Social T Limited Edition

Whew, talk about a hiatus. Almost 5 months with no t-shirt reviews. If I didn't know I was working my butt off, I'd be a little worried.

But I'm back to talk about t-shirts that I love.

It's nice when you have that feeling like you've finished your "homework". It gives you a chance to relax and reflect.

For me, relaxation comes in the form of blabbing on about cool t-shirt designs.

First one up on the menu is not only a tasty t-shirt design, it's also a very savory t-shirt selling concept: a subscription based t-shirt store (with real limited "editions")


Social T publishes t-shirts with a social commentary message. Each design is a limited "issue", similar to how journals, magazines or other periodicals publish monthly issues with the latest news.

You can subscribe monthly, quarterly, or yearly and get a new t-shirt with fresh social commentary delivered to your doorstep.

However many subscribers that have pre-purchased a t-shirt issue, that's how many t-shirts they will print for that run. You can't purchase "back issues", so the shirts are truly limited in quantity (which of course makes them extra special :)

I like the concept of limited edition t-shirts. I watch way too much Antiques Road Show, and it's amazing to see what books, artwork prints, guitars, toys, and other items are worth today because they were originally printed in limited quantities. I truly believe that there will be an "aftermarket" for t-shirts in the future. Limited edition designs by places like social-t, imaginary foundation, BelHeir™, Threadless 12 Club, etc will one day become collectors items showcased on some future episode of Antiques Roadshow.

The actual designs on the social-t.com website are pretty cool. I especially like the last edition they printed (picture shown here). The colors used and the neat outside tag with a note from the designer are some features that makes these shirts worth buying.

The website navigation does leave a little bit to be desired. I like things very simple :) When I see the big picture of a t-shirt design on the front page, I want to click on it and buy it (or at least learn how to buy it). Currently the picture on their front page isn't clickable and it's not super easy to figure out how to buy. After I've read "how" the site works and "why", I want an easy to find hyperlink or big BUY NOW button on that page so I can make a purchase and move on. Right now their FACTS page is lacking a call to action. While I know they are trying to keep with the whole "periodal/magazine/issue" theme, it doesn't make for easy shopping. When you look at the site, it's not immediately clear how to actually buy a t-shirt or start your subscription. When I think "subcribe", I think of a website newsletter, so I normally avoid any "subscribe" links on websites.

The concept of the periodical t-shirt is not entirely new. If you like subscription based limited edition t-shirts, the website T-Post.se® as been publishing t-shirt editions for almost 3 years. Similar concept with a similar price range. Of course the designs and commentary will be different. Also check out the Threadless 12 Club (it's where I scored one of my favorite t-shirt designs evar).

Overall I give a big thumb's up to social-t.com and other sites producing truly limited edition t-shirt designs. It's nice to not wear the same thing as every other person in the mall (or target or the grocery store). Who knows, one day you may see me on Antiques Roadshow with my museum quality limited edition t-shirt designs from around the world.

Why not pick up a social commentary t-shirt today and start your collection?