Dusty Rhodes Son of a plumber shirt

Fifth Column are best known for printing Dusty Rhodes Son of a plumber shirt. It’s where we started, all those years ago, and we still love it. But these days we also decorate a huge range of other merchandise. Garments for the workplace are included in that varied mix and so we thought we’d take a look at customised Hi Vis workwear. Those stand-out pieces of apparel which help keep working folk safer when they’re operating in potentially hazardous conditions.

High visibility clothing, often abbreviated to Hi Vis or Hi Viz, has been around for a surprisingly long time. Its origins stretch back to the Thirties in America. After suffering an industrial accident, Bob Switzer began researching the use of fluorescent materials. It’s slightly weird to think that the first piece of Hi Vis gear was Bob experimenting on his wife’s wedding dress.

Hi Vis didn’t reach the UK until the Sixties. But by 1974, this type of clothing had made its way onto the statute books. The 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act included regulations for the use of Hi Vis in relevant working situations. Enough history, let’s get into customised Hi Vis workwear.

Dusty Rhodes Son of a plumber shirt, hoodie, sweater, longsleeve and ladies t-shirt

The design Dusty Rhodes Son of a plumber shirt, as mentioned above, was created by a child and that’s what it looks like. Well, either that or a pretentious artist. I was actually able to guess it was a potato before I researched it so well done, kid. My guess was actually “potato monster” but I like the title “angry potato” more. The ink is soft and smooth. I can’t find fault with the quality.

But let’s get back to the design. I get that parents love their kids’ artwork despite the lack of skill or perhaps because of it? And I could appreciate wanting a t-shirt with your kids’ artwork on it. I’m just not sure that people want other people’s kids’ designs on their t-shirts. Basically what I am saying is that I couldn’t see myself buying one of these t-shirts.