I usually try to avoid posting about premium-priced brands in this blog, for the simple reason that most of us can’t afford to spend more than $20 on a shirt (if even that, hence the popularity of sites like Woot and Teefury). However, I’ve long been impressed by the work produced by fiftyseven-thirtythree, a company which shows its Etsy roots in its hand-printed, hand-stenciled, hand-appliqued garments, with some made to order for their customers. Between that and the non-toxic inks and sweatshop-free blanks, it’s easy to see why their products merit the $30-and-over price tag.
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My favorite shirt is the “Mona Lisa Simmons” tee, which has already received some considerable attention on t-shirt blogs and sites. I love the graffiti-like look thanks to the spraypainted style (it may be hand spray painted, even, judging from the price) and the way the famous face paint is integrated into the art. The description of this product leads me to believe there’s some deeper meaning to this design — I’ll let you come to your own conclusion about what it means. [Price: $42]
I’m also intrigued by the simple but powerful message carried by this “Gorilla Cop” tee — the idea that law enforcement officers often act in ways indistinguishable from wild animals. This theme of rebellion against authority can also be found in their gorgeous “AnArchy” hoodie and the “Vietnamese Freedom Fighter” tee, which has a similar style. This design comes in multiple colorways, including ultraviolet and dijon (yellow) — all on organic American Apparel tees! [Price: $32]
Finally, there’s this gorgeous custom-made hoodie with fiftyseven-thirtythree’s Japanese schoolgirl graphic. The back print is hand-stenciled on cotton and then appliqued to the hoodie. There’s also a custom applique on the chest and the incredible rising sun pattern in the hood lining. No two hoodies are alike! Be prepared to splurge, though: this handmade quality comes at a price. [Price: $175]
Buy Them: fiftyseven-thirtythree.com
