Description

Sorry Charlie Tuna Shirt

For decades, television audiences rooted for one specific underdog: a tuna with a beret, thick glasses, and a dream. Charlie believed that his culture, his class, and his ability to play the harp would get him chosen by StarKist. But alas, the message on the hook was always the same: “Sorry, Charlie.” This shirt pays tribute to that iconic advertising campaign, capturing the charm of a mascot who taught us the difference between having good taste and tasting good.

This design is a slice of pure Americana. It transports you back to the days of Saturday morning cartoons and limited commercial breaks. The graphic features the classic vintage aesthetic of the character, complete with the famous slogan that became a catchphrase for rejection everywhere. It’s witty, nostalgic, and undeniably cool in that ironic, retro way.

Whether you are a child of the 70s and 80s who grew up with Charlie, or a younger fan of vintage advertising art, this tee is a keeper. It’s a conversation starter that usually ends with someone reciting the commercial in a funny voice. It’s the perfect way to show that while Charlie might not have made the cut, this shirt definitely does.

Why You’ll Love This Shirt

Iconic Catchphrase: The slogan “Sorry, Charlie” is instantly recognizable, sparking nostalgia and smiles wherever you go.
Vintage Aesthetic: The art style reflects the classic animation of the mid-20th century, giving your outfit an authentic retro vibe.
Durable Comfort: Printed on Gildan Heavy Cotton, this shirt is built to last, ensuring the print stays fresh even after many washes.

Perfect For

Dads and grandpas who love referencing classic commercials.
Vintage clothing enthusiasts and collectors of advertising mascots.
Themed 70s or 80s parties where nostalgia is the dress code.
Seafood lovers (or haters) with a sense of humor.

Product Details

Material: 100% Heavy Cotton (durable and substantial).
Fit & Print: Standard Unisex Fit with colorful Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing.
Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, inside out. Tumble dry low. Do not iron directly on the graphic.

FAQ – Sorry Charlie Tuna Shirt

What is the origin of “Sorry Charlie”? It was the tagline for StarKist Tuna commercials that ran from the 1960s through the 1980s. The mascot, Charlie, was always rejected because the company wanted tuna that tasted good, not tuna with good taste.

Is the design distressed or clean? The design typically features a clean, bold look to mimic the style of vintage cartoon animation or advertising, though some variations may have a slight texture to enhance the retro feel.

How does the shirt fit? This is a standard unisex Gildan Heavy Cotton tee. It has a boxy, relaxed fit that is comfortable and true to size for most adults.

SIZE GUIDE

Classic Men's T-Shirt

The fabric composition varies by color: solid colors are 100% Cotton, Heather colors, Tweed, and Russet are a 50/50 Cotton/Polyester blend, and Sport Grey and Antique colors consist of 90% Cotton and 10% Polyester.

SIZE GUIDE	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL	5XL
WIDTH (inches)	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32
LENGTH (inches)	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35

Premium Men's T-Shirt

Fabric blends: Heather colors – 90% cotton, 10% polyester. The classic fit along with the crew neckline provide a timeless style with neat looks that are perfect for accessorizing. This means it’s a highly versatile choice for both casual and semi-formal events.

SIZE GUIDE	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL
WIDTH (inches)	17.5	19	20.5	22	24	26	28	30
LENGTH (inches)	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34

Classic Women's T-Shirt

The fabric composition varies by color: solid colors are 100% Cotton, Heather colors, Tweed, and Russet are a 50/50 Cotton/Polyester blend, and Sport Grey and Antique colors consist of 90% Cotton and 10% Polyester.

SIZE GUIDE	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
WIDTH (inches)	17.25	19.25	21.25	23.25	25.25	27.25
LENGTH (inches)	25.5	26	27	28	28.5	29

Premium Women's T-Shirt

Material: 100% combed round-thread cotton (Dark Grey: 90% cotton, 10% polyester). Classic cotton t-shirt. Made from 100% combed round-thread cotton, this is an everyday essential with superior comfort.

SIZE GUIDE	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL
WIDTH (inches)	15.25	16.25	17.25	18.25	19.75	21.25
LENGTH (inches)	25.5	26	27	28	28.5	29

Hooded & Crew Neck Sweatshirt

Made with 50% Cotton and 50% Polyester

SIZE GUIDE	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL	5XL
WIDTH (inches)	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34
LENGTH (inches)	26	27	28	29	30	31	33	34

Longsleeve Tee

Solid colors are made from 100% Cotton, while Heather colors and Ash feature an 85% Cotton and 15% Viscose blend.

SIZE GUIDE	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL	5XL
WIDTH (inches)	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32
LENGTH (inches)	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35

Tank Top

Solid colors are 100% Cotton; Heather colors consist of 52% Cotton and 48% Polyester; Athletic Heather contains 90% Cotton and 10% Polyester; and Triblend colors are made from 50% Polyester, 25% Cotton, and 25% Rayon.

SIZE GUIDE	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
WIDTH (inches)	16	18	20	22	24	26	28
LENGTH (inches)	27	28	29	30	31	32	33

Men's V-neck T-Shirt

Made with our soft ring spun cotton and cotton blends, Softstyle’s high stitch density fabric offers a smooth printing surface. Taped neck and shoulders for comfort and durability.

SIZE GUIDE	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
WIDTH (inches)	16	18	20	22	24	26	28
LENGTH (inches)	26	27.5	28.75	29.75	30.75	32	33

Women's V-neck T-Shirt

Made from 100% American cotton and the most advanced soft cotton technology, this product has been improved to enhance the quality and comfort you can feel.

SIZE GUIDE	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
WIDTH (inches)	17.25	19.25	21.25	23.25	25.25	27.25
LENGTH (inches)	25.5	26	27	28	28.5	29

Youth T-Shirt

Made with 100% ringspun cotton, although the fiber content may differ for certain color options.

SIZE GUIDE	XS	S	M	L	XL
WIDTH (inches)	16	17	18	19	20
LENGTH (inches)	20.5	22	23.5	25	26.5

Youth Hooded & Sweatshirt

50/50 cotton/polyester, made with finer yarns and new MVS Air spinning technology, that improves the fabric by reducing pilling, enhancing durability and creating a smoother printing surface.