It is such a peculiar title for a store, and then, for a store that sells clothes with designs printed on them, that I had to go inside. From the sign before you enter, to the green fairway carpet to the cabana room wall at the back, you might suspect that you're expected to make par or grab a towel for a swim to the all-inclusive bar sitting in the pool beside your flipflops. And yet, there are simply tshirts, sweatshirts, baby-jumper-johns, hats and other wearables decorated with funky designs from local designers. There are about 20 designers that contribute to the collection. These designers are approved by the owner Jamie. One can submit their designs to be a part of this store's stock and you can also have your own logo or design and commission them to do the work for you - say, for band tshirts.
The colours are bold. The actual articles of clothing are simple (they use American Apparel and Fruit of the Loom). They also use eco-friendly inks and can print on bamboo shirts. The designs are pretty graphic (as in graphic designer) and they don't take over the shirt. In other words, it adds boldly to the colour but doesn't become all about the pattern.
I, too, spent some time talking with the friendly proprietor. As well, I would also take more time to consider the purchase of a shirt costing 30 dollars, however, I could rest assured that the shirts are well made, fairly made, support local designers and have thoughtful and time-consuming work put into them. For these reasons, and because I have seen other locally designed t-shirts at almost three times that price on Queen Street West many times before, I would feel comfortable spending that money.
The variety here is in the designs printed on the clothes and not the clothes themselves too much, so consider that if you are more interested in the cut of clothing itself vs. the printed designs. read more