On the internet today, there are a lot of websites that only feature and review
t-shirts. But there are some who choose to dig deeper and look at the t-shirt
industry with a critical eye. HipHipUK is a part of the second group of
websites, or more accurately, a blog in this case.

HipHipUK is the brainchild of British blogger Adam Fletcher who is currently
based in Leipzig, Germany. He currently works as a creative director for the
apparel brand Spreadshirt.

The idea for his blog came from his dissertation on the t-shirt brand
Threadless and the role of virtual communities in supporting innovative product
development, thus the academic treatment of some of the topics discussed.

But being academic doesn’t mean it lacks that cool factor that makes a site
interesting. On the contrary, the blog is filled with interesting articles as
well as interviews of some of the big names in the industry. Sure, the template
is simple, but in this case, the content of each entry and interview rules the
other features that the blog has.

Speaking of features, HipHipUK has a cool one that makes it easier to go to
previous posts without clicking on the archive menu. On the blog’s main page,
just above the newest entries is a horizontal scroll bar that lets visitors
simply scroll to their desired archive page number. It is more convenient than
having to click through loads of monthly archive pages. But if you want to view
the archives by month instead, there’s a drop-down menu at the sidebar.
Alternatively, there’s a separate archives page that lets you dig deeper into
them.

The t-shirt industry is a very dynamic and creative one. Look into it deeper
and you find something more beautiful and valuable. www.hiphipuk.co.uk helps
you do just that.

Threadless is without a doubt one of the most well-known t-shirt brands today. It began in late 2000 by the two Jakes, Jake Nickell and Jacob DaHart after Jake Nickell won a t-shirt competition in London. What started out as a hobby has now become a massive success.

The way threadless works is that users submit their designs and other users can vote for them. The best designs then get the chance to be printed. The creator of the chosen design gets a cash prize along with a gift certificate so they can buy some of their own shirts. The designer’s name will also be mentioned on the site giving him/her proper credit.

They have a massive selection of tees on their site that are new, on sale and reprinted. Reprints are those shirts that get enough votes to get reprinted. However, only a few of tees are printed each time which makes them more exclusive.

Aside from the catalog, visitors can browse the t-shirts by size. From small to double-XL, visitors can find the design they like in a size that fits them. The categories are also divided among the kinds of tees. From guys shirts to hoodies and so on.

Visit the mother of all t-shirt stores at www.threadless.com.

If you’re looking for great clothing, look no further than the fashion capital of the world, Paris, France. And if you’re looking for great t-shirts from this side of Europe, Dadawan is the brand to remember.

Dadawan is a Paris-based brand that was founded by four friends: David, Christophe, Herve and Paul. Its creation took half a year of brainstorming, exchanges of drafts and proposals among the four founders until it was finally created on March 2004, with David at the helm.

The brand sells a variety of products and is available to customers worldwide. From t-shirts, to trucker caps, to sneakers and stickers, Dadawan has tons load of them.

Although they have a store in Paris, that doesn’t mean that people from other countries won’t be able to avail of their products. They can do so through their online shop. The great thing about the shop is that they can choose from several modes of payment: by credit card, bank transfer and of course, PayPal. Having several payment options always means a good thing for online shoppers.

In addition to the varied modes of payment, another great thing about Dadawan’s online shop is that worldwide deliveries only take as quick as 3 days to a reasonable 2 weeks, depending on the destination. However, if a customer doesn’t like what he/she received, he/she can always ask for a replacement or a reimbursement. Talk about quality service!

Dadawan also has a t-shirt design contest wherein designers submit their works to the site and visitors can then vote which design they like best. The winning entry gets printed and the winning designer gets $170 for the first series of 50 pieces and $60 for each succeeding set, according to their website. Learn more everything about Dadawan by visiting their website at www.dadawan.com.

RETREAT - A fresh and innovative U.K clothing brand, which was formed in 2004 by graphic designer and DJ, Paul Sudron aka Paul Sid.

Retreat aims to bring a little more of our own feeling of individualism, and to focus on the design and the aesthetic of what we are trying to achieve.

Current focus lies on some raw t-shirt designs featuring both graphics and more abstract motifs and more recently sweatshirt designs for the autumn/winter collection.

Current focus lies on some raw t-shirt designs featuring both graphics and more abstract motifs and more recently sweatshirt designs for the autumn/winter collection and our upcoming spring/summer 2007 collection.

RETREAT FROM ALL EVIL!!!

Timewarp T-shirts is a unique independent designer retro and modern t-shirt shop.

Fresh movie, music, graphic design and old school styles with a message. Fear and Loathing, Reservoir Dogs, Project Mayhem and Glock & Roll shirts with attitude. Apparel includes t-shrts, sweatshirts, tank tops, raglans, jerseys, hats and gift items such as mugs and mouse pads.

My name is Josh Perkins. I’m an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona.

I run goapeshirts.com out of my apartment. Basically Go Ape Shirts is an independent t-shirt company featuring designs made by artists from around the world. The idea started at the end of last year, and the site went live this past May. Tees are 100% sweatshop free and super comfy.

Krudmart.com offers a unique blend of t-shirts, music and other lifestyle accessories that appeal to street-smart consumers world wide. Clothing and Accessories from Lemar & Dauley, Reason, Flying Coffin, 2K By Gingham, Situationormal Stabs, House 33, Imaginary Foundation, That’s Them and MANY more.

New styles and brands are arriving all the time, so be sure to check the site often - and if you’re in the Buffalo area, stop by the new Krudmart shop @ 125 Elmwood Ave. In store you’ll find even more brands including 10 Deep, PRPS Jeans, and Creative Recreation Footwear.

Hide Your Arms is a blog that focuses on discovering and promoting the best sleeved clothing that is available from independent labels and designers on the internet. This includes hoodies, track jackets and sweaters.

Since its in January 2006 HYA has come to be respected by its peers, readers and the clothing labels that are featured. The blog has grown from its original remit and now provides readers with news of sales, new releases, hands-on reviews, and occasional interviews with designers and store owners. Whilst the focus at HYA will always be on sleeved-clothing, high quality t-shirts are also featured.

HYA has only one staff member (the all-powerful Andy), this helps to give consistency of opinion throughout the website. This helps regular readers to interact on a more personal level. In the past there have also been guest posts by respected tee bloggers, who were allowed to forget about tees and cover their arms for a change by telling the readers about their favourite hoodie. Also, since there is only one main writer, the readers know who to blame when I forget to write a post!

The Imaginary Foundation is a think tank from Switzerland that does experimental research on new ways of thinking and the power of the imagination.

They hold dear a belief in human potential and seek progress in all directions. The small clandestine team is headed up by the mysterious “Director” a 70 something uber intellectual who’s father founded the Dadaist movement. Avoiding direct publicity the team has sought streetwear as an unlikely vehicle for bringing their ideas beyond the academic realm and into popular culture.

Original and eclectic designs and slogans, handcrafted for your unique point of view. Say what’s on your mind without saying it. Find the self expressionist in you and wear your attitude loud ‘n’ proud!

Comogatas (Spanish for I eat female cats) is an individualist shop for true individuals. I am pro Native American, pro Immigrant, pro Liberal and pro Human. My designs will get you in trouble with the conformists. They’ll get you looks of fear from the conservatives. They’ll get you angry stares from the people who want to keep you down.

Don’t shut up, don’t cower, don’t be afraid to open your mouth and let it all come out. Some people will be offended, the people that don’t know how to change the channel. Wear Comogatas with confidence and pride, get a conversation started and you just might find someone who understands your point of view.

Wear it for yourself.