Designer creates a £129 SpongeBob t-shirt and everyone is confused

SpongeBob SquarePants and his animated friends have undergone a high-fashion makeover - to the confusion of nearly everyone.

This week, NYC-based designer Sandy Liang teamed up with Nickelodeon to create a SpongeBob t-shirt that reimagines the main character’s outfit, as well as those of Squidward, Patrick and Sandy.

And because Liang is known for her outerwear, the cartoons are dressed quite fashionably, with Patrick wearing a floral shearling black-and-white coat, Sandy opting for a floor-length pink coat with acorns, and Squidward rocking a fleece design.

The pièce de résistance, however, is SpongeBob, who is wearing a shearling coat that resembles a Krabby Patty.

But, while the collaboration is fun, the $160 (£129) price has people questioning who exactly the target consumer is for the overall underwhelming white t-shirt.

On Instagram, where a photo of the limited-edition t-shirt was shared on the Nickelodeon Style account, fans aren’t sure what to make of the pricey tee.

“Who is the target audience for this at $160 for a SpongeBob t-shirt?” one person asked.

Another said: “$160 for a t-shirt bye.”

Others have expressed interest in buying the jacket SpongeBob is wearing - rather than the shirt.

“This shirt is pretty rad, but omg how can it cost $160?! I want the jacket SpongeBob is wearing. I’d pay $160 for that,” one person tweeted.

Someone else wrote: "I'd rather have the jacket SpongeBob is wearing in the shirt lol."