Advocacy for Graphic Tees
Words by Rebeca Ravara
Eds. Mistral Zerbi
Geordie Greep’s 2025 The New Sound Tour merchandise - an incredibly unique conversion of album art to a t-shirt
Though style is subjective, it is commonly thought that fashion is an extension of personality — a certain personhood. Getting dressed in the morning is getting ready to face others’ perceptions of you, and whether we like to admit it or not, it certainly plays a part in how we go about our days.
Recently, however, I have been noticing an uprise in monochrome fashions both in and outside of St. Andrews; people aiming for a minimalist or sleeker look. This style has pervaded my feed online and my walks to classes, generating a makeshift Where’s Waldo grouping of people around me.
Dark colours like browns, reds, and greys are not unusual for winter, yet it feels more pervasive than ever. The proliferation of these colours allow people to meld into one another, in my eyes, and I find myself grabbing a graphic tee more often than ever in an effort to distinguish myself.
This is not to say that the monochromatic style is bad, or in any way evocative of a lack of personhood. Rather, I like to challenge myself and my own taste when I get dressed. Personally, I have found a thrill in pairing different patterns and colours, to find that which is new, and different, and makes me feel like I am genuinely engaging with the fabrics on my skin.
It is true that monochromatic outfits are remarkably easier to put together — undoubtedly, a fully monochromatic outfit is easy to slip on with a guarantee that it will look flattering — but I want to argue for the re-establishment of graphic tees as a replacement.
Graphic tees are not necessarily always too colorful or distracting, indeed, I believe even a fine line drawing is indicative of someone’s personal style and personality. Graphic tees can be boxy, well-fitting, or even a baby tee, and I have a personal affinity for each of them for any given moment. For me, graphic tees feel like a gateway into someone’s character. The feeling others get when they recognize a specific brand of purse or shoe… that’s how I feel when I see a band tee of someone whose music I admire. It’s a conversation starter as much as it allows me to gauge the kind of person you are and how you choose to present yourself.
The amount of silent friendships I have made just by a simple point to someone’s t-shirt is various, and I love seeing people’s faces light up in recognition that something they enjoy is, in turn, liked by others.
Additionally, graphic tees are one of my favorite ways to tone down an outfit. There are moments when I wish to wear a type of bottom or shoe that is fancier or visually louder than what I feel most comfortable with, but popping on a graphic tee manages to significantly bring down the visual weight of an outfit.
I will always be an advocate for individual presentations of style in fashion, though more than that, I hope that spring brings a resurgence of graphic tees. Consequently, I hope that others can create the sort of silent companionships with total strangers of mutual interests that I have grown so fond of over the years.