Hardboiled

I have ordered custom t-​shirts with Hardboiled twice now, and I definitely won’t try again. The shirts have turned out nicely, true, but the staff is extremely incommunicative and disorganized. I have had to chase down updates at every step of the process. Worse still: when a size we ordered wasn’t available, they didn’t let us know before we arrived to pick up the order. It simply wasn’t included. WE had to suggest an alternate solution to THEM. Not the best customer service.
I was willing to overlook the bumpy process to a certain extent, especially since the owner seemed eager to make the situation right after we explained the trouble we’d been having with his staff. But since I still haven’t heard back about that last shirt, two weeks later, my patience has run thin. Too unprofessional to trust with an order.

If you think Hardboiled’s illustrated t-​shirts are whimsical, head inside the store: the owner herself personifies that word to the loveliest extreme.
It takes an extra-​planetary collision of factors for me to buy something when I don’t need it. But here, with the cocktail of awesome, cute shirts and really pleasant and genuine service, it’s hard to leave here empty handed. I believe most, if not all, of the items are American Apparel-​sourced, but made even more special with that signature Hardboiled cutesiness.
Even a shirt I got three years ago with little bouncing bunnies still stands the test of fashion. (At least in my time-​warped head, it is.) Lots of other designs, too, abstract and indie-​oriented. (Note: I must return for the unreeled cassette tape.)
For fans of whimsy and comfort, there are some pretty cute threads here to pimp your personality.

It is such a peculiar title for a store, and then, for a store that sells clothes with designs printed on them, that I had to go inside. From the sign before you enter, to the green fairway carpet to the cabana room wall at the back, you might suspect that you’re expected to make par or grab a towel for a swim to the all-​inclusive bar sitting in the pool beside your flipflops. And yet, there are simply tshirts, sweatshirts, baby-​jumper-​johns, hats and other wearables decorated with funky designs from local designers. There are about 20 designers that contribute to the collection. These designers are approved by the owner Jamie. One can submit their designs to be a part of this store’s stock and you can also have your own logo or design and commission them to do the work for you — say, for band tshirts.
The colours are bold. The actual articles of clothing are simple (they use American Apparel and Fruit of the Loom). They also use eco-​friendly inks and can print on bamboo shirts. The designs are pretty graphic (as in graphic designer) and they don’t take over the shirt. In other words, it adds boldly to the colour but doesn’t become all about the pattern.
I, too, spent some time talking with the friendly proprietor. As well, I would also take more time to consider the purchase of a shirt costing 30 dollars, however, I could rest assured that the shirts are well made, fairly made, support local designers and have thoughtful and time-​consuming work put into them. For these reasons, and because I have seen other locally designed t-​shirts at almost three times that price on Queen Street West many times before, I would feel comfortable spending that money.
The variety here is in the designs printed on the clothes and not the clothes themselves too much, so consider that if you are more interested in the cut of clothing itself vs. the printed designs.

First of all, I’d like to thank Joe for letting me buy something from here. I love my shirt!!!
The store itself is very clean and organized. I immediately felt welcomed by the girl behind the counter, and we chatted for a while, and I think she helped me by talking Joe into letting me buy a shirt.
I’m not going to lie, this place can be expensive. I paid $ 30 for a short sleeved t-​shirt. Normally I wouldn’t pay that much for a t-​shirt, but I fell in love with the design, and knowing that this is supporting local artists, I couldn’t not buy it.
The designs are like nothing else, they are truly original. My specific t-​shirt is a pretty blue that has a huge old-​fashioned bike on it (the one with the really bike front wheel and tiny back wheel) and there are a couple of hummingbirds on it. The t-​shirt itself was extremely comfortable and really light and I was excited to buy it!
I love everything about this store. If I lived in Toronto, I would come here all the time, and my wallet would be significantly lighter, however my cool points would go up exponentially. If you want to support local artists, then SHOP HERE!