Roadie Couture offers one-of-a-kind gear you won't find anyplace else.
ShopLate Registration features lightweight hoodies that can be customized with names, dates and sorority logos. Pick from a variety of colors for sweatshirts and fonts. $45 If you like tie-dye, DavesDesign Shop allows you to pick your school and two colors for a handmade tie-dye T-shirt. Sizes are men’s small to large. $27 If a cozy pair of sweatpants are your thing, HocInc has bleach stained sweats—yes, that’s a thing—with the school logo on the hip or down the leg. $44
Hype and Vice specializes in cute, trendy college apparel.
HONORS FASHION
Roadie Couture My daughter likes the kind of sweatshirt she won’t see everyone wearing on campus. Enter Roadie Couture. This online shop also hosts pop-up shops at locations such at Lester’s in Ryebrook, the Westchester Mall and other spots in the tri-state area. Follow its Instagram for the latest trends in college merch and to find out where it will pop up next with its unique one-of-a-kind college swag—from jean jackets to fun flannels. Designer Elizabeth Sadoyan has been in the fashion business for years and creating individual pieces is her passion. She collects vintage items from all over the world to rework and upcyle college pieces into
special creations that are exactly what the discerning college shopper is looking for. Pieces run from $65 to $225 and nothing ships without her careful inspection. Roadie Couture knows the regional market, anticipates trends and features clothing for over 100 colleges and universities. The website is scheduled to be live this fall. In the meantime, you can find trunk show locations and items for sale on the company’s Instagram and Facebook pages. roadiecouture.com
NOT THE GEAR YOU REMEMBER
Hype and Vice
Whether you’re looking for a school logo on a tennis
skirt or a bandana top, Hype and Vice has a lot of what kids are wearing on campus. Try not to cringe, Moms, but tailgate culture has changed and that college bandana is no longer for her hair. Brace yourself for college-themed tube tops, cut-off shirts and body suits. But all is not lost. There are also puffer jackets and sweats. hypeandvice.com
I am a fan of textures, so I love embroidery. If your school of choice can be simply abbreviated— think BC, UNC or UVA—check out ShopOandC. It uses unique daisy-flowerstyle embroidery for the college logo letters. $75
of embroidery thread colors to create a one-ofa-kind item. For example, send your favorite University of Georgia fan a black sweater with a red embroidered “Go Dawgs” or any school name or slogan. Embroidered custom cashmere sweaters run $400 for long sleeve and $305 for short sleeve. Custom boiled cashmere beanies are $235. Or go for the custom travel set, including an embroidered cashmere blanket, socks and eye mask and pouch for $425. If you’re the crafty type and want a hand in creating your own sweater, try the company’s Virtual Embroidery Workshop for $320. You select the sweater and embroidery thread, and it arrives with all the tools you need—Zoom tutorial included. Lingua Franca products are handstitched by women in NYC. The company is committed to fair trade and ethical
labor practices. The creations take time, so allow four weeks from order to shipping. linguafranca.nyc
DON’T FORGET THE GUYS
Smathers and Branson A lot of custom college gear is aimed at women, but my college go-to shop for all things needlepointed, Smathers and Branson, offers embroidered men’s belts for a number of schools for $175. Looking for something smaller and unique, consider sending your student off with a collegiate luggage tag ($35) or key fob ($32.50 with an additional $15 monogram fee to add initials to the back). Give yourself plenty of lead time as it takes up to ten weeks to deliver your custom creation. smathers andbranson.com
CREATE AN HEIRLOOM
SIZE DOESN’T MATTER
Lingua Franca
Etsy Faves
If you like hand embroidery and want to create a special piece in cashmere, Lingua Franca is an investment to treasure. Choose from high-quality cashmere crewneck sweaters and a large selection
Etsy is the home to a number of small shops that specialize in customized college merchandise. Here are a few of my favorite finds. Go to etsy.com and virtually
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Looking for a keepsake that will last through the years? Smathers and Branson and Lingua Franca have you covered.
VARSITY JACKETS MOCKUPS BY ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; COURTESY OF ROADIE COUTURE
stroll through these shops.
