brand: SwishNYC
color: dark green
size: medium
price: $48 + $3 shipping
This T-shirt is from defunct clothing label, SwishNYC. If you’re not familiar with the brand, you may have heard of one of the gentlemen responsible for it: Bill McMullen. In any case, this tee is pretty self-explanatory, but I’ll provide a little back-story. Years and years ago, there was a T-shirt trend which was simply the name of a place printed (in lowercase) across the chest. That was it. Simple and cool. I couldn’t tell you what label was responsible for it or who followed suit…but I can tell you that it was common to see people walk by with tees that said, “Milan,” “Tahiti,” “Amsterdam,” etc. I’m pretty sure they were sold at Urban Outfitters, which contributed greatly to their widespread success. And then, all of a sudden…just like that…the trend died. This was, as I said, many years ago (nine or ten, perhaps?) and I couldn’t find a pic of any of them online. [Knowing the brand responsible would help, of course, but I digress.]
SwishNYC was well-known for their mash-ups — and in particular, their Star Wars tributes. With Bill McMullen at the helm, SwishNYC produced a vast array of Star Wars themed tees like KISS Stormtroopers, Adidas AT-ATs, and this Dagobah tee (which riffs off of the T-shirt trend I just finished telling you about). It was a topical reference at the time, but because the trend itself is minimalist, it has a timeless quality to it. What makes this T-shirt so awesome is its subtlety. Most people, save for Star Wars fans, might not even recognize the reference…though I would hope that they do.
The yellowish-green print sits on a forest-green tee — a perfect color combo for Dagobah. I’m reluctant to let go of it, which is why it’s priced at $48. It’s vintage! Plus, I want to make sure this goes to someone who fully appreciates it. You might find similar tees somewhere else, but I highly doubt you’ll find this one anywhere other than here. It’s in gently used condition…excellent considering how long I’ve been holding onto it. I’ll be sad to see this one go.
size: medium
price: $30 + $3 shipping
I’m not sure what this is even called… a knuckle ring, maybe? Anyway, I bought it years ago from the Vice store when it was still on Lafayette (in SoHo, NYC). It’s made of brushed aluminum and is incredibly light. It was made by Surface 2 Air, the French art / fashion collective. These days, the only ring I wear is my wedding ring. So this needs a new home. I’m not a big guy and I think I have average size hands so if you’re of average build or slightly smaller, this will work for you. If you have gigantic sausage fingers then you might want to put this on a necklace and wear it as a pendant or something. Anyway, I forgot what I paid for this but you can find it online elsewhere for $55. This one is in brand new condition (no signs of wear, in exactly the same condition I bought it in) so $30 is a pretty decent deal.
price: $60 + $6 shipping
The title of this post pretty much says it all. I’ve had this bag for over 20 years. It’s been around the world a few times. The bag definitely has signs of wear on it: some slight discoloration (particularly on the white straps) and a few small places where the print has rubbed off a little. But this thing was built to last. It has white vinyl piping and a red vinyl pocket on the inside that runs the length of the bag. The cotton material used for the rest of the bag is also pretty tough… although years of use have put a few snags in it. There are no holes in it yet, but I imagine those snags will eventually turn into holes…perhaps in another 20 years. If you’re looking for a kick-ass vintage duffel, and if you’re a fan of Coke memorabilia, then this is an exquisite find. I am reluctant to part with this item, but as stated in the ‘About’ section of this site, I need the loot. I’m going to price it at what I think a vintage store (in SoHo) would sell it for: $60. And it’s worth every penny.
brand: Blood Is The New Black
color: black
size: medium (but almost fits like a large)
price: $7 + $3 shipping
I think this print was a great way to promote the brand. And possibly get shot at by crips. But I remained safe in it for the few years I’ve had it, so I’m sure you will, too. I would actually sell this at a higher price except that these are still available on BITB’s website for only $7. Sure, they don’t carry this size in this colorway anymore, but I figured the least I could do was match their price.
PS. I don’t condone gang violence. Just cool line drawings on T-shirts.
quantity: 8
price: $3 + $3 shipping
I used to love going to fleet week as a kid. These patches are from one of those fleet weeks…maybe 19 or 20 years ago. I stuck them in a box and forgot about them. Never used. You can tell I don’t know much about them based on that one I mistakenly placed upside down (middle, right). I still think they’re pretty cool, but I know I’ll never use them. Perhaps you will?
As an added bonus, I’m going to throw in this super fugly patch that I have no idea where I got. I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be a Flying Tigers patch. But I call it art. This alone is worth the $3. And it brings the grand total of patches up to 9.
I apologize for the blurriness of the photo. The thing just really did not want to be photographed.
brand: Heritage 1981 / Junk Mail
color: navy
size: large
price: $8 + $3 shipping
I actually got this at Forever 21. I know, I know. But a few of them sell men’s clothing under the label Heritage 1981. This particular tee, though, has a “junk mail” tag on the inside. Anyway, no need to explain this T-shirt, but if you insist: DC superheroes (The Justice League) on the front and DC villains on the back. The only size they had in stock at the time were larges and I’m really a medium… tried to make it work, but the damn thing wouldn’t shrink. Anyway, it’s in great condition…feels like a vintage tee.
brand: Durkl
color: slate
size: medium
price: $8 + $3 shipping
This is a Durkl shirt from a few seasons back. Light pink wolf print on a slate medium grey tee. I’ll be honest, I couldn’t rock this as hard as I thought I could. It’s an awesome tee… just not really my style. It needs a new home.
