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I think your demographic's typical personality, and what they will use your apparel for, are the factors that matter the most here.
Apparel with massive logos and such involve making a MASSIVE STATEMENT ABOUT WHAT YOU REALLY FUCKING LOVE. Those clothes are worn by people that want to scream to the whole world that they love X.
The trouble is, that's not something I feel a lot of people in the nerd culture want to do. I'm not stereotyping here-there are exceptions to every rule-but I feel that, in general, people who like video games do NOT also like screaming from the rooftops about what they like, video games or not. It's also not something you should do in everyday life; clothes with large and obvious logos are often tacky and a tactless way of making a statement.
Products that are more of a comfortable understatement will see more everyday use. These products can be fashionable, while still being perfectly recognizable to those "in the know." To everyone else, though, it's just an awesome piece of clothing.
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Germany25649 Posts
Give me my TL coffee mug already 
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Northern Ireland23667 Posts
As admin of a hub for all of Ireland's SC players (well, such is the hope), a lot of the guys lose their shit whenever apparel becomes available, a bunch have hoodies and more still the t-shirt, and while we share an overarching love of SC, we're all different in aesthetic preferences etc.
Looks good + understated + signifies something that bonds folk is a good combo, had a few occasions out in Belfast bars, spotted a TL shirt and had a conversation with people previously unknown to me.
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On May 14 2014 02:21 McRatyn wrote:Show nested quote +On May 14 2014 02:16 Saechiis wrote:
What's secret about wearing a shirt that says TeamLiquid on it? That hardly anyone of the general population knows what Team Liquid is
bullshit, i see enough of them around here and good luck trying to make it more mainstream than what it already is.
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On May 14 2014 08:21 StarStruck wrote:Show nested quote +On May 14 2014 02:21 McRatyn wrote:On May 14 2014 02:16 Saechiis wrote:
What's secret about wearing a shirt that says TeamLiquid on it? That hardly anyone of the general population knows what Team Liquid is bullshit, i see enough of them around here and good luck trying to make it more mainstream than what it already is.
My bad to state that as an objective fact. From my experience my friends who are heavy into gaming, just not SC (I know very few who ever played it, let alone play actively now) have no idea about it. Never seen anything on the streets that would seem like other people do, neither
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On May 14 2014 08:09 Wombat_NI wrote:
As admin of a hub for all of Ireland's SC players (well, such is the hope), a lot of the guys lose their shit whenever apparel becomes available, a bunch have hoodies and more still the t-shirt, and while we share an overarching love of SC, we're all different in aesthetic preferences etc.
Looks good + understated + signifies something that bonds folk is a good combo, had a few occasions out in Belfast bars, spotted a TL shirt and had a conversation with people previously unknown to me.
As a fellow admin of said group I can confirm this
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Most of the people I know wear shirts of bands they listen to, sports they play or watch, game developers they like, etc. I don't know if it's just a Washington State thing or what, but they are extremely popular here. I can't remember the last time I wore a shirt that didn't have a band logo on it (albeit under my work shirt possibly). Lol.
I've been waiting for a Samsung Khan jacket to go on sale so I can flaunt that shit all over town. xD
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On May 14 2014 08:26 McRatyn wrote:Show nested quote +On May 14 2014 08:21 StarStruck wrote:On May 14 2014 02:21 McRatyn wrote:On May 14 2014 02:16 Saechiis wrote:
What's secret about wearing a shirt that says TeamLiquid on it? That hardly anyone of the general population knows what Team Liquid is bullshit, i see enough of them around here and good luck trying to make it more mainstream than what it already is. My bad to state that as an objective fact. From my experience my friends who are heavy into gaming, just not SC (I know very few who ever played it, let alone play actively now) have no idea about it. Never seen anything on the streets that would seem like other people do, neither
About half my friends play SC2 regularly. Everyone I know either knew what SC was before I met them, or now know. And probably 3/4 of them know what TL is and would recognize it if they saw it on a shirt. ^^
It's just different for every person/place.
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Why not introduce a polo similar to this:
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTw3P5NJK6DV_ydCm1PchixJqqmMUkNEH_fWOMU_OmsMFxHUBQ8Iw
Similar to the hoodie, people can wear it around everywhere and it will still get the TL name out there. Also, like t-shirts, it can be made in a number of colors.
People won't feel self conscious about wearing it as the logo is small and non-intrusive, unlike some of the more intense clothing like wrestling.
People still look down on / differently towards people who wear the giant branded WWE clothing, but it's the attitude of the wearer that allows them to wear it. Most casual esports fans don't have the balls to wear a giant ESPORTS VIDEO GAMES shirt around campus; that would get them mocked whereas a small logo would allow them to ignore the social stigma that comes with playing video games and explain to those who are actually interested.
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United States23455 Posts
I just bought a TL jersey and wear it all over the place. That new jacket design is so good and I'm buying one as soon as it comes out (presuming that it eventually does). I think pride in wearing gaming brands will grow in time as esports becomes more popular.
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I bought the Spirit/Swarm/Steel 3 pack when they first came out so I've had them awhile now. While the designs on the shirts are pretty cool I feel like the fabric itself doesn't feel that great. I think they felt pretty good when I first got them but now after (2 years?) of not wearing them too often they've definitely deteriorated in feel. The logo print still looks great though so good job on that. My primary tshirts are H&M stretch cotton shirts which sell for about $10-13 in Toronto. Now obviously TL can't come close to that price just due to economy of scale. However, I'd at least like them to match in quality of feel. Could you try moving to a jersey cotton or something similarly soft? I don't know much about textiles so maybe you already do.
To add to this I'd like the next generation of tshirts to be a bit more form fitting. The fit of the SSS shirts is so traditional. Like if I went to a department store and bought the most standard men's white tshirt. In the 18-34 demographic I think guys tend to wear their clothes more slim fitted than that. From the looks of the picture the TL hoodie seems pretty slim fit but I've never tried one myself.
Another idea is TL wife beaters (tank tops). It's something where if you don't want to show off your TL fanboy you're wearing it under another shirt anyway. If you're in the mood then you can unbutton your OCBD or just wear the wife beater on its own? Something like a white shirt with a pale blue TL horse on it that wouldn't show too much through thin shirts worn over top perhaps? I think this would allow you guys to also hit a lower minimum apparel price as you could likely get these produced for cheaper than the print tshirts. As well, people are likely to buy more than one undershirt as many guys wear them quite often between laundry days. Maybe a 3 pack or 5 pack to help with price per unit/
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On May 14 2014 06:10 DarkNetHunter wrote:
Even if everyone here vocally says THEY DUN CAR WUT OTHA PEOPLEZ THINK, that is not the demographic that is shelling out 60$ for one of your hoodies. The ones that do are the ones who want something that will look good in all settings, and get that nod of appreciation of someone who recognizes the small winged horse logo, and yet they can proudly wear it at a bigger nerd event.
This is the way to go for me when considering buying a shirt or hoodie.
It's very important to me that the shirt/hoodie/sweater/whatever would look great on it's own (without logos/print) and even better with a subtle nod towards TL/SC2. Your TLPRO Jacket is a very nice example of this, especially the front view. Text and Logo don't cover up too much space, the design is great and it would still be enough of a reference for sneaky high-fives with unknown people who know the site.
If I were to spend money on something I would like to wear it more than once every few months for a live event or when idling at home.
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I think it's about class and making a statement. Combine men's fashion with gentle but clear shoutouts to gamer identity. TL cufflinks or a tie pattern for example might be good to look at.
I think the penny arcade guys had the right basic idea with their First Party stuff, but they never really got that rolling beyond a concept line.
You want something a businessman can wear to work and then drop into the barcraft on his way home and feel like he's making a statement in both places.
@disciple, this is something I think I might be able to advise on. I literally have no experience in fashion design, but I have a lot of experience studying gamer cultures and I used to organise a bunch of social things for TL in australia. Let me know if you'd like to have some kind of a chat about this stuff ^^.
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On May 14 2014 02:21 McRatyn wrote:Show nested quote +On May 14 2014 02:16 Saechiis wrote:
What's secret about wearing a shirt that says TeamLiquid on it? That hardly anyone of the general population knows what Team Liquid is
Was to the doctor the other day. He asked me if i was horseriding or just like horses.
Told him it was a videogame team, he was surprised that it existed.
The man was like 10years older than me... So.. There's that.
Also, i'm sure someone who likes fashionable clothes are not going to were a Tl shirt. But i'm sure he would have a TL cofee mug or some dumb stuff like that. (i know i would buy a coffee mug). A scarf maybe ? You see football scarf. Why not esport ones (i don't like soccer and there's some pretty nice looking scarf).
But i'm in no way a fashion guy and i am proud to say i'm right now at work with a TL Zerg tshirt.
Oh and also. If the shirt looks really good, you will be ask what it is. If it's just a logo, people don't care. It's the same thing with bands clothes.
Or just put a picture of Flash on one shirt and one of Bisu on the other. I now at least 2people that would buy everything
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now's time for nazgul to actually turn to the fashion world x_x
liquid fashion noes t_t
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I wear gaming t-shirts and sweatpants. TIL I'm not fashionable. D:
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Bisutopia19152 Posts
On May 14 2014 07:52 KadaverBB wrote:Give me my TL coffee mug already
This would be great. A lot of us are old enough to work in cubicle huts. Coffee is our generation.
On topic though, most of the stuff I've bought I'm afraid to wear because I don't want to ruin it. The SKT jersey fro sure will be a rare wear. But I did buy two team liquid shirts so I could ruin one with my horrible washing skills. I wish it were possible to bring the price down, but I understand the economics so I wait till my birthday/christmas to get the items for free :0.
Also, I really like this post.
On May 14 2014 03:22 Logo wrote:The problem with a lot of shirts and stuff is it's rather first and foremost an advertisement or some overt reference to gaming that doesn't really look great (usually ok, but not great). Personally I'd like to see more DotA shirts in the style of: http://imgur.com/a/HCWwH or http://sheron1030.deviantart.com/art/Dota-2-Kunkka-Wallpaper-375627418Possibly minus the text and background or whatever fits right. That Kunkka design especially would just be perfect on a shirt (so long as it's not that odd plasticy stuff that sticks out of the shirt) because it looks compelling and interesting without even understanding the reference.
Alternate approach: Just put Bisu on everything and I'll go broke.
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On May 14 2014 20:51 BisuDagger wrote:This would be great. A lot of us are old enough to work in cubicle huts. Coffee is our generation. On topic though, most of the stuff I've bought I'm afraid to wear because I don't want to ruin it. The SKT jersey fro sure will be a rare wear. But I did buy two team liquid shirts so I could ruin one with my horrible washing skills. I wish it were possible to bring the price down, but I understand the economics so I wait till my birthday/christmas to get the items for free :0. Also, I really like this post. Show nested quote +On May 14 2014 03:22 Logo wrote:The problem with a lot of shirts and stuff is it's rather first and foremost an advertisement or some overt reference to gaming that doesn't really look great (usually ok, but not great). Personally I'd like to see more DotA shirts in the style of: http://imgur.com/a/HCWwH or http://sheron1030.deviantart.com/art/Dota-2-Kunkka-Wallpaper-375627418Possibly minus the text and background or whatever fits right. That Kunkka design especially would just be perfect on a shirt (so long as it's not that odd plasticy stuff that sticks out of the shirt) because it looks compelling and interesting without even understanding the reference. Alternate approach: Just put Bisu on everything and I'll go broke.
kty panties =( ?
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Merch just isn't that fashionable in the first place, compared to what you could otherwise wear. Plus a lot of TL being tertiary educated or on the way means they probably care about not being pigeonholed as the sort of guys that wear team jerseys or wwe/mma merch as casual attire. Merchandise is a really hard sell especially in korea because of the fashion aspect, the only time you'll ever see it is on baseball gamedays with people going to the actual game. Otherwise koreans would rather look good, as OP said, understated and high quality is the best bet.
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EPT
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