Calling All Michiganders...!

HistoricDetroit · Nov 16, 2005

Hey Folks,
This has to be one of the greatest sites I've come across... I didn't realize there were that many others like myself out there, but its great to know there are! I'm only in my 20s, college student, and my collection of vintage is still small, but I enjoy wearing my stuff they way they were meant to me. Such as today, my early 1940s greenish raincoat kept me dry and warm, and best of all it originally came from Hughes and Hatcher, a former and upscale Detroit establishment, gone since the 70s. I also wear Fedoras quite often and have an ever growing collection of vintage ties and coats. I'll have to take some photos and have some of you help date them sometime!

I'm wondering if any of you are located in Michigan? It would be great to make some new local friends / connections. :cheers1:

HD

Slicksuit · Nov 16, 2005

Welcome, fellow Michigander! It's about time we got some more representation from the Motor City in this forum!

Ever check out Henry the Hatter in downtown Detroit? Although they only offer new and contemporary fedoras, the store is a landmark in this area, having just celebrated their 100th year in business. I've bought a Stetson from them earlier this year.

We should talk - I'll send you a PM. :cheers1:

HistoricDetroit · Nov 16, 2005

Hey friend, glad to meet you!

I've never been to Henry the Hatter's before, although that's where my grandfather, age 88, used to purchase his hats. I believe he knew old Henry himself. As an architecture buff, I really like the storefront too, though it doesn't compare to the old store that was located in the old Opera House.

My hat shop of choice is City Hatter in Ypsilanti... they've got the modern cheap and odd colored stuff to appeal to the younger generation and hip-hop crowd, but they've also got enough of the authenticly styled better stuff to keep me content. So far, I've purchased three fedoras, black, brown, and straw there, two Selentino's made in Europe and a Dobbs straw made here in the USA, each ran about $70 or so.

Do you know of any good vintage shops or thrift stores around here? I usually stop in at a place called Value Village off Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti every couple weeks... I've picked up two Hughes and Hatcher coats among others. I also picked up a skinny tie from the Hudson's Men's Shop, Detroit. I stopped at the Salvation Army in Ann Arbor yesterday, but unfortunately they didn't have a single vintage piece. I'm going to start looking on eBay more often though, as well as some of the other websites out there.

I also really like 1950's style sport shirts, and would like to order quite a few of these when I have the money. I e-mailed and nearly all of their shirts are made in the USA (very important to me!) with the exception of the Lucky 13 series and some of the bowling shirts. Also, some are made from the original patterns, as its still the same company making them now that did so fifty years ago. Think Kramer from Seinfeld...
http://www.daddyos.com/retro/retromen.html

Mojave Jack · Nov 16, 2005

Hi, HD,

Nice to hear some stuff about my old stomping ground! I'm EMU alumni (a Huron, not an Eagle!), though I currently live in SoCal. I grew up in Ann Arbor, where my dad still lives. We'll have to meet for a cold one the next time I am home.

Cheers!
~Jack

Lena_Horne · Nov 19, 2005

I honestly hadn't expected to find anyone else from the "Arsenal of Democracy." I notice you're into architecture. Do you post on UrbanPlanet by any chance? If so I'm Wordsmith. Also, what college do you attend, I'm at Wayne State.

L_H

kirawoidan · Nov 13, 2006

I have also been wondering at other Michiganders on the lounge. I live in Grand Rapids.

SinatraStyle · Nov 13, 2006

Greetings from the west side of the state!

I also live in the Grand Rapids area. It's good to see that the number of Lounge members in Michigan is growing. For a while I only knew of one or two others.

I know there are a couple of other Michiganders out there. Hopefully they find this thread soon and chime in.

jeep44 · Nov 13, 2006

I'm in Canton Twp.. I used to shop at Hughes and Hatcher back in the '70s,along with Capper and Capper,both in Detroit and AA. Van Boven was another good clothes store,now long gone. I was a tie fanatic back then,and spent many a lunch hour downtown prowling these stores,along with the big Hudson's on Woodward,looking for just the right tie.

The Outlaw Kyle · Nov 13, 2006

Long time reader, first time poster...

I live in the GR area as well. Nice to see some people on here not from CA or NY. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

I've been looking around for some good hat places in Grand Rapids, but no luck. I hear of a place near Div & Hall called Hathms, but as you can see from their site and their location if your familar with GR, it's more "Pimp" orientied perhaps. I'll have to stop by there early one morning.

Nice to see all of you, and I look forward to talking to you again.

Polka Dot · Nov 13, 2006

I'm going to school in Philadelphia, but I still consider Michigan to be home. I'm from "up north," as you Detroit and Grand Rapids residents refer to it.

Are there other lounge members from northern Michigan?

...pin drops...

The Outlaw Kyle · Nov 13, 2006

I have a cabin in Lake City. In fact, Wednesday is the opening of firearm deer season, so I'll be up there soon. Doesn't get more Michigan than driving my Buick up north to go hunting.

Polka Dot · Nov 13, 2006

Ah yes, deer season. It reminds me of my childhood, and deer carcasses hanging from the trees in town.

It's a holiday up there.

ETA: Venison makes good jerky.

Samsa · Nov 14, 2006

I live in the 'burbs north of Detroit. Glad to see so many other people from Michigan here....

SinatraStyle · Nov 14, 2006

The Outlaw Kyle said:
I've been looking around for some good hat places in Grand Rapids, but no luck. I hear of a place near Div & Hall called Hathms, but as you can see from their site and their location if your familar with GR, it's more "Pimp" orientied perhaps. I'll have to stop by there early one morning.
QUOTE]

I've driven by, but haven't stopped in. I was going to visit a few months ago, but it's not in the greatest area of town...just doesn't feel safe so I kept driving. (And I agree, it looks more "pimp" oriented.) Unfortunately, many of the nice businesses that used to be downtown either no longer sell hats or have gone out of business. It's too bad, there are very few hat stores in the state.

Lena_Horne · Nov 14, 2006

Well, if you're ever in Detroit proper, you might want to try out Henry the Hatter downtown. Though I've had their card in my purse for sometime, I've never gotten around to buying anything. Mostly because, though I wore (cheap, one noticably modern, the other actually old and worn) fedoras for awhile, I began to think it wasn't very lady-like. And, if I'm going to be vintage-ish, I might as well dress appropriately. I can't seem to find any kind of hat style that goes with (mid-length) dreads though.

L_H

deanglen · Nov 15, 2006

Just noticed this thread! Living and working in Fenton, MI; born and raised in Traverse City, MI. Great to see how many share this Great Lake State!

dean

Polka Dot · Nov 16, 2006

That's where I'm from, Dean! Traverse City, that is.

max the cat · Nov 16, 2006

MI

I remember the downtown Hudsons very well, ditto Hughes and Hatcher-when they were open for business! Hudsons had at least one elevator operator! and a whole floor for shoes! Going to Hudsons was an event.Ancient history now .

max

SinatraStyle · Nov 16, 2006

The wife of my previous employer worked for Hudson's many years ago. It amazes me how far the customer service and product quality have declined over the years. The Hudson's store in our area seems to be getting gradually better. After changing ownership from Target to Marshall Fields the store improved greatly. Now I'm waiting to see if the new Macy's ownership continues the trend. I'd love to see the customer service continue to improve.

deanglen · Nov 16, 2006

Polka Dot said:
That's where I'm from, Dean! Traverse City, that is.

TCHS grad? What Year? Mine was 1977. Went to NMC for two years. Lived on Spruce St. Near Munson Hospital, wherein I entered the world in 1958 on a cold day in December.

dean

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