What’s the deal with graphic tees in 2025?
As an Aussie brand, we can see that Graphic tees Australia-wide are having a bit of a moment again. It's nice. For awhile there it was all about the plain white and black tees over and over which is hella boring if you ask me. Like getting a plain pizza every time. Fine every now and then but every day? Fuhgeddaboudit! Graphic Tshirts are where it's at. I'm talking crisp prints done sustainably with Direct To Garment Printing (Like we do!) which both feels nice and is better for the environment. I'm also talking designs and illustrations that convey an idea meaningfully in way that is still wearable. That is what makes a graphic tee really stand out.
The print could be funny, memey, nostalgic or just good ol' fashioned unhinged. That one is probably my favourite. Across the board, people are also much more into knowing how their graphic tees are made with greater transparency. This includes core processes such as ethical production and environmental sustainability. For this reason we personally partner with AS Colour for all our graphic T-shirts, who are considered one of the most ethical manufacturers in the world. We then print, pack and ship everything ourselves here in Sydney.
What makes the Lonely Kids Club Graphic Tees so good then? (Thanks for asking.)
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We print graphic tees in our Sydney Studio: No weird drop-shipping or inconsistent printing from a mystery factory! All our Graphic T-shirts are printed and packed by a small team.
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We do human art: We have in-house artists, and also partner and collaborate with brands and artists from across the world to design our graphic tees. We do not use any AI in our clothing designs.
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Inclusive sizing: Most of our products are available in either a regular T-shirt fit, or a maple fit (Feminine fit) as well as cropped or with a long sleeve. We also offer size XS-5XL in our regular tee fits.
So without further adeu, here's our top ten graphic tees:
1. Hand That Feeds Graphic Tee
Look cards on the table, I designed this graphic tee and always felt it deserved more love. I worked with a cool 1800's painting and kept it sassy. It was inspired by a friend's cat though.
Styling vibe: Add texture to the graphic T-shirt by letting local cats scratch it with their cute little paws.
2. Other Girls Graphic Tee
I just love Word Art. It has a fun nostalgic 90's energy that reminds me of the computer room in primary school. Now that's a graphic Tshirt.
Styling vibe: Wear it in a way that makes it clear that you are not like other girls. Maybe with Doc Martins.
3. Be The Cryptid Graphic Tee
A Halloween T-shirt that really feels more like something you can (and should) wear all year round. Plus cryptids are underrated.
Styling vibe: Would look cool under a classic red flanno. Style by disappearing into the fog at night.
4. Sirens Graphic Tee
We were very lucky to get to partner with one of my favourite artists, Arcane Bullshit, who lets us print his amazing designs. This one is my absolute fave. Just so much to love about sirens and luring seamen.
Styling vibe: Wear without undergarments while laying near some rocks and sing. Your aura will attract people to the jagged rocks.
5. Study What You Love Graphic Tee
A big part of how the brand came together was the pain it caused me to be studying (Failing) a construction degree that made me feel terrible while I longed to run a T-shirt brand instead. Making the decision to drop out and pursue the dream to the dismay of everyone around me still blows my mind to think about 15 years later.
Styling vibe: Corporate / First Job Interview attire. Maybe with smart chinos? Compliments a see-through folder of printed resumes.
6. YeeHaw Graphic Tee
Another fun Collaboration Tee that took off a bit, mostly due to the nature of how much people relate to being the Yee to someone's Haw. So romantic.
Styling vibe: DIY Denim shorts, cowboy boots, and an attitude that says "I'm lookin' for trouble!"
7. I Asked My Mum Graphic Tee
Someone once posted a very long angry comment on a Facebook Post because they were so offended by this design. I still don't really get why, but it made me really love this graphic.
Styling vibe: Pair with clothes that your mother bought you. They're actually really nice. Try them on.
8. Friendly Ghost Graphic Tee
This is a spooky tee that has a joke about gabagool on it. Yes, gabagool. Zoom into the photo and look at that text. You should just add it to card and buy right now.
Styling vibe: Can be worn by living or dead. Pairs well a little bit of gabagool.
9. Trying My Very Best Graphic Tee
Another classic meme tee. Also everyone loves frogs. That's a known fact. Ribbit.
Styling vibe: Seaweed, crocs, and a body of water with lily pads to stand on.
10. Rebel Graphic Tee
This one was drawn by the amazing Brenna Quinlan, who is passionate about the environment and using sustainable practices in everyday life to make the earth a bit better. I like that.
Styling vibe: Cargo pants, boots, and the mindset of someone who composts and causes a scene when needed.
Graphic Tee Style Guide
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Denim + Stuff = Easy Win: You can’t really go wrong with nice jeans. Throw on (or gently place) a hat onto your head to complete the look.
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Send a message: The best tees say something when looked at, and start a conversation before you open your beautiful mouth.
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Choose the right fit: Regular, maple, crop, long sleeve or oversized. We actually have a whole size guide with different body types to help.
Graphic Tees FAQs (Things people sometimes ask)
Q1: What sizes do you stock?
Regular Tees: XS-5XL,
Maple Tees: XS-3XL,
Crop Tees: XS-2XL
Long Sleeved Tees: S-3XL
Oversized Tees: S-5XL
Q2: How should I wash my tee to avoid wrecking it?
Please cold wash it inside out, and avoid fabric softeners with the light tees. Also steer clear of the dryer if possible. They're generally just bad for prints & tees across the board.
Q3: Are your T-shirts unisex?
Yes, we have been gender neutral since launching in 2011. For a classic unisex fit, we recommend the Regular Tee, and for a more traditionally feminine fit, we recommend the Maple Tee.
Q4: Can I switch my artwork for a product?
Sure, just order the same product in your correct fit, colour and size (For example a black small regular tee etc) and in the seller notes in the cart let us know which artwork you'd like used instead for that product. Make sure to click the button to apply your note.
Q5: What if I have a change of mind?
No probs. Just send your order back to us with a note letting us know your info and what you'd like (Exchange, store credit or refund) and we will refund your order for you. You have up to 100 days, but if you go over that's chill too. We don't really mind.
Q6: How long does shipping take?
We actually print each product on order using a labour intensive but environmentally friendly process, so shipping can take a week or two depending on how busy we are. If you are wanting faster shipping, please select Express Shipping at check-out, which also expedites you to the top of the printing queue.
Q6: Do you have any corporate backers, or investors?
Nope. We are completely independent and self-funded. This allows us to say whatever we like. Peepee poopoo.
Some Final Thoughts On the humble graphic T-shirt
Around 2015, graphic tees that were branded (logo T-shirts) started playing less of a role in showing one's identity, and instead people would take their phone out while with others and put it on the table to show if you had an iPhone or an Android. Now iPhones kind of suck anyway (Although I still use one) and the boring minimal logo tees were replaced by T-shirts which represented a cause or a movement. Or to show if you were part of a community, or got a certain joke.
Even if you just wanted to wear something which said "I really can't today, so I won't". There really is an easy to style graphic T-shirt for that. I originally started Lonely Kids Club back in 2011 as this dream to launch a T-shirt Label when i was failing a uni degree. I had pretty brutal social anxiety and the main ice breaker for me was being able to wear interesting T-shirts that were different to what the shopping centres were selling. It was a way to start a conversation, and express myself as feeling different. So I think the good ol' graphic tee will always be my jam, but hopefully it will be yours too.
- Warwick
