The unisex 3/4 sleeve baseball tee makes it an ideal printing surface because the sleeves act as a frame. So, whichever design the shirt has appears better than ever. Depending on the color, these shirts can be a blend of cotton, polyester, and rayon. The collar is ribbed knitting for improved durability. The sides have seams to provide structural support.
.: 52% airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester (fiber content may vary for different colors)
.: Extra light fabric (3.6 oz/yd² (122 g/m²))
.: Modern fit
.: Runs smaller than usual
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width, in | 17.64 | 19.61 | 21.61 | 23.62 | 25.63 |
| Length, in | 27.13 | 28.11 | 29.13 | 30.12 | 31.14 |
| Sleeve length, in | 23.70 | 24.45 | 25.20 | 25.94 | 26.69 |
There’s something deeply ironic about standing in a brightly lit room filled with racks of inspirational shirts and realizing you’re having a motivational crisis. That’s where I found myself, clutching a long-sleeve shirt emblazoned with the words: “Always Give 100%, Unless You Are Donating Blood.”
The shopkeeper, whose name tag read Leo, grinned. “We call it ‘inspirational honesty.’ The designer made it after failing miserably at a half-marathon. They said they felt like a fraud trying to give 100% in everything when their body was screaming, ‘Give me a break.’ This was their way of saying, ‘It’s okay to pace yourself—just don’t stop moving forward.’”
The sentiment struck a chord. The truth was, I’d been feeling the pressure to perform perfectly in every area of my life: work, relationships, fitness, you name it. But this shirt wasn’t just clothing—it was permission to breathe, laugh, and let myself be human.
Leo had mentioned there was a local blood drive happening a few blocks away—part of the shop’s partnership with community causes. “Wear it there,” Leo had joked. “Make people smile while they save lives.”
So, I did. Armed with my new shirt and a sense of adventure, I made my way to the blood drive. As I sat down and the nurse prepped my arm, the reality of what I was doing hit me. Needles aren’t exactly my favorite thing.
When the needle was in, the process was easier than I’d imagined. As I stared down at my shirt, the words “Always Give 100%, Unless You Are Donating Blood” felt less like a clever punchline and more like a mantra. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about showing up, doing what you can, and knowing that even small efforts can have a big impact.
Later, sipping a juice box and nibbling on a cookie, I noticed a few people pointing at my shirt and smiling. One woman leaned over and said, “I love your shirt. My daughter would think that’s hilarious.”
“Thanks,” I said. “It’s a reminder for all of us, I think.”
Walking home, the weight of my earlier motivational crisis seemed almost laughable. Life doesn’t demand perfection — it asks only for individual authenticity. Whether it’s showing up to donate blood, supporting a local business, or just sharing a smile with someone who needs it, what matters is that we give what we can, when we can.
That’s the beauty of Inspirational Threads, the brand behind the shirt. They don’t just sell clothing—they stitch motivation, humor, and humanity into every piece. A reminder to embrace imperfections, find joy in the little things, and keep giving—whether it’s 100%, 50%, or a pint of blood.
As I slipped the shirt over my head that evening, I couldn’t help but grin. The fabric was soft, yes—but the message? Thank you for this wonderful experience.
