Threading the Needle to Success

I typed in threadless.com into my web browser and was bombarded with countless original designs for t-shirts. Rather than overwhelming, I found that my initial reaction to the homepage was that of a shopper ready to buy something, and a lot of it too. Mind you this is simply a website for "threadless" T-shirts, hoodies and other related clothing. They are a design-orientated site looking to drive home the message that life can be cool and T-shirt casual. All T-shirts range from $15 to $25 a pop.

Threadless.com has several segments from which a customer can choose. Men, woman, art and design are amongst the ones, which stand out. They also have a wide selection for children aged 6 months to adolescent. Just click on the KIDS! tab to view their selection, all fashionably modeled by little smiling babies, but no, it is not as creepy as it sounds. In fact, the site is so user friendly, I found myself surfing through their product line with ease, even with the slow bandwidth we Malaysians enjoy. The splash of cool colors and eye-catching copy only adds to the shopping experience.

The select tab at the top left corner will steer you toward their list of artists. Click on the artist and you will be able to browse through their personal designs, designs they have contributed to threadless T-shirts. Be warned though, these Ts usually end up costing a little more. But the thing I like most about this site is the fact that, you as a consumer can also be a part of the anthology of designers. Your work being a part of the anthology of designs is not the only perk for any budding designer.

If your idea/design is selected from print, you'll receive $2,000 in cash, a $500 threadless gift certificate (redeemable for $200) and a further $500 every time your design is reprinted. One other thing, up to $22,500 more if you win a "Bestee" at their yearly awards show, the threadless awards. And don't worry submission is as simple as ABC. Simply scroll over the participate tab and click on submit designs. It will take you to the submission instructions, and as Michael Jackson said, Easy as 123, simple as ABC.

If design is not your thing, not to worry, you can still enjoy the Web site for what it is intended to be, an online store. The final segment, which I have saved for last is the appropriately named "Type Tees". An array of catch phrases and one-liners, the "Type Tees" tab takes you to T-shirts designed for the sarcastic in all of us. My personal favorite slogan reads "Screw Vintage this shirt is from the future."

Happy surfing, T-shirt lovers!