Ah, the ole’ metal t-shirt – every metalhead’s staple wardrobe item. I confess to owning two-and-a-half drawers full of the suckers, and my husband isn’t much better.

One problem with being a female metalhead – t-shirt designers forget you exist. Sure, some bigger bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica and Slayer carry girl’s shirts in their concert merchandise, but the designs are never as epic as the guys ones, and they never have back patches, which I love. In contrast, men’s metal shirt are rugged, robust, totally krieg, and never, ever in my size.

What’s an Iron Maiden to do?

Well, ladies, we don’t have to bemoan the lack of ill-fitting t-shirts. Help is at hand!

Make your t-shirts more flattering with a little alteration. Simply unpicking the side seams (if they have side seams) and re-sewing can drastically altar the fit of a t-shirt.My other favorite technique is to find old, fitted tees at second-hand shops, cut out the designs on your metal tees, and sew them on.

You can use scrap fabrics, lace, ribbons, bows and patches to totally personalize your new shirt.Several Threadbanger episodes feature clever projects from oversized t-shirts. With a name as kreig as Threadbanger, you know they’ve got good stuff.’99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim and Tie Your T-shirt into Something Special‘ is a spiral-bound instruction booklet by four crafty chicks. It will be your saviour if you want to start altering t-shirts. Most of the projects require a sewing machine or a LOT of patience with a needle and thread.For even more out-there designs, transcending the <> of the t-shirt, read ‘Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt‘ by Megan Nicolay.The Livejournal group t-shirt surgary offers some excellent inspiration pics and tutorials.For a quick-fix, scrunch and fold a section of t-shirt on your back or your hip, and fasten in place with a pin. You’ve instantly made your t-shirt a more flattering shape. Cover the surgary with a black cardigan or – with the right folding – wear your pin out as a rad accessory!For a winter t-shirt look, wear close-fitting long sleeved shirts or jumpers underneath. I love wearing a fitted red shirt with the collar turned out. It instantly adds a detail to the neck and makes the t-shirt look ‘nicer’.


Megadeth shirt clipped at the back with a broach

Wear waist-cincher belts and corsets over large men’s tees. Tres sexy!

Sometimes, a short overall dress and ballet flats can look adorable paired with the right band shirt. Think school girl charm meets bad ass babe.



I'm wearing CDH's Iron Maiden 'Matter of Life and Death' tour shirt, cheap supre sparkle belt, blue leggings from Farmers, and skull wrist cuff from a friend



Iron Maiden shirt with belt. I love this look!

Wear a sheer blouse over your t-shirt with most of the buttons undone. Add a cute vest or braces to really dress up a shirt. I’m a big fan of vests because they allow most of the design to show through while giving you that gorgeous shape only a vest can provide.



A snazzy vest over a blind guardian shirt (pinstripe vest from Shanton)

Skinny jeans and a cropped jacket give a hipster look – what about capri pants for a summer look? When wearing t-shirts with tight bottoms, use t-shirts that end on the lower half of your hip. Trust me on this. Team with clean makeup, a nice hairstyle, a pretty necklace, nice heels and a belt slung around your waist, and

Leggings are a big look this season. I adore the ladies on Stockholm Style and Hel Looks wearing their t-shirts in multi layers over a mini-skirt or short shorts and leggings. I love how the skirt or shorts takes the pressure off having visible panty lines or a wobbly bottom. A kick-ass pair of boots completes this scandinavian hottie look.

Add two rows of vertical holes down the back of a shirt and punch eyelets into these holes. Thread a ribbon through and pull tight. Voila – instant t-shirt corset!

I’m digging t-shirts tucked into high-waisted pencil skirts, made of denim or other vintage materials. I especially love skirts with big bras buttons or zip detailing on the front. Team with a pair of vintage heels, a pin up hair-style and some bangles and you’re every bogan boy’s wet dream.

For some cool altered t-shirt ideas, check out these Etsy shops:
ToxicVision
MeowKiki

Super Snuggles and Shoggoth Kisses
Steff