Out There

Featuring (from left to right, top to bottom): Hanz Vu, Rachel, Tram, Eugene, Marie, Zarifah.

There are few easier ways to make a statement than with striking images or words, boldly splashed across the front of a t-shirt or the back of a jacket. Perhaps drawing inspiration from souvenir jackets—where American soldiers would get Japanese designs hand-stitched onto the backs of their jackets to commemorate their time in Japan at the end of World War II—these pieces tell a story in their own ways. A few sharp words emblazoned on a t-shirt can express a belief or proclaim a fandom; an eye-catching visual could declare allegiance to a certain brand or way of life. There’s a certain self-awareness about the kitschiness of these garments; one need only look at the proliferation of apparel with vintage-inspired prints and designs (of non-existent burger joints, beach clubs, and more) to realise that this is not so much just about what the shirt says, but what the shirt says about you. Find a piece that speaks to you and you’re all set.