Team America Bowling Shirt

A bowling shirt with the words Team America and United We Stand with a set of patriotic bowling pins.  What's more American than a bowling shirt?  Add Team America and you have a great example of 9/11 material culture.

Brooks Brothers 9/11 Memorial Tie

Another great example to follow up on my last post about the recent tribute shoes: 9/11 Memorial Tie from Brooks Brothers.  Can you get any more mainstream?  And another great example of using September 11th to drive consumption/sales in the name of "doing good/donation."  This was a recent offering (2012), but no longer available from BB.  A boy's version is still being sold on the 911 Memorial website: https://www.911memorial.org/catalog/brooks-brothers-silk-tie-boys.html  I did add the men's version as part of my collection.

The 9/11 Memorial TieItem# MA00488 $ 79.50
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/The-9/11-Memorial-Tie/MA00488_____BLCK__________,default,pd.html

Description & features

To benefit the 9/11 Memorial, we crafted this updated version of one of our most memorable ties. This iconic "BB#1" striped tie i... s hand finished in our workrooms in New York City in the black and teal colors of the 9/11 Memorial logo. Wear it each 9/11 anniversary to honor those who fell and those who rose in response. Brooks Brothers will donate 100% of profits, but in any event no less than $40.00 per tie, from the sale of the Tie to the 9/11 Memorial. Pure silk woven in England. 3¼" width. 58" length. Dry clean. 

Old Navy T-shirt

Special tribute t-shirt offered by Old Navy. 

Ralph Lauren Polo Tribute Sweater

One of the more unique items I have, this speciality high-end sweater is Polo brand produced by Ralph Lauren. Clearly a tribute to 9/11, it has various symbols, including a map of the US, a fire truck, flag, Red Cross symbol, Statue of Liberty, firefighter hat, and RL02 (ralph lauren). Truly a great clothing item that retailed for hundreds of dollars, the sweater certainly is very unique and makes a patriotic and commemorative statement. Another great example of the influence of 9/11 and how it motivated or inspired companies to react and reflect to this event, as well as engage and motivate customers.

Buttons: Incorporate NY and the Twin Towers in Your Sweater

The item, "Dress It Up New York," features buttons for sewing projects, like clothing or bags. The buttons are NY-themed and include a taxi, apple, NYC skyline, shopping bag, playbill, etc, and include a Twin Towers tribute featuring Never Forget and a flag. This an example of a craft object that shows the influence of September 11th. As I've state previously, September 11th's impact not only included the tragic loss of lives, destruction of property, terrorism policy setter, and world perspective changer but also brought influence to every form of American material goods. This influence varies in form, ranging from tribute or commemorative to donation-based (a portion of the proceeds benefiting a group or organization associated with September 11th).

Girl's Bow Clip

A girl's bow clip tribute to the World Trade Center. The plastic piece in the middle of the bow has the Twin Towers, a flag and the words "Never Forget." A strange tribute (in my opinion) in that I can't imagine having my 3 year daughter wear this clip. I'm sure there would be those who would disagree. I do think this is another great example of the growing recognition (not officially) of September 11th as a "holiday." I look at a holiday from the perspective that there are consumer goods marketed and available for its celebration. No question that something like this themed bow could be compared to any other themed bow that a child would put on say for July 4th, Valentine's Day, etc.

Tribute Tie

This 9/11 tribute tie was given to me by a friend. He picked it up near the World Trade Center site. Items like this were common after 9/11, but are not as available now 8 years later. There are a number of tribute items still on the market, but most fall into the category of mass produced (usually paper or plastic items).

Fanny Pack

Show your patriotism with this fanny back. Another example of the influence of the flag after 9/11.

MLB: We Shall Not Forget

I was given this Major League Baseball t-shirt by a Baseball Hall of Fame employee.

Tribute Fabric

Another tribute fabric that features a mix of patriotic images and the well recognized firemen raising the flag at the Twin Towers site (depicted in a stamp issued by the USPS).

Nike Shows Their Colors

I don't know much about these shoes Nike offered in reaction to September 11th. I do know that they are over the top, and something you would break out for July 4th or the summer Olympics. Like many of my objects, these shoes display the typical tribute (and patriotic) colors red, white and blue. They also indicate a portion of the proceeds will be donated to disaster relief. I have no interest in wearing them, but is there someone who actually did buy these shoes and wear them?

Ground Zero

This hat was given to me by two friends (nothing like friends to add to your collection). They picked this up at Ground Zero. A souvenir for any tourist and a great way to remember your visit to NYC.

McCall's Pattern

McCall's, long-time and well-known clothing pattern-maker, offered this patriotic collection with profits donated to the Twin Towers fund. Another supporting example of a company offering a product for sale to consumers using patriotism and a charitable incentive.

24K Gold Belt Buckle

There are numerous examples of belt buckles featuring September 11th. This example is a "limited edition" 24K gold-plated buckle. Themed or decorative belt buckles commonly feature many different influences, and September 11th would be an expected source.

9/11 fabric

There are other examples of September 11th fabric that have been available. Here is one that is simple in design. This is another example of an object that is for everyday use (more specifically, a material to be used for the manufacture of clothing or other related item). Some have argued with me that other events in American history have impacted or been reflected in consumer goods and material culture that compare in scope to September 11th. As I continue to post my collection, the evidence will show that this is incorrect, and September 11th is beyond comparison.

Make A Statement This Winter

A 9/11 scarf tribute. This scarf is made in the USA, and the lable emphasizes this fact. Much of the other September 11th inspired clothing is foreign made. You have to wonder who decides to make items like this?