DETROIT SHIRT COMPANY

We received a comment recently reminding us that we haven't reviewed the Detroit Shirt Company, and it's a point well taken. Detroit Shirt Co. is about the art rather than about being clever, and it is extremely good about meeting its objective. Personnel at the Detroit Shirt Company consists of a group of artists with a keen interest in Detroit and a knack for creating original designs. The company aims at showing Detroit/Metro in a positive light, while also promoting local artistic talent in the process.

The more I browse through the shirts that they offer, the more I appreciate what they are doing. Detroit Shirt Co. offers a wide variety of t-shirts, hoodies, long sleeve shirts, tank tops, sweatpants and shorts for both men and women. Each item has a distinct and original print on it, designed by one of the 18 artists or so who make up the Detroit Shirt Co. team.

The designs available are way too many to mention, but I do have some favorites. I especially like the design by artist Dorion Compo, which just says "the D," in the upper right corner, with the "the" in red and the "D" in blue, and both words dripping as if someone used too much paint. I also like the design with an interstate sign in the middle and an olde english D on it with a flame pattern coming from both sides of the sign. Additionally, the design by Kevin VanHooser, with a boxer in the middle and the words, "Detroit Muscle" written in a small font to the right has always caught my eye. Possibly an homage to Detroit great, Joe, Louis, or just a cool design which I've over analyzed.

Detroit Shirt Co. also has apparel with multiple print variations of the word Detroit, as well as designs related to Boblo Island, Corktown, Detroit's rock roots and an entire category they call Detroit Speed Shop, among others. I'm not sure exactly what Detroit Speed Shop is, but it's obviously related to our rich automobile culture, which the shirts in this category proudly show off .

I approve of pretty much everything about Detroit Shirt Co. It promotes the positive side of Detroit, aims to increase awareness of local artists, and provides loyal Detroiters with unique, hip, apparel for us to show off our civic pride. It's hard to argue with any of Detroit Shirt Co.'s goals. I can only hope that they continue to come out with new products and attract local artists interested in creating those designs. Detroit Shirt Co. is a company to be excited about and one which shouldn't have a hard time finding continued support.

Detroit Shirt Company products are available on their website at:
www.DetroitShirt.com
and can be found at a variety of retailers which can be found here:
Detroit Shirt Retailers
Detroit Army

Pure Detroit

Pure Detroit is now somewhat of a veteran in the Detroit apparel world. While a relatively new brand, Pure Detroit's start seemed to coincide with the recent emergence of downtown. Pure Detroit was started by Kevin Borsay and Shawn Santo who opened the first store in 1998. Since the first store opened, it then moved to the corner of W. Congress and Shelby, and is presently located in the lobby of the Guardian Building at 500 Griswold. They have also expanded and now have stores in the Fisher Building lobby at 3011 W. Grand Boulevard and in the Wintergarden of the Renaissance Center. Products are additionally available at Pure Detroit Website: www.puredetroit.com

Pure Detroit carries t-shirts, long sleeve and short, hoodies, hats and belts. The prints on the clothing include phrases such as "Detroit Funk," "Detroit Soul," "Detroit Rock City," "Detroit is for Lovers," "Detroit City," "313" and of course prints that just say "Detroit" in various letter designs. Some of their newer prints include "Enjoy Detroit," and print which they call "Detroit Transit," which is drawing of a bus with Woodward scrawled upon the top.

The shirts are classic and a nice addition to anyone's Detroit collection, but personally I'd like to see newer styles come out more often. Many of the current styles have been around since almost the beginning and an infusion of new designs would add some spice to the ones available. That being said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The prints that are currently available seem to be popular and apparel is one aspect of just one business venture that the entrepreneurs who started this store are behind.

If you want products made in Detroit, Pure Detroit is the place to look. They not only have clothing, but they also carry a multitude of Detroit made products including Pewabic Pottery, historic and contemporary photographs, music, books on Detroit, functional art created from remnant automotive parts and local specialty food products such as Red Pelican Mustard, Detroit Spices Co. products, Faygo glass bottle Rock & Rye, Germack pistachios of Sanders hot fudge.

Pure Detroit is definitely a place to check out if you have not done so. The stores have classic products that all Detroit aficionados should have, in addition to apparel which should be found in all Detroiters' closets. Pure Detroit stores seem to have the right mix of new Detroit culture, in addition to old Detroit flavor. With continued success, Pure Detroit is on its way to turning into a Detroit institution.

Pure Detroit Website: www.puredetroit.com
Pure Detroit Stores are located at:

Guardian Building Lobby
500 Griswold Suite 250
Detroit 48226
313-963-1440

Fisher Building Lobby
3011 W. Grand Blvd Suite 101
Detroit 48202
313-873-PURE

Renaissance Center Wintergarden
Detroit 48226
313-259-5100
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Made In Detroit

Apparently I'm on a Detroit T-Shirt kick, or maybe I always am, but a quick review of the old school Made in Detroit brand was in order. I remember the Made in Detroit brand from when I was younger and I believe they used to carry it at the store Changes in Birmingham. Then, over the last ten years or so, the entire brand seemed to be completely gone. If it was around, I don't remember it.

Recently though, the brand has made a come back. About two years or so ago, the brand began showing up again. I know I have multiple Made in Detroit shirts that were bought within the last couple years. The interesting part about this story is that apparently the brand had been on the brink of bankruptcy and then Kid Rock bought the brand because he couldn't bear to see it go away. I don't know the whole story, but bottom line is that Kid Rock owns the brand now and it is much more visible these days.

The Made in Detroit brand is a perfect Detroit brand. Nothing says Detroit or at least the perception of blue collar Detroit like the Made in Detroit logo, which features a guy dressed in work clothes and carrying a wrench. The Made in Detroit brand carries t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, 5950 hats, and baseball hats. Many of the products have the logo on them or some variation of the logo, some of them say Detroit on them in the pattern of a gear shifter, and some of them have a "Detroit Muscle" logo on them.

Personally, I find my self as a traditionalist and prefer the traditional Made in Detroit logo. I also like the black shirt with just the words Made in Detroit across the chest and a print of the "blue collar Detroiter holding the wrench" standing near the bottom the the shirt. Also check out the 5950 hats with the Made in Detroit Logo on them, it's nice to be able to purchase fitted hat made with a little more quality than the usual baseball caps that companies which are not affiliated with a sports team usually only have.

I don't know where the Made in Detroit company went for that decade, but I'm glad that it has made a comeback recently. Say what you want about Kid Rock, but the guy promotes Detroit at any chance he gets, and I can respect that.

You can buy Made in Detroit gear at stores around Metro Detroit, but they also have a website.

www.madeindetroit.com

Detroit Army

downwithdetroit.com

I find very few T shirts with slogans or catchy phrases on them funny, but I have recently found the site www.downwithdetroit.com. I have no idea who runs this site or creates the prints, but a good portion of the T shirts on this site are worth looking at. The prints include connections to Kwame, the state of Michigan, Boblo Island, Belle Isle, Jim Leyland, the "fist" statue, the people mover, tiger stadium and the olde English D, among others. Of course, as all witty t shirt stores have, some prints have themes or slogans that are just plain stupid and uncreative, but those are in the minority.

Many of the prints are available on other items such as sweatshirts, hoodies, and long sleeve t shirts. You can even get an olde English D on a thong if that's your cup of tea. Moreover, with whatever item of clothing you choose, the site provides a plethora of colors for you to pick from.

Whether you are nostalgic about old Detroit institutions, want to show off your Detroit pride, or are just trying to rep your city, www.downwithdetroit.com probably has something you will be interested in.

www.downwithdetroit.com
Detroit Army