The obligatory Hen night or Stag night (or bachelor/bachelorette party in the US and a Buck party to our Aussie cousins) is a time honoured tradition for those that have decided to bite the bullet and get married. Usually associated with t-shirts and sometimes ridiculous themed outfits, this night (or it seems here in the 21^st Century, perhaps a week or a fortnight!) is one of merriment, shenanigans and dare I say it debauchery! One thing that I can’t help but wonder however, is where this festive activity comes from? Does anyone know? Does anyone care?! Well I for one decided to find out.

Unfortunately even the internet couldn’t divulge a complete history of where the idea came from but there are a few hints. Perhaps the most prominent dates back to the Spartans (yes you saw the film!), members of their military would celebrate a comrade/friend’s upcoming betrothal by drinking and feasting through the night, usually the day before the wedding day. Obviously now the night before the wedding has significantly declined in acting as the day of the stag/hen party.  The reference to Stag being the literal leader of a group, a masculine symbol that represents it’s purpose. As to the Hen, perhaps a reference to future motherhood or the care of her own group. Whatever the reason, these terms are well and truly part of our regular vocabulary.

Nowadays it is perfectly normal to celebrate at least a few weeks prior to the main event, perhaps due to risk of hair loss, embarrassing tattoos or whatever else has happened on the night/weekend/week long excursion, there is now time left to grow back that hair that was shaved off in your sleep, have that tattoo removed from a very visible area or even arrange to sort out a misunderstanding after the incident with the pole dancer. Whatever the reason it’s fairly obvious that like most things in the last few decades, more effort, more money and more wild ideas are being ploughed into this tradition. With the eventual addition of the ladies also going out onto the town and celebrating their last days as a single girl, this worldwide phenomenon is now a common sight on any street in any city in any country. Much to the disappointment of certain bar stewards or door staff that have the unenviable task of keeping these merry makers in order! You know who you are!

With the events themselves, comes the desire to dress up, have a uniform or quite simply let the planet know why you are all dressed in stockings and suspenders wandering around Swindon at 3am…yes boys you were seen!  Stag and Hen T-shirts are the most popular way of making the night or holiday into a fun one, the message on most is literally an giving the name of the soon to be Groom/Bride and maybe a little play on his/her likes or dislikes, usually incorporating some level of impropriety, but overall just a bit of fun that usually brings a smile to most passer-by’s faces.

All in all, the purpose and activities relating to this once sacred right of passage have exploded and been added to quite outrageously over the years and today a great deal of fun and profit can be made.

For those of you planning your celebration, have a fantastic time and go all out, that’s what it’s there for. Enjoy your friendships, enjoy the beer and go out in style, you only get married once…apparently!

Tee Boy

Unless you didn’t already know it, today is the 17^th March which means that it is St Patrick’s day. In Ireland this means celebrating the patron saint of Ireland, whom ironically was a citizen of Wales who was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. Having escaped and taking on religion he then returned to Ireland as a missionary where his work then earned him the title of saint.

In other parts of the world it is celebrated by those of us with an excuse to drink copious amounts of Guinness and the recent revelation that we are in fact Irish by descent, convenient don’t you think?

Whatever your excuse to celebrate this event, it goes without saying that green is the colour today, already I have seen a number of t-shirts hats and trousers worn (particularly by the students amongst us) on my journey to work this morning, along with the posters advertising various St Paddy’s day offers, drinks promotions and pub nights. Out of all the holiday’s this one seems to be one of the more popular ones and the one most likely to get people dressing up in more and more outrageous get ups with shamrock’s, pints of the black stuff and all manner of Irish-esque logos and famous slogans.

T-shirts especially are the most popular part of the ensembles, some with messages, some with jokes, most with drinking related subject matter.

There are plenty of websites advertising their own designs and I’m sure plenty of people have designed their on appropriate homage to this fast becoming non-religious holiday.

If you’re off out tonight, do the Irish people proud and do it properly, loud, proud and green!

Onto another seasonal subject. It’s March, the spring has arrived and so far the weather has been lovely, so lovely in fact that prematurely the lads and lasses out there have already been donning those shorts, flip flops and shades. If however some of you (like myself) aren’t quite ready to acknowledge that the temperatures haven’t really risen that much then here’s a helpful hint, wear shorts and flipflops but partner them with a trendy, warm yet cool (not idea how that works but it does) hooded sweatshirt. Should the weather suddenly turn nasty, you can quite simply throw them on over your t-shirt and voila, warmth plus style equals happy person. All the colours are out there, the high street itself is alive with labelled and non labelled sweatshirts in a variety of bright and fun colours perfect for the transition from Spring to Summer. I myself have my eye on a very bright yellow sweatshirt that will pretty much go with anything in my ever expanding wardrobe. Alas, apart from certain jeans that may perhaps have me looking like a representative of a very well known Scandinavian furniture store (it doesn’t dare thinking about does it?).

So, the main point of my ramblings today is that even though it’s warm, it really isn’t but you can still look the business without sacrificing your comfort and sanity.

Tee Boy

Love it or hate it, Graffiti is here to stay. Whether you consider it an art form, a form of expression, a colourful and interesting design or quite simply a criminal defacement of public property; it has been around for a long time and will most likely stay for a long time to come.

The reason that this subject has come to my attention is that recently having wandered around my usual retail haunts I have noticed a large number of brands, designers and stores producing ranges of clothing, including T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and even trousers incorporating an element of graffiti like “art” and I couldn’t help but wonder; is graffiti now fashion? Could it now have reached a point where eclectic images of colour, letters and extreme messages are now considered to be something worthy of wearing and being proud of?

Graffiti itself is nothing new, it has actually been around since the ancient times of the Romans, Greeks and most famously the Egyptians. The use of paint and ink upon walls and doors to depict acts, wars, images, people and religious icons is the most famous use, which shockingly is considered to be graffiti! According to the internet however, the first modern use of graffiti in which the creator was not acting on behalf of a higher power or organisation in society are the advertisements for prostitutes and brothels in ancient Roman towns and buildings where a certain image and symbol would notify anyone looking for that particular venue that they are close by! (well I never).

Today we perceive graffiti as the hip hop style messages and signatures that are sprayed pretty much on anything standing still in urban built up areas. Starting in the 1920’s in the USA, they began as political messages, eventually with the introduction of youth and gang cultures, people began to affirm their identities as a member of a group or as an individual with giant colourful signatures, all completely different to one another. If anything it is has become a rivalry between those people and from a brief look at any wall that has been sprayed on, you can see that there is a distinct number of designs belonging to a select number of people that probably live in the local area or call it their own.

Moving on from that people have over the years experimented with producing artistic imagery by using the traditional tools of the trade such as spray paint cans. Most famous in recent times is the “artist” known as Banksy, to this day the identity of this person has yet to be revealed, yet his influence in the UK alone has inspired a movement of copycats, art culture and not surprisingly the fashion undustry. You can now even buy a t-shirt or hoody with a Banksy design upon it (the funny bit about it being that as Banksy doesn’t technically exist as he/she won’t reveal themselves then there are no laws preventing anyone from reproducing the designs, go figure. Bet someone is kicking themselves from the loss of all those royalties).

But to stay on topic, it’s plainly clear that Graffiti itself has now jumped from the walls, trains and pavements to the clothes on our back; and that I believe is called progress. How many other aspects of our lives can boast that? Something so criticised, so taboo, so technically illegal has actually now been embraced by the fashion world so that anyone can show their independent identity and appreciation for artistic impression. However, has anyone stopped to notice that in doing so, making this rebellious and individual expressionism into a fashion statement is pretty much making a mockery of graffiti itself? If everyone smoked, would children cease to do so because it was no longer rebellious or “cool”? Time will only tell I guess, but for the moment it seems that Graffiti, love it or hate it, is spreading, whether we like or not.

Tee Boy

Flicking through some old photos recently reminiscing  about times past (oh dear I sound old) and I came across a photograph of me in attendance at a very happening house party wearing a T-shirt with a very well known Monkey design on the front.

What I didn’t realise then in my early teens was how trendy that t-shirt could well be now! It was in fact an early product of Paul Frank, a world famous brand of t-shirts, accessories and a pungent for the unconventional and off-the cuff random items, that I’d picked up during a visit to London with my school, I took a liking to the bold and straight forward smiling monkey motif and it had fast become a regular part of my social attire. What I’m amazed at is that it really didn’t occur to me that that t-shirt hanging in my wardrobe that I had stupidly passed on to a friend after I grew out of it, was in fact a piece of fashion history.

In 1995, a little known newsstand employee from California whom first began creating wallets from scrap vinyl in the shape of lettering and quirky unconventional outlines, Paul Frank Sunich became an extremely popular accessories designer, and after partnering with Ryan Heuser a friend with a keen sense of finance and business an empire of watches, socks, wallets, bags (and even bikes) and house wear was born.

Now, in 2009 he has a fantastic website that is accessed and bought from worldwide and is known throughout the planet for creating simple bold and fun designs that have appealed to teens and young adults everywhere.

Over time, trademark characters have appeared alongside the regular designs, the monkey is now known as Julius and with him are a whole range of silly, sweet and sometimes rather strange animals and people that can be found emblazoned on t-shirts and pyjama trousers in bright colours and fabrics.

Paul Frank Industries has now also diversified into eye wear, creating bright and fun spectacles and sunglasses for those searching for something a little bit different to wear. Flagship stores have now been established throughout the globe including London, Milan, New York and in the Far East, not forgetting its roots the original store still exists in California.

I’m now on the hunt for the same t-shirt I owned over a decade ago, perhaps in a larger size however, fingers crossed I can re-own a little bit of my own history.

Tee Boy

Not much of a weekend in the way of scouting for the next big thing on the fashion scene, spent most of it running around after the dog on the beach, good to see the sunshine back.

Noticed that the winter gear had been shedded and in some cases even shorts flip flops and t-shirts were being sported in a rebellious affront to the cold winds that managed to get through the warm rays. Bright coloured t-shirts are staying by the look of things with garments getting more neon and in-your-face than ever before. Surf and street wear are the key looks for the seasons to come and already the high street stores are stocking up on beachwear, swim wear and general spring and summer boardies, t-shirts and footwear in the vain hope of a nice UK summer this in 2009.

I myself bought a rather amusing brightly coloured green Nintendo t-shirt last week, a wicked one colour print on the front encompassing the famous logo with the phrase Rehabilitation clinic underneath. Love it, great t-shirt with a fun not too complicated design that I’m sure to wear time and again, great find!

Gearing up to proudly witness my own Mum abseil down a 140foot building next week in aid of the St Annes Hospice that helps those dealing with cancer and their families. Don’t know about her but I’m nervous as hell! I will of course be designing her a funky yet tasteful (she is my Mum after all!) t-shirt to wear on the day, just in case anyone wonders who she is and why she is up there and for her to remember the event with pride. Go Mum!

Sat in the hairdressers on Saturday flicking through the obligatory magazines, you know the ones! Been there for months so all the celebrities are now seeing someone else, wearing something else and the music recommendations are so last month. In between the hair styles, celebrity pads and cars I came across a a great shout out for a very happening Surf gear site for those youngsters amongst us. Grommies has a small collection of tasteful yet fresh designed hooded sweatshirts and surf gear, including the ever popular sheep skin boots for the boys and girls that love to run around and well, be all surfer-dude like. It seems us adults aren’t the only ones to take a pride in our fashion tastes. Wasn’t like that in my day! I loved my Thomas the Tank Engine sweater and matching pants I won’t lie to you!

Tee Boy

Judging from the phone calls and emails we’ve received recently, it seems quite a few of you are making preparations for the big day in 2009!

Obviously with that comes the obligatory Stag and Hen nights respectively (or not as the case may be!).

It’s not always as easy as it sounds coming up with a t-shirt design for the big night out, you either want something bold and outrageous to tell everyone the reason you are out, or you want

something tasteful and subtle so as not to arouse too much attention when you’re trying to get into a club!

If you’re a little bit stuck with ideas, why not take a gander at a few of the designs we have on our site or alternatively use one of our most popular logos and add some text to it to make it yours! They can be printed in a variety of fonts and colours, including sparkly and metallic. See some examples below of what we can do for you, and if you have any ideas, let us know and we’ll come up with

something for you!

It’s SNOWING! Well, it is in some parts of the country but alas not here in South Wales just yet. It’s pretty cold out there though people so make sure to wrap up warm.

Friday 13^th of March is this year’s Red Nose Day…all the usual festivities are happening, fundraising, BBC1 will be taken over for the entire night for celebs to make fools of themselves and beg us to dig deep into our already empty pockets for the much needed money by this worthwhile charity. If you, your work place or social group are thinking of doing something fun or in deed making a fool of yourselves in public all in the name of charideee then why not make the event even more fun by telling the world why you are dressed as a naughty nurse, or why you have no trousers on, printed t-shirts can be the easiest and cheapest way of doing so, and it goes without saying that you should make sure to at least buy a red nose, they’re quite fun this year, each one has a different face to reflect our wonderful and diverse personalities.

Valentine’s Day, that day of the year where those of us in a relationship are under pressure to show our loved ones just how much we do in fact erm love them. Forget the other 364 days of the year, this day is the day of reckoning and I’m sure in some relationships the pressure will DEFINITELY BE ON! One lucky person is a friend of mine whom is actually going to be hitched this year on the 14^th of Feb! unsure whether the Groom realises the added pressure that will come with this date every year but hey, should be fun to watch from a safe distance. Good luck Matthew!

Anyway. If like most people you are perhaps a little strapped for cash due to the (gulp) dreaded credit crunch, or indeed Christmas and New Years is still taking its toll, then have no fear. Why not give your significant other a thoughtful and appropriate gift (not to mention a little bit cheaper than that diamond she has her eye on!) that shows just how much you care and more importantly that you made the effort! Because, everybody, it really is the thought that counts (apparently!)….

A t-shirt or hoody to keep the cold February weather at bay with a simple dedication or lovey-dovey note that only you two know the meaning…is a simple yet feffective gift that anyone would love. Or if you really don’t want them to forget you, why not have a larger than life picture of your mush on there with a declaration of your undying love! A fun and practical present, what could be better (although I’m sure most of us wouldn’t wear a hoody back from the gym with a photo on it that was taken on an ill-fated night out but hey who are we to judge, we all have our tastes!).

Whatever novel idea you have, no matter how random or mushy, go for it! Someone is bound to appreciate the effort that was made. 

It seems that 2009 is going to be THE year of retro looks. Look in any high street store at the moment and it’s all about the 70s and 80s, from distressed look polo shirts to vintage prints on brightly coloured T’s, it’s all coming back with a vengeance, but who are we to argue. They’re fun, silly and look great. When you think about it, it’s a simple yet effective niche in the market, a t-shirt, a bright edgy font in a bright colour and bang you have yourself a look!

If you can’t quite find what you’re looking for on the high street and you fancy having a go at creating your own why not go for it. Not only are there a huge selection of funky fashionable t-shirts and sweatshirts in a variety of bright colours out there that are guaranteed to suit all tastes, but the vinyl and screen printing techniques can also create an amazing vintage yet fashionable look. Together with some impressive retro fonts you too can have your very own t-shirt design, who knows, you could be the next up and coming designer!  

It’s day one of wearing our new office uniform t-shirts and I have to say I feel both professional and funky! we are soooo proud of what we do we thought we’d wear printed t-shirts that really say what we are capable of…fitted black T’s with a bright edgy motif of neon pink and yellow with a graffiti paint background…which no passer-by can miss. As I found this morning on my way to work! Don’t look at me; I’m shy!