No. 85: Merch Day is Here, Friends

These are my favorite things I've ever made

The day is finally here, friends. As of 10am, The Gold Standard merch is officially LIVE!!!

As a fashion major, I’ve dreamed of creating my own merch for years. I’ve paid close attention to the launches of my friends, collecting (hoarding?) crewenecks and tees across more brands than I’ll admit here and have paid extra close attention to the ones I reach for most. I have records saved noting favorite brands and details and while I’ve heard from many of you that you would have purchased anything I made (because you’re the best)— I hope you trust that I’d never just slap something on any old tee or sweatshirt. Did I maybe take the hunt for “the” items a bit too far? Some could argue that. Was this first launch meant for December? Who’s to say. I hope, though, that when you see the hand-distressing on the collar of the tee, the lived in softness that beats out my favorite t-shirt currently on the market (I’m lookin’ at you, Skims) and the buttery soft coziness of the crewneck that you’ll believe the time was worth it.

These were screenprinted locally at a small shop in town and everyone who has dropped off boxes and boxes of merchandise failed to warn me just how nerve racking it is to trust strangers to bring your vision to life, but after many mock-ups, renderings and drop-ins I had full confidence they would turn out just as I dreamed. I could have written “rotten fish” and “old socks” on these and still would reach for them daily because they’re that comfortable.

Thankfully, the phrases that ended up making the cut are much cuter.

I pray that when you reach for the tee, you’re reminded of the goal of this newsletter—hopefully, the reason you chose to stick around—the delight. And that when you reach for your crewneck, you find encouragement in the truth that good doesn’t equal easy and hard doesn’t equal wrong. We live in an upside down kingdom and serve a God who’s ways are not our ways. There is hope in the hard, always.

I have worn and washed these two pieces for weeks now and feel so proud to be able to ensure you will love them as much as I do.