If you’ve spent more than five minutes scrolling through TikTok over the last few years, you’ve probably seen a tall, lanky guy wandering through the streets of Manhattan, wearing a captain’s hat and clutching a sugary cocktail. That’s Joshua Block, better known as World of Tshirts. He’s a polarizing figure. To some, he’s a digital train wreck they can't stop watching; to others, he’s a tragic example of how the internet exploits vulnerable people. But regardless of where you stand on the ethics of Josh’s fame, there is one undeniable reality: the World of Tshirts costume has turned into a genuine cultural phenomenon.
It's weird.
Usually, when people dress up as internet celebrities, they go for someone like MrBeast or maybe a generic "influencer" look. But the World of Tshirts aesthetic is specific. It’s gritty. It’s very New York City. It’s also deeply tied to the specific brand of chaos that Josh emits during his 24/7 livestreams. Dressing up as Josh isn’t just about the clothes; it’s about a very specific, high-energy, and often uncomfortable brand of performance art that has permeated the lore of the "Lolcow" community.
Why the World of Tshirts Costume is Everywhere Now
Why do people do it? Honestly, it’s mostly for the "if you know, you know" factor. When you walk into a house party wearing a tattered captain's hat and carrying a crumpled paper bag, most people might just think you’re a confused tourist. But for the chronically online, you are instantly recognizable. You are the "Captain."
The rise of this costume is a direct reflection of how TikTok creates niche legends. Josh isn't a mainstream celebrity in the traditional sense. He doesn't have a Netflix special. He isn't topping the Billboard charts. Yet, his daily movements are tracked by thousands of people on subreddits and tracking accounts. This level of hyper-fixation makes the World of Tshirts costume a powerful social signal. It tells people you’re deep in the trenches of TikTok lore. You know about the "banned" jokes. You know about the lawsuits. You know about the "tours" he gives through the East Village.
It’s also an incredibly easy look to pull off, which helps. You don’t need a prosthetic mask or a $500 spandex suit. You just need a specific set of accessories that scream "NYC nightlife as seen through a cracked iPhone screen."
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The Anatomy of the Captain: What Actually Makes the Look?
If you're trying to nail the World of Tshirts costume, you have to understand the evolution of Josh's wardrobe. He doesn't change clothes often. That’s part of the bit.
The Iconic Captain's Hat
This is the centerpiece. Without the hat, you’re just a guy in a shirt. Josh started wearing the yacht captain’s hat years ago, and it has since become fused to his identity. It’s rarely clean. In fact, for a truly authentic version, the hat should look like it’s survived three subway rides and a rainy night in Times Square. Most people just grab a cheap white and gold hat from Amazon, but the real ones know you need to scuff it up a bit.
The Graphic Tee (Usually Coffee Related)
Before he was "The Captain," Josh was known for his obsession with coffee and boba. His username, World of Tshirts, comes from his early days of selling custom-designed merchandise. To get the look right, you need a shirt that looks slightly too large and features some kind of kitschy graphic. Or, better yet, one of his actual "merch" shirts that features his face or a catchphrase like "I'm hitting myself" or "I'm going to sue you."
The Accessories of Chaos
Details matter. A pair of wired earbuds is a must because Josh is almost always listening to something or filming a video. Then there’s the drink. Josh is rarely seen without a beverage—whether it’s a Starbucks cup from his early era or a Tallboy in a brown paper bag from his current "party" era. If you’re going for accuracy, you carry a plastic cup with a straw.
- The Captain’s Hat: Must be tilted slightly back.
- The Glasses: Standard rectangular frames.
- The Phone: Held at eye level, always recording.
- The Posture: A slight hunch, walking with extreme purpose toward nowhere in particular.
The Ethical Gray Area of Dressing as Joshua Block
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Josh is a real person with real struggles. He’s been open about his autism diagnosis, and his descent into heavy drinking has been documented in real-time by millions of viewers. Because of this, the World of Tshirts costume isn't viewed the same way a Spider-Man costume is.
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Some people argue that dressing as Josh is a form of bullying. It’s "punching down" on a creator who might not fully understand how he’s being perceived by the public. When you see groups of college kids in captain’s hats screaming Josh’s catchphrases, it can feel exploitative. It’s the "Lolcow" effect—treating a human being like a character in a sitcom.
On the flip side, Josh leans into it. He sells the hats. He sells the shirts. He charges people for "tours" where they can hang out with him. He is, in many ways, his own biggest promoter. This creates a weird feedback loop. Is it a costume of a person, or a costume of a brand that the person created? It’s a blurry line. If you’re planning on wearing this, expect some people to find it hilarious and others to find it deeply "cringe" or even mean-spirited.
How to Make the Look Authentic (The DIY Approach)
Forget the "party store" version. If you want a World of Tshirts costume that actually lands, you have to go the DIY route. You need that lived-in NYC grit.
Start with the shoes. Josh walks everywhere. His shoes are usually worn-down sneakers that have seen better days. Don't wear brand-new Jordans. Wear some beat-up New Balances or Sketchers. Next, the pants should be basic—khakis or dark jeans that don't quite fit right.
The behavior is the most important part of the "costume," though. You have to master the "Josh Stare." It’s that wide-eyed, intense look he gets when he’s reading a hate comment on his livestream. You also need to practice the walk. It’s a fast-paced, aggressive stride, usually through a crowded area, while filming yourself singing a song that was popular three years ago.
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Essential Catchphrases for the Night
- "I'll have you arrested!"
- "I'm suing you for millions of dollars!"
- "What does B-A-N-N-E-D mean?"
- "I'm from Brownsville!" (Even if you aren't).
The "Sigmas" and the Evolution of the Costume
In the last year, the World of Tshirts costume has evolved thanks to Josh's association with other creators like Michael Quinn or Based Savage. These "side characters" in the World of Tshirts cinematic universe have added layers to the costume possibilities. Now, you’ll see groups of friends dressing up as the whole crew. One guy is Josh, another is the "manager" in a felt hat, and another is a "paparazzi" fan.
This group-dynamic costume is becoming a staple at NYC-themed parties. It represents a very specific era of "Post-Pandemic New York" where the city's underbelly is broadcasted via TikTok Live 24/7. It’s a costume that represents the algorithm.
Practical Steps for a World of Tshirts Inspired Look
If you’re dead set on pulling this off for a themed event or a video, here is exactly how to execute it without looking like a low-effort amateur.
- Source an Authentic Hat: Don't get the one with the plastic snapback if you can avoid it. Find a cloth captain's hat. Soak it in some tea or coffee for twenty minutes to give it that "weathered by the Hudson River" look.
- The "Merch" Factor: If you really want to support the creator (or just be hyper-accurate), buy a shirt directly from his store. It’s the ultimate meta-commentary on the situation.
- The Tech: Carry a portable power bank. Josh is always tethered to one because his phone battery is constantly dying from the livestreams. Having a wire running from your pocket to your phone adds a 10/10 level of realism.
- The Vibe: Stay energetic. The "Captain" doesn't sit down. He’s always on the move, always checking his "stats," and always looking for the next bar.
Ultimately, the World of Tshirts costume is a fascinating, if slightly uncomfortable, look at how we consume human lives as entertainment in 2026. It’s a mix of irony, fandom, and the sheer absurdity of internet fame. Just remember that behind the captain’s hat is a real person, so maybe keep the parody grounded in the "character" rather than the struggle.
Next Steps for Your Costume Build:
- Search for "Captain's Hat" on secondary markets to find one that isn't too "costumy."
- Look through Josh's TikTok archives from 2021 to see his "Coffee" era for a throwback version of the outfit.
- Practice the specific camera angle (high-angle, front-facing) to master the selfie-video look.