Chinatown Market Dancing Bears Unisex Tee — Pre-Loved!

Six bears. Six colors. One tee that tells a story on both sides. This pre-loved Chinatown Market collab tee is the kind of piece that lives at the intersection of streetwear culture and Grateful Dead mythology — bold, playful, and dripping with meaning. Three Dancing Bears on the front, three on the back, each rendered in a different vivid hue, with a clean white P.M.A. — Positive Mental Attitude print and the Chinatown Market banner rounding out the design. A wearable manifesto.

This tee has been worn, loved, and lived in — and it shows in the best way. Pre-loved pieces carry a sustainable character that new garments simply can’t replicate. Choosing this means choosing less waste, more story, and a wardrobe with real soul.

~The Brand Story — Chinatown Market & Why the Name Changed:

Chinatown Market was founded in 2016 by Mike Cherman, a New York-born designer who built the brand from a literal market stall in Los Angeles’ Chinatown neighborhood. The brand exploded by doing something rare in streetwear: it was genuinely fun. Smiley faces, bold graphics, DIY culture, and a deep love of collaboration defined its DNA. Chinatown Market became known for unexpected collabs — with the NBA, Grateful Dead, Converse, and more — and for making streetwear feel accessible and joyful rather than exclusive and cold.

In 2021, the brand announced it would be rebranding to Market. The decision came after community conversations about the use of “Chinatown” in the name — a recognition that the name, while rooted in the brand’s origin story, could be seen as appropriative of a cultural neighborhood identity. The rebrand to Market preserved the brand’s spirit while making space for a more inclusive future. Pieces from the Chinatown Market era — like this one — are now collector’s items, a snapshot of a pivotal chapter in contemporary streetwear history.

This tee, marked © 2020 GDP (Grateful Dead Productions), is from that original era — a genuine artifact of the collab that brought two iconic worlds together.

~ The Story Behind This Tee:

The Grateful Dead’s Dancing Bears have been a symbol of free-spirited joy since they first appeared on the back of the 1973 album Bear’s Choice. When Chinatown Market got the keys to the GDP archive, they did what they do best: turned an icon into a celebration. Six bears, six colors — a nod to the original multicolored bear lineup — spread across front and back with the brand’s signature irreverence. The P.M.A. — Positive Mental Attitude print ties it all together, a mantra borrowed from hardcore punk culture and reframed through the lens of Deadhead optimism. It’s a tee that bridges generations, subcultures, and philosophies in a single garment.

~ Product Details:

• Brand: Chinatown Market × Grateful Dead Productions

• Licensing: © 2020 GDP — Grateful Dead Productions

• Graphic: 6 Dancing Bears in 6 colors — 3 front, 3 back

• Print: White “P.M.A. Positive Mental Attitude” text, Chinatown Market banner, © 2020 GDP

• Neckline: Classic crew neck

• Sleeves: Short sleeve

• Construction: Double-stitched seams for durability

• Fit: Unisex 

• Weight: Heavyweight cotton

• Material: 100% Cotton

• Condition: Pre-loved, good condition — some signs of wear consistent with previous use. Sold as-is. The worn character adds to its sustainable, lived-in appeal.

~ Who Is This For?

For the streetwear collector who knows that the best pieces have a past. For the Deadhead who wants their wardrobe to reflect their values. For the vintage hunter who understands that pre-loved is not a compromise — it’s a flex. If you love bold graphics, counterculture references, and brands that meant something, this tee was made for you.

~ Why You Need It:

• Collector’s piece. Chinatown Market × GDP collabs from the original era are increasingly rare and sought-after.

• Double-sided graphic. Six bears, two panels — there’s always something to look at.

• Heavyweight cotton. Substantial, structured, and built to last through many more years of wear.

• Sustainable choice. Pre-loved means no new resources used. Real circular fashion with real cultural value.

• P.M.A. energy. Positive Mental Attitude — a mantra worth wearing every day.

 ~ Style Tips — For Her:

• Tuck the front into high-waisted vintage Levi’s or wide-leg trousers and let the back graphic show.

• Knot at the hem over biker shorts for a 90s-inspired streetwear look.

• Layer under a sheer mesh top or open flannel for a relaxed, layered vibe.

• Pair with a mini skirt and chunky platform boots for a punk-meets-Deadhead moment.

• Wear oversized with a belt cinched at the waist and strappy sandals for effortless boho-street style.

~ Style Tips — For Him:

• Wear loose with straight-leg or baggy denim and clean white sneakers for a classic streetwear silhouette.

• Layer under an open overshirt or vintage coach jacket for a relaxed layered look.

• Pair with cargo shorts and slides for an easy, off-duty summer fit.

• Style with wide-leg chinos and loafers to dress it up without losing the edge.

• Stack with a chain necklace and a cap for full streetwear energy.

~ Care Instructions:

• Hand wash cold

• Do not bleach

• Lay flat to dry

• Do not iron directly over graphic prints

~ Size & Measurements:

Measurements taken flat. Unisex fit — runs true to size. Compare to your own measurements for best fit.

This is a pre-owned item sold in good, pre-loved condition. Minor signs of wear may be present consistent with previous use. All sales final. © 2020 Grateful Dead Productions. All rights reserved.