Cotton Blog

Oh My Darling!

FizzyT — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:14:30 +0000

Orla Kiely is having a bit of a moment right now. Ever since the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in an Orla Kiely dress a few weeks ago, the Irish designer’s signature prints have been fling off the shelves.

The mix of modern colours and retro style repetitive patterns has made Kiely’s prints hugely popular, and she shows no signs of slowing down.

I love this boyfriend fit Clementine Ric Rac t-shirt. Totally summer-tastic, it ticks a number of trend boxes at once. Great with faded denim and flip flops, with the added advantage that if your lolly drips down the front, nobody will notice (as long as it’s an orange lolly). At £75, it’s not at the cheaper end of the scale, but if it’s good enough for a Duchess, you just can’t complain!

Flocking Marvellous!

FizzyT — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:13:17 +0000

Can there be anything more sartorially retro than this flock t-shirt Lens by JW Anderson at Topman? I know it’s entitled African square print, but honestly it’s really a fantastic homage to that 70′s wallpaper we all had when we were growing up, stunningly recreated as a piece of clothing. Utterly perfect for that vintage look, with a touch of double denim and maybe the faintest flicker of chest hair.

I do love a bit of t-shirt nostalgia. As much as I love faded old band t-shirts, I adore a good number like this that takes you back to another era.

Get the look for £40 at Topman and roll back the years!

On the Virge!

FizzyT — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:52:16 +0000

I had to splutter with deranged laughter when I saw this picture of supermodel Naomi Campbell wearing a t-shirt with the diamante studded slogan “Like a Virgin” across the chest. A finer piece of irony I have rarely seen. La Campbell, a diva in the most operatic sense of the word, possesses a world famous temper, and has been hauled up in front of a judge more times than you can say to her PA “Duck! there’s a phone flying towards your head”

Funnily enough, a corker of a rumour is doing the rounds currently that Naomi is looking for a new victim, sorry PA. A recrutment agency in Hollywood stated this week that a New York based supermodel was looking for a “full-time personal assistant with very thick skin”. Although Campbell’s team denied that the supermodel in question was her, her reputation proceeds (and convictions for assault) her. She has got through her assistants so fast, she really should carry a health warning. But hey, If Posh spice can single-handedly change the meaning of the word posh, surely Naomi can do the same with’ virgin’? I certainly wouldn’t argue the toss, that’s for sure!

Top Secret!

FizzyT — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:13:53 +0000

Founded in London in 2010, the Secret Store is an exclusive t-shirt design company. Ethically sourced organic T-shirts and sweatshirts are screen printed by hand, each with an individual number on them, making every one a little bit different and totally unique.

Secret Store aim to showcase the work of talented up and coming designers and artist, giving new talent the opportunity to be seen my many. Take a look at some of their designs on their website, and see what you think. Be quick though, they only produce a limited number of each design, so if you hesitate….it could be too late!

Postee!

FizzyT — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:44:57 +0000

Our newest t-shirt template is an American retro style post code (shouldn’t that be zip code if it’s American?) and dialing code combo. It has that vintage-y look with the advantage of being totally new, oh, and you can choose your own numbers and letters.

I’ve shown it here on a fair trade, organic cotton t-shirt, which is only £18 (down from £20 in our perma sale). I know I keep banging on about our organic tees, but you really should give them a try. They are made from 100% cotton which has not been treated with pesticides, and are incredibly soft against the skin. You’ll love them, and our templates too!

I Spied I Spied!

FizzyT — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:59:48 +0000

I just saw this embellished printed jumper in the “I Spied” section of the fashion pages of the Telegraph. Price aside (you don’t even want to know that it costs over 200 quid), this has to be one of the fabbest jumpers I’ve seen this season. To be fair, I haven’t been out much, what with the weather, and er….the weather, but still, it’s pretty cool.

The jumper is a truly fab retro wonder slogan jersey number, sparkling with millions (don’t quote me any exact number) of tiny glittery sequins on the front. It comes from Sibling by Sister, a knitwear design team who have a foot in the two camps of high fashion and urban punk.

This jumper has that day to evening glam aspect, but is also super soft and comfy. Considering it costs £235 from ASOS, you’d be wanting it to tick an awful lot of boxes. But unless the sun comes out soon, it’s going to be jumpers all round!

AIDS Aid

FizzyT — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:08:02 +0000

Every year Maison Martin Margiela produces a t-shirt for French AIDS charity AIDES, an organisation which aims to provide support and research into the virus.

The slogan reads “There is more action to be done to fight AIDS than to wear this t-shirt, but it’s a good start” with the first three words on the back of the tee at the hemline.

The t-shirt is available from Net a Porter and costs £55, a percentage of which is donated to AIDES. A great tee to wear with jeans and an umbrella (it’s still raining, I can’t believe it!) and support a hugely worthwhile cause.

FCUK-ed?

FizzyT — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:56:40 +0000

French Connection started life some 40 years ago when in 1972, founder and CEO Stephen Marks decided to set up a quality clothing company. The production side of the business based in Hong Kong, where the manufacturing process was much cheaper. And with only £25,000 in the kitty to begin with, French Connection was born. It quickly grew into a premium high street brand, with Marks being named the 15th richest man in Britain in the early 1980′s.

However, it was when they used the terms FC-UK to distinguish their British office, from their Hong Kong one (FC-HK), that some bright spark noticed the potential of the ‘FCUK’ bit and the label really went stratospheric.

A whole host of FCUK slogan t-shirts exploded onto the market in the 90′s. Almost everyone had one, and thus followed the obligatory condemnation from politicians and church leaders who thought that the initials were obscene and irresponsible. Of course, the controversy was just a bit of free advertising and they churned those slogans out like nobody’s business.

So where on earth did they FCUK up? Why, after so many years as a market leader, have French Connection announced that 14 of their shops in key locations are up for lease?

As is the case with cult brand Superdry, the FCUK logo became a bit of a one trick pony. Also, the price was becoming increasingly less competitive, with high street stores such as Zara and Primark churning out trends constantly at a fraction of the price.

So, is French Connection doomed? Their recent attempt to revive the brand and branch out into homeware haven’t really set the high street on fire. In an uncertain climate, only the best will survive, and they might well be FCUK-ed.

Is This the End?

FizzyT — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:01:52 +0000

I’ve just been reading an article about the demise of the cut price t-shirt. T-shirts that cost as little as a pound could become a thing of the past as discount stores tighten their belts and prices go up. Apparently, according to research, the average consumer is more likely to buy discounted goods if they feel they are getting a bit of a bargain.

Personally, I can’t stand t-shirts that retail for a quid. They don’t last, and can’t possibly be a good deal for everyone along the line. There’s still profit being made on a one pound garment, not just for the store, but also the supplier, the cotton grower and the manufacturer. Which means that the workers are being paid something so tiny it’s probably less than peanuts. Well, definitely less than a bag of peanuts.

If you’re after something which looks after people at the end of the chain, it’s always best to go for Fairtrade, organic cotton. Cotton as a crop needs to be covered in pesticides, so organic and fairtrade really is best for everyone. Short term it cost more than a pound, but long term, it’s just a so much better investment.

The Hooded Man!

FizzyT — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:09:39 +0000

It’s hard to believe that we’re well into May, with the hosepipe ban reigning strong and supreme, floods and downpours everywhere, and I’m absolutely freezing.

I was hoping to be thinking a bit more about festival t-shirts, vintage prints and sunshine for the May Day Bank Holiday; as it is, I think I’ll stick with a nice warm hoodie.

Take a look at our new crazy camo templates. You can add your text, along with three bright and funky colours to create a unique look with your own slogan and choice of colours.

Summer might not be coming any time soon, but at least you can keep warm in style!