The graphic tee is the most democratic piece in fashion. Everyone owns one; few people own a great one. RankHero estimates "graphic t-shirt" gets around 8,100 searches a month in the UK (RankHero). Here is what separates a good one from a throwaway, and the thinking behind our DCR Astute Society tees.
What makes a good graphic tee?
Fabric weight
Fabric weight is measured in grams per square metre (g/m²). Lighter tees feel airy but can look thin; heavier ones drape better and feel more substantial. Our DCR Society tees are 100% cotton at 200 g/m² (5.89 oz/yd²), a solid mid-weight. Our Pure Code tees go heavier, at 220 g/m², with an oversized fit.
Pilling and colour
Cheap cotton bobbles and fades quickly. Our DCR tees are pill resistant and have better colour retention after washes than regular cotton.
Fit
- Regular fit sits close without clinging. Our DCR tees are regular fit with a crew neck.
- Fitted sits closer to the body.
- Oversized has dropped shoulders and extra width.
A good graphic should be original, well placed and meaningful to you. Ask what it says before you ask what it costs.
The DCR Astute Society
DCR stands for daters, clubbers and ravers. The DCR Astute Society is our collection of futuristic tees for exactly those people: the ones dressing for the date, the club, the rave and the walk home at sunrise. The collection describes itself as engineered rebellion.
The designs
Each tee carries its own idea. A few examples:
- System Error Tee: a satire on conformity, the glitch in the corporate matrix.
- Faceless Icon Tee: anonymity as a statement.
- Baroque Hack Tee: 18th-century elegance, recoded: a throne, a frame and a clock, glitched and flipped.
- Sshh_Icon Tee: move in silence, leave shockwaves.
- Hijack Now, Target Intercepted and Lethal Lips: more coded messages from the society.
Price and sizes
£59 at the time of writing, in XS to 5XL. Every tee is made to order.
How to style a graphic tee
With jeans and a belt
The core look. A graphic tee, dark straight jeans and a leather belt, with clean trainers. Tuck the front of the tee slightly behind the belt buckle for a sharper line.
Under a jacket
A graphic tee under an open bomber, leather jacket or overshirt lets the artwork peek through. Keep the jacket plain.
Under a hoodie
In colder months, let the hem of a tee sit a little below the hoodie for a layered look.
For the club
A black or white tee with a bold graphic, black jeans, a black belt and boots. Simple, and it will hold up under strobe lights and hot rooms.
For a date
Our tees were designed with daters in mind. Pick a design that starts a conversation, wear it with dark jeans, a belt and clean leather shoes, and you have a talking point that is not your phone.
Sizing a tee
Our DCR tees use garment measurements, taken flat:
| Size | Chest width | Body length |
|---|---|---|
| S | 48 cm / 18.9" | 71 cm / 28" |
| M | 52 cm / 20.5" | 72 cm / 28.4" |
| L | 56 cm / 22" | 74 cm / 29.1" |
| XL | 62 cm / 24.4" | 76 cm / 29.9" |
| 2XL | 68 cm / 26.8" | 79 cm / 31.1" |
The full chart, from XS to 5XL, is on our size guide. Compare with a tee you already own, laid flat.
Care
Wash inside out, cold, with similar colours. Avoid bleach and high-heat drying. Cool washes keep prints and colours sharper, and save energy too (Energy Saving Trust).
Why made to order matters for a tee
Tees are among the most overproduced garments in fashion. Every Vazzari tee is made to order: nothing is made until it is ordered, so there are no unsold piles and less waste. And because nothing is pre-made, every design is there in every listed size.
Building a tee rotation
Most people wear a handful of tees on repeat. A good rotation might be:
- One black graphic tee for nights out
- One white graphic tee for summer and layering
- One heavyweight oversized tee for a relaxed look
- One plain tee to wear under knits and hoodies
With dark jeans and a leather belt, every one of those becomes a complete outfit. Add a hoodie on top in winter and you have a whole season covered.
Why design matters more than logos
Logo tees say where you shop. Graphic tees with an idea say who you are. The DCR Astute Society tees are built around ideas such as a satire on conformity, secret rebellion and old power recoded, so the tee starts a conversation instead of just showing a brand name.
FAQ
What does DCR stand for?
Daters, clubbers and ravers. The DCR Astute Society is our collection of futuristic tees for them.
Are DCR Society tees 100% cotton?
Yes, 100% cotton at 200 g/m², regular fit with a crew neck.
How should a graphic tee fit?
The shoulder seam should sit at your shoulder, and the hem around your belt line. Size up for a relaxed fit.
How do I stop a graphic tee from fading?
Wash inside out, cold, with similar colours, and air dry.
What do I wear with a graphic tee?
Dark straight jeans and a leather belt, with clean trainers or boots, and a plain jacket if it is cold.
Sources
- RankHero, "graphic t-shirt" keyword data: rankhero.com
- Energy Saving Trust, save energy when using your washing machine: energysavingtrust.org.uk
