Future of WISH Shirts - Everyone Needed

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Yes, but their lime and the lime we have used are not teh same. Have not found any other wickign or tech material that is teh ANSI (Sefty stanadard) Lime. eye2eye is likely our best shot with that.

Actually, the Brooks Nightlife is pretty close, but I don't know how we'd go about getting our logo printed on their shirt.

 

[wtpclc]

Very true. That line is also very pricey, though, adn if we had to order adn tehn get to a printer, that's a lot of effort.

I like teh idea of haviing an eye2eye option like the original shirt. I don't know why they can't just print the solid lime anwith black lettering, but I haev not been the one dealing with them. The sizes are much more accomodating. Don't know if that would appeal to the people who want teh mroe complex design, though.

If we coudl get the original logo adn color as an eye3eye option, is there somethign that Race Ready offers that eye2eye does not? (I so don't want to make your worlkd harder Mel, but right now that seems liek a great option. Very long day, though, and I may be missing something huge.)

 

[chimera]

For historical reference, this was the first WISH shirt. The group from 2005 can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they had team shirts.

Bill did a great job of summing up the history. I can add the reasons we made the changes we did from 2006 to 2007.

1. We took out the year off the front so the shirts would be timeless.
2. We took WDW marathon weekend and the date off the back so the shirts could be worn at other events since the team was expanding and doing other races.
3. We added the stars to the WISH logo and added the actual meaning to try to make the point that WISH stood for We're Inspired to Stay Healthy and not the Make a Wish Foundation (a most worthy organization for which we're still often mistaken...if we can fix that in the next design it would be great)
4. Lynne found the back slogan at one of her triathlon events (only I think it was DFL>DNF>>DNS and the first F stood for something less Disney-like ). We made it our own and I would venture to say that's what we're now most associated with when we appear en masse at any event. As I mentioned in the other thread, it took a lot of tweaking to get it where it is today and was completely a team effort.

 

[Sandy321]

I was considering mailing a piece of my original WISH shirt to eye2eye to have them match the color...

and as been stated asking for the original shirt design on the matching color - but on a shirt that is race material...

because Im not a runner, I didnt have a problem with the original WISH shirt during the half - but I trained with it during the heat of the Chicago summer, as in what else did I know!! (and I'm also 5'11" so the length of the shirt works for me, but I would like a woman's style)

 

[smileyk8]

the idea of having two versions by eyetoeye seems like a really good one. That way everyone could have a wish shirt, in the same colour and with a lot of the same key features- but some could chose extra graphics.

If a lot of people are on the list to buy the original and race ready is there any reason why they would chose these over eye to eye ones? Something diff material wise or anything? I'm new to the whole sports gear stuff so please bear with me

 

[getnthinr]

I agree that I hope this isn’t a topic that ends up hurting feelings or causing too much debate. I really hope we don’t lose sight of the foundations of this team, and the respect and encouragement that has caused us to grow so large. If I had to choose between having 87 different shirt types and causing disunity and turmoil within this great team, I’d say bring on the 87 different shirts!

Having said that, my own opinion is that it would be great to have one team shirt. I know this may not be possible for all the reasons listed throughout the thread, but how many other “teams” on the race course have 4 or 5 different color/design/types of race shirts? I know there are variations, but the central logo and general theme basically remain the same for most teams. I have been told by many, many other non-WISHers that our teams really has a great presence at Disney for the races, and I think if we had 3 or 4 different designs and colors, this may not be the case.

I’m actually going to order another WISH shirt this year, but I was really hoping it would be the “official” team shirt, whatever that ends up being. I’m not picky, and even if I don’t like the shirt we choose, I’ll get one anyway because it represents everything that is great about our team (I mean hey, who REALLY looks good in lime green anyway??).

Steve

What he said.

I ordered the men's trail version of the RR shirt because I can't wear women's sizes (I'd love to say "yet" but at 51, I'm losing faith that I will ever be in a normal women's size). Frankly, I love the glo-in-the-dark original shirts (but they can be hot) and have so many that I'm not ordering any more right now. I will probably order the eye2eye shirt as well. So, it's not the design of the shirt so much -- it's just enjoying being part of the team. And I have gotten soooooo many compliments/comments on my WISHwear (Everyone loves that slogan -- it encourages them and they encourage me!) that I'd buy anything you threw at me. Having said that if eye2eye could make a shirt with the original WISH design in a lightweight fabric that anyone could order anytime they wanted, I'd think that would be ideal -- a lightweight shirt in lime green that gives us all a team look. I just loved being able to see the screamteamers in a crowd and know it was "us WISHers" in an instant. But again, I'll buy/wear anything -- and be very proud to be part of this WONDERFUL group.

Thanks for all the hard work from everyone!!!!!!!!

 

[hoosmi]

Sounds silly, but I really wish we could see the completed shirts together in real life. It may be with the WISH graphics and bright colors, they look similar enough that we look like a team and can find each other. Seriously, I cannot express how happy I was to see WISHers during the full. Also, I always hear someone reading my shirt out loud during my races and saying things like "that's right!" If I can spot WISHers in all the shirt choices and I can read the message, I'm good. And certainly, I want everyone to be able to have the option of finding a WISH shirt that they like. I'll get whatever the majority wants...

Just to throw it out there- I actually kind of like my original tanks. I didn't think they were too hot. Once you get past the color, my most flattering race pictures are in WISH shirts- crazy, I know.

Oh, and what Steve and Wendy said!

Jen in GA

 

[chimera]

Carrie, thanks for starting this thread. I think a team 'meeting' re: the shirts was a fab idea!

The tech shirt idea originally came up last year, after the 2007 marathon weekend was so hot. It didn't go anywhere at that time, but after another warm weekend this year, I wanted to explore the option further. We now have folks down here in May, Oct and Jan for various races and it's hot. Oh...and humid...really really humid. My apologies to the team for dragging us into such an emotional issue.

And my extreme apologies to those of you who have felt alienated by the RR shirt options. The purpose of the WISH team is to accept everyone, regardless of size, ability or pace and I feel badly that I didn't recognize this when RR was unable to provide sizes larger than XXL.

I have orders for 81 RR shirts and I haven't collected anything posted since Bill Floyd's so I would venture to say we're in the 85 to 90 range. I really think we need a lighter weight option. Finding that has not been easy. I went through tons of suppliers online (including that Brooks line) but it's really hard to find anyone that makes a lime shirt (and no one else that does ANSI lime). I think we can get by with a lighter shade of lime but need to preserve the WISH team slogan as much as possible. I don't think RR offers anything that eye2eye doesn't. Part of the time issue was that RR was willing to cut a particular style of shirt in lime just for us...and that was to be done in the next couple weeks so we needed to get orders in time for that. I would be pleased if eye2eye can help us, though it took them 8 days to turn around the original proposal (their website promises 24 hours) and only after I nagged with an additional email. I think it would be great if we could have orders year round so that new folks can get a shirt as they join instead of waiting for us to place orders. My only other concern with eye2eye is since this is a printed design rather than actual thread color, what's the longevity of the design though if we continue with a simple two color design, this may not be an issue.

I think it would be really cool if eye2eye can do a version of our original shirt (maybe with some design tweaks, particularly since they do a sleeve design) that would be appropriate for the entire team and if there's a subset of the team that wants something more Disney or more bold, it's available.

 

[ms.mightyduck]

Mel-

I agree that having shirts that accept everyone, regardless of size, is important. As I have mentioned, I'm short and fairly thin, but due to issues I won't explain here I don't wear crew neck t-shirts, especially not ones that are close-fitting. The fact that RR was willing to cut those women's v-necks means a lot to me.

I do have concerns that eye2eye took so long to get back to us, and I have reservations about how the shirts will wash. I also think that, while the design chosen for the eye2eye shirt is amazing, it is not something I would be comfortable wearing, especially if I'm in races outside of WDW. And it would certainly make me sad if Disney made them pull the shirt and I didn't have one for the race in May.

If the eye2eye shirts are essentially lime green and the same logo in black, then I think it's fine. Let's keep in mind that "third jerseys" exist to sell more merchandise and appeal to more people in pro sports, and I think I can get behind that here.

 

[deekaypee]

Wow, this thread has moved fast today! I might as well throw in my two cents as well. Having been around since early 2005, I have seen the history of our shirt for a little while. I still have and wear my 2006 WISH shirt that has no logo on the back.

I agree that I hope this isn’t a topic that ends up hurting feelings or causing too much debate. I really hope we don’t lose sight of the foundations of this team, and the respect and encouragement that has caused us to grow so large. If I had to choose between having 87 different shirt types and causing disunity and turmoil within this great team, I’d say bring on the 87 different shirts!

Having said that, my own opinion is that it would be great to have one team shirt. I know this may not be possible for all the reasons listed throughout the thread, but how many other “teams” on the race course have 4 or 5 different color/design/types of race shirts? I know there are variations, but the central logo and general theme basically remain the same for most teams. I have been told by many, many other non-WISHers that our teams really has a great presence at Disney for the races, and I think if we had 3 or 4 different designs and colors, this may not be the case.

I’m actually going to order another WISH shirt this year, but I was really hoping it would be the “official” team shirt, whatever that ends up being. I’m not picky, and even if I don’t like the shirt we choose, I’ll get one anyway because it represents everything that is great about our team (I mean hey, who REALLY looks good in lime green anyway??).

Steve

What Steve said, much more eloquently than I can.

I guess what's important to me is as follows:

1) Respect and inclusivity for all team members. I think we *already* respect one another, and this discussion shows it. To me, inclusivity means shirts in a variety of fabrics, sizes, and cuts. To that end, any options that allow as many people as would like to, to buy shirts that express their membership in WISH as well as options that don't require people to buy an entire new WISH wardrobe to fit in or keep up. (Vintage WISH goods, whoo hoo!) It made me sad to see Bill put team in "scare quotes."

2) Maintaining the message and its spirit. The W.I.S.H. logo and DLF>DNF>DNS has become more than the team motto for me, more than a training mantra. Oddly enough, over the past year it's become an important part of my identity--who I think I am/who I am becoming. I wear the shirt because I'm proud of that identity and because I think that message is important for non-WISHers to see. That message is what hooked me, was the one thing I heard again and again at the race, and unites us all.

3) Maintaining our presence at races. I'd like to see some consistency--probably with the logo & abbreviations--not only so that we can locate each other but for non-WISHer racers and spectators to see. It might also be nice to have some consistency in color (or limited colors); what color isn't a deal breaker for me. In fact, the brighter the color the more attention is drawn away from my bright-red, haggard-looking face! As for background designs, I'm easy (hmm, there's a potential pitfall in me using that phrase...just can't see it at the moment).

Anyway, I just wanted to reiterate that I hope this doesn't become a divisive discussion. I really appreciate all the work and care that have gone into making the WISH team what it is, both with regards to the shirts and beyond. It's that generosity of time, information, and spirit that I value about WISH and why I'm here.

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

Mel- You should not feel bad for finding another option for people to go with. As someone who has had both the 2006 and 2007 AlertShirts I never trained in them and never wore them to races. That is why even though I was running with Jeff, who was wearing the shirt, I still got missed. I was wearing the Hat but that does not stand out as well.

To the Team and Carrie- Let everyone chose for themselves what shirt they want. Eyetoeye you can order as little as 1 at anytime. Alertshirt and Raceready we do not have that Luxury. Raceready is going to specially cut the shirts for us in sizes that some of our smaller teammates can wear. Alertshirt has the sizes that fit most of our team members. I hate to see this thread tearing the team apart. We have good options to chose from and to be honest that is all that really matters.

The Eyetoeye order makes me a little leary, the took two weeks to get back to the team. Raceready it was days not weeks. I am not saying that they are a bad company to go with but first impressions are the worst to get over.

Let people decide what shirt to buy for themselves.

 

[windwalker]

My personal opinion is the original "classic" WISH Team shirts are going to be on my back when I race. That shirt is magic, it's made with Pixey dust. If we can't get them from the current company in large enouth sizes we just need to find a company that sells the larger sizes.

I don't think the shirt is Disney specific at all, "it's my racing team" specific. I proudly wore it at every race I did last year from the Flying Pig half, to the National Senior Olympics to the Disney Goofy.

It's fine to have other apparel with the WISH stuff but when I toe the starting line the classic florecent safety day glow yellow green shirt will be proudly showing.

When I'm doing those half and full marathons and I spot another Classic WISH shirt, it gives me a lift, I know I'm part of something wonderfull and powerful. When I see a WISH shirt up ahead it gives me a goal to catch up with a team mate. I won't be looking for stripes and other colors I'll be watching for a WISH brother or sister to share the day with.

My humble opinion Panda

 

[DianeL]

I like the solid color with the same front/back. I think having a similar color is very important. If it's not an exact match but lime to lemon, lemon to lime the important thing is as long as we can see each other and that the supporters can spot the racers easily from a distance is important.

I do agree with the need for a lighter weight option and it seems that is why we are looking at an alternative to our original style. Not to change up who we are as a team but to find something lighter to wear since the last 2 marathon weekends have been so hot.

I do like what i'm hearing about eye2eye and new people being able to order and not wait. That they are light and a good selection in sizes. It's sad they didn't get back to us right away causing Mel to look into someone else . But perhaps they have gotten a lot of feedback from those marathon weekend shirts. I'm not comfortable with using Disney logos and would be happier if we stayed with our original saying front and back.

The important thing I feel is that the color be uniform or as close as we can get it since we are looking at another company so that we find each other in the races and that those cheering/supporting can pick us out of thousand. Bright works. It looks horrid on me but everyone spotted me. My friend Cathy wore pink and Mom and Ray really had to keep their eyes open watching for her. Ray even missed her at Mile 8 but never had a problem locating me.

Oh and for what it's worth, I have this straight from Tarzan on our shirt.... he said and I quote "I could pick your shirt out of the jungle"

Bright. Simple. It works. Thanks to everyone for their hard work on this!!!

 

[Sandy321]

I just want to fit in.

I just want to be a Princess.

I just want to be accepted as me.

90 shirts for RR??!! I want to order one, NOW - even if its a man's shirt...

eye2eye got back to me the same day I emailed them with a question on shipping cost - I had no idea it took weeks for y'all to get an answer... what does this mean?

I hate that there are 2 colors for hats
2 colors for shirts.
3 colors, or 3 companies
hurt feelings
emotional postings...
tornadoes in the south,
primary elections..
below zero predictions..


CALGON - take me away -

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Help, I'm lost... I didn't know we had 3 designs going.

I have a full slate of the the original shirts: 2 t-shirts, 2 tank tops, 2 long sleeve shirts, and a sleeveless. I even have a full complement of scream team shirts, and even enough extra that I was able to give on to my Dad when he came to watch me for the Marine Corps Marathon.

I was considering getting a RaceReady shirt just to have a new tank, but I really don't know what's going on with the shirt orders now.

I have to say I'm getting overwhelmed with the discussion.

 

[windwalker]

I just want to fit in.

I just want to be a Princess.

I just want to be accepted as me.

90 shirts for RR??!! I want to order one, NOW - even if its a man's shirt...

eye2eye got back to me the same day I emailed them with a question on shipping cost - I had no idea it took weeks for y'all to get an answer... what does this mean?

I hate that there are 2 colors for hats
2 colors for shirts.
3 colors, or 3 companies
hurt feelings
emotional postings...
tornadoes in the south,
primary elections..
below zero predictions..


CALGON - take me away -

You are a pretty WISH princess darlin, don't ever think for one second you are not.

I had another thought last night, I took thinking about this thread to bed with me last night. We are known at a lot of races by our positive attitudes and our bright day glow shirts. If we had bunches of different colors it just wouldn't be the same. Hey even John "the penguin" Bingham knows the WISH team.


WISH Panda

 

[DianeL]

Sandy321!!!! I too hate the lower than zero predictions!

Like Dave I took the thread to bed last night too and frankly with DH there just isn't enough room! My bed isn't big enough! About the only good thing was that my dream included having lunch in the MK i think in Columbia house and I was wearing my BRIGHT shirt and up comes a yell and I look over a railing to find a group of BRIGHT Wish shirts walking by waving at us. LOL Jenn, Wendy and other ladies you should have come up and joined us for lunch! LMBO Your all welcome in my Disney dreams (dining even better! we'll get the sink next time lol)

Sandy321? Hand over the box of Calgon when your done, I just caught the weather for today and tomorrow.

 

[Big Vic]

I have a pretty fair collecton of "classic" WISH shirts (wicking). They are a little heavy, but given the amount of girth I carry around anyways, that isn't an issue with me. I like the color as it really stands out. I know our scream teamers, runners, and walkers were very easy to spot during the marathon.

I'm a little large for an RR shirt, but I think it's important that our teammates have the option to purchase a racing shirt cut to fit them.

I like the eye2eye deal, and the current design on the table appeals to me. If it's approved, I'll definitetly get one.

Having said that, here's my .02.

1. Shirt color should be kept as close to lime green as possible.
2. The WISH motto can not be compromised.
3. All designs (shirts, hats, etc.) should be voted on and approved by the team.
4. Having options are important.

JMHO

 

[lenshanem]

I have a pretty fair collecton of "classic" WISH shirts (wicking). They are a little heavy, but given the amount of girth I carry around anyways, that isn't an issue with me. I like the color as it really stands out. I know our scream teamers, runners, and walkers were very easy to spot during the marathon.

I'm a little large for an RR shirt, but I think it's important that our teammates have the option to purchase a racing shirt cut to fit them.

I like the eye2eye deal, and the current design on the table appeals to me. If it's approved, I'll definitetly get one.

Having said that, here's my .02.

1. Shirt color should be kept as close to lime green as possible.
2. The WISH motto can not be compromised.
3. All designs (shirts, hats, etc.) should be voted on and approved by the team.
4. Having options are important.

JMHO

I'm now thinking we need to keep the original design because that is what people have come to know the team by, right? We change the design and we might not be as recognizable as before. Slight differences in shades of color I don't think will be noticed. As far as the three different companies, why not keep them all? Can eye2eye do the original design? That way if someone wants a certain size or style they can order themselves thru eye2eye w/o having to wait for a group order. Plus, if someone new comes in they can order a shirt even if they missed an order. I personally was excited about Race Ready. My other WISH shirt is literally a dress on me. The Race Ready look like they are cut shorter. I couldn't wear my WISH shirt at RFTT and wore my yellow WISH hat instead. I'm gonna go ahead and order the lime hat cause I think lime is the color WISH is known for. I think the eye2eye castle shirts are neat (DH thought so, too.), but maybe we're getting too far from the WISH logo that has been pretty much established. I think a poll is a good idea. I'm very sorry there are hurt feelings on this...

 

[CarolA]

I thought about this last night too... and despite saying I wasn't going to post again, one thing did really hit me.

One of the key points on this thread was the "team" point. IMHO the addition of the graphics to the Eye2Eye shirt means that everyone who has a current shirt either has to (a) buy a new one even if they don't want it or can't afford it or (b) feel like an "non team" member if this is the "official" shirt.

Since I really wanted a shirt for the Minnie I found a compromise last night. I went to a local store looking for a Valentines gift. They had a "limelight" New Balance short sleeve on sale. So I now own it. Maybe I will go to Cafepress and buy a button to stick on me someplace!


I asked this on the other thread, but has anyone had any prior experience with Eye2Eye? Thier website did not make me feel real secure about giving them large quantities of cash.....