Not long after I started blogging, I wrote a series that became known as “The Ruby Rebel“, extolling the many qualities of the Proverbs 31 woman.
Read the original post here.
A “Ruby Rebel” is essentially a woman who desires to be what Proverbs 31 calls “an excellent wife”, a woman who is “far above rubies” and therefore is in rebellion to the culture’s idea of womanhood.
I’ve always thought it would be glorious to “advertise” our brand of womanhood in a culture that blares its message at every turn. What if we became walking billboards too? At the very least, it might open the doors for opportunities to share Christ or for God’s Word to be presented in a practical way and thus pique someone’s desire to read it. So I designed this t-shirt and my question for you is, would you consider buying something like this? They would come with different snippets from Proverbs 31 on the back. (“Strength and dignity are her clothing.” … “She laughs at the time to come.”…etc.)
I’m interested in your feedback before I decide to have them printed. I’m also open to suggestions about the design.
36 comments
I won’t wear anything white. I can’t keep little fingers off of it. I would consider other colors. As far as price, I only spend $10 on tshirts.
Thanks Blair. I added a couple more colors for thought.
i was thinkin the same thing about white! and a fitted-t that has the crinkly, frilly edge would be a tad more feminine.
Agreeing about white – this momma won’t risk it!
Love the font for the words on the front.
Not sure why, but the placement of the design seems too high… though if you went lower, people would be staring at chest level. Not sure how that could be changed.
I’m guessing you set the logo on the front where you did so that it wasn’t directly over the bust to draw attention to it. But, I think it makes the shirt just not look right having it so high up and then all the empty shirt below. Proportions just seem off. Not saying to print over the bust though! I really don’t think there’s a great option that looks decent other than making it large enough so that it covers most of the front of the shirt.
With that said, I would be unlikely to buy it anyway. I don’t wear T-shirts (not flattering to me) and also the logo “Ruby Rebel” just doesn’t catch me.
Great idea Kelly. If the logo placement is odd, then maybe it could be up in the left cornerish area. Just not as big, and then carry the scripture on the back as you have shown. So far as cost $10-12 sounds good. Thanks for wantin to encourage others and help those *others* to know that they are not alone if we see each other with a Ruby Rebels t-shirt on!! 🙂
I like the grey or pink one.
The pink one as is, the grey one needs a feminine touch.
I like it! I like shirts with a v neck though. I would probably go for the pink or the grey. I love the idea of ruby rebels.
Although I read T-shirts that have print on them, I don’t wear them. I am big busted and t-shirts are just not flattering to the endowed ones. 🙂 I also don’t like the font you used. Not eye catching at all, although it’s pretty feminine.
What if you put everything on the back? The jewel, the logo and the verse? Maybe just the jewel on the front? Or the verse on the front and jewel and log on the back right in the middle? Just brainstorming with you. 🙂
I love the concept! I second the idea of maybe putting everything on the back, or having just the font on the front and the verse on the back. I love the font and the idea for the verses. Not crazy about the ruby emblem, it feels a little cartoonish. I’m a mom of 2 so that’s not something I gravitate towards, but that is just me. Regardless of the design you pick, I will most likely be getting one because I love the concept and supporting meaningful ventures like this! Ruby Rebel has a nice ring to it. 🙂
How about four different t-shirt colors to match the “seasons” that a woman’s natural colorings can be categorized as, Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter? (Google “Color Me Beautiful” to see the different palettes that look good with each season identification.) Maybe pick one color for each that also looks good with the ruby? Just a thought, as dressing in one’s best colors enhances one’s femininity, IMHO.
I see you have a lot of diverse comments. My personal taste and opinion…nothing on the back. My hair is a little past my shoulders and I think it would cover it. Also the people reading the back are ones you are walking away from possibly and they are less likely to chase you down to ask about it. Generally if it seems odd to someone is when they are most curious. I love the logo. I also agree with some others about the location in the front though. Not sure what the solution is. Could you branch farther and make bags, mugs, bumper stickers with your website or things like that which also could be tools for reaching out. I am not good at many suggestions but am thinking.
I personally don’t care for t-shirts, especially the plain style like this. What about the logo on a tote bag or stainless steel water bottle?
I like thse idea, but I don’t care for men’s style t-shirts…I second the idea of a tote bag or more feminine tshirt. Definitely a conversation starter though 🙂
I really like the idea, and I like the placement of the words so they are not right at bust line. I like the font too – makes it more feminine to me. I also wouldn’t have one in white though, little fingers leave prints! The ruby looks a little off to me – it’s almost centered but not quite, either I would have it somehow directly in the center, or more obviously off to one side so it doesn’t look misplaced or misprinted. Perhaps a little smaller with the ruby as well. I love the quote “She laughs at the time to come”, I would definitely wear that!
I love all the ideas above. I would love to buy it! I look for feminine things to provoke conversation and interest but the t-shirts we have in Australia are just covered and too blatant which turns me off. This is subtle but thought provoking.
PS. I absolutely love your blog and I look forward to reading each one. You have blessed me and my family so much. Thank you.
I guess I’m in the minority here, I liked that the placement was higher. However, I also liked one commenters suggestion of a ruby on the front pocket and all the words on the back. However, I must be honest, I can’t 100% say I’d buy it, but not because I don’t like it. I just don’t really buy t-shirts, I shop at thrift stores, yada yada yada. But I might be inclined to give a tote bag as a gift, or even a water bottle.
Great idea! I like the gray T-shirt best.
I can’t remember what they cost, but I’m wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt knit polo shirt with our church’s name, logo, and and motto on the upper-left hand corner of the shirt, above heart level, just below the collar. Mine is dark blue, with the name, etc., in white.
Maybe something like this would appeal to the women who don’t like T-shirts. For a T-shirt, though, it’s another suggestion for placement of the ruby and/or text.
Yes! I would buy it.
I’d like the ruby smaller and not crowding out the pretty font. Cute idea! I also don’t wear many t-shirts that aren’t the feminine cut.
I like the idea! I also second the other commenters who suggested a more feminine cut for the shirt and not white. I also think the ruby should be a bit smaller, it can still be off center, but I would move the font to the right a bit more. I have used this font for some of my word art creations and the big loops on the tops look nice. However, I think they can give the font an imbalanced look when the loops are at the end of the word. My eyes are drawn to the body of the letters, so it might look better to have that be the guide for centering the words as opposed to where the loops end, as the font would automatically place it if centered. My opinion anyway. : )
Also instead of putting the verse on the back of the shirt, you could put it in a complementary smaller font under the word “Rebel” using up some of the space to the right of the loop beside the “y” in “Ruby.” Might balance out the ruby being off centered to the left too.
Once you settle on a layout, I think a tote bag or mug is a nice idea too. More likely to last longer and a great gift idea.
I agree with the others who thought that it’s a great idea but that the design isn’t quite there yet. There is something odd/off about the front graphics (size, the ruby, the placement, etc.) bit I really like the back of the shirt a lot. I’m sure you’ll be able to tweak your design a bit to make it more appealing; I bet lots of women love a good t-shirt for casual wear.
I like the idea, but I don’t like wearing shirts with writing across the front. I like the idea of bags, water bottles, etc.
Loving all the feedback–thank you so much!
Love the idea, as in the past I have enjoyed wearing christian t shirts. But in the last few years I have personally started to think that t-shirts aren’t really all that feminine looking and I want to make sure I am feminine looking. I still wear t-shirts around home, especially long sleeved t-shirts in the spring and fall, love those, but I usually don’t wear t-shirts out and about. I have a few long sleeved t-shirts from Voice of the Martyrs and the logo on the front is larger and covers more of the entire front area and that I am okay with. There is also wording down the sleeve I think. I agree with what the other ladies have said regarding the writing right across the front-I usually try to avoid that nowadays as well as it draws the eye to that area. A cute purse or handbag with the logo would be something I would use, or a diaper bag, nursing cover, bracelets or other jewelry, …just trying to think of things I use out in public where I would want the message seen…keep sharing your ideas with us and I’m sure some of these creative ladies and you working together can come up with something really neat 🙂
I like the back with the Bible verse, but I do not like the Word rebel in the front. I think it would be more dignified it the front simply said “far above rubies”. That could créate expectation.
Hmmm…I am apparently in the minority here but I love me so tshirts…lol! Honestly the only reason I wouldn’t buy the ones in the photo is because they look too fitted for this had a baby six months ago looks like six hours ago mama. If it weren’t too expensive or fitted, I would definitely try to buy one.
….and that should be “love me soME tshirts” Oops
Great idea, Kelly!
Love it! I agree with the concern about the front placement, but I’m afraid that for a short sleeve there are very few options. Are you going to do a long-sleeve T at some point? You could put the logo down the sleeve.
And as for other products, I think that if this really takes off, there will be a whole line of items from which to choose, right?
Oh and yes, I’d buy one around the $10 range.
What I mean is that I’d get one for myself and my daughters apiece.
I would certainly love to wear this shirt on my morning runs, and evening workouts! It would provoke much conversation among women who, I think, would love to hear about an “alternative” lifestyle.
I agree, though, that it would be more consistent with the message if it were of a more feminine cut, maybe 2-3 different styles, as mentioned above. I love the “smiles at the future” verse… my children know me as the Mama who does that, thanks to the Lord’s kindness!
Great idea! Thank you for being willing to brainstorm with us. As a community of the King’s daughters, we ought to share these ideas (many advisors makes for success) in order to glorify our Father, the King.
Thank you Kelly!
Print ’em, print em! Love the idea! Love the pink!
Love them! I think the placement is great, because I hate having print across the bust.
Hi — I don’t really wear T-shirts either – except for working out…. Otherwise I like to only wear a high quality hiking style (like the horney toad, etc brands) tee with a more flattering fit / style: neckline and shoulders and shape and no logo or words
I often wear long sleeve Tees in winter for layering and would be more apt to buy long sleeve Tees that have a logo (north face)
I like the stainless steel water bottle idea best
Also — I like the translation that uses the word jewels intead of the word rubies (ESV translation). Ruby is my least favorite jewel….
I like your general idea, but not the current logo and picture….