For many, what you wear to school can be just as much about self-expression as it is about function. When I was in high school, I dressed in a way that let people know I was an athlete but also into fashion. You could find me roaming the halls in my favorite soccer player’s jersey (Messi, always), Sambas, and bootcut denim (the go-to style in 2010). Looking back, I was rocking #Blokecore and I didn’t even know it.
The soccer jersey became a way for me to show my classmates who I was and what I was passionate about. And while a soccer jersey may or may not fit your persona, any type of graphic tee is the perfect way to make a personal statement without saying a word.
We rounded up the best graphic tees from StockX for the upcoming school year. See what your favorite says about you.
Stüssy S64 Pigment Dyed Tee
This first pick is for all the gamers. Stüssy is a brand that always comes up with creative ways to incorporate culture within their graphic tee designs. The Stüssy S64 Pigment Dyed Tee was released as part of Stüssy’s Summer ‘23 Delivery One Collection. The tee has a screen-printed Nintendo graphic on the front, combining Stüssy branding with the iconic Nintendo logo for a unique blend of streetwear meets gaming culture. The best part is that each garment has undergone individual dyeing, resulting in a unique color variation per t-shirt. This one-of-a-kind mark taps in perfectly with the originality and creativity of the video gaming world.
Supreme André 3000 Tee
We can’t make an essential graphic tees list without mentioning Supreme. The brand’s graphic tees have left a permanent mark on streetwear culture, starting with their universally recognizable red box logo. One of my favorite things about the brand is that every collection is fused with current culture, taking inspiration from the world around them. So if you’re someone who is always moved by culture – from music to sports, travel, and film – then this next pick is for you. The Supreme André 3000 Tee is one of the brand’s most popular styles. Over the years, Supreme has created a number of designs that pay tribune to music artists who have shaken up the status quo. And André 3000 is no exception. I also love the meta moment of the shirt, featuring an image of André 3000 wearing a Supreme box logo shirt on a Supreme shirt itself. It’s a quirky and cool brand callout moment.
BAPE College Tee
BAPE is one of the original streetwear icons and has helped take streetwear culture to the mainstream with their hype-inducing marketing strategy and coveted camo print. So if you’re an OG streetwear lover and you know your brand history, the BAPE College Tee is for you. You’re someone who has a nostalgic yearning for the past, when streetwear was just starting to leave its mark on the world. And you’re not afraid to bring the classics back to the forefront. With the oversaturated world of new streetwear brands and drops nowadays, there’s just something special about going back to a timeless classic. The BAPE College Tee’s simplistic graphic tee design and Ape Head branding is a shirt you’ll keep in your closet long past the school year. Trends come and go, but don’t forget that the classics are forever.
Fear of God Essentials SS Tee
The most-used word in fashion right now is Quiet Luxury, and it’s all about investing in the pieces that will last a lifetime and have the high quality to do so. If you’re looking to build your QL capsule wardrobe, the Fear of God Essentials SS Tee is an easy choice. The tonal Fear of God Essentials logo practically melts in with the shirt, giving the style a subtle nod to the brand without being too flashy. I also love how the design features the black Fear of God box logo on the back. It’s another touch of branding that feels subtle yet purposeful in the design. It’s giving timeless staples in all the right ways.
Travis Scott x McDonald’s Vintage Action T-Shirt
If this is your graphic tee of your choice, then you’re someone who loves the hype and isn’t afraid to put some humor into your style statements. The Travis Scott x McDonald’s Vintage Action T-Shirt is a highly limited and hyped collaboration. The front has a small Cactus Jack and McDonald’s logo while the back features a fun play of imagery between both brands, including the “Cactus Pack” McDonald’s order. If you get your hands on this collab from StockX, classmates will definitely take note that you know your hype and you’re in the know on sourcing the most limited of drops.
