Brands you would wear on your T-shirt

Just a thought, since there are countless brands and products in the market today, and most of us have preferences and are even loyal to those brands, the question just came to mind is, what brands would we would wear on a T-shirt. We pay a little more to get them, go out of our way to find them, even wait in line for them.  Please note that what I am talking about are brands that are not related to any apparel lines that we can easily purchase in the department stores or clothing boutiques.

These non-apparel line brands that has endeared us if given a chance to be on a T-shirt, would we want to flaunt and walk around in them.  These can be our favorite online games, what we eat or drink, our favorite catsup, favorite energy drinks, electronic gadgets, beer, liquor, cigarette, automotive, hobby thing etc.  Some brands may be bizarre looking to be on a T-shirt, some may look cool and hip, others may be an attractive colorful design to be worn.  Whatever that favorite brands we have, wouldn't we be glad if we can wear them too.

It was interesting to discuss the reasons we would wear a T-shirt advertising a brand—particularly for people in the branding industry who, ironically, seem more hesitant to wear a branded T-shirt. For some it was about a niche product they were fans of.  The brand is almost like a tribal affiliation. For others it was the graphics. They liked the design of the mark and were not particularly interested in the product. For more than a few it was about the ironic value. For all of us it was a very personal story. When we wear a T-shirt advertising a brand, it means we have an emotional connection to that brand.

If we think about it, these are brands that defines us, that speaks best of our culture, our belief and most of the time it attracts us because of their colorful graphics and designs, thus we want them to be on our T-shirts that we can deliver the message of loyalty and our emotional attachment towards that particular brands.

So whether your T-shirt says Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Honda, Mercedez-Benz, Intel, Lotte, US Robotics, Walmart, Watson’s, Mitsubishi, Coke, Pepsi, Gillette, it means something to you. And the reasons may be ineffable. But one thing is clear: Whether it stirs a feeling or creates an association with a community, or something else entirely, the T-shirt signifies your connection to a brand that goes beyond a transactional product-consumer relationship. It’s branding at its best.

Weigh in on our social channels: What are your favorite branded T-shirts, and why would you wear them?