "Anderson Cooper, ‘you’re not my boo.’" It's now the number-three all-time bestseller. But, in true mainstream media fashion, CNN is doing its best to thwart its own online success. The network selectively blocks some of the best headlines, like "Grizzly Victim: 'He's eating my brain!'" There's now a whole website dedicated just to non-shirt-eligible headlines, like these:

Since you can't buy the best headlines, like these, total CNN.com shirt sales are stuck at "north of one thousand" shirts, a CNN spokeswoman told the Times.

Come on, CNN, give in. You're already publishing the headlines, why be so ashamed of some of them that you prevent yourself from making some residual bucks? Besides, if you don't start pandering now, Fox News will beat you to it, then you'll just end up giving in and sinking to their level anyway. Just ask MSNBC.

[Times, NotACNNTShirt.com]

Jon Friedman Doesn't "Get" Anderson Cooper

Pareene — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:42:05 EDT

MarketWatch media guru Jon Friedman just doesn't get the deal with that Anderson Cooper fellow. You know the one, right? Infinite blue eyes, enveloping gaze, powerful (but gentle) arms, distinguished and shimmering silver hair? Works on CNN? Well Friedman thinks he's the bunk! People just like Anderson 'cause he's adorable, and warm, and kind, and earnest! Not for any good reasons! Or, as Friedman puts it: "Yes, CNN's Anderson Cooper has heart. He oozes empathy. He's clearly a good-hearted fellow and, by all accounts, as likeable as all get-out." YES, YES, BUT WHY IS HE SO POPULAR? And, more importantly, why don't people feel the same way about Jon Friedman?? (Click thru to see the t-shirt we just bought for Jon, btw.)

Dress Like a Tool For Hope!

Pareene — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:47:55 EDT

Remember those weird meatheaded tools in Abercrombie gear who distracted everyone during Obama's rally in Evansville? Well, now you can be one of them! Sort of! By buying these Obamacrombie shirts, which are not licensed or sanctioned by either Obama or Abercrombie and Fitch so they'll probably be shut down in minutes. [Obamacrombie]

Winner!

Pareene — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:20:37 EDT

Yesterday, CNN introduced new headline t-shirts and we bemoaned their shamelessness. Then we shamelessly held a contest for the best fake ones! Betty Crocker wins (with an assist from Tnuc)! Simple. Effective. Also it may get you arrested. Unfortunately you can't actually buy these hacked shirts, nor can you even hack them anymore. Maybe we'll try to work out something else?

Damien Hirst Has Some T-Shirts To Get Rid Of

Hamilton Nolan — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:55:53 EDT

Famous artperson Damien Hirst may sell the jeans he makes for $80,000, but he has some t-shirts that are much more affordable. They're 30 pounds, which is slightly less than $80,000. The catch is that all the money goes to support the ominous RED (Global Fund), the celebrity-infused charity that is either saving the world, or plotting to take it over on the low. The shirts feature works of art that the diamond skull craftsman auctioned off earlier to support that charity. Overall, I'm pretty afraid of them. But if you like butterflies, or pills, or balloon animals, you might like the ones after the jump. Cause hey, celebrity artist on your shirt, right?

DAMIEN HIRST MADE THESE SHIRTS RIGHT HERE:

HIS FAMOUS ARTIST FRIEND JEFF KOONS MADE THESE ONES WITH THE BALLOON ANIMAL WHICH YOU CAN ALSO BUY TO WEAR AROUND:

[via High Snobiety]

Win an Offensive CNN T-Shirt!

Pareene — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:43:51 EDT

CNN.com introduced a new feature today that allows you to buy t-shirts featuring some of their more outrageous headlines. Of course, even their most outrageous headlines are no match for the ones various bloggers and commenters are creating using their easily-hacked t-shirt store URLs. So let's have a contest! Knock up one that's funny—not purely offensive, please—and whichever one tickles our fancy the most wins a prize. If we're able too! Examples to get you started here and in the comments here. Enter in the comments below with a link and, if you can manage, an image of the shirt. Quick, before they fix it! The prize? We'll buy you the t-shirt you created! (If we can.) Standard contest rules apply.

CNN's self-parodying headlines now available on T-shirts

Owen Thomas — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:20:00 EDT

Is CNN for real? The headlines on its website — "Minced onions force emergency landing" — cause some to wonder if its Atlanta-based producers aren't having a jape at the expense of news junkies. Now, an expansion into selling T-shirts confirms that CNN is laughing at us, not with us. Capitalizing on the trend of mass-personalized e-commerce, CNN.Shirt lets readers pick any recent headline and put it on a T-shirt. As blogger Andy Baio notes, the feature is easily manipulated, allowing users to construct any story they want and get it printed. But why bother making up the news when CNN shows just how much stranger truth is than fiction?

Make Your Own CNN T-Shirts!

Pareene — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:58:30 EDT

Oh god we've been playing into their hands all this time. We rib CNN for their terrible tabloid-style headlines, but we had no idea how profoundly unembarrassed they are about their naked attempts at cheap traffic grabbing. Now, you see, you can click on a little icon next to selected CNN.com headlines and buy those headlines on a t-shirt. Seriously. The internet has caved in on itself! Only certain headlines merit the shirt treatment—so, like, the "weird fish" one, but not the "20 bodies found floating near Bahamas" one. It's still in Beta though! So you can quite easily mock up CNN headline t-shirts that say anything you like. Like the ones we've attached after the jump. Make your own!

[Via Rex]

"It's Just A Fucking T-Shirt."

Hamilton Nolan — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:55:25 EDT

The competitive high-fashion t-shirt market is divided into those who believe their clever t-shirts mean something and those who don't. And, of course, those who don't care, but cultivate an aura of meaning as a marketing tactic, and also those who act too cool to care, but really do. Australian label Goat Boy sells its Princess Di t-shirt with the slogan "SHE'S DEAD, So get over it" for $49.95, so you know it's special (somebody buy one for Tina Brown, quick!).But they market that t-shirt with the slogan "IT'S JUST A FUCKING T-SHIRT." And with this "very violent" video, after the jump [via AdScam], of a guy wearing the shirt getting beaten up by an old woman. Which is appropriate on so many levels.

Roger Stone Finds His Voice

Pareene — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:01:35 EST

Roger Stone got his start with the vindictive criminals of Nixon's CREEP. He also got involved in some nonsense with Elliot Spitzer last year that made no sense to anyone. It involved a tattoo of Richard Nixon's face. Anyhoo, he's forming some sort of anti-Clinton campaign built around the attached image and an organization called "Citizens United Not Timid." "It's not War and Peace," Stone explains to The Weekly Standard. "The truth is, we sat around for hours trying to come up with words for BITCH and just couldn't do it." [Daily Intelligencer]

Kiddie Book Scrotumgate: There Is A T-Shirt

Emily Gould — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:30:14 EST

In a small (but precious!) corner of the literary landscape, the controversy over those librarians who want to ban a children's book for mentioning dog testes hasn't yet died down. Scrotal expert and dark-arts assistant professor Neil Gaiman even weighed in: "I've decided that librarians who would decline to have a Newbery book in their libraries because they don't like the word scrotum are probably not real librarians (whom I still love unconditionally)." Mom, we're getting that Masters in Library Science after all! Anyway, this awesome cause now has a t-shirt, which you can purchase over at Bookshelves of Doom. They also have other literary shirts. We'd like to recommend that they add 'Ain't No Houellebecq Girl' even though it is sort of last year in many ways.

T-Shirt of the Week [Bookshelves of Doom]
In Absense of Scrota: Your Guide To Quality Literature [Neil Gaiman]
Earlier: Ballsy YA Author Stirs Controversy