Graphic Tees - Fashion Gets Explicit

Graphic Tees - Fashion Gets Explicit

From Heddels Blowout by Heddels

September 5, 2025 · 22 min · Season 3 · Episode 2

About this episode

This episode discusses the significance and impact of graphic tees in fashion and self-expression.

They say all clothing is a type of language. Even refusing to participate in the conversation is a way to say something. Whether you’re in a top hat and tails or Canadian tuxedo or naked, it’s all saying something about you and how you chose to present yourself. But some clothes speak a little louder than others. Today we’re talking about arguably the loudest and most explicit of them all. That’s right, it’s graphic tee time, the shirt that literally spells out its message for you right across your chest for anyone who cares to read it. They may feel like the most ubiquitous item in the world, and that’s because they are with an estimated 8 billion of them produced every year, but they’ve been around for less than a hundred years. Brands mentioned: BARNS Buzz Rickson The Real McCoy’s Human Made If you have any questions, comments or concerns or any topics you’d like to hear covered, please let us know at blowout@heddels.com Today’s episode featured writing from Brad Lanphear’s 2023 Heddels article “ History & Evolution of the Graphic Tee ”, the production talents of Sean Thornton, and theme music by Andrew Ryan.

People in this episode

Hosts: Sean Thornton, Andrew Ryan

Topics covered

  • fashion
  • graphic tees
  • clothing as language
  • self-presentation
  • brand discussion

Keywords

  • graphic tees
  • clothing language
  • self-presentation
  • fashion history
  • brands

Mentioned in this episode

Products: BARNS, Buzz Rickson, The Real McCoy’s, Human Made

Books & works: “ History & Evolution of the Graphic Tee ”

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