Milwaukee, WI

I came to the realization the other day that I am still wearing the same t-shirts that I was wearing two years ago. Not a big deal you say, except that I mean the SAME shirts, holes and all, with no new additions. I think it’s time to expand.

That’s when I decided to stop by Shag. It’s local and they make all the shirts themselves, so it seemed like the perfect place to start my new wardrobe. They have wall to wall examples of available designs, but you’re not limited to what’s on display. Simply pick a design, shirt color, and hang out a few minutes while they make it.

I wasn’t sure how they could make the shirts so efficiently, until I found out that the designs are iron-on transfers - you know, the non-breathable graphics that stick to your skin in the summer. No screen printed designs here. Then again, the idea of customizing my own shirt was pretty appealing. I asked about prices.

$25-30. Excuse me?

The clerk assured me that it was a very affordable price, with about $15 to cover the cost of the shirt, and $5 to cover the transfer. I have screenprinted my own shirts in the past, and I can tell you that a blank shirt does not cost $15. If you go wholesale, you can get them for $2 and under. As for iron-on transfers, you can purchase specialty paper online for less than $1 per sheet. Factor in shipping costs and you can still go well under $20.

Shag may be convenient, but I only saw a handful of designs that weren’t available online or at other trendy retailers like Hot Topic, and for much less. The owners of Shag had a good idea, but they need to make their clothing more affordable. They need to realize that what they sell are kitchy novelty items, not one-off designer shirts.

That still leaves me with the same old, ragged wardrobe, so I went online. I bought a creepy zombie shirt from Jinx.com, a couple of blank shirts, and some new screens and ink. Problem solved.

Who needs Gucci, Versace, and toothpick-sized models? Milwaukee has a formidable fashion scene all its own, and its happening in living rooms, basements, and small workshops all over town.

One of the most exciting centers for Milwaukee’s D.I.Y. fashion movement is the Fasten Co-op Clothing Gallery. Established in 2003, Fasten has emerged from it’s humble beginnings at the Eastside Open Market, and into a storefront showcasing the works of nearly 50 local clothing designers, as well as artists, bands, and zines.

These are not beginner-level courses, and you won't be stuck making anything as mundane as a summer skirt or patchwork quilt. These classes are far more punk inspired, offering T-shirt reclamation, jean refitting, duct tape bags, and sweater dolls among other things.

Fasten Co-op Clothing Gallery
2224 S Kinnickinnic Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207