Bootleg Tees Vs Regular Graphic Tees - Is There Actually A Difference?

Been getting into graphic tees lately and keep hearing people talk about "bootleg style" like it's something special. Is this just marketing hype or is there an actual difference?

From what I can tell:

Regular graphic tees = generic designs, usually just logos or basic graphics. You see the same stuff at every mall store.

Bootleg style = vintage-inspired, creative reinterpretations of retro aesthetics. More about capturing a vibe than just printing random images on shirts.

Why I'm asking:

I grabbed a few tees recently and honestly, the bootleg-style ones just hit different. They feel more unique, like they have actual personality instead of being mass-produced cookie-cutter designs.

Found two stores that seem to specialize in this aesthetic:

The Drizzled has these bold, vintage-inspired pieces that look like upscale streetwear. The drizzled's designs feel intentional - sports culture meets retro street fashion.

Bootleg Tee focuses purely on bootleg aesthetics. Every design captures that underground creative energy. No filler, just quality bootleg tees.

Both delivered way better quality than I expected. Prints are crisp, colors pop, fabric feels substantial.

But here's my real question:

Am I just drinking the Kool-Aid here, or do bootleg-style tees actually stand out from regular graphic tees?

Is it worth paying a bit more for these versus grabbing cheap graphics from fast fashion sites?

And for those who've been wearing this style - does it actually age better? I've heard bootleg aesthetics look better worn-in, but curious if that's true in practice.

What do you think? Are bootleg tees legitimately different, or is this just clever branding?

Genuinely curious what this community thinks. Don't hold back - if I'm overhyping basic t-shirts, tell me straight up.