Podcast Summary

The Bert Show – Vault: Your Favorite T-Shirts Are Making A Return
Release Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Bert and Bert Show cast
Podcast Network: Pionaire Podcasting

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show dives deep into nostalgia as the hosts and listeners share hilarious, heartwarming, and sometimes cringeworthy stories about the iconic concert tour T-shirts they've kept over the years. Spurred by the news of a Santa Monica company (Trunk Ltd.) reissuing classic band tees from the '60s to the '80s, the team opens the phone lines to reminisce about their own T-shirt treasures, with a parade of listeners joining in. The conversation is casual, playful, and peppered with colorful memories, giving everyone a much-needed break from the daily grind.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Retro T-Shirt Revival

[01:05 – 01:50]

• Host's Take: Fashion trends are truly cyclical—old concert T-shirts are back in style. Trunk Ltd. has acquired licenses for bands like The Beatles, Madonna, The Doors, Bruce Springsteen, and more to reissue some of the most iconic tees.
• Price Points: Most T-shirts range from $75 to $200, but can go as high as $300.
• Where to Buy: Available at high-end stores (Barney's, Fred Siegel, Ron Herman) and online (trunkltd.com).

“What is old is new again… Now a fashion company in Santa Monica called Trunk Ltd. may be able to replace some of those classic tees that you might have, you know, bleached or... shouldn't still have, I don't think.”
– Radio Host 1 (01:05)

2. T-Shirt Confessions: Listeners and Hosts Share Their Keepsakes

[01:50 – 05:59]

Hosts’ Memories

• Debbie Gibson's “Electric Youth” T-shirt: Major source of school pride for one host. “I really wish I still had my Debbie Gibson Electric Youth T shirt because I wore that to school. So proud. The next day.” – Radio Host 1 (02:05)
• Tina Turner’s Private Dancer Tour Tee: Sentimental high school memory.
• Hootie & the Blowfish, Foreigner: Other bands whose tees made lasting impressions.

Listener Stories

• New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) 1988 Tour Tee:
  Caller Jennifer/Melissa/Deanna shares:
  “I think it was 88. It was my very first concert. I just won’t give it up yet.” (02:33)

• Poison & Def Leppard Joint Tour:
  “I've got Poison and Def Leppard when they tour together... And you still have the T shirt? I sure do.” – Caller (03:05 – 03:12)

  • Bonus DIY: She ripped and fringed the sleeves, making it a classic of the era.

• Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth Again:
  “I still wear it. It doesn't even fit. It's ridiculous. It looks like one of those little teeny bopper shirts. But you know, hey, you don't care.” – Melissa (03:38)

  • Hosts admit jealousy over lost tees.

• Gender Stereotypes:
  The hosts admit surprise at how many women, not just men, treasure their old concert tees:
  “I thought this was more a guy thing than a woman thing... I still got my Skinner T shirt, man.” – Radio Host 2 (03:54)

• Foreigner, Front Row at 14:
  Host reminisces about sitting front row at a Foreigner concert.
  “I was so proud. When I was 14, I sat front row for Foreigner. Anybody remember Foreigner?” – Radio Host 1 (04:04)

• Kiss Memorabilia:
  Caller Deanna talks about her husband’s Kiss concert jacket from age 8.
  “My husband insists upon keeping his jacket from this Kiss concert he went to when he was 8 years old.” – Deanna (04:42)

  • The hosts recall being in the “Kiss Army” and the infamous “Love Gun” merch.

• Van Halen 1980 Invasion Tee:
  “I have Van Halen's 1980 Invasion T shirt...” – Caller Kelly (05:20)

  • Spirals into a debate (playful) about the best Van Halen lead singer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Attachment to Old Tees:
  “It was special, so I had to hold on to it.” – Caller about her New Kids on the Block shirt (02:48)

• On Tour Shirt Alterations:
  “Did you rip out and fringe the sleeves?... Yes. In the top and the bottom.” – Radio Host 1 & caller (03:14 – 03:18)

• Nostalgia and Embarrassment:
  “It doesn't even fit. It's ridiculous... But, you know, hey, you don't care.” – Melissa, on still wearing her 1987-88 Debbie Gibson tee (03:38)

• Band-Specific Banter:
  “There’s no way that you can ever convince me that Van Halen was a better band with Sammy Hager than they were with David Lee Roth. But now David Lee Roth these days is just... That's a sad scene to see. Oh, yeah, it is sad.” – Hosts debate, with good-natured roast (05:24 – 05:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:05 – 01:50: Reissue of classic concert T-shirts (Trunk Ltd.) and where to buy
• 01:50 – 02:24: Hosts discuss their favorite T-shirts from school days
• 02:24 – 04:50: Listeners call in to share which tour T-shirts they’ve kept and why
• 04:50 – 05:59: More band nostalgia—Van Halen, Kiss; hosts announce how to find the new T-shirt site via their own web link

Conclusion/Tone

The episode channels infectious enthusiasm, a sense of shared history, and plenty of good-natured ribbing about fashion choices and musical tastes. The hosts create a welcoming community for listeners to indulge their nostalgia and celebrate the emotional power of a simple band T-shirt. With stories ranging from sweet to silly, anyone tuning in can’t help but relive their own concert memories.

“Get used to those old T shirts. Cause… Trunk Limited is now reissuing all those old T shirts. So you'll see celebrities with these T shirts… and they're selling them in New York and online. So get used to it. You're gonna get them again.”
– Radio Host 1 (05:42)

For more info, links, and updates, listeners are directed to the show’s website.