I have a T-shirt problem: after years of buying them, my house is now full. Whilst recently trying to tidy up the situation I realised that I was subconsciously categorising them. As with everything on the internet, it ain't a 'thing' until it's visualised in an infographic. So here goes: (click the image for a larger view)
Any stages I've missed?
Looks good, and pretty complete to me. If I were to change anything, I'd change the padlock symbol for 'Archive' to not look like a handbag, though. Cheers.
Posted by: Symbol Watch | January 06, 2011 at 08:37 PM
I might change the branch from regular so that a shirt can go from regular to either undershirt or decorator shirt.
Also, sometimes my keeper shirts, after long enough, do migrate to the regular branch.
At least, that's how my unspoken t-shirt categorization rules work.
Posted by: Ryan O'Neil | January 07, 2011 at 10:06 PM
I'd suggest a branch for shirts that are awesome, but never get worn because they have a weird cut, or don't quite fit. 90% of my shirts fall in this category...
Posted by: Elliott | January 07, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Like it.
The only shirt I have that doesn't fit any of the categories is the shirt I got from Quark at the launch of Xpress7. I was a beta tester for them. (Sorry about that, but they wouldn't listen)
Never worn it, never shall. But it's not a Duster or a Keeper not an Archive, not a Decorator and who seriously would want to buy the damn thing?
I really don't know where it sits.
Posted by: Nerg | January 07, 2011 at 11:10 PM
I'd suggest a Gym shirt. Similar to the Decorator, but with sweat instead of paint
Posted by: Rexfeng | January 07, 2011 at 11:25 PM
I'd add an extra branch - shirts that looked great online, but when they arrived looked terrible on you. So you don't wear them, but they're so cool or funny you keep them, hoping one day you'll be able to wear them. I think they stay in the cupboard, unworn in public, and join the graphic at around the "undershirt" stage.
Posted by: Dave Child | January 07, 2011 at 11:26 PM
I don't do much painting and decorating so my 'decorator' would more likely be 'hair dyeing'. My 'undershirt' would probably be 'gym' too, as Rexfeng suggested.
Posted by: blu-k | January 08, 2011 at 01:31 AM
I don't have very many clothes, but as I am putting them away right now I realize I organize everything by my favorite.
I could totally make a chart like this for undies though ;)
Posted by: rachel | January 08, 2011 at 02:31 AM
I'd like a T-shirt with this printed on it…
Posted by: Paul | January 08, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Hey there.
Very nice and interesting infographic. May I ask which software did you use to create this?
Greetsm
Marc
Posted by: Marc Backes | January 08, 2011 at 10:50 AM
@Nerg
Memorabilia t-shirt? I have some of these I don't/won't wear because they are horrific/too big/too small, but hang onto them due to what the represent (project, high school/college, etc).
Posted by: sally | January 08, 2011 at 01:28 PM
@Sally
Thanks, nice idea
Posted by: Nerg | January 08, 2011 at 01:53 PM
i'm seeing two missed categories: as @nerg mentioned, the memorablia shirt (which can include the shirt whose logo is cut out and pushpinned to the wall when the shirt is no longer wearable) and the shirt that to the owner is still considered a keeper despite its frayed collar and holes but is considered by the owner's partner to be an affront and is physically ripped from the owner's body or kidnapped and sent to the work camp during the laundry cycle.
Posted by: Scott | January 08, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Would a "hand me down" category make sense? Shirts you outgrow and give to sibs. Maybe after "keepers"
Posted by: RCliffThompson | January 08, 2011 at 05:01 PM
You forget the T-shirt you either buy online which is either too small, or shrinks to become too small after the first time you wash it, but you keep it because some day you might get a girlfriend -- who then can wear the T-shirt.
Posted by: Alexander | January 08, 2011 at 07:41 PM
I just reorganized my T-shirts, coincidentally (not the way I organized them, I mean). Categories include Caribbean (used to live there), Downtown, party graphic(under an open button-front shirt), sports-related and long sentences (I'm a writer, so sue me), Also have a few retired, and have passed on 1 to my son, who wore it and retired it back to me.
Posted by: Paul Jefferson | January 09, 2011 at 07:33 AM
Great infographic, thanks!
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 09, 2011 at 10:00 AM
I love you.
How come whenever I see you, you are always rocking that Alfie one then..? Huh? Huh?
Posted by: Snowbadger | January 09, 2011 at 08:25 PM
no 5K shirts for runs done for charity category?
and subsections based on design and comfort after a few washings?
c'mon, it's just 3 miles or so!
Posted by: michael | January 10, 2011 at 03:21 AM
are the only output options "stolen by friend" or "sold on eBay"?? you never just admit to yourself that you no longer love some of your shirts (while they're still practically new) and give them to your local charitable thrift shop, etc?
Posted by: acm | January 10, 2011 at 03:50 PM
I have a 'Best' t-shirt drawer, a 'Gym/sleeping/messy work' drawer and everything else goes to the charity shop or for recycling.
Posted by: Marwood | January 10, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Great infographic. I totally relate. Also applies to my shoe collection...
Posted by: Jake Thomas | January 13, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Was just going to say, this is probably closely adaptable to other wearable collectables, such as shoes (trainers/sneakers).
Posted by: Info | January 14, 2011 at 02:11 AM
Great work on this graphic. I can relate.
Posted by: Jon (Shirtoid) | January 14, 2011 at 04:42 PM
How about the t-shirt that your wife bought you because she thought you'd like it and you don't want to hurt her feelings so it stays in the closet but is never worn. Still has tags on it.
Posted by: Scott | January 14, 2011 at 05:13 PM