T-Shirt Reviews Blog

Posted: 15 May 2010 08:05 AM PDT

Even though the French t-shirt community Mr. Poulet sports the tag line “Original Chicken Clothes” I am almost 100% sure that this is just a taste of French humour, which has had its detractors in the past. After all France thought Jerry Lewis was a funny man. Still, sociological history aside the site looks fun, and for those a little rusty on their Franglais you’ll be relieved to know there is an English speaking version too. What’s even more enticing is their whopping great €2000, although that’s not guaranteed, it all depends on how many of your tees they sell, which is fair enough really. The small print states you earn €2 per t-shirt sold up to 1000, they do promote their shirts so you should receive a healthy slice if their customers bite. Each t-shirt vote is in the running for 7 days so it’s a pretty fast turnaround from submitting to voting to selling.

What you should first notice about the collection is just how different their winning designs are to the usual selection at US sites like Threadless. Plenty of surreal comic art with a subtle sense of humour, some might say there are similarities with Japanese art on show, the French and Japanese do share a lot of sensibilities, especially in the area of illustration. What’s really nice is how many of the prints appear to be hand drawn, which is a welcome change. Take a look at some of my top picks from their store:

Come On! T-Shirt

Available for men, the Come On! T-Shirt by by Môd offers up a surreal slice of cartoon chicanery. I love the premise, your daughter is a freak and the circus will probably take her away. I used to know a kid who really did run away with the carnies, he ended up working on the dodgems, by the time I knew him he was washing up in a hospital kitchen. So much for the glamour of the open road. Available for €25 i nsizes XS,S,L and XL.

Escape T-Shirt

The Escape T-Shirt by pstole is incredibly retro, it reminds me more of Soviet animation from the dark recesses of the Eastern Block than French design, I really like it. Almost like an homage to oppressive governmental propaganda and the failed promises of an Atomic Age, this superb illustration has to be an instant classic in the world of tees. Do make sure to check out their other designs including Autumn Time and South North. Escape is available in S/L/XL for €25.

Quai de la Seine T-Shirt

I love the way the Quai de la Seine tee by Miguel is so French, I mean it’s French beyond imagination. I use to get worked up when Americans came over to the UK looking for Dick Van Dyke chimney sweeps and horses and carriages on the cobbled roads of London. Sometimes an image sticks. Then I went on an exchange with my school and realised that France, and especially Paris, isn’t full of berets, striped long-sleeved t-shirts, onions on strings and bicycles. I have to admit I was a little disappointed, but it did make me realise very early on how much one’s culture stereotypes others for convenience. The truth is the moment we got off the ferry the place was crawling with Goths covered in Depeche Mode tattoos, but that was the mid-eighties after all. Anyway, way off point. Get this painfully stylish slice of French nostalgia in t-shirt form for €25 in XXL (yep almost sold out!).

Home Sweet Home T-Shirt

The Home Sweet Home T-Shirt by Flambi is fascinating. Flambi’s style, a shroomy mix of Americana arts and crafts meets the Blue Meanies from The Yellow Submarine, with a dash of Alice for good measure, makes up for a totally mad t-shirt design. No idea what’s going on, no need to. One word… great. Only available in XL for €25. Yep another design to sell out and fast.

You’d better get down there before they all sell out: www.monsieurpoulet.com

Lifestyle World

Saturday, 15 May 2010