Greek Apparel Design Ideas Members Actually Want to Wear
The best chapter shirts get worn for years. The worst get worn once, at the event, because everyone was asked to. Here are design directions that keep showing up in members' regular rotation.
1. Vintage and retro
Washed colors, distressed textures and '70s or '90s type styles feel more like a thrift store find than a club shirt. These pair perfectly with garment-dyed blanks. (Not sure which blank? Here's our guide to choosing one.)
2. Hand-drawn illustrations
A custom illustration of your house, your school's landmark or your mascot doing something ridiculous makes a shirt unique to your chapter. These do great for philanthropy weeks and parents weekend.
3. Small front, big back
Small letters or a crest on the left chest with a large design on the back is the most popular layout in Greek apparel for a reason. It looks clean from the front and still makes a statement.
4. Event "merch drops"
Treat formals and date parties like a band tour: a date, a location and a design that captures the theme. Members love collecting these year after year.
5. Subtle letters
Tone-on-tone prints, embroidered letters or a simple wordmark are easier to wear to class, which means more people see your letters around campus.
Design tips that make a difference
- Limit ink colors. Two or three colors often look better and cost less to screen print.
- Check licensing. Greek letters and crests usually need a licensed vendor.
- Proof the details. Dates, chapter names and spelling are the most common fixes.
- Think beyond tees. Crewnecks, hats and quarter-zips extend a design into every season.
Need a starting point? Browse our design gallery for ideas, then send a free design request with what you like. Our artists will turn it into a proof you can share with your exec board.