Dress For Success

The band t-shirt.  We all have at least one.  We bought it at a concert, a flea market, a festival, maybe even ordered one from Etsy or Amazon.  It is an interesting part of fashion because it is probably the most un-fashionable choice.  We reach for a band t-shirt when we have nothing else to wear, when we are going to the gym, when we are hung-over and have no intention of showering.  Even though a band t-shirt may be considered the “laziest” form of fashion, it is still fashion.  It still makes a statement.  It combines two cultural tableaus together: Art and Fashion. 

With the freedom of choice to wear the band t-shirt comes great responsibility.  It may not be a part of the latest political conversations, but perhaps it should be.  It truly angers me when people don’t respect the significance of the fashion statement to wear the band t-shirt. About a year ago, I saw a photo of Kendall Jenner wearing a Slayer t-shirt.  I was pissed.  Although, I do not know what Kendall listens to, I can only assume it does not include Slayer.  But, I did some research; maybe I would prove myself wrong.  I found some Kendall inspired playlists in articles from fashion magazines and also on Spotify.  They feature artists such as Drake, Big Sean, Kanye West, Akon, and shockingly, more Kanye West.  No mention of Slayer anywhere.  Why is she wearing the shirt? 

A week or so ago I was scrolling through Instagram and found a photo of Kourtney Kardashian wearing a Metallica t-shirt.  It’s true that I don't know if Kourtney enjoys Metallica or not--she may be a huge fan, but for some reason, based on my research on Kendall, I have to assume she is not. 

Dwayne lifts tires, I lift shirts

This is not an attack on the Kardashians (I can save that for another post) but an attack on people wearing band gear of artists they do not actually support or enjoy.  This has become more and more popular given that at Urban Outfitters in late September, amongst their Halloween gear, were selling Nine Inch Nails beanies and a Misfits t-shirt.  So are they saying that metal and industrial band apparel is only fashionable at Halloween?  If someone likes the Misfits, they like them all year round, right?

I don't think people should be wearing band t-shirts of bands/musicians/artists they don't listen to.  Some of us take these fashion choices seriously.  I consider band t-shirts a staple in any wardrobe.  I wear band t-shirts to show comradery with others who like the same music.    I wear band t-shirts because music, in my life, is more important than fashion.  I wear band t-shirts because I want to show my support of artists that have produced songs that have affected me in some way.  Basic bitches and other assorted cliques are now great promoters for some of the bands I love but is that a good thing?  No!  Why?  Because they are promoting to the wrong crowd.  When Kendall Jenner wears a Slayer t-shirt out with her friends, are any of her friends going to ask, “hey who is that on your shirt?” or “what do you think of their music?” or “is that the cover art from "Show No Mercy?”  I doubt it.  In other words, what she is selling, they ain’t buying. 

Wearing a band t-shirt makes you susceptible to conversations you may not be interested in having.  If I see someone with a Metallica t-shirt on, I may be inclined to ask him/her, "What do you think of Metallica’s new album,” and if your response is, “Who?” well now we are just two strangers, standing in awkward silence.  It’s sad but true . . . 

If you don’t get what I did there and you own a Metallica t-shirt, please give it away to someone. 

We live in a world of judgment.  With social media creating a great forum to judge in the privacy of our own homes, we can judge freely and frequently.  I judged two Kardashians just in this one blog post and it is not even 10:30 AM.  Wearing a band t-shirt makes you vulnerable to judgment, whether people love what you are wearing or hate it. For real music lovers, we will be judged on what music we are adorned with, but for us, that is okay.  We are ready for the criticism, or more often than not, the positive response from fellow music lovers.  If you are not ready for the eye rolls you will receive while sporting a Black Keys t-shirt (come on, really?) then I wouldn't wear their shirts. 

I feel I need to earn what I wear.  I need to really have a deep appreciation of a band or artist in order to wear their name in huge Gothic lettering across my chest.  The many band t-shirts I have collected over the years remind me of great times and great music.  The music I listen to, I wear proudly.  And I suggest that if you are considering a band t-shirt purchase and you are not familiar with the music, listen to one of their albums and see what you think.  You may be pleasantly surprised, or you may hate it and think twice about buying the shirt to begin with.  Look, I just saved you money!