People who are as fine as aged wine, might just remember a time (circa 60s, and every decade since) when tie-dye was the colour splash that got onto everyone (and everything). Well, time to revisit this vintage-slash-retro aesthetic. Wearing tie-dye tees today won’t date you but might actually upgrade you; it was a trend just last year, that has somewhat carried over to 2021. Better don any one of these 10 patterned tops while you still can, before tie-dye returns into the fashion cycle, going from hip back to hippie.
“Everyday Tee-Time” is our regular fortnightly round-up of the best new T-shirts that fit you, well, to a tee.
Oversized organic tie dye t-shirt with ramen back print, $37.99, ASOS DESIGN
How to make a tie-dye tee more “delish”: add ramen. Actually, it’s just a printed mock advertisement promoting a restaurant selling “fresh & succulent mouth-watering” ramen in Shibuya. We’re pretty sure the resto doesn’t exist, but this supes-roomy, drop-shouldered organic cotton (it’s grown using less water and no pesticides) in light seafoam blue-green with a splash of pink blush at the front, certainly does.
Available at ASOS
Trend tie-dyed short T-shirt, $64, Twenty Eight Shoes
Don’t just wear a trend, wear one with a trendy message; in this case, it’s to “Recycle”, printed in brilliant white along with an apt rendering of the universal recycling symbol as waves on what seems to be a reverse tie-dyed black tee with bold orange and pink striations.
Available at ZALORA
BONUS: SAFRA members can receive up to 20% off purchases + 3% cashback at ZALORA. Visit ZALORA | SAFRA for more information.
Kohto oversized printed tie-dyed cotton-jersey T-shirt, $289 (£154.17), Acne Studios
Here’s another one printed with the universal recycling symbol in black, but with more variations running down the back. It’s a classic tie-dye option in the sombre tones of army-green and beige if you want to appear more down-to-earth and less “colour-me-happy”.
Available at Mr Porter
Tie-dye print T-shirt, $49.90, ZARA
This here cotton top proves how tie-dye can be adapted and “adulted” for 2021 (and beyond). Quartered into segments of white, baby pink and two shades of blue, it is a modern update to the tie-dye style. Japandi-style lovers will take to its clean look (at least compared to that of other messy dyed versions).
Available at ZARA stores, multiple locations, www.zara.com/sg
Sportswear T-shirt, $59, Nike
Nobody said you can’t wear tie-dye and do sports at the same time. Nike’s Max 90 fit (dropped shoulders, longer sleeves and roomier fit), mid-weight cotton tee that’s splotched out in white, grey and black, comes embroidered with the brand’s Swoosh logo, so that people at the gym will know you aren’t just all about fashion.
Available at Nike stores and brand stockists, multiple locations, www.nike.com/sg
BONUS: SAFRA members can enjoy up to 15% off regular-priced footwear & apparels at Nike. Visit NIKE | SAFRA for more information.
Extra loose short sleeve tie-dye Gorillaz T-shirt, $45.90, Bershka
What’s better than a tie-dye tee? A tie-dye band tee. This spiral tie-dye one in yellow, pink, light blue and turquoise features the Gorillaz spray-paint logo-name tag printed front-and-centre. A must-buy for fans of the English virtual-animated band.
Enquire at Bershka stores for availability, multiple locations, www.bershka.com/sg
Vertical tie-dye T-shirt with slogan, $29.90, Pull&Bear
This looks so simple, it almost doesn’t even qualify as tie-dye tee (if you equate tie-dye with colourful). A white cotton short-sleeve with a dramatic swath of black cutting diagonally across its front and back (or a black tee with white sides; perspectives), it’s totes minimal, except for the “A city to dream” slogan printed across the chest. Mayhaps, a reference to our dear SG?
Available at Pull&Bear stores, multiple locations, www.pullandbear.com/sg
Safe Trip Colorado tee (navy), $69, Junglesjungles
It’s either you get it, or you don’t; looking like someone’s bleaching accident on a bargain-bin tourist tee from Colorado, is Australian brand Junglesjungles tee that exemplifies its anti-establishment + counter-cultural take on modern escapism. Okay, got the memo: Trashy, cheap-looking tees are hot!
Available at Dover Street Market Singapore, 18 Dempsey Road, 249677, singapore.doverstreetmarket.com
UV Cute T-shirt, $77 (USD $58), Chinatown Market
Street fashion lovers who also happen to be lovers, this is your couple tee. Printed on a swirl of strawberry+choco+vanilla colours is a retro-style illustration of cartoony teddy bears smiling and embracing. Yummy, chummy and wholesome.
Available at HBX
S/S Joint pocket tie-dye T-shirt, $119, Carhartt WIP
Opting for an easy-on-the-eyes cool blue can help in toning down your look if you are nervous about heading into tie-dye territory. This one ups the casual workwear aesthetic with a front pocket and “corporate-looking” graphics on the front and back. Oh, and that “‘89” figure? Wethinks it’s printed on here because Carhartt started in 1889, and the Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) label, in 1989.
Available at Carhartt WIP boutique, 333A Orchard Road, Mandarin Gallery, #02-21, 238897
All products are subject to availability and prices are subject to change. Prices stated are correct as of time of posting and are based on current exchange rates.
