Puttin' Lipstick on a Pig 🐷💄

The Story Behind Lipstick Pig:
A Family Joke, Reclaimed with Rebellious Joy 

 

 

 

So, what’s the deal with the Lipstick Pig? 

For Alex, one of the co-founders of Nettle Studios, the phrase "putting lipstick on a pig" isn’t just some random saying. It’s a phrase her dad used throughout her childhood—a funny, lighthearted joke that stuck with her. Growing up, Alex's dad worked in the auto body industry, where he’d often get requests to paint flames, racing stripes, and all sorts of “cool” designs on cars that were, well, pretty rundown. Whenever those requests came in, he’d chuckle and say, “It’s like putting lipstick on a pig.” Over time, it became a family joke, a playful reminder that sometimes things don’t have to be perfect to be fun.

 

Fast forward to today, and that phrase has taken on a whole new life in our Lipstick Pig T-Shirts. What started as a lighthearted family joke has now become an empowering, fun, and cheeky design—a way to reclaim the phrase and give it a totally different, sass-filled meaning.

 

Our Lipstick Pig is here to turn heads, lounging in style with bright lipstick, oversized sunglasses, and a string bikini. And in true Nettle fashion, they’re not just lounging anywhere—they’re sunbathing in a giant teacup. Why? Because why not?!

 

For us, the Lipstick Pig design represents embracing quirks, humor, and self-expression. Life is rarely perfect, and sometimes we just need a little lipstick to feel better. Sometimes, a pig in lipstick is exactly the vibe we need.

 

 

 

 

An Empowering Nod to Our Roots
While the design is playful, it’s also a callback to our Cottage Core Print, but with an extra dose of wild, country hoedown energy. It’s a celebration of joy, self-expression, and a whole lot of sass. Surrounding this fabulous pig are vine-ripened tomatoes, held up by two pink bunny BFFs dressed in cowboy boots and matching vests. It’s whimsical, bold, and unapologetically fun.

 

For us, the Lipstick Pig T-shirt isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about embracing quirks and expressing ourselves with humor and joy. It’s a reminder that life is about having fun, not taking things too seriously, and celebrating the things that make us unique—even if that means painting flames on a clunker of a car.

 

A Family Joke Turned Into a Celebration of Self-Expression
This design is more than just a funny phrase or a family story—it’s an opportunity to reclaim the narrative. The Lipstick Pig represents the idea that we can embrace imperfection, have fun with it, and make it our own. We’re not here to hide anything; we’re here to celebrate the things that make us laugh, make us different, and make life a little more exciting.

 

Our First Art Collab: Working with Cheeky Chong
We’re beyond excited to share that the Lipstick Pig T-shirt is our very first art collaboration, and we couldn’t have picked a better partner than Shirley, aka Cheeky Chong. Shirley is a local artist whose work is a brilliant mix of humor, irreverence, and great design. You can find more of Shirley's amazing work on Instagram at @cheeky.chong!

 

 

 

 

Locally Printed in Small Batches

In true Nettle Studios fashion, we partnered with an amazing small local business in Daly City, Starfish Printing, to get our fun new graphic printed. We love working with locally owned businesses to keep craft local, and we think they did a great job with the print!

 

Taking Back the Phrase
This design is about challenging outdated notions and reclaiming the narrative. It’s a cheeky response to a phrase that once might have carried a negative connotation for some and reinterprets it with joy, self-expression, and sass. We’re taking something that was meant to undermine and turning it into a celebration—a hoe down party, if you will, where confidence is the guest of honor.

 

Why This Design Matters
At its core, the Lipstick Pig design is about empowerment. It’s a reminder that we don’t need to hide or mask who we are; we can be unapologetically ourselves, flaws and all. This pig is living proof (okay, maybe not living, but you get the idea) that we’re allowed to embrace our quirks, express ourselves freely, and have fun doing it.

 

We're reimagining this phrase, and we’re claiming it as our own. We’re giving it new meaning—one rooted in celebration. And we’re doing it all with a wink, a smile, and a pair of cowboy boots.

 

So, whether you’re rocking the short-sleeve tee for a casual day out or layering up with the long sleeve as the season changes, remember: this is more than just a T-shirt. It’s a statement, a mood, and a celebration of everything that makes you unique.

 

 

 

 

With its playful imagery and family origins, the Lipstick Pig T-shirt reminds us all that life is better when you add a little humor—and maybe a bit of lipstick. 🐷💄

 

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