Annual Apparel

New site Annual Apparel is in the business of selling “yearly t-shirts” which mark all the biggest events of the each year.

They launched with one design from 2008, and are polling for user opinion on what year they should do next. It looks like they’re going to be skipping around some to get more designs out there, which is good, because I think people could forget about the site by the time the end of 2009 rolls around.

It’s an interesting concept, but reminds us a little of the newspaper front pages you can buy for the year you were born. Which is a great gimmick and birthday present, but only works so many times.

We think the success of the venture will depend on whether or not they can put out compelling enough artwork and also create tees for the years people feel a real connection with. The site could also probably benefit from some more social/community activity – perhaps giving users the ability to submit/vote on designs.

That part isn’t a new or unique concept, but it works and keeps users involved.

Right now the 2008 design is currently on sale for $22.00 (Pet peeve: you actually have to go through the ordering process all the way to PayPal before you actually see the price. Bad, bad, bad. Being the seemingly cool folks that they seem to be, prices have been added for your viewing enjoyment), available on sizes M – XL on 3 colors of tees: