Trend Report: Let’s Tee Off

The fashion world has spun its revolving door again bringing back the retro silk screen printing style that we call, “the graphic tee.”

And while my headline was partially inspired by my recent golfing sesh yesterday evening, this is one trend that did not pop up over night.

In fact ladies, it was in the late 1960s that a group of men altered the traditional t-shirt, impacting the fashion arena  for decades to come. Richard Ellman, Robert Tree, Bill Kelly, and Stanley Mouse set up the Monster Company in California, to produce fine art designs expressly for t-shirts, often featuring emblems and motifs associated with the Grateful Dead and marijuana culture (and it was possibly these same motifs that were the catalysts for their ‘visionary’ ideas!).

Now, this once ‘middle-class fashion’ style is back for Spring 2009 and tops everyone’s ‘must-have’ list in the industry.

One New York writer and print designer comments on this evolution from rundown to runway, “The more we look around the easier it is to notice that graphic tees are making a huge comeback into mainstream clothing trends and have managed to work their way up to the level of high fashion. Famous celebrities such as Naomi Campbell have been photographed during their daily routines wearing these graphic tees.”

Barbara Hulanicki and BeBe have even teamed up to release a gorgeous collection of graphic tees and accessories.

Barbara Hulanick truly understands the cyclical nature of fashion eras as one of the most iconic fashion designers from the 60’s and 70’s, claiming fame after launching her clothing line, bibi.

So, how would a young fashionista compliment her graphic tee ?  While it may be easy and brainless to pair a hot graphic tee with skinny jeans, please don’t stop there; mix colors and styles.

This look is chic under a form fitting blazer that adds some snazz to a stuffy business meeting or pair with a big scarf and boots for those chillier Spring days.

Whether you select your favorite actress, catch phrase or ‘visionary motif’ to sport on your chest, make sure you have plenty of these graphic tees to express your style this season.

XOXO