Collection: Vintage Band T Shirts

Vintage band t-shirts consistently sit upon the throne when it comes to the most expensive genre of vintage tees available. Whilst other genres seemingly rise and fall in the cultural zeitgeist (Disney tees saw this a few years back), vintage band tees have seemingly continued to grow in popularity. Tethered to this popularity is, of course, the price. 

In the wider cultural landscape, musicians, rappers, and bands have been infamous trend-setters. So it does make sense that vintage band tees command such high prices, especially when being directly linked to the world of fashion. 

It is important to note that not all vintage band tees command a high price. Ultimately, it comes down to the specific band or musician and their overall popularity. Many musicians have left a significant historical impact, not only in the world of music but in a wider cultural sense. Clear examples of this are Kurt Cobain with Nirvana, Oasis (for all of the Brits out there), The Grateful Dead, and so on. 

Another factor that adds to the overall value is the scarcity of vintage band merchandise. Vintage band t-shirts were made in limited quantities for specific tours, concerts, or album releases. These tees were not mass-produced when compared to today’s standards, which meant that there were a lot fewer in circulation. As ‘Father Time’ passes by, less and less remains available. Combine these limited quantities with supply and demand, and you have the perfect formula for expensive band tees. 

One last thing to touch upon is the power of authenticity. People want to connect with something “real”, so to speak. This is why vintage band t-shirts, and vintage tees in general, have seen a steady rise in popularity over the decades. People hold a stronger emotional connection to something that is authentic in nature versus a mass-produced reproduction. 

Vintage band t-shirts represent more than just fashion. They represent tangible moments in time, linked to cultural events and wider societal movements (for example, Woodstock ’69’s counterculture movement). Owning something authentic from a specific time or place is of notable importance in today’s world. Which is why vintage band t-shirts can seem so expensive.

With the high cost of vintage band t-shirts in today’s market, ensuring you are buying something legitimate is more important than ever.

With the rise in demand for vintage band merchandise comes a rise in fakes and reproductions. 

Today’s vintage band t-shirt market is flooded with fakes, and as a general rule of thumb, the more expensive the items are, the more fakes there are likely to be.

When it comes to the holy grails of vintage band merchandise, think Nirvana or Butthole Surfers; fakes are much more common than the authentic pieces. 

Vintage blank tees are often screen printed on, with some people even going as far as leaving the t-shirts out in the sun for weeks to give them a natural sun fade. This makes them appear naturally worn-in and faded, which is often the case with 30-year-old t-shirts. 

Firstly, when it comes to these elusive vintage band tees, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be sure to do your full due diligence if considering purchasing one. If you see any red flags, such as a cut tag, misaligned prints, or a clean glossy print that looks new, we’d recommend that you steer clear. 

Find images from an authentic garment, and do a direct comparison between the two. 

Purchasing these items online can be extremely difficult at times. If doing so, make sure all of the images show the t-shirt extensively. If the images are not clear, ask the seller to provide images of the tag, print, collar, etc.

Ideally, you would have the item in hand to be able to get a feel of the garment. If the print appears glossy or feels sticky (which indicates it has been recently screenprinted on), it could be a sign that it is inauthentic. 

When it comes to vintage band tees, there are a few telltale signs that offer a good indication of their authenticity. 

So be sure to be thorough with your checks, and don’t be afraid to ask others in the vintage community for help if in doubt.