One can easily be forgiven for thinking that mass production results in greater choices for clothes. But take a closer look at those varied options and you’ll see that they are practically all the same. For example the humble t-shirt; perhaps one of the most mass produced clothing items. Just in the last couple of years we have seen a myriad of fluorescents, vintage prints, Asian fonts, stripes, spots, logos, V-necks, crew necks, boat necks and more. Every season it’s just another case of “same same, but different”. Even that was done to death.
Yet despite our growing love for fashion and continual search for individuality, we – here in Melbourne at least – have all become clones. Good looking clones, but clones none the less. So I suppose it’s not wonder why Melbourne’s fashion elite have generated a resurgence of the overpriced t-shirt. I’m sure at this point you’re thinking that any topic which regards t-shirts is somewhat uninspiring. Therefore I’m compelled to ask you, how many Play Comme Des Garcons T-shirts can you spot on the street in one minute? Well this being Melbourne and if the street were Swanston, the answer would be “several”.
The high fashion t-shirt has become more of a collector’s item amongst the fashion elite; perhaps even comparable to Haute Couture pieces. Their accessibility or rather, lack there of, is usually determined by the label/designer, the season released, popularity and surprisingly even it’s influence on pop culture and music. For instance
Dior Homme t-shirts can be seen on rock bands such as U2 and Rolling Stones. Meanwhile the Rolling Stones’ flaming lips did a massive collaboration with Comme Des Garcons, resulting in a massive sell out. And with a rock and roll price tag ranging from $150 to $300 AUD, the simple t-shirt becomes more coveted than your average Gucci or Louis Vuitton monogram bag.
High fashion t-shirts are also used as a more blatant and obvious way for fashionistas to identify with each other. For example with the younger generation (14-17 year olds), PLAY Comme Des Garcons is extremely popular; brownie points for wearing Rei’s earlier work as well as Undercover and Y-3. The older kids can be seen wearing Dior Homme, Number (N)ine, Ann Demeulemeester and Comme Des Garcons first line. Those wearing Balenciaga, Lanvin and Lucien-Pellat-Finet are considerably more hardcore.
The t-shirts can be sourced out from Melbourne’s usual high fashion alley way boutiques such as Assin and Zambesi. But if you’re looking for old stock they are available online but can be very difficult to find. But if the price tag is a tad scary for some of you, there is always the option of waiting for next season when the knock off appears at General Pants Co. Episode and Jeans West.
imadeyoucool is the resident Fashioniser and certified Dior Homme addict keeping us in the know about men’s fashion around Melbourne.
