Illinois mom creates positive, encouraging T-shirts for kids

Illinois mom creates positive, encouraging T-shirts for kids

(The Talking Shirt)


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MOKENA, Illinois — Tired of the negative and condescending tones of messages on her daughters' T-shirts, an Illinois mother decided to create her own kid clothing line.

Rachel McCurdy came up with the idea in 2013 after going to her favorite department store to shop for her two young daughters.

"We went to pick up some summer play clothes for our girls," McCurdy said on her website. "We returned empty handed. Not even one T-shirt in the entire store did I deem appropriate for my girls to wear. They were all crude, rude and ugly. That's when I had my lightbulb moment."

McCurdy decided to come up with positive and encouraging phrases and create her own clothing line with the help of her graphic designer husband.

"I think it took us at least two hours to agree on a simple design," she said. "The tee was a play on the word 'beautiful' and it simply said 'BeYOUtiful.'" I knew this big idea was the big idea. I just had a feeling."

Photo Credit: The Talking Shirt
Photo Credit: The Talking Shirt

McCurdy launched her company, The Talking Shirt, and sold 1,250 "BeYOUtiful" T-shirts in just 36 hours. There are now a variety of shirts with positive messages like, "Choose Happy," "Where There is Kindness, There is Goodness," and "Kindness is Always in Style."

Along with inspirational messages, McCurdy also included a line of Christian-themed T-shirts. The shirts are available online and McCurdy is opening her first store Saturday.

McMurdy is not the only mother to be discouraged by negative messages on clothing. An Orem woman made headlines in 2014 after she purchased almost $600 worth of T-shirts she thought were indecent. Judy Cox purchased the shirts to get them off display and received national support.

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