There’s strong evidence that Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo is aiming for the highly influential Afterword market, judging by their latest T-Shirt collections. It’s widely believed that Uniqlo see Afterworders as fashion trendsetters and “opinion formers” who “set the agenda” for the rest of the world as to what is “fab:”, “hip” and “gear”.
First of all, there’s a collection celebrating Jazz that contains T-shirts featuring album covers by folk such as Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan and Eric Dolphy. Out to Lunch! by Eric Dolphy, mind. I’m surprised they aren’t printing the price in kroner for that one.
Next to those, there are some T-shirts featuring classic Marvel characters, with what looks like artwork by Jack Kirby and John Romita.
And then naturally there’s Miles Davis and The Beatles. To celebrate 50 years of Capitol you can buy shirts with album covers by those two Afterword favourites as well as ones by The Beach Boys and Gene Vincent.
I’ve got the Pet Sounds T-shirt, and confirm that it really is as good as everyone says it is, and is better than The Beatles ones.
But make sure you the get the proper version, with one arm.
I think it’s too short.
The cover is fun, but the contents are padded out with stodgy filler. Oh, wait….
Well yes, but they don’t cater for the mature gentleman with the fuller figure, do they?
Smile stretches over my body to such a degree it describes my width; “mile”!
My 1986 Housemartins t shirt is now so stretched out of shape that Stan Cullimore looks like Tom Watson.
I bet Paul Heaton now looks like Paul Heaton though.
Aye. He doesn’t have the acne now but he still has the lawnmower-accident hairstyle.
“My 1986 Housemartins t shirt is now so stretched out of shape that Stan Cullimore looks like Tom Watson.”
Moosey, there’s nothing wrong with looking like a 8-time Major Championship-winning golfer.
I meant the Secombe-impersonating self-styled politician and conspiracy theorist.
The Pet Sounds XL fits this old warhorse* Mike!
*Scottish, 6 foot 2, favourite food: chicken murtabak
A few years back they did a range of really nice record label logo t-shirts, too – I invested in an A&M and a Polydor, and I remember Decca (silver print on blue) and Virgin (late-70s variant on a perfectly vignetted blue/white shirt) being available too, plus others… looks like they’ll be getting some more of my ackers for a few of these…
No women’s fit/sizes. Pffft!
The annoying thing is that the Uniqlo ladies T-shirts are usually better than the gents ones. I’ll walk past the store and there’ll be some cool X-Men or Kiss t-shirt and then I’ll realise it’s in the ladies section, and to be honest my days of walking around town in women’s clothing are largely over.
Are you sure that ain’t extra largely?
I have to say that when I saw the OP title I assumed that it was one of those amusing typos that would get done to death on the blog as a tiresome in-joke for months to come.
I am disappoint.
*puts on Mokess vinly*
Ahh, the ALBMALBYH.
That last word reminds me of someat I said to my dentist.
Here’s a nice lady to birdsplain it for you.
Oh! That’s why my dentist gave me a funny look. Well. One of the reasons.
Good old ebay knock-offs usually suffice if one wants cool t shirts in ladies sizes. I do fancy this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Miles-Davis-T-shirt-Womens-/252188685278?var=&hash=item3ab79df3de:m:mk8ImeH4VEanNEbJ_CPJV9g
Are the hands strategically placed? Depends on the wearer, I suppose.
I bought an ebay knock-off Keith Jarrett Köln Concert t-shirt a few years ago.
As regards the quality of the cotton … I was disappoint. It was about as soft and comfortable as a hairshirt.
Simulating the experience of listening to the album then?
*scarpers*
For those who prefer not to shout their fandom the T-Shirt for The Beatles (aka the White Album) should do the trick – https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/men-capitol-75th-short-sleeve-graphic-t-shirt-194425.html
You can buy it, wear it a few times and then wonder what all the fuss is about.
At least six times, I hope.
But do they do a “One Year Out!” t-shirt? Surely that’s what we all want…
Those jazz Ts look very tempting. What a refreshing change from all those three year olds running round the playground in their Ramones shirts.
If you meet someone in a Lee Morgan T, you can be certain of a long and detailed discussion of his discography not to mention his tragic end.
http://www.npr.org/2017/03/23/521267119/i-called-him-morgan-is-a-tale-of-marriage-murder-and-jazz-told-from-two-sides
The movie is one of the best jazz films DuCool has ever seen. Do you need a warmer recommendation?
Yes, I must say that Uniqlo are to be congratulated on their latest jazz t-shirt range. “Out to Lunch” is a pretty radical album to feature on a garment from a huge multinational high street chain.
Coming in 2018! New Uniqlo free jazz t-shirts! Featuring…
Barbed Wire Maggots by Borbetomagus
“Live at Slugs Saloon” by Albert Ayler
If you’ve never sampled any Borbetomagus, Afterworders, try the track below, starting from about 3.00 into the number. Niiiiiiiiiiice.
I think there has been a bit of a mix up here, Duke. Instead of some smooth jazz sounds, you have posted what sounds like a David Attenborough outtake. A herd of frenzied wild elephants in considerable distress.
Yes, it is rather … abrasive, isn’t it?
They did a range of ECM tees about 10 years ago duco, that would have suited you.
Anyway, popped in at lunch for an XL Smile.
Nice. Thanks Hawkfall!