If you’re in need of IU gear for your next tailgate, football game or homecoming, Bloomington has plenty of options. Every apparel shop offers something a little different, so where should you shop?
Consider who you’re buying for, because every store is tailored to a slightly different crowd. But between the IU Bookstore, T.I.S. College Bookstore and Tracks Music and Videos, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for, but even if you don't, these are just a few of the shopping options available in Bloomington.
IU Bookstore - $$$
With its main location in the Indiana Memorial Union, the IU Bookstore is the most central location to get IU apparel and more.
Apparel at the IU Bookstore can be a little more expensive, but what they lack in affordability is made up for in quality.
With an extensive collection of IU clothing, bags, drinkware, accessories and more, this is a great place for first-time visitors to grab IU gear while exploring campus.
T.I.S. College Bookstore - $$
With stores located on both East Third Street and on Kirkwood Avenue next to Nick’s English Pub, T.I.S. has everything from a simple IU T-shirt to a magnet of Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” with the father and daughter outfitted in Indiana gear.
Despite the large selection, Tim Lloyd, general manager of T.I.S., said IU's signature candy-striped pants continue to be their best-selling item.
T.I.S. can cost just as much as the IU Bookstore, but T.I.S. is the place to look for good deals. T.I.S. has much more than just clothing, making it the perfect place to shop for parents and alumni looking to deck out their home in cream and crimson.
T.I.S. also has a variety of accessories for those with houses divided between IU and Purdue, including license plates, coffee mugs and flags.
Lloyd said T.I.S. is constantly submitting new ideas for apparel, but the majority are ordered through the manufacturer.
One idea for a design that never made it through was a Victor Oladipo shirt that said “holy dipo.”
Pet apparel and kids' stuff does well too, Lloyd said. T.I.S. offers jerseys and bandannas for dogs and booties for newborns.
“You’ll just have to come in and see how goofy some of this stuff can get,” Lloyd said.
Tracks Music and Videos - $
Despite the name, Tracks has a wide selection of IU apparel alongside shelves of vinyl records. Due to their smaller space, the store has to be careful that everything in the store earns its place, General Manager Jay Wilkin said.
“We're the local, lovable, cheap guys,” Wilkin said.
Located on Kirkwood Avenue right next to the Village Deli, Tracks is the place to shop on a budget without sacrificing quality.
The store mainly focuses on clothing. You won’t find any IU-themed barbecue grills or dartboards here. Tracks keeps it simple. In the winter, the store focuses on sweatshirts. In the summer, it’s all about the tank tops.
“We sells scads of tank tops,” Wilkin said.
