Pants by Lagerfeld, shirt by Microsoft

(Credit: Microsoft)

Will we soon be calling Microsoft a "fashion giant" in addition to a "software giant"? OK, that's probably stretching it, but the company is launching a new line of graphic T-shirts called "Softwear by Microsoft." Yep, you read that right. Microsoft is getting into the clothing business.

AdvertisingAge tells us the line is meant to evoke the '80s, a seminal time in the history of PCs. As such, the shirts will feature designs including retro MS-DOS fonts and a mugshot of a young Bill Gates. Just pair them with acid-washed jeans and a Swatch watch and get out the floppy disks!

Ad agency Crispin Porter & Bogusky is behind the shirts, which are expected to hit select stores (presumably not including Neiman Marcus) on December 15. Rapper Common, who also came of age in the '80s, will be a celeb spokesman for Softwear, and contributed designs, as well.

After some reflection, we think we can adjust to the idea of Microsoft making T-shirts. But please, Redmond, stay away from evening gowns.

(Credit: Microsoft)

[8ball629]

Be careful not to walk into a room full of _true_ nerds or even a Starbucks for that matter.

[YankeePoodle]

So, you are saying that America is not a free country ?

[8ball629]

@YakeePoodle<br /><br />No, I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying that you'll probably get laughed at which just goes on to help show that the USA is a free country. My comment had nothing to do with the freedoms of the USA btw, if you want to get into that debate then I suggest we do so in a more appropriate place.<br /><br />Oh and it might be a good idea to know that "America" is not a country but I know what you mean. Had this been /. you'd probably have been modded as Flamebait.

[coryschulz]

I think he's saying that others have the freedom to make fun of you and think little of your intellect.

[Penguinisto]

@8ball...<br /><br />indeed - esp. a room full of real geeks that earned their shirts as swag (or even those who bought 'em off of ThinkGeek, which has been selling shirts like this for years).<br /><br />/P

[thedean200x]

What's super ironic right now is I happened to stumble upon this on my igoogle page. While at this very moment at work, at starbucks on my mac. Bloody Hilarious!

[rapier1]

Earning your shirts as swag... <br />"Look at me! I paid to go to a convention/tradeshow/conference and got a t-shirt! I'm 1337!" <br /> <br />I suppose wearing a shirt like this could be a problem if you entered a room full of noobs and twerps. Anyone who actually knew their as5h0le from the elbows wouldn't give a **** or think it was funny.

[Penguinisto]

@rapier: no need to take it personally. <br /><br />(...and who actually pays to go to a convention? real geeks get paid to go).<br /><br />Usually though - most geeks I know of (outside of WinHEC) treat a MSFT shirt or hat as a bit of a practical joke. Like the time on the 2002 Linux Lunacy cruise (yep - I went) when one guy showed up at a roundtable w/ Torvalds... wearing an MCSE logo t-shirt. We all got a good laugh out of it, including Linus. Rumor has it that one was given away at a different cruise as a prize for getting last place in a programming knowledge contest. <br /><br />It's just that MSFT has earned quite the reputation for being the butt of nearly every tech joke in existence.<br /><br />/P

[Perry_Clease]

MicroSoft has you covered. :)

[mri_cnet]

MY EYES!!! AGGGHHH!!!!11!!!!

[db2not]

Microsoft is in serious trouble, the gimmicks they've had to revert to in order to compete are pretty telling and it is doesn't point to a good sign. Their only saving grace might be that the can see it (the end of the PC era) coming unlike other companies in the past who refused to read the writing on the wall(ala GM et al) ; Maybe one of these days they'll hit on an idea that'll make them relevant again.

[YankeePoodle]

Dream on the end of PC era, it is not going to happen for every one. Yes, the internet would play a major role for the people, but yes, those Quad-Core Desktops and the Dual-Core laptops do somethat better than web would do for people. As long as there is desktop or laptop around the PC era is still in force. Declare the end of the PC era when you have dumb-client. For e.g: Eee PC is your only machine or IPhone is your only device.

[irperez]

I like it... not bad... As long as its only T-Shirts... I couldn't imagine wearing a suit by Microsoft's Softwear line...

[tm_anon]

Watch out, next thing you know, Microsoft t-shirts will make your pants stop working properly.

[melodyof1974]

I am a Mac advocate completely!!! But, this is truly the best thing MS has done in a long time. "Softwear", what a great idea.

[YankeePoodle]

How many servers run on the BEST OS of the Planet (OS X) ? <br /> <br />Dude, that a chill pill and have a life, before you Microsoft bashing. I own a Mac Book Pro, I like Macs for what they are but I still use Windows XP for various other things as developer and my servers run on Windows 2003/2008. Dont resent success, aspire it.

[random truth]

@YankeePoodle<br />Why would you run your server on WIndows Server 2003/2008, when there are free open source solutions that are not only cheaper, but faster and more secure?

[8ball629]

@random truth<br /><br />Amen brother.

[rapier1]

Some people don't have a choice. A lot of organizations use MS server products in the IT infrastructure. Until you get to be CIO you basically have to use what they tell you to use.

[herronsmith]

I hope they are going to make flame retardant tees for the times when they will inevitably crash and burn. A built-in GPS... a must!

[ballmerisanape]

Due to design flaws, and the fact that microsoft never anticipated that people would actually go outside with these on, a viral pandemic will wipe out millions of people while turning others into flesh craving zombies. Hope Will Smith doesn't buy one.....

[trd1282]

****...

[mikestatic1]

T-Shirts? That makes as much sense as their ads with idiots saying stuff like "I'm a PC and I like pancakes" into their webcams.<br /><br />I mean, really. Give me a break.

[mllapointe]

I still have a tie-dyed Microsoft t-shirt from a 1990's MS Developer Network promotion. Does that count?

[DrollTroll]

If your 1990s tee counts, then my MS magazine Tee should count as well.

[Suomynona.Eno]

I'm foreseeing that the "Windows ME" print line of ladies' cotton boxers and panties becoming surefire sellers...Geek BFs can think a thousand puns along with those.

[ServedUp]

Just another way of spreading brand awareness. Personally, I think its lame.

[jture]

Coming soon to a "What Not to Wear" episode near you - MicroSoftwear!

I refuse to buy T-shirts with corporate names on them. It is a form of advertising and as such should be free. However, if corporations can get consumers to pay for their advertising, more power to them.

[7aji88]

have you seen those Corona beer shirts lately?!<br />We should get these shirts for free.

[Groucho6]

So lemme guess -- Microsoft is putting out a new line of clothing. Every third time you try to put the T-shirt on, the seams will spontaneously disintegrate and you'll have to buy a new one. That about right?

[coryschulz]

How about a picture of Ballmer on the inside of my boxers so he can kiss me @$$ all day.

[sebastien.kalonji]

Ok the end of MS is near. I really hope this becomes a huge fashion statement so it will be so "not done" in a few months time from now.

[midnightoker92]

sebastien.kalonji............. dude -_- calm down its a shirt that has been around for years on thinkgeek the world isn't going to end or anything. How does it mark the end of ms? they make more money in a year than most countries make in a decade

[JunkSiu]

Are those shirt free? Can it be downloaded?

[random truth]

Ya you can buy it legit but be carful after 3 uses the drm (digital rancid monster) will come and get you. <br />Or you can pirate it.