In John’s last post, he was telling you about the Saint Michael Tee that he had finally got his hands dirty with. I’ve been working on this drop all all over the place for weeks. Notifications on. The refresh button has become my thumb’s buddy! It didn’t take long for it to finally come to my door. No frills unboxing set. It’s me and my dad and a t-shirt I’ve been hyped up about since I first saw it online. Let’s get into it.
The first impression will differ
I got it out of the bag and came to find out that one of the weights was surprising! A t-shirt that is made with graphics is supposed to be thin and easy. This one doesn’t. Sitting heavier in hand, it’s seemed as though the brand cared for the fabric first, print second. And those clothes that you can see through! In this burnt orange, framed in black, was stamped “SAINT MICHAEL. A figure, kneeling, at a cross, undercut it, a still like an old film, all grain all shadow. It’s not loud. It’s not attempting to shout at you from the opposite room. It is right there patiently waiting, as if it knows you know already what it is.
Why This Brand Keeps Winning
This is what I’ve observed following this tag for a minute at present. They do not “flood the market. No 50 pieces a week that drop so at least hopefully something sticks. No, rather, they do it in bursts, in small amounts and leave it up to scarcity to do the job of selling it. So, when a piece falls in your hands then it feels good. Not manufactured hype. Real hype. The rest of the streetwear brands are out here emulating three fonts and beaming it as a ‘collection’. Not gonna do it, Saint Michael Clothing. Whether it be religious motifs, distressed finishes, or these peculiar nostalgic photo prints, as if they came from a family album that no one can recall taking, every item has a story imbued in it. Also can we discuss the brand’s playing with censorship! You’ve most likely encountered the tags that are out there: saint mxxxxx half is written, half is blacked out, like they’re taunting you to say it aloud. It’s just a minor detail. But it works. It is what makes everything seem ‘underground’ even though it definitely isn’t underground anymore.
A T-shirt contains small coins
Sure packaging isn’t all important, but it is still important. Tees were shipped folded (no wrinkles), wrapped in tissue and divided with a small brand card. Nothing extravagant. Not so much that you feel like it’s a transaction, but enough to make it feel like a moment. Also, going for more than just a t-shirt I would definitely have to note the Saint Michael Hoodie has been following me for some time now. Fat fleece and same cross motif on a various colour fleece and quite possibly the next thing I’m copying. From that tee, I got all the answer I need in regards to their QC. So I’m not worried.
How it will look close up
Always will be checking this part as, it is the one that requires most of the streetwear brands to cut corners. After a couple of washings cheap workmanship can cause cracking in screen printing. But this? The lettering itself is sharp, neat and edges are clear. No bleed between the fabric. Where there is real substance here is the image below of the grainy cross photo – as opposed to some heat transfer driving in. I touch it and its just a little bit, it can’t be completely flat. This ordinarily translates to a longer lifespan. If you’re anyone who actually wears your clothes, or at least, still hangs them somewhere for the sake of style then this piece should prevail.
Styling It Out
But, now, how should you wear this darn thing? I kept mine simple. Wrapped it around an open flannel, a straight leg denim and worn in sneakers. Tee did work all of the honest man. There’s no requirement to overdress a garment that is designed like that. Alternatively dress it down, by wearing it with joggers and a cap, as in the photos. Low effort/High impact. This is in a single sense the plenty principle of “saint michael clothing” in my view. Designed for those who do not wish to trouble themselves too much yet give the appearance of thoughtfulness. Here, too, layering does not hurt. As the fabric is rather heavy, flinging a denim jacket or a sizeable coach jacket over it during winter won’t be overwhelming. It just really contributes to the overall ambience.
Is It Worth The Hype
I get a jaded towards hyped drops, you know? Many brands “surf on the wave for a season and get “washed away”. Saint michael that’s a different story. Again there’s continuity here both on design principles and quality of construction that many of the later labels aren’t yet capable of. Does it cost as highly as a top-of-the-chain manufacturer? Yes. Is it like one when you get it? Also yes. It is an unusual balance, indeed a unique one. The vast majority of streetwear brands will be either more or less bias. One is the price is being overhyped, with no redeeming features, or the features are there, but the design isn’t that inspiring. It’s a pretty good needle that this tee threads. I have a number of pieces enhanced with the Berglund finish that I compared to the Berglund piece.
As I’ve got a pretty solid sample of streetwear tees now, I couldn’t help but compare this tee to the rest of the sample. Many (even popular lines) of my other graphic tees begin to pill after a few months! Stretchy collar to expand. There are cracks at the edges of the printing. I don’t like it and I don’t want it, but at a point it’s kind of in the price spectrum. However this one, after a few wears and one wash at this time has still not moved. Collar’s still tight. Print’s still sharp. I will update this take in a couple months once it has woven its way into the fabric of this Over-Telka Winter, but signs so far: GOOD! And that is more important to me than a show-stopping un-boxing video. I want things that not only look great in my camera but that would hold up in MY closet.
This piece is actually for us all
I believe for some it’s not for them, and I’m OK with that. If you have an affinity for having a little heft, then this tee is for you, both in terms of the actual added weight and meaning. It’s not as though the religious imagery is merely ornamentation. It’s all about the brand and if it’s something you appreciate, it will really resonate with you and the shirt will really hit you in a different manner. For those who prefer to have branding done in full-throttle, in-your-face fashion, this may seem a bit understated. If you’re the sort who take delight in the idea that people might have to actually inquire about the brand, however, “wait, what brand is that,” rather than your mind asking the question, this is precisely the type of item you want to have in your pool.
These are a few honest little nitpicks
While I don’t like to write these things like an ad, I will throw out a couple of things that could be better. #1 way is the packaging, it was clean for the price, but felt a little minimal. I was looking for a box experience which was not really found, but a little more branded unboxing wouldn’t be bad either. Secondly information available online could be more sizeable. I feel fortunate to have gone with my size, but some said that they had to go up or down a little because they wanted it to be more or less “oversized”. If someone is a little taller or shorter, they won’t have to guess if a sizing chart would have the actual size. Other than that I have nothing to complain about. It’s pretty steady for a brand beginning as more of an underground entity.
Final Thoughts
Just to be honest, I picked up this graphic, the second time I’m honest, tee expecting something that I would definitely want to have a rotation with, and I left with that. Print, weight, fit everything checks out for something which has garnered this kind of following. If you’ve been on the fence about getting one from this label then this is the sign for you. Begin at the t-shirt for the first time. After that, head towards the saint michael hoodie when you observe how good high-quality is firsthand. If you’re familiar with the brand, then you already know what people are talking about when they say Saint Michael the way they say it. Some brands that you wear. This one, then you kind of like give representation.