Mod logo t-shirts and sweatshirts by Pop Gear

Not easy to get, but the Mod logo t-shirts and sweatshirts by Pop Gear are interesting and eye-catching. Tote bags available too.

I say not easy because Pop Gear is an in-house brand of Doin’ The Mod, which is a Mod-based retailer out of Japan. I know. You are already looking at the cost of postage and the possibility of customs charges too.

I have ordered out of Japan before, but it is something of a lottery in terms of postage and if you get hit with extra charges when it lands in your own country. You just have to hope for the best with the latter.

But that doesn’t take away from the range itself, which is described as a revival of a ‘pop art style’ from the mid-1960s. More specifically, it focuses on logos seen and worn in that era, particularly by The Who, which are then recreated on t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Not just any t-shirts. Like everything (pretty much) that comes out of Japan clothing-wise, you are looking at the quality end of the market. So quality tees and sweats are used with vintage details for each. I would recommend getting on Google Translate for each one for an idea of how that works. This isn’t just any old bulk buy top with a print on and as such, the vintage look is a key selling point here. Although that might add a little to the price, which I’ll come to in a moment.

First, let’s look at a few examples of the clothing available right now. First up, at the top of the page, is that classic image of John Stephen talking to a child with an ‘I’m A Mod’ t-shirt. That same logo has been reproduced in exacting detail on a t-shirt and a sweatshirt.

Working down the page you’ll see the Batman logo, taken from Them’s Belfast Gypsies disc and further down, the split arrow from Keith Moon (note that the Entwistle arrow is also available), Keith Moon’s classic Target top, another Keith Moon in the form of ‘Pow!’, yet another Keith Moon with the op-art design t-shirt, another designed from The Who with ‘Blaam!’ and the Ready Steady Go! branding/title.

You might also notice a couple of tote bags pictured too. They are also available, featuring some of the designs pictured above as well as some exclusive to the bags. Note also that the tops above are `available in different colours and across sweatshirts and t-shirts in many cases.

Right, I think that just about covers everything…except the all-important price tags. As an example, the Moon op-art t-shirt seems to work out at 3,300 Japanese Yen, which converts to something like £24 at the current exchange rate.

Looking at the sweatshirts, the I’m A Mod design retails for 7,700 Japanese Yen, which is around £57. So quite a jump there, but the quality does look top-notch. The totes start at around 2,000 Japanese Yen, which is pretty much £15. But note some of those designs already seem to have sold out.

As for postage, you’ll have to work that one out at the checkout – and keep Google Translate open when you are ordering to make things a lot clearer. Also worth noting that Doin’ The Mod is on Twitter and is happy to answer enquiries in English (including a few I have already fired across). You will find him here.

For all the tops and bags, as well as the other brands that retail there, have a look at the Doin’ The Mod website.

Note that if you want something nearer the UK, then it might be worth checking out Mr B’s Soulful Tees, which has some crossover in designs over both t-shirts and sweatshirts. Also check out Toerag t-shirts, which again operates in similar territory.