Introducing the Ultra 80’s San Francisco collection!
If you are a Pinterest follower of mine, you may have noticed I have been interested in 1980’s design. Since starting this clothing line, I have been wanting to do San Francisco landmark tees. I thought it would be fun to combine both ideas, and make them look super bright and 80’s. I will definitely be trying out different styles in the future too!
For the launch, I created a trio of towers: Coit Tower, Sutro Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid. You will be seeing the Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge and Ferry Building very soon! Click here to see the entire collection and watch it grow as I create new designs!
These totally awesome designs come with different options on how to wear them!
Men’s T-Shirts, Women’s T-Shirts, Women’s Racerback Tank Tops, Sweatshirts for Men & Women, Zip Hoodies for Men & Women, Cropped Hoodies for Women, Women’s flowy Muscle Tees, Women’s Plus Size V-Necks and Beach Towels!
Sweatshirts are made for both men and women from size S- 5XL.
Lightweight Zip Hoodies are for both men and women go from XS – 2XL.
Men’s tees go from XS – 4XL (Women can wear these too, they will fit more boxy than women’s fit tees. Personally I’d go one size down.)
Women’s tees from S – 2XL.
Women’s Plus Size V-Neck T-Shirts come in 4 sizes. From 14/16 to 26/28.
Women’s Racerback Jersey Tank Tops from size S – 2XL.
Women’s Cropped Hoodies from S- 2XL.
Women’s flowy muscle tees go from S-2XL.
Be sure to order holiday gifts early to ensure prompt delivery! I will update my Instagram for cut off dates for shipping. They will vary because there are different companies printing the merch. Be sure to read my FAQ to see how printing and shipping works.
Please be aware that backlit images on the computer screen will appear brighter than printed products. The printers do not use neon ink for the DTG process, therefore, none of the colors will turn out neon.
Coit Tower
Located on Telegraph Hill, this 210-foot structure is a popular tourist destination.
Lillie Hitchcock Coit (1843- 1929) was the benefactor for Coit Tower, and left a third of her wealth to the city to beautify San Francisco. Lillie was fascinated with firefighting, and became an honorary member of the Knickerbocker Engine Company #5 at age 15. She was an eccentric woman who defied social norms. If women were allowed to become firefighters, she surely would have become an official one herself. Coit Tower was built as a memorial to San Francisco’s firefighters and was designed to resemble a fire hose nozzle. I used aqua to represent water.
There are definitely palm trees planted in San Francisco. In a live sketch I did of the tower while in college, there was a palm tree in view. Based on the sketch I did many years ago, and the fact that many 80’s designs contain palm trees, it was the perfect anchor for this design. The sunset motif is also used in eighties aesthetic.
If you will be visiting San Francisco, be sure to stop by Coit Tower. But be aware that peak times, such as Saturdays and Sundays, the parking lot gets full. There is a large mural inspired by Diego Rivera inside. Do pay to get the to the top of Coit Tower, the view is breathtaking. Learn more about Lillie, Coit Tower and the murals at Wikipedia.
Sutro Tower
This is my favorite landmark. You could say I was born under it (at UCSF, which is down the hill from Mount Sutro.)
Standing at 977 feet tall, this was the tallest structure in San Francisco. The Saleforce tower beat it’s record as well as the Transamerica’s claim to tallest building. But I don’t like to talk about the Salesforce monstrosity. You won’t see it on my tees!
San Francisco was notorious for it’s terrible television reception due to the hills. They needed a solution, a tower that sits high enough to reach the entire Bay Area. In the 70’s there was a lot of opposition from the public, but the TV stations were determined to make it happen. Currently, it still transmits television signals, but now in digital. It also helps transmit radio, emergency dispatchers, taxi frequencies and wireless internet.
Sutro Tower is striped “Aviation Red” and white. I chose to make it hot pink as if I were mixing the two. The lightning bolts obviously represent power, the electricity. The tower doesn’t emit lighting bolts, so don’t worry about that. Of course the sunset is a popular motif in 1980’s designs, and it helps portray how tall the tower is.
I collect shirts with Sutro Tower on them. I never see any Sutro Tower merch in tourist shops, so I feel like this belongs to the San Franciscans. (There are so many from indie shops/designers online now, I am a tad overwhelmed!) Because it’s my favorite, there will definitely be more designs coming.
My life goal is to get to ride to the top of the tower. It’s not open to the public of course, but before I die, I want to go up and record my experience! If you’re interested, there is a video from KQED about one reporter’s experience. I am jealous because it looks so amazing once you reach the top!
If you will be touring around San Francisco, I recommend going to Twin Peaks, an overlook in the middle of the city. You’ll get a close view of the tower, as well as the most beautiful view of the city.
SutroTower.org is full of information and a collection of links to other merch and art work.
Transamerica Pyramid
I made this one a tad different, and decided to make the building look like a sticker. (If you were a child in the 80’s, you probably had a ton of stickers!) And to not distract from that, not use white behind the text. The Transamerica Building is supposed to be white as it is covered by crushed white quartz, I made it a blue gradient to express how cool downtown feels, shaded by all the buildings in the Financial District. (Actually, I’m always hot because I’m usually running from place to place.)
The most iconic building in San Francisco, also used to be the tallest at 853 feet. It houses many businesses, though no longer the Transamerica Corp. The public cannot go inside for a tour, it is an office building afterall… for mostly financial businesses so it’s not all that interesting anyway. While visitors can no longer go to the top (unless you book it for an event), there is a public space outdoors on the ground floor, the Redwood Park. (SF buildings are required to have spaces for the public.)
Fun fact: My father worked security for this building in his younger years.
If you will be visiting San Francisco, I recommend going to North Beach on Columbus street. Columbus sits diagonally and shoots straight for the Transamerica and will make for an amazing shot for your photos.
Visit Pyramid Center for more information on the Transamerica.
Coming up: The Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Ferry Building and Palace of Fine Arts. And if you love the 80’s aesthetic, but are not interested in San Francisco, I will be whipping out a unicorn design or two in time for Christmas!
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday Sale!
Finally, there will be a Black Friday/ Small Business Saturday/ Cyber Monday sale. My first since I launched this store this past spring!
• Spend $100, Get $15 off BFCM100
• Spend $150, Get $20 off BFCM150
• Spend $200, Get $25 off BFCM200
• Spending less? Use code FREESHIP50 on orders over $50
(Free Shipping offer only valid for addresses in the USA)
See more information on this page.
Thank you for considering gifting I Need This Unicorn goodies to your friends and family! Every time someone makes a purchase, I do a happy dance because this is my life. My dream was to start my own business selling my art and not work for a corporation where my creativity would be inhibited. When you make a purchase from a small business, you are pretty much keeping that person alive. haha!
