Geek chic is making a mainstream resurgence, and that is awesome news for those of us geeks and gamers that have been rocking our nerd cred in our clothing for some time now.

After years and YEARS of slogging through the stereotypical clichés that all gamers are dressed-by-their-mothers  basement dwellers (think the griefer in South Parks Make Love Not Warcraft) now all of a sudden, everyone is clamoring to don nerd glasses and sport the latest Hot Topic tee that marks them as a gamer.

Which is awesome! Yay gamers! We win at everything forever! All your fashions are belong to us!

While I’m not belittling or knocking Hot Topic’s mass produced style, I was interested in finding something MORE. Something a step up in quality, a style that isn’t quite so mainstream cliché gamer.. something unique. While browsing gamer clothing brands, I stumbled upon Insert Coin Clothing. I asked if they would send me some samples of their product to share with you lovely folks, and they were awesome enough to oblige!

About Insert Coin Clothing

Insert Coin is one of the leading names in high quality gaming apparel. They are in the business of producing stylish tees and hoodies that aren’t just logos slapped on cotton, but unique designs inspired by the world of video games.

From the Insert Coin Clothing website:

Our mission is simple – to make gaming tees and hoodies you’ll really love to wear. Our products help you represent the games you love with cool, subtle references – letting other geeks and gamers know what you like and that you’ve got great taste when it comes to gaming and clothes. From assassins to hedgehogs, pirates to plumbers, our designs are inspired by some of the most memorable gaming names and places imaginable. We design with passion – and with an eye on the latest fashion trends.

Not only do we spend time on the designs themselves, but we make everything from scratch – every tee and every hoodie – enabling us to create sleeker, cooler and wholly unique products. Nothing is ‘off the peg’. Nothing is relabelled. No corners are cut. When you order an official Insert Coin product you’re not just getting another tee or hoodie, you’re getting our commitment to innovation and quality too.

What’s cool about Insert Coin Clothing, is that their product line is ever evolving. They have ongoing and future projects with Microsoft, Sony, Ubisoft, SEGA, Codemasters, Just Add Water, Namco Bandai, Capcom, Eurogamer, IGN, GameSpot, SpecialEffect, Gamers’ Voice, GameCity and Future Publishing.

The Insert Coin Clothes We Sampled

Chop Chop Tee – Inspired by PaRappa the Rapper (1996)

Description: Kicking? Punching? It’s all in the mind.. especially if you know your gaming onions. Master Chop Chop – and his awesome mantra – are an absolutely unforgettable part of videogame history. Every gamer knows all the right moves and this new tee helps you represent your favourite vegetable-based dojo in style..

I remember the first time I played PaRappa the Rapper, I was working at Gamestop and saw it in the used games bin. I am a SUCKER for rhythm action games (Amplitude, Frequency, Dance Dance Revolution, Pop’n Music, etc.) so I picked it up after work. How, how, HOW are those songs STILL stuck in my head after all these years?!

It’s funny to me, there are so many games Jonathan and I never played together, but when it comes up in conversation we’re like, “Hey, remember that game?!”, like we have some kind of shared childhood. This is one of those games.

Virility Tee – Inspired by DmC: Devil May Cry (2013)

Description: Mmm, who wants a refreshing drink? How about a cool can of Virility? Plus it’s good for you.. maybe. Okay, it might not be good for you, but it’s certainly highly addictive! It must be that secret ingredient – we reckon it must be awesome like fairy dust or love. This design celebrates the unique taste of this mysterious drink.. 

Sooo, until recently I’d just never gotten around to playing the Devil May Cry games! (I know, I know, I’m an awful human being!) But, after a couple of people saying Jonathan looked like he’d do an awesome Dante cosplay, my curiosity was piqued. Then Jonathan – who has played through the games – demanded that we revisit a few of the classics together, since this is one of his favorite video game story lines.

We’ve decided to play through the Devil May Cry games during our date nights at home once we get all settled. (Awwww!) While Jonathan “gets” the shirt, I have to wait for the “aha” moment. I haaaate being out of the loop!!

Betsy Ross Leggings – Inspired by Assassin’s Creed III (2012)

Description: When it comes to history lessons, the Assassins definitely know their way around! They were at the heart of the American Revolution and fought under the stars and stripes of the Betsy Ross. Simple and sleek, these leggings are inspired by the iconic flag and its part in the history of the Assassin’s Creed saga.. 

When I requested clothing samples from Insert Coin, I secretly hoped they’d be sending me some leggings. When I opened the package, I was like, “Woot woot!” The Assassins Creed games have always been known for their stunning visual imagery, and these leggings offer a fine, subtle tip of the hat to the look and feel of Assassin’s Creed III.

For the gals, out of all of the clothing options on the Insert Coin website, I’d highly recommend the legging options. It’s an awesome and unconventional platform to strut your geek cred without resorting to the classic tee shirt with logo!

Our Thoughts On Insert Coin Clothing

When it comes to mass produced geek clothing (even superstores like Walmart and Target are getting in on the action), often the shirts are fairly cheap, poor in quality and only sport obvious logos of the most recent, current and popular games.

Insert Coin offers superior quality clothing products with more subtle nods to games all over the history of video gaming, using clothing platforms that break outside the normal range of “geek clothes” – leggings, jackets, bags, bathrobes, etc.

Their fit is also sleeker and more flattering, following a designer style rather than the generic boxy tee fit.

If you’re in the market for some designer geek ware, check out Insert Coin Clothing! And seriously ladies.. the LEGGINGS!!! ^_^

[Disclaimer: There are no affiliate links in this review. I am an independent product reviewer. I only review products I am truly interested in. I don’t accept payment for reviews. The products I take the time to jabber on about are either items I have personally purchased, or the product has been provided for review after me incessantly nagging for a sample. All of my reviews are unbiased regardless of how the item was obtained.]