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T-shirts of fiction

I saw this link a few weeks ago, and it’s been idling about in my brain until finally this morning I decided to give it my attention.

Here’s the deal: Would you buy a T-shirt from a fake place–say, Albert Einstein High School from The Princess Diaries or Riders of Rohon Saddle Shop from Lord of the Rings? (That last one sounds so incredibly stupid, but I’m dealing with enough copy edits for my novel at the moment–no extra editing for me.)

The question has two parts: (1) Would you buy a T-shirt like that just for fun, to honor your favorite books;and (2) would you buy it if the money went to a good cause?

If you buy a fiction-inspired T-shirt from Protect.org, the money supports a political lobby focused on the protection of children from abuse and exploitation. Is that reason enough to buy it? Or do you even need a reason to wear something funky that’s an inside joke for you and other discriminating readers?

What fictional college, business, or place would you be happy to wear a T-shirt to commemorate?

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Posted on Thursday, July 20th, 2006 at 8:28 am under Reading, Writing . Subscribe to responses: RSS 2.0 Comment Feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

13 Responses to “T-shirts of fiction”

  1. Lizzie Says:
    July 20th, 2006 at 9:26 am

    I love shirts like that - so much so that I make them myself instead of spending $25 at a store. Also, by making them myself, I can get exactly what I want instead of searching for hours in vain for a random film/tv/book reference t-shirt that doesn’t exist.

    I also like being able to reply “I made it” when people ask “oh, I love your shirt, where’d you get it?” Makes me feel special.

  2. robin Says:
    July 20th, 2006 at 9:57 am

    So, Lizzie, does that mean you’ll design the T-shirts for my book?

  3. Lizzie Says:
    July 20th, 2006 at 10:18 am

    Sure I will! Does that mean I can get an advance copy of the book? eh? eh?

  4. robin Says:
    July 20th, 2006 at 10:20 am

    Lizzie, when you’re on Team Brande, you get all sorts of special goodies. Ask B.J.

  5. Heather Dawn Harper Says:
    July 20th, 2006 at 3:49 pm

    I love funky T-shirts. My friend Rinda designs shirts for writers at her cafe press store, The Write Snark. They are my favorite.

    But I am always hesitant when “purchasing to support”, especially if it political.

    I would have to do my homework.

  6. robin Says:
    July 20th, 2006 at 4:15 pm

    Yeah, Heather, I agree with you. There are more organizations out there than I can support all at once, so I am very choosy.

    I checked out your friend’s design page–cool! I especially like the T-shirt that says “You are only allowed to bother me if there is blood, fire, or coffee.” Amen. You can see her other designs at http://www.cafepress.com/TheWriteSnark

  7. Diana Says:
    July 21st, 2006 at 1:01 pm

    I wear fake t-shirts all the time. It’s a running joke in my household, so when I got the opportunity to make fake t-shirts for my book release, I did so. I have a ton over at http://cafepress.com/eliuniversity.

    My boyfriend has a Bayside High Tigers shirt (Saved by the Bell) as well as a shirt of the frat in Revenge of the Nerds.

  8. Barry Says:
    July 21st, 2006 at 5:30 pm

    I confess that, when I was in college, I was obsessed with the sitcom “Coach,” so I went out and had a Minnesota State sweatshirt made.

    I’m considering South Brook High and Property of South Brook Athletic Dept. t-shirts for my novel.

  9. annette Says:
    July 21st, 2006 at 9:55 pm

    the reason i LOVE this blog is its regular revelation that there is a parallel universe out there–the existence of which i was totally unaware. thank you for letting me in.

    i think the responses to this topic put to rest any notion that maintaining a fixation of identity with, or on, a pig-tailed, freckle-faced, little swede, way past puberty, is the least bit abberrant.

    seriously barry, “a minn. state sweatshirt”, that is just plain sad.

    is anyone else bothered, or amused, by the fact that the topic of designing and wearing “ficticious” clothing has garnered more interest than that dealing with planet earth boiling away like a fat maine lobster? oh well. can i put my order in now for a BRANDE X tee? (extra small, of course).

  10. Barry Says:
    July 22nd, 2006 at 6:50 am

    Annette:

    It was college. What can I say?

    My one regret while there is that I never bought the infamous Yalesbians t-shirt, with the single best motto ever: “Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman.”

  11. annette Says:
    July 22nd, 2006 at 12:54 pm

    now that’s a great tee–is it pc to wear a victoria’s secret bra with it (if you’re a lady i mean)?

  12. Barry Says:
    July 22nd, 2006 at 7:41 pm

    I imagine if you’re going to wear that t-shirt, you can get away with just about ANYTHING underneath it.

  13. NF Says:
    May 7th, 2007 at 8:24 pm

    It’s funny to stumble across this… I actually created the “infamous” Yalesbians tshirt, assuming you mean the original from around 1989, with two little women’s symbols with biceps… I’m glad to hear the women’s center finally sold them all! I still have one somewhere… and I never did get sued by Procter and Gamble!