An article dedicated to the great state of Michigan and the people who call or have called it home.

If you’re looking for University of Michigan apparel, we suggest you visit our friends Rally House and check out their selection of University Michigan apparel. This is NOT that!

The people, the landscape, the quirky nuances, the catchphrases, the proximity to Canada - the list goes on. And no matter how far you go from Michigan, it always stays close to your heart.

One day you realize that all the things your Father dragged you to on the weekend are now the things you’re excited to bring your kids to: Eastern Market, the Detroit Institute of Art, the People Mover, Hamtramck, the Mackinac bridge, Sleeping Bear Dunes, the list goes on.

Time and time again, Michiganders living in other states tell us they regularly stop strangers on the street they see wearing a Tigers hat or any Michigan themed apparel or shirts, or now more frequently, a Lions jersey. Those conversations typically go something like:

“Nice Tigers hat! Are you from Michigan?” 

“Yes, I grew up there.” (without stating where they actually grew up, thinking this stranger has no knowledge of Michigan geography.)

“So did I - I grew up in East Detroit!”

“I grew up in Ferndale!”

And then commence a 20 minute conversation that likely includes the state of Detroit sports, a mention of a favorite player from years past, how often they go back to visit Michigan, what’s the best Detroit style pizza in their current city, and it wraps with a high five and knowing look like, “Hey, you’re good people.”

Ask any Michigander and it’s not a single thing that makes the state indelible. Maybe it’s the carefree way of life (the cost of living is lower than the national average), the weather is unbeatable (even the winters can be pretty), the food scene and the arts & entertainment are all world class, and of course there are those big, beautiful fckn awesome lakes!

The sense of pride amongst Michiganders is strong. We are people who grind. We are people who do not shy away from adversity. We lift each other up.

Here’s what we love about the great state of Michigan:

#1 - Its one long, very long coastline - Michigan has the longest continuous coastline in the United States and it touches four of the five magnificent lakes: Michigan, Superior, Huron, and Erie. (Some might argue there’s also the coastline along the Detroit River).

The East Coast of Michigan - sometimes called The Sunrise Coast - is known for its lighthouses, its state parks, and the Heritage Route 23 that runs from Standish to Harrisville and takes you to all sorts of shopping, food, and water sport activities. 

The West Coast of Michigan is probably the more well known and more well populated Michigan coast. Starting from St Joe and going all the way north, there are beautiful beaches, quaint towns, (more) lighthouses, wineries, and resorts. 

Of course many argue that the coastline bordering Lake Superior is truly where all the action is. One is instantly reminded of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a song we were all required to learn in school growing up, when looking out on the vast ocean-like body of water. There’s no better place to disconnect from it all and see some waterfalls or go for a hike

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#2 - It has two peninsulas - That’s right: Michigan is the only state in the United States to have two peninsulas - the upper and the lower, each with its own distinct identity, scenic spots and way of life. Connected by the Mackinac Bridge, it’s easy to go between the two. You can even walk or jog the nearly five mile bridge every Labor Day Weekend.

Of course, one quick way to know you’ve crossed into the upper peninsula (U.P.) is by the accents. While a Michigan accent is unique once you leave the state, the Yooper accent is unique even amongst other Michiganders. A Yooper accent tends to put the accent on the first syllable in every word, which some surmise came from Finnish immigrants, as well as a close proximity to Canada.  The Lower Peninsula accent puts heavy emphasis on the letter ‘a’ in any word. It’s just how we Are! It also sounds nicer than a Chicago accent.

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#3 - Our full spectrum of season, but especially our Fall/Autumn - Michiganders definitely embrace and have an affinity, bordering on pride, of all our four seasons. And as magic as those Summer nights might be, or those deep winter nights huddled around a fireplace after shoveling the driveway - it’s the crisp air and vibrant fall colors that we love the most. Autumn in Michigan means apple orchards, pumpkin patches, harvest festivals, hunting season, high school football nights, hoodies and sweatpants, and road trips up north to see the foliage.

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#4 - Our food and beverages - More recently people have learned to love what we all loved growing up: Detroit-style pizza. Whether it was Buddy’s or OTHER BRAND NAME - we’ve been eating deep dish style with sauce on top of the cheese since WAY before it was ever trendy to do so. 

But Detroit cuisine goes way deeper than deep dish. Coney dogs, paczkis, bratwurst, Greene’s hamburgers, Better Made chips, Vernors, Faygo, Stroh’s, zip sauce, bumpy cake, and of course, Slow’s BBQ. These were the building blocks of many a meal growing up, and we turned out just fine!

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#5 - Our Innovation and Creativity - Detroit has forever been known as The Motor City because it was home to brands like Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler that lead automotive innovation for many years. It also spawned Rivian, an independent player in the EV automotive space.

But the city also gave birth to Motown Records, which created some of the most iconic musical artists of all time! It’s also been home to more modern artists like Eminem, Jack White, J Dilla, Big Sean, and (what the heck) even Insane Clown Posse (ICP). 

The state of Michigan also continues to produce world class brands, such as Shinola, Herman Miller, Carhart, Steelcase and more.