The Good
Music has always played a huge part in my life. I grew up listening to Shania Twain to Jewel to Cheap Trick and everything in between. I'd like to think of myself as having a pretty inclusive and expansive knowledge of the music world and with this love of music comes a love of bands and of musicians. Whether you're a festival freak or a concert junkie, there's nothing like a good band tee to start a conversation or simply to express your love for a band. With the emerging commercialization of band tees at your local Forever 21 or Urban Outfitters and the like, they aren't just merch sold at venues anymore and I couldn't be happier! One of my personal favourite bands, Nirvana, disbanded in the year that I was born and without places like H&M selling their merchandise, I wouldn't be able to own one at all.
The Bad
Having expressed my love for the accessibility of The Ramones, Cheap Trick, Nirvana and many other bands' t-shirts, there's one thing that Forever 21 and competitors has done that really ticks me off. Before I get into this personal opinion, I want to preface it by saying that it is a personal opinion. That being said, a band tee is a statement; it can perfectly grunge up a look or give you the effortless "just rolled out of bed" vibe when paired with some boyfriend jeans and a pair of chucks. However, F21 has taken these classic band logos and put them on studded and overly-manipulated shirts that barely resemble what a band tee is supposed to look like. I'm not saying that I haven't found and bought a few. I'm saying that I've really had to dig around to find the most simplistic and realistic band tees around. (I've found that vintage stores, thrift shops and eBay are the best places to find authentic concert tees that are worn in and have that soft comforting feel).
The Judg-ey
As a girl who has owned and worn her fair share of band tees, I have also received a lot of grief for it (mostly from males but also the occasional judgmental female). I listen to a wide range of music and if I find a tee that is nice and has a band I love...then I will buy it, point finale. Though I wouldn't buy or wear a shirt with a band I didn't listen to, I have no objections to someone doing the same. We've all met that one "name five songs" guy who smells like stale cigarettes and his mom's basement. Not to mention the sideways glances from (for lack of a better term) hipsters who couldn't possibly believe that I listen to the bands shown on my shirt. Not that these people deserve an explanation but I'm of the opinion that if you like it, wear it. Whether it's a band your parents loved, a hand-me-down, a band of whom you only know one song, your favourite band or you just liked the look of it--wear it! You're not obligated to explain it anymore than that person has to explain his bucket hat and tapered adidas track pants.
-Hayley-Quinn
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