Special Tees
by Wendy Lerman
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| When it comes to killer T-shirts, you can never have too many. They’ve got be super comfy and fit perfectly to make the cut. My favorites come from American Apparel, Madewell, and James Perse. But lately I’ve been getting bored of my uniform of solid black, white, and grey.
I’ve started to hunt for some cool graphic tees. But I’ve discovered something even better: inspirational shirts with a purpose. I know charity T-shirts have been around forever. But most are oversized and cheaply made, and quite frankly I wouldn’t be caught wearing one to sleep, much less in public! But this new generation of T-shirts are soft, fit perfectly, and have cool designs with unique twists that are anything but cheesy. Here are some of my favorites: Love + Water Designs Love+Water Designs is an online community that creates Wearable Philanthropy by connecting artists with charities through T-shirt Design Projects. Artists create designs inspired by the charities they feature, the community decides which designs to print, and they donate up to 50% of the profits to the charity that inspired each design. Plus you raise awareness for both the charity and the artist just by wearing the shirt. |
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| Their Motto: Buy NOW. Feel GOOD. Wear Philanthropy. Why We Love Them: Raise awareness for both the charity and an emerging artist just by wearing the shirt. Plus you have the chance to create your own design! |
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| Where to buy: www.loveandwaterdesigns.com, $28-$32. |
| Buy Life T-shirts
These shirts benefit Keep A Child Alive which is an organization dedicated to providing life-saving AIDS treatment, care and support services to children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. Whenever you see a “Buy Life” bar code on the front of a T-shirt, simply scan it using Stickybits or WiMO and instantly make the purchase of a lifetime. |
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| Their Motto: The more you buy, the more you save. Why we love them: They’ve got lots of celebrities on board including Alicia Keys, Katie Holmes, Kim Kardashian, Daphne Guinness, and Usher. Plus you can actually scan the shirts with your smart phone to donate money. |
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| Where to Buy: www.buylife.org, or scan someone’s T-shirt! $35. |
| Provider
Provider is a grass roots company with a 'pay it forward' concept. Through their lifestyle brand they inspire and empower individuals to lead with their heart leaving every situation better than they found it through random acts of kindness, donations and volunteer work. Provider’s purpose is to create an article of clothing that carries a message of love, compassion and joy; when you are wearing Provider you are that messenger; you are a Provider to everything and everyone around you. |
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| Their Motto: Are you a Provider? Why We Love Them: Tons of different styles of super high quality and well-fitting T-shirts that also act as a reminder to be kind to each other. |
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| Where to buy: www.Providerdesign.com, or call 1.800.277.6097, $28-$37. |
Celebrate International Woman’s Day year-round with this limited edition Proud to Be Woman T-shirt. 10% of proceeds go to benefit the Vital Voices, which is an organization aiming to advance women’s leadership internationally. Their Motto: Proud to be Woman Why we love them: Who wouldn’t want to wear a super cute Diane von Furstenberg shirt for only $28? Where to buy: http://bit.ly/erG8MI and in DVF stores, $28. |
| Opening Ceremony Red Cross Japan Tee
To aid the American Red Cross’ earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan, Opening Ceremony has created this T-shirt in solidarity with a country near and dear to their hearts. 100% of the profits made from the sale of the T-shirt will go to the American Red Cross. |
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| Why we love them: Opening Ceremony’s first venture outside of the U.S. is an 8-level conceptual department store in Tokyo. Where to buy: http://bit.ly/i0Bmvg, $30. |
| While we are talking fashion with a purpose, you certainly don’t have to wear this look to be practical. Sure, you can throw it on for the gym, but also consider pairing with some skinny jeans and stilettos, an armful of bangles, heavy eye-liner and layer with a cool scarf or vest for a more street smart look.
So, remember if you are going wear a T-shirt, this is prime real estate we’re talking about. Abercrombie, Gap, and Banana Republic certainly have enough billboards, so choose wisely! |
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