The Gap’s (Product) Red Word T-Shirt is a fabulous product that I bought last year during the holiday season and fell in love with.
The first thing that I love about this shirt is that for $28 (tax not included) it supplies 41 doses of nevirapine treatments to a pregnant woman in Africa to prevent the transmission of HIV to her child. Its so rewarding and fulfilling to know that by simply purchasing a t-shirt that I have helped to make a difference, whether small or large, in someone else’s life across the world. It was also extremely easy and convenient since I was already shopping. It was like buying any other shirt only this one has the added benefit of helping another person.
I also love the fact that since the (Product) Red line has received so much attention in the media because Bono helped to create it and stars like Kanye West, Sheryl Crow, Penelope Cruz, have promoted it, when I wear the t-shirt with the words INSPI(RED) written across my chest, most people know what the t-shirt is about, and what it’s supporting. So it’s like wearing a designer shirt with a logo plastered on the front, but instead of being a free walking billboard for the designer, I’m actually advertising something that has meaning behind it, and it can help to inspire others to buy something of their own from the (Product) Red organization or maybe get more involved with an organization that they feel strongly about.
The other thing that I love about the t-shirt is the actual t-shirt itself. When it was displayed on the shelf at the store, I didn’t think that it looked like much because it was a bit rugged for my taste. It’s made from 100% African cotton, and it was designed to reflect the earthiness of Africa, so it has a vintage look with unfinished edges and exposed seams. It also had a V-neck that looked like it would be so unflattering. So I thought I would buy it for the meaning behind it, but would never actually get around to wearing it. After I tried it on in a fitting room, I decided that it didn’t look so bad and I felt more enthused. After trying it on at home with a different bra a few hours later I realized that the V-neck wasn’t unflattering at all, it was actually kind of sexy. I also started to like the shirt itself, it’s made quite well and it’s long enough to cover the stomach and doesn’t ride up. It’s also really comfortable and has worn really well after a being washed a few times.
The only thing that I would change about the shirt is the color. I bought my t-shirt in the color red even though I have always abhorred the color, because the other colors I had to choose from were even more dreadful. In December, the only other colors the shirt was available in was a slate gray and a puke green. But I visited the Gap website recently and noticed that they are making the t-shirts in more colors like blue and white, so I’ll probably buy another shirt in a different color soon.
