The Wisconsin State Fair kicked off last Thursday and will continue through Sunday, August 16. To this point, we’ve already survived the Sporkies/Drinkies, tried the 175th Anniversary Cream Puff, sought out some Italian-focused Fair… fare, and tested out the hot tubs. However, our coverage of the first weekend failed to highlight the abundance of (non-hot tub) vendors that have set up shop at the fairgrounds for the Fair’s 11-day run.
With that in mind, I returned to Wisconsin State Fair yesterday in search of some apparel. Specifically, I was seeking some of the worst shirts I could find for sale on the entirety of the fairgrounds. And in an effort to keep this article relatively short (and for my own sanity here in the ever-worsening hell that is 2026), I’ve decided I’m not including any political shirts, though—trust me!—there are plenty of those that will make you lose what little faith you might have left in humanity.
I also didn’t include shirts about needing coffee or any garments in the “Do you think I care?” realm because those are especially annoying to me for some reason. Anyway, here are 11 truly bad shirts that are currently available for purchase at Wisconsin State Fair. Happy shopping!
Cool guy alert.
Yes, I’m pretty sure I know what you mean.
Have it your way? (You DON’T rule if you wear this shirt.)
Perfect for oh-so-limited firearm/canning/racoon/novelty T-shirt enthusiast demographic. Actually, I have some relatives who would probably rock this.
Kind of clever and innocent enough, I guess. But the font is awful and if you actually have a so-called “Father Figure,” people are going have trouble reading all that text on the ill-fitting $25 shirt you specifically bought because of what it says on it.
Finally a shirt that needlessly expresses pride in being a specific race that also looks abysmal!
Ugh.
Double ugh.
On clearance?! Damn…life comes at you fast.
Wow.
The worst one yet.