thin graphic shirts from Torrid, buy higher quality at Hot Topic

Well, the title says it all. I recently purchased 2 graphic tees from Torrid for my birthday and returned both. I actually lost money returning them, and probably could've made more had I kept and re-sold. My account was upgraded to the VIP status, and I thought free returns applied to past purchases. It did not. 

 

Anyways, because of this, I finally figured out why I no longer enjoy the tees from Torrid. It's because the material they use is too thin and a cotton blend. For graphic tees I prefer 100% cotton. If you're wanting a cool graphic tee with weight to it, I suggest checking out the Hot Topic graphic tees in men's sizes. They also carry women's plus size, but I prefer the men's sizes because they're usually 100% cotton. 

Tip: Wait for Hot Topic's $12 tee sale and stock up. Or buy them during the hot cash sale.  

Oh, Torrid, how I longed for thee, for graphic tees that were bold and free, but alas, my heart was filled with woe, for the shirts I bought were thin and low.

I thought my VIP status was grand, but free returns did not extend, to purchases made in the past, and my wallet suffered at last.

But in my loss, I found the light, the reason for my fashion plight, the material used was not divine, a cotton blend, not pure and fine.

Hot Topic, hear my desperate call, for your tees are weighty, standing tall, in men's sizes, I found my bliss, 100% cotton, a fashion hit.

So, all ye fashionistas fair, heed my words, beware, Of Torrid's tees that are not true, Hot Topic's deals are the way to go, dtock up on the $12 tee sale, or during hot cash, without fail.

If you think Torrids graphic tees are expensive...check out Lane Bryants

Out of curiosity I checked out what was new at lane bryant. To my surprise when I went to their graphic tee section, and not only had they actually added graphic tees...but they were nearly $50 bucks! WTF!!!

Here are my picks...and ahhh Keith Haring!

I seriously wish I had some sewing skills. I kinda sorta not really do...I took a home ec. & home decor class in middle school & high school but uh that was a LONG time ago. But seriously if you have sewing skills, again I suggest going to the Target's men section and DIY'ing it! There's tons of cute graphic tees in the men's section and if you have the time you can make it look like the $50 version from lane bryant...or Torrid for that matter.

Torrid Review: Black Ombre Heart V-neck tee

Now I can talk about a shirt I actually kept. I really appreciated the ruching on the sides, such a good look, and gives structure to an otherwise boxy tee. The graphic is really cute, but I have to mention something that I have NEVER experienced with graphic tees from Torrid. The shirt was wrinkled and smelled like urine, it also reminded me of what the zoo smelled like. My guess is that maybe the ink didn't get a chance to dry? I've heard of this smell occurring when the ink doesn't dry, I've also heard when clothes are imported in the U.S. are sprayed with insecticide? and other chemicals before they enter the U.S. so maybe that's what I'm smelling. Anyways that was the only thing that bothered me, I am keeping it, maybe it will come out when I wash it.

 

Side note to Torrid: This is a really bad pose to try to sell this shirt. Why not a full on shot like all the pictures on the site? I get that you were trying to show the ruching...but I want to see the graphic! Forget it, here, I did it for you:

 

Side note: the graphic on the shirt that I got, was not as vibrant as the one the model is wearing...kinda weird, to me it looks like it was printed incorrectly. It looks like washed out, not vibrant like the one the model is wearing. 

Torrid MTV checkered logo tee, steal version at Target

I bought this shirt a couple of weeks ago, and the shirt was soo big I ended up returning. The shirt fit my bust, but was way too long and way too baggy in the stomach area. It looked like one of those tees you slip on when you work out. Big & baggy, loose. The coloring also wasn't too flattering, I'm warm skin with yellow tones, and now I know to stay away from anything "heather grey". The only thing I LIKED about it was the v-neck.

Torrid can you please make ALL graphic tees like this? I HATE it when they are scoop neck, scoop necks kinda make me feel like I am choking.

 

I was at target this weekend, and snapped a pic of this tee in the men's section...YUP, and it was $9.99...a steal! Now if you are crafty you could totally cut it up and make it cute. Maybe cut the sleeves off, and open up the neck line. I would suggest googling DIY tshirt tutorials on youtube. OR if you have sewing skills...you can totally make this more fitted.

 

I noticed alot of the graphic tees are very similar in style to what Torrid carries. So if you want to save some cash and are crafty, I definitely suggest checking out the men's section at target.