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Polished Cages Unisex T‑Shirt

Polished Cages Unisex T‑Shirt

Not all prisons are forced on us.
This design calls out the systems we mistake for freedom and the polish we add to make them feel like our own.

“Minds trapped in rusted gears—beliefs sold as truth. They mistook chains for compasses. Systems aren’t cages until you polish the bars yourself.”

Behind the Quote

First up, "Minds trapped in rusted gears—beliefs sold as truth." What I’m getting at here is that a lot of people’s thinking isn’t really theirs. It’s old. Rusty. Outdated. Like gears from some ancient machine that’s been grinding away forever. And the problem is, these old beliefs—about life, success, power, whatever—get handed to us as if they’re the truth, no questions asked. You grow up inside the machine, and after a while, you forget you’re even stuck in it.

Then, "They mistook chains for compasses." This one’s kind of heartbreaking. It’s about how people take the things that actually limit them—like fear, obedience, shallow ambitions—and treat them like they’re guiding lights. Like, "This is how you succeed. This is what life’s about." But really, those things are just chains dressed up to look like tools for finding your way.

And then, "Systems aren’t cages until you polish the bars yourself." This is the kicker. Systems—society, politics, education, whatever—they're not automatically prisons. Until you start worshiping them, defending them without thinking, investing all your hope and identity into them. That’s when the cage locks shut. When you polish the bars—when you buy into the illusion and make the prison yours—that’s when you’re really trapped.

So yeah, the whole thing is basically me saying: most of the prisons we’re in are ones we help build, often without even realizing it. But the flip side? That also means we can break out—if we’re willing to see it.

Regular price €47,00 EUR
Regular price €47,00 EUR Sale price €47,00 EUR
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Color
Size

Size Guide

Size XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL
Width (cm) 48 50 53 56 60 64 68
Length (cm) 68 70 72 74 76 78 80

Product Details and Care

Product Information

  • Fit: Unisex relaxed classic fit
  • Neckline: Ribbed crew collar for structure and comfort
  • Fabric: Lightweight, soft-touch jersey (155 g/m²)
  • Finish: Double-stitched hems for added durability
  • Label: Sewn-in label

Materials & Values

  • 100% organic combed cotton
  • Certified by Fair Wear, PETA, and GOTS
  • Grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers
  • Ecological dyeing
  • Ethical working conditions and fair wages
  • Packaged with minimal waste
  • Printed on demand to reduce overproduction

Care Instructions

  • Machine wash cold (max 30°C / 90°F)
  • Wash with similar colours
  • Do not bleach
  • Do not tumble dry
  • Iron inside out on low temperature
  • Do not dry clean
  • Do not iron directly on the print

Shipping & Returns

We currently ship within the EU.
✔ Free EU shipping on orders over €100
✔ Orders are printed on demand and ship in 2–5 business days
✔ Delivery takes 3–10 business days depending on your location
✔ You’ll receive tracking info by email once your order ships.

Need to return something?
You have 14 days to request a return after receiving your order.
Please contact us at store@tols.store to begin the process.

Made to order, made with care.

Our products are printed on demand to reduce waste. This takes a little extra time, but it’s how we stay sustainable.

Thank you for supporting thoughtful production.

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