Since 2008, BBC Radio 6 has been running a Wear Your Old Band T-Shirt To Work Day campaign, asking fans of all genres of music to wear their most treasured concert or all time favourite band t-shirt to work on a specific day.
You know how it works – you go to the concert, get lost in the moment, head to the merchandise table, make your choice and immediately pop it over your head. You strut around like a peacock in mating season, enjoying catching people on the tube or bus trying to read the details or just trying to work out who the logo/image relates to.
Next you fall into one of two categories: 1) you either then stash it in your wardrobe along with your other band t-shirts that never see the light of day again; or 2) you wear it in strict rotation with others in your collection at every given opportunity for the next few weeks, months, years reliving the amazing time you had at the show.
Eventually a small hole will appear, then another or if you’re unlucky a stain that absolutely will not shift no matter what. This is the time for it to be carefully folded and stored because you can’t possibly bring yourself to throw it out.
As a huge music fan I am often pleasantly surprised to see an otherwise staid individual or actor I adore sporting a really cool band t-shirt.
Everyone knows someone who has Nirvana or Rolling Stones apparel, and of course you can buy a whole range of memorabilia at a concert from bags to bandanas but the t-shirt remains the classic way to pay tribute and to show your admiration for some of your most loved musicians. Some of the more well known ‘classic’ t-shirts are Guns n Roses, Ramones, The Who and The Beatles to name but a few. Lesser known old t-shirts still making an impact in the market today are Joy Division, Stone Roses and Run DMC.
Make sure when this year’s ‘Wear Your Old Band T-Shirt To Work Day’ comes round you dig out your favourite and wear it to work, or in bed, or wherever, with pride and nostalgia.
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