Merchandise

Caring for Your Saloon Gear and Wearing It Well

Good merch outlasts the night you bought it, and a little care keeps a favourite tee or cap looking right for years. Screen-printed shirts hold their colour best when washed inside out in cold water and hung to dry or tumbled on low heat. High heat is what cracks a print and shrinks cotton, so skip the hot cycle even when the shirt has seen a long night near the stage. Avoid ironing directly over a design; if a shirt needs pressing, turn it inside out first.

Hats need a gentler approach. Most structured caps should never go in a washing machine, because the brim and crown can warp. Spot-clean with a soft brush, cool water and a drop of mild soap, then let the hat air-dry on a rounded shape such as a jar or a rolled towel. Felt and straw styles are best kept out of rain and stored away from direct sunlight, which fades colour and dries out natural fibres.

Why outlaw country and merch go together

Band shirts and venue tees have long been part of country and honky-tonk culture. A shirt from a favourite saloon works like a ticket stub you can wear: it marks a night, a band or a crowd you were part of. Outlaw country in particular grew from artists who did things their own way, and the look that came with it, from worn denim to well-loved hats, still carries that independent streak.

Choosing the right piece

• For gifts: a hat is the safe bet when you are unsure of someone's shirt size.
• For collectors: limited-run items are worth keeping in good condition, so store them folded flat and away from damp.
• For regulars: pair a tee with a night from the live music line-up, or check the events page for themed nights where saloon gear fits right in.

Availability of sizes and designs can change, so if you are after something specific, it is worth asking through the contact page before making a trip.