How to Snag Vintage T-Shirts from Your Neighborhood Salvation Army

I’ve never been a T-shirt girl. True, I’ll rock the occasional freebie, or a concert T-shirt that I shamelessly threw down a ridiculous amount of money to purchase. [ahem GIRL TALK].

But for the most part, I stick to girlie tops and dresses. And um, sequins.

But a few weeks ago, when I was thrifting for beautiful patterns and silks to sell to my wholesale clients, I found myself attracted to the Salvation Army’s immense T-shirt selection. Maybe it was the fact that from a distance, I spotted the AWESOME “DC Bound” shirt and had to investigate. Or maybe all this hot weather has me thinking twice about rocking sequins in the summer.

But whatever the matter, I found some serious gems — and took up about 20 minutes more time than I should have in the S&A changing room snapping these pictures.

Want a vintage tee of your own for less than those East Village stores have to offer? Drop me a note on what you’re looking for — I’ll search & seize the most similar design for ya!

DC BOUND! But what does this mean exactly? On the Chinatown to Chinatown bus? To participate in a peace rally? To the “Metro” DC area, which can be anywhere from central DC to Virginia/Maryland and back again? What a vague shirt! But what a direct, awesome message …

Yumm … boy scouts. Woops, did that sound slightly perverted? Let’s get real here: the boy scouts in elementary school were the dorks you never liked then, but want EVERYTHING to do with now. Ever meet an Eagle Scout? He’s the equivalent of an Iron Man athlete, if you ask me.

OK, truth. Total, honest, 100 percent truth: I’ve never been to Walt Disney World. The closest I made? MGM studios. That was Spring Break ’05, probably the worst vacation I’ve ever taken [sorry ladies, if you’re reading this … you have to admit that having your condo robbed is NOT a good memory!]

Um, but ANYWAY! Disney memories do not bear the happiest of feelings for me.  Until … I found this shirt. Of Mickey Mouse, POWER WALKING! Look at him GO!

The best part about this cute-as-can-be-top? It’s cropped! Like a workout shirt! Let me go get some ripped leg muscles now …

Is it just me … or is “Indian” a totally un-PC [i.e. politically correct] reference to Native Americans? And with that said … can I even SAY Native Americans? Oh my gosh, I just stuck my foot in my own mouth, didn’t I …

Whatever the matter, there is an Indian chief on this school pride shirt. SDV declaration: This is a quite Urban Outfitters-esque and thereby quite kick-ass and possibly quite offensive, too shirt. The disclaimer: You read the warning on the package!