"Gimme" t-shirts make me grouchy - YouLookFab Forum

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"Gimme" t-shirts make me grouchy

Elizabeth Armbruster

My company loves to give out t-shirts for every event, employee group, event, etc. to show our solidarity as a team. These are "unisex" tees (read boxy crew necks sized for men, even for the women's networking groups) creating a shapeless, oddly fitting "silhouette" (if you can call it that) on me which I find confidence-destroying (because I'm vain like that). I never wear them willingly because I have a curated wardrobe (thank you YLF) which does not include free shirts on a regular rotation.

Yes, I am a kill-joy in this area. Given the high percentage of trash which is textile waste, it also bothers me that hundreds of these shirts are produced, handed out and what? Given to second hand shops? Thrown away?

Anyone else feel like this? Some women look darling in a unisex team-themed shirt, but I am not one of them. Some men in my workplace do wear their free shirts on the regular, which fits their temperament and jobs. As for me, I am about to be offered another shirt tomorrow and I'm going to apply my wits to dodge the garment without causing offense.

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from elpgal

Molly Mac

Veteran

I feel your pain. I despise unisex tshirts and hate the waste generated by these cheap giveaways. I would much rather see the money donated than spent on this kind of swag.

elpgal

Veteran

Unisex tees from work are the worst because you can’t even cut and snip them into a ‘feminine’ shape.

I am with you. My son gets piles of these - from camps, sports leagues and they are itchy scratchy things that kids wear only for photos.

Absolutely, refuse to take one.

JAileen

Veteran

I hate those shirts, too. Why should women be forced to wear men’s shirts? Why not order women’s shirts and make men wear them? Because they won’t wear them, that’s why. I would refuse. I was on a city commission and was given that same kind of shirt, which also had a misspelled word on the back. I refused to wear it.

The thrift store where I volunteer sells shirts like this for fifty cents. Needy people buy them, but also workmen who wreck their clothes on a regular basis.

taylor

Veteran

That would make me grouchy too. !

I dislike t-shirts to begin with and don’t even own them , to be forced to wear a mans ....well , I would probably burn it.:)

Vildy

Veteran

I hate 'em, too. I even dropped out of free yoga and exercise classes because we were required to wear these shirts and I find them not only unflattering but uncomfortable to exercise in - they inevitably move up and back on me, rubbing against my windpipe.

However, I participated in a charity event where similar shirts were handed out and a beautiful young woman promptly donned hers, carefully pin rolling the squarish sleeves until it resembled a muscle shirt and then she knotted each side at the high hip. She looked amazing and I heartily enjoyed how she vanquished this ungainly garment!

taylor

Veteran

That’s a great story Vildy, I’ll have to remember that if I’m ever up against this!...a truly stylish young woman!

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I own many unisex t-shirts which I get when entering running races. But I have given away more than I’ve kept. If they are soft, I will wear them for pjs or for a dry shirt after running. I wish the races would offer a no-shirt option when you sign up (I don’t mean to run shirtless!)

In a couple places where I worked, a church and a public administration office, the (male) boss suggested getting “company” logo polo shirts, which in my book are worse than T-shirts. I put up vehement objections, and no shirts were ever ordered.

IMO, your best argument is you don’t want to or can’t wear men’s shirts, but then they might actually get women’s styles and you’d have no excuse. Then what do you do?

Sal

Veteran

I do agree - I haven't got many over the years - but it is annoying.

My sons have lived in sports tee shirts from teams and the company logoed polo shirts are very popular with the engineers at work.

I think they should be optional- if volunteering and they want a unified look then either they should supply vests or recommend everyone wear red (for example) shirts.

Elizabeth Armbruster

Thanks all!

@Cjh I've gotten some nice, ladies cut Ts from races too - I do wear those when working out. And yes, I don't want my "protest" to backfire by having them solve my problem with a better cut shirt! I'd probably demure with a "I'd only wear this once so it's a waste," counterpoint.

Ironically, the company is wildly eco-minded about reducing trash and food waste, but it doesn't seem to apply to the shirts.

"Aww, darn! I totally forgot I was supposed to wear that shirt today." is also a nice opportunity to practice my acting skills (useful in the workplace anyway).

rachylou

Veteran

Gosh all those shirts are so ugly! And the mugs! I also hate the mugs. I hung onto all these mugs and tees for years and then finally freed myself.

lyn67

Veteran

Yes!:-(

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Since they're big into eco on other things, it'd probably be worth your while to suggest other ways to promote team spirit/advertise/accomplish whatever they're trying to achieve with these. If it's anything about moral, then obviously having other people join you in requesting a change would help.

But in the meantime, I agree with finding ways to make it work for you. I recall an acquaintance from Brazil, a former samba dancer, who ripped (or cut?) long fringes into the bottom of a very boxy, generic T-shirt and looked fantastic.

You might also want to look up Staysfit's thread from a year or so ago on other ways to utilize these shirts without seeming like a total party-pooper.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Oh yes, it’s crazy. With three kids involved in many activities over the years, we have had piles of these lying around. Whatever I don’t give away, I use as cleaning cloths and then toss as they get gross.

At various times over the years, some organizations have collected the youth soccer shirts and sent them to third-world countries for fledgling youth teams there. That sort of makes me happy and assuages some of my guilt.

I have read that before the Super Bowl, the participating football teams have to manufacture the winning t-shirts (so they are ready to be sold immediately after the game). The losing team’s shirts (“Super Bowl Champs”) are also shipped to a poor country and that image kind of makes me happy, too. At least they are getting used? I hope.

Anonymous

Ditto-I hate them So Much and refuse whenever possible!

To the tune of "What do you do with a drunken sailor"

What do you do with an ugly t shirt (3x)
Earlie in the morning

Cut it in a fringe and dance the samba (3x)
Earlie in the morning

Cut it into rags and clean up the bathroom (3x)
Earlie in the morning

Your turn

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

ST, I once had a roommate who was Navy ROTC. Her dad had been in the Navy too. As we got to know each other, she revealed that he had a huge drinking problem. At times, she sang that song in a more traumatized way than you can imagine! I’m happy to submit a new verse.

Roll up the sleeves and hide your ciggies,
Slash that neck, say “it’s no biggie”
Get thrown in brig & dance a jiggy
Early in the morning.

Roberta

Veteran

Grrr, this makes me grouchy too. We are becoming more aware of the tremendous waste in the fashion industry, and this is not the worst example by far, but it is a symbol of a big problem. I suspect I would get on my high horse and campaign against it. A colleague stepped up years ago against plastic silverware and now we are all used to tossing our forks in the dishwasher. We are offered one t-shirt a year (for summer reading) and we can decline and/or wear them all summer long. They still pile up after 20 years!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think I would politely refuse unless it felt really like a necessary team building thing such as everyone working on an outdoor project and wearing the t-shirts just for that day or for photos, etc.

You might enjoy some of these unconventional ways to repurpose a t-shirt

https://www.buzzfeed.com/sewst.....d-t-s-9gri

Helena

Veteran

Agreed! Same goes for crappy water bottles that don't last and all the other various and sundry junk that gets passed out!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Yes I totally agree,it’s a mad waste of resources.We all used to cope perfectly well in work without having to wear a sloganed T-shirt.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Since they do seem concerned about the environment I would send them a link to a video chronicling what goes into the making of a t-shirt, along with a note saying how unsustainable it is to have all that go into something you only wear once. I didn’t realize it until I learned about it here and maybe on Facebook. And maybe the company could boost morale a different way. A clothing drive for people who need clothing, and/or donate the money to a local charity for overhead costs (clothes get donated to our local version of dress for success that provides clothing for all types of jobs and now dresses children also) but meeting the overhead costs can be challenging.

nemosmom

Veteran

Ugh, swag in general is a big sore spot with me. Much like goody bags full of plastic junk that my kids bring home from birthday parties and those red noses at Walgreens! So. Much. Trash

slim cat

Veteran

I did wear red X-mas t-shirt when years ago I worked at Old Navy ( it was around 1999 -2000 ). It said on my back - "Priced so low - you can't say no" and "Old Navy staff" - on the front.

brunette

Member

I work in a supermarket and one Shrove Tuesday my company tried to make us wear a unisex tee before I pointed out that they had the word 'pancakes' positioned across the bosom. A bit unfortunate...

pil

Veteran

We get those at work too - I agree with CJH about polo shirts being even worse. I wear them once or twice just for appearances. Sleeves are rolled a couple of times and it is sported with a semi-tuck. It looks a *little* better that way
I realize some don’t care for Goodwill, but if donated the shirts could possibly go in their rag bag program.

elpgal

Veteran

Suntiger and Fashintern - thanks for the earworm