A boyfriend don't go with this outfit.

I know what you're probably thinking... why this shirt? And (if you're like me) you might even be cringing at the improper grammar. Well rest assured, the grammar is intentional (doesn't just doesn't have the same ring to it, lol). Regardless, let's get to the why...

The phrase is one I've played around with for about two years, honestly. It first arose out of a conversation between me and a friend, Krystal, after she complimented an outfit I had on. I remembered telling her that I had purchased the outfit a while ago but never wore it because my boyfriend at-the-time passively disapproved of it (you know the Is that what you're wearing? with the skeptical tone that annoyingly implores you to just put on something else). After that moment it remained tucked away for years. Now, in response to Krystal's shock of me having never pulled this little number out before, I replied, "yeah, I guess a boyfriend don't go with this outfit." And (at the risk of sounding cliché... again), a light bulb went off. I could see this little catchphrase on a t-shirt in my mind already, something basic yet bold that could be paired with anything. More importantly, I started imagining the women that would buy it, and I got excited!

Unfortunately, I wasn't excited enough to make a real push to release the tees. I created a few mock ups that me and a couple of my friends wore to different events. They were always really well-received by women, single and not (hence my "shop responsibly" tagline). So, with faith in a promising target market and the support of my friends, why was it nearly the end of 2019 and I still hadn't attempted to launch the t-shirts? I was frozen in fear.

Admittedly, I was stuck behind thoughts of "what if?" What if somebody copies the saying and runs with it? What if they don't sell and I waste my money on production? What if I embarrass myself by being so vocal about being single? All of these thoughts, definitely rooted in imposter syndrome, kept me stagnant with the same few shirts in rotation for myself and no plan around really releasing them.

Fast-forward 16 months and a whole pandemic later, I no longer need convincing to just go for it because it became all too real that no amount of time is promised to us, nor are the resources we were once so cavalier about (i.e. reliable shipping methods, jobs, etc.). Also, I had a very serious relationship begin and end during this pandemic, and that brought me back to the real why behind these t-shirts... the who.

I wanted to make something simple and significant that single women could own their relationship status in; there's no shame. I've struggled with being comfortable in my singleness, especially with friends around me getting proposed to left and right. I have to remind myself that comparison is the thief of joy and that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. It's taken a lot of work, rework, and unlearning to figure out how I need to embrace this space of solitude. My t-shirts aren't a man-hating affect or coming from a place of discontent at all. They're for the woman who acknowledges that right now is the time to be on a walk with yourself. Of course, whoever wants to buy them is going, and that's fine by me. Spread the word!

A boyfriend don't go with this outfit. Releasing SOON. Thanks for reading!