Hollywood Trender: Books on shirts; shirts on a mission: Out of Print T's a must own

By April MacIntyre Feb 9, 2011, 5:59 GMT

Meet Out of Print, an American company based in New York that has cornered the market on cool and kind, as they donate a book to a community in need when you purchase one of their head turning T-shirts.

The coolest T-shirts on celebrity bodies around these parts don't have the faces of current pop stars, or of Che anymore, but of well-worn classic tomes that had brilliant cover art when initially published.

Meet Out of Print, an American company based in New York that has cornered the market on cool and kind, as they donate a book to a community in need when you purchase one of their head turning T-shirts.

Cool deal right? Considering that books and cover art from jackets are going by the wayside thanks to technology and Nook-y, iPad-ish devotees, these collectible shirts allow you to fly your literati geek flag proudly, wearing the book that perhaps changed your life.

Made in the USA, these shirts feature iconic and often out of print book covers. Some are classics, some are just curious enough to make great t-shirts, but all are striking works of art.

The company works closely with artists, authors and publishers to license the content that ends up as graphic designs in their collections. Each shirt is treated to feel soft and worn like a well-read book.

And like Urbandillo, who we reviewed that gives a blanket for every handbag they sell to a child in need, this company too, pays it forward and spreads books to many parts of the world don't have access to any at all. For each shirt they sell, one book is donated to a community in need through their partner, Books For Africa. 

So, what’s your story? Wear it proud. For me it was "To Kill A Mockingbird," which I received and adore. Another shirt was ordered for my niece, just a wee lass clocking in at age 2, but she will now be rocking a "Pride and Prejudice" baby pink t-shirt to school her little play-yard friends on the good stuff, post-Seuss.

Valentine's Day is around the bend, and this would also make a great, no calorie awesome gift to your bookworm lover, or perhaps consider it for gifting on Mother's Day.  Think of the fun for someone who actually remembers buying these books in first editions, or as classics they adored in their youth. Book jacket art from “Moby Dick”, “A Catcher in the Rye”, “Of Mice and Men”, “Lolita” and "Catch-22."  Each shirt has a vintage feel and is treated to feel soft and worn like a well-read book. 

Out of Print currently offers shirts for men, women, and toddlers as well as a unisex line of graphic sweatshirts.  Out of Print t-shirts are under $30 at Scoop NYC and Urban Outfitters nationwide. Or buy them direct at www.outofprintclothing.com

Out of Print is the brainchild of life-long friends and avid readers, Jeff LeBlanc (a graphic tee addict) and Todd Lawton (a former marketing executive at Nike), founded the company after realizing that much of their shared interests and conversations revolved around their favorite books and authors.

Jeff describes the new initiative of OoP as “paving the way for a more "intelligent" fashion trend…this time it’s within the kid’s arena. Our kid’s shirts are stand-outs when compared to the masses of children’s clothing companies doing Disney or other cartoon characters.  There’s a lot of class and irony when a kid wears one of these book tees...plus what parent wouldn't want their kid to look smart at such a young age?”  

 
Their "Mockingbird" Tee which I received was a collaboration with award-winning designer Mikey Burton. Book covers created by Burton were part of his grad school thesis project to get young adults interested in reading. Out of Print has utilized his book cover designed for Harper Lee's classic, the only book she ever published. 

April MacIntyre is Monsters and Critics' smallscreen and people/celebrity editor who loves to visit and celebrate small American businesses when she can. Her next t-shirt to order is "Catch-22"...You can contact her on Twitter