How to wear a band t-shirt
I don’t make the rules but there are rules (OK I made them)
Music t-shirts are a tricky business and I’m very particular about who I will display on my chest. But with the rise in popularity of graphic tees this summer, band t-shirts make a great option and should not be overlooked. Now, who should you pledge your allegiance to? Of course you can just wear whatever you’d like and if you wanna rock your Sabrina Carpenter at Hyde Park 2025 tee, then that’s none of my business. Mostly I have an instant yes or no reaction to a music tee but I decided to dig a little deeper into my psyche and set down my rules.
Current artists 🙅
Possibly my most controversial rule. Personally, I don’t ‘do’ current artists unless they’ve been around for years, not entirely sure why, but I’m averse which is why you won’t see me in, say, a Bon Iver t-shirt even though I like Bon Iver. You might as well be wearing Rhode merch as far as I’m concerned. Band tees require a certain level of kitsch, history, and camp to pull off. I always think it’s cooler to go for older artists and vintage tees. Defunct bands are great: Big Star, R.E.M., Destiny’s Child, Cream etc etc etc. If they’re dead even better (not for them). If you’re a millennial and had the band on a mixtape when you were younger, you can’t go wrong with one of them.
Check the artist’s Wiki!
Be aware of the artist's legacy. I have a vintage Led Zeppelin tee I bought in Topanga Canyon but I have mainly retired it due to the band’s alleged love of young groupies. In fact, if you want to wear any artist from the ‘60s and ‘70s it’s well worth investigating if they were a sex pest before committing. And I wouldn’t wear a The Smiths tee because Morrissey is a total dick now (but I’ll still listen to their music).
If a band is in Urban Outfitters, it’s a hard pass
Certain bands have jumped the shark, as it were, in terms of their merch. Someone made a few bucks and licensed their use and now everyone from Urban Outfitters to Primark have shirts rotting a band’s legacy, one fast fashion purchase at a time. They’re so ubiquitous, in fact, that they’ve kind of ruined even the authentic, vintage merch of the band. These acts include: The Rolling Stones, The Ramones, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana and Sonic Youth (but the Goo album cover only). See also: Fleetwood Mac for Free People and Bruce Springsteen at Gap.
Irony is good
Pop should preferably be vintage and with a hint of irony. But if you really want to rock your Harry Styles Wembley 2023 tee, go off. Also, one day it will actually be vintage and cool! These rules are but arbitrary! Invest in key pieces for your future!
The single stitch
Ideally what you’re looking for when buying a vintage band tee is that is has a single stitch on the sleeves and bottom hem. According to GQ, “Single stitch was the industry standard for T-shirts made before the mid ‘90s, so if they have this then they're the real deal.” Since then double stitching is more common. Don’t get punked.
A quick note on the band of the summer
Hate to say it but Oasis never had very good merch. I don’t know what the new merch is like because, despite spending seven hours in the ticket queue, I’m not going. CAN ANYONE HELP ME AND MAKE MY OASIS DREAMS COME TRUE? As someone who saved up their pocket money and went to Knebworth at 13 years old, some of the people who are getting to go feels violent (Shazam lady). OK, low key begging over. These are quite cute from the new Adidas collab and this is a nice vintage one:
Metal bands probably have the best merch
I can’t stand metal music but I love their ridiculous tees (of which a staggering number feature the Grim Reaper) which is why I own Megadeth and Slayer tees despite not being able to name any of their songs. I am a staunch believer in not having to be a fan to wear the tee, an opinion that makes middle-aged men everywhere weep.
Aesthetics matter
Quite a lot of music merch is just straight up hideous. Skip it. You might love the band but if you’re going to wear it, you need to like the artwork too. You wouldn’t buy a graphic tee with an image you hate and this is no different. For example, Dinosaur Jr is a great band but you won’t find me wearing this:
Good stockists include: eBay, Ellie Mae Studios, Grailed, Etsy, Jerks, Rokit, Wyco Vintage, Rare Vinyl.
And now the rules are out of the way, here is a collection of vintage tees I think are rad…
Hi! Love this and especially the sick Tom Petty merch. One thing - the Lynard Skynard shirt you post has a confederate flag reference. I know this isn’t as well known in the UK, but its usage is very much tied with a “the south will rise again/the wrong side won the civil war” energy in the states. To put it lightly.
I never saw REM either and it breaks my heart on a regular basis, I loved them so. I had tickets to the tour that got cancelled, it was not to be.