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This original vintage Elvis Costello T-shirt is a striking artifact from the peak era of post-punk and new wave cultural expression. Featuring a bold front graphic of Elvis Costello paired with a red rose motif, this piece captures the sharp romanticism and confrontational lyricism that defined his late-1970s to 1980s output. The rear print—“make like a fly if you dont want to die”—functions as both provocation and poetic threat, aligning directly with Costello’s intellectual aggression and anti-complacency stance. Shirts of this nature were produced in limited quantities for tour or underground circulation, never intended for long-term survival. Constructed on a Hanes USA-made blank with single-stitch hems, this garment reflects authentic American concert-era manufacturing standards. The oversized Large fit and strong black base further enhance its relevance within modern archive fashion contexts, where music history and visual attitude intersect. HISTORY & RELATED INFLUENCE Elvis Costello stands as one of the most influential figures bridging punk, new wave, and literate pop songwriting. His visual identity—often sharp, confrontational, and ironic—translated directly into merchandise design during the pre-corporate tour merch era. Graphic tees tied to Costello’s imagery and lyric fragments are considerably rarer than mainstream punk merchandise, as his audience skewed toward smaller venues and intellectually driven fan bases. Surviving examples with both front portrait graphics and rear text prints are especially scarce within the global archive market. DETAILS • ERA: Late 1970s – Early 1980s • Original Elvis Costello vintage T-shirt • Front portrait graphic with red rose imagery • Back text print slogan • Single stitch construction • Black cotton body • Hanes 100% cotton blank • Made in USA SIZE & MEASUREMENTS (measured flat) • Tag size: Large • Chest (pit to pit): 22 inches • Length (shoulder to hem): 29 inches CONDITION Very good vintage condition. Print remains bold with no major cracking. Fabric is structurally sound with minor age-appropriate wear consistent with authentic use. Condition supports archive-level collectibility. SHIPPING Worldwide tracked shipping available. Item will be packed using archival-safe methods to preserve print integrity and fabric structure. Why buy from WAROENGKARTINI45_? WAROENGKARTINI45_ is positioned as an institutional-grade archive seller, not a trend reseller. Each piece is researched and framed with long-term cultural value in mind, prioritizing historical relevance and authenticity. AUTHENTICITY NOTE This is an original vintage Elvis Costello T-shirt. Not a reprint. Not a reproduction. Not a modern bootleg. • Music archive collectors • Punk / New Wave historians • Vintage band T-shirt specialists • Private or institutional archive buyers • Long-term value-oriented collectors • Authentic single-stitch USA-made construction • Rare dual-sided graphic layout • Strong association with Elvis Costello’s peak era • Increasing scarcity of intellectual punk merchandise • Positioned intentionally to filter non-serious buyers
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