The Doodles Online is a fashion store with a difference, the name should be a big clue as to exactly what TDO is all about, doodling and doodles. Stefanus (or Steve if you’re feeling lazy) has doodled all his life, this isn’t a brief affair with the scatterlogical arts, this is a committed marriage between his strangely beguiling subconscious and his talent for hand-eye co-ordination. The fact is Steve could be the nearest the t-shirt industry has to a ouija board, he plucked the character ‘Doodles’ from one of a plethora of scribblings he’s produced over the years. Steve wants his doodles to represent the fun and childlike side of each of us, whilst the darker character to his designs signify something of the problems in our society today. But I’m sure he’d just say he’d having fun – perhaps the best description for the central character Doodles I can offer, is a hybrid mutation between Edward Scissorhands and Dennis The Menace.

I am as usual reading too much into it all I know, but it’s rather a niche market, the happy emo, the smiling goth, but to be honest it’s a rather refreshing approach to t-shirt art, following the adventures of a single character, cheerfully strolling around the outer perimeter of misery. It might just catch on, I’ll let you decide for yourselves…

The site is designed in Flash so it looks pretty but there’s no chance of linking to products, still you should have fun roaming around www.thedoodlesonline.com.

Music Tee

“If music be the food of love – play on”. Yes I’m forcing a little ‘culture’ on you there, I can’t stand most of Shakespeare but this particular quote seems to fit in well with the Music t-shirt. This tee relies on strong composition, features several skulls which crop up just about everywhere in Stefanus’ designs, and centre stage in front of what I presume is a band from beyond the grave is the central character Doodle. There are a few details I appreciate in this one, the fact that he’s conducting with his back turned to the band is cool, it’s nice to see that Doodle has a bad attitude after all, and the melting black and white Mod Target is very fetching. Available in light blue, sizes M to XXL, and ships almost anywhere in the world.

Done With Agony Tee

This tee, Done With Agony, feels more like ‘Emo in the Hood’. The misery of life can probably be pared down to attempts and failures, I read recently that depression will be the number 1 disease in the world in the next decade or two. The majority of those depressed have money troubles, but I can imagine if one delved deeper into the facts one would find that it’s more about disappointment than depression. Life is full of promise, but with so many competing for so little these days, a lot will feel let down. Others might even take the law into their own hands, gang culture being one example. Still if we had everything we wanted handed on a plate we wouldn’t build character, as the saying goes, “what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger”. Which is nonsense of course, but still it encourages those who lose out to try and try again. Asides the usual skulls there’s a gun, a speeding road, and a general feeling of chaos about this design. A smattering of Grand Theft Auto for the moody and thoughtful. A strange creation, this t-shirt is available for $19 in grey, sizes M to XXL, and ships most places in the world.

Evil Chair Tee

I have an evil chair, it’s downstairs, and I’m telling you it’s freaky. It’s just an old plastic chair in my under-construction print studio, and however much I like to have a sit down now and again, it’s rather unsettling. Just one hour ago I saw one of our cats sitting on it, she suddenly bolted up in the air and hissed at absolutely nothing, god knows why, probably another ghost. Our house did used to be a mortuary for the local nunnery, it even has a secret tunnel somewhere. Perhaps it’s not the chair after all :/ Still I really like this t-shirt, the prying eyes, the cats, the vague disposition, good stuff. Get the Evil Chair tee for $19 in black, sizes M to XXL, and ships most places in the world.

Angel Tee

Last but not least, the Angel Tee, a strong piece, reminds me a little of Teen Titans, a DC Comics spinoff TV series, but with a little more emotional clout. I like the stance and the blood red moon (I’m guessing), still nonchalent to the end Doodles could fly anywhere he wants, but what’s the point? Lol. I remember being this moody, don’t get me wrong I still am, but way back in my teens nothing raised a smile on my face. Still this t-shirt might just do the trick for today’s goths, emos and general moody characters who want that ultimate balance of cool and funny. We will see. Get your Angel tee for $19 in black, sizes M to XXL, and ships to just about anywhere in the world.

If you’re emotionally complex, need a laugh whilst remaining essentially philosophical about the world, or just love black but want to look cute, you’re well advised to follow the adventures of Doodles at www.thedoodlesonline.com.