Philadelphia Products

Phuk Yeah Philly T-Shirt

Saw these great Philly-rific tees for sale at the annual Community Cultural Exchange show and fair at 6th and Lombard this weekend past. The makers, Eyevolve, have an array of out-there designs. Another favorite was the printed picture of Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan "Free Hugs." The shirts are sprayed with red paint dye, so each one is uniquely macabre.

The Phukyea shirts are done in the style of the Phillies logo, but have decidedly more 'tude. The Eyevolve website neglects to give pricing info.

LOVE "J-A-W-N" T-shirt

You totally need one of these jawns.

To paraphrase T-shirt designer Secret Lovers, "The slang word jawn is used in Philadelphia conversation to replace just about any noun, roughly like thing, or doo-hickey. The Pittsburgh designer now offers hip unisex T-shirts emblazoned with the word, in the style of Robert Indiana's famous LOVE statue at JFK Plaza/LOVE Park in Philadelphia, and other places around the world. Buy these great Philadelphia gifts for $22 (plus $6 shipping) at their etsy store, and maybe other places.

Get this jawn. And also this jawn: a Philadelphia LOVE necklace, yeah.

Another Philadelphia Map Print

We recently showcased this cool Philadelphia neighborhood map print, last weekend at the Punk Rock Flea Market, we spotted this, from Peaceful Traveler. It's not as comprehensive, but it's simple and attractive.

Hand drawn silk printing, $24 at peacefultraveler.org. Other states, cities, and colors available. Also look out for their Philadelphia Hoagies tee.

Phlyers Rule

It's still early season, but the Phillies look set continue the winning ways of 2008 (remember that?) and 2009, and their sports complex neighbors, the Flyers, are cruising through the NHL playoffs in unlikely style. Celebrate a love for both with a hybrid logo: the Phillies "P" script (retro style) with the distinctive Flyers wing-trails. Available in three T-shirt styles: in Flyers orange on black or black-and-orange on grey or in Phillies maroon on blue ('82 model). I want one.

Get yours at Broad Street Bootlegs.

Neighborhood map

I love maps and I love Philadelphia's neighborhoods. The changing architecture, culture, and population as you move from block to block is what makes Philly such a unique and fun-to-walk city. My loves have been combined with the Philadelphia neighborhood map from Ork Posters. Their exact boundaries and names might be the subject of debate, but it's a nice design and it captures the city well. Plus, Philly has a great and recognizable city shape, I've been seeing it used more and more to great design effect.

$22, available in several colors. orkposters.com/philadelphia

Absolute POP Philly Art Blocks

Great gift idea for anyone who likes Philadelphia: attractive 10"x10" art blocks for just $39 from Absolute POP. The store at 141 South 13th Street has artistic photos and painting prints of classic and unusual Philadelphia scenes. They are giclee prints on thick wooden blocks treated to withstand heat and humidity.

Absolute POP and its sister store Absolute Abstract are good places to find reasonably priced original and replicated artwork. Some of the selection border on gaudy (they also serve corporate offices), but many items are unique and beautiful. Their Absolute Philadelphia series of images is also available in other sizes and on canvas.

Mitchell & Ness throwback jerseys

Stopped in the Mitchell & Ness store at 13th and Chestnut today to oggle their collection of throwback Phillies jerseys. Mitchell & Ness has been a sporting goods company since 1904, when they began selling wooden tennis racquets and golf clubs. By the 1920s they were manufacturing baseball jerseys of local teams and at one point supplied official uniforms for the Eagles, Phillies, and the since-departed Philadelphia Athletics. In the late 1980s, with business struggling, the company decided to focus its efforts into making vintage uniforms, first in baseball and then in other sports.

The authentically made vintage uniforms can be a little pricey, running $200-$300, but you can find throwback jackets, caps, and T-shirts for $50 or less.

Here are some of my favorites:
Philadelphia Phillies Battery Jacket, $60