Even Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks — Why I’m Updating My Color Policy

⭐  Updating Malika Bourne Legacy Color Policy

If you’ve been following my shop for a while, you already know one thing about me: I love color. Bright colors, warm colors, seasonal colors, unexpected colors — color has always been part of my creative joy.

But sometimes, even old dogs (like me!) learn new tricks. I may have been the last to figure out that not all pretty colors are meant to be printed on and worn by children.

And today, I want to share a behind‑the‑scenes update about my new color policy for youth apparel — why I’m phasing out certain shirt colors, how this affects seasonal items like Halloween tees, and what this means for your child’s wardrobe.

⭐ Why I’m Making This Change

As my shop has grown, I’ve learned something important:

Not every beautiful color makes a beautiful shirt.

Some colors:

• distort DTG printing

• clash with kids’ everyday bottoms

• show stains instantly

• photograph poorly

• confuse parents trying to match outfits

• make designs look dull or muddy

And while I adore mustard, gold, pumpkin orange, mint, dusty rose, and other seasonal favorites… they simply don’t perform well on youth tees.

So I’m doing what responsible creators do: I’m adjusting. I’m refining. I’m choosing consistency over chaos.

Even old dogs can learn new tricks — and this one is worth learning.

⭐ The New Permanent Shirt Palette

Going forward, all youth tees will be offered in a curated set of colors that:

• print beautifully

• match kids’ wardrobes

• photograph consistently

• make parents’ lives easier

• support my brand’s clean, cheerful aesthetic

Here are the six colors that made the cut:

• White

• Black

• Navy

• Heather Grey / Sport Grey

• Royal Blue

• Red

These colors are dependable, practical, and parent‑approved — and they let my designs shine without competing with the shirt itself.

⭐ What’s Being Phased Out (Seasonal Included)

Some colors will no longer be used as shirt bases, including:

• mustard

• gold

• pumpkin orange

• light pink

• mint

• olive

• neon tones

• pastels

• earth‑tone neutrals

These colors may still appear inside the artwork — for example, a fall leaf, a Halloween pumpkin, or a golden accent on a ballerina’s costume — but they will not be used as shirt colors.

This includes seasonal collections like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Back‑to‑School.

⭐ Why This Matters for Parents

Parents have told me- thank you, my granddaughters, who are mothers of boys (and I’ve seen it myself):

• mustard stains instantly

• gold shifts under indoor lighting

• orange clashes with patterned leggings

• pastels wash out in photos

• neon colors look harsh on kids

• earth tones feel too adult

• light pink shows every smudge

My new palette solves all of that.

It’s easier to match. Easier to wash. Easier to photograph. Easier to love.

⭐ What This Means for Malika Bourne Legacy Seasonal Designs

Seasonal designs are still coming — and they’ll be adorable.

But instead of printing on mustard or pumpkin orange shirts, fall and Halloween designs will now be printed on:

• black

• navy

• royal

• red

• white

• grey

This keeps your child’s wardrobe cohesive and ensures every design prints with the clarity and brightness you expect from my shop.

⭐ A Final Word From This Old Dog

I’ll be bluntly honest: I had a tiny emotional moment letting go of some of my favorite shirt colors.

But this change isn’t about limiting creativity — it’s about protecting it.

It’s about making sure every ballerina, zebra, truck, elephant, pumpkin, and superhero looks crisp, bright, and joyful on the shirts your kids actually wear.

It’s about building a brand that feels intentional, reliable, and parent‑friendly.

And yes… it’s about learning new tricks.

Thanks for growing with me.

Thanks for trusting me.

And thanks for loving these designs as much as I do.

Malika