Microsoft recently announced the launch of “Hardwear”, its first capsule collection of clothing and merchandise under the Microsoft brand for Windows fans around the world.
The Redmond giant’s nine-apparel collection, which has a strong retro feel is part of a partnership between known streetwear designer and Supervsn Creative Director Gavin Mathieu and Microsoft, united by a common style and philosophy.
According to the company, the Hardware collection is reflective of the Normcore style – a lifestyle aesthetic that puts the focus on individuals and not on the clothing they wear.
“What Gavin has designed for this collection captures the spirit of our discussions on enabling people to move and create in a way that helps them make the most impact. Gavin believes, “humans are at their highest level of self when they create.” And we believe that expression should be effortless,” Microsoft’s Multicultural and Social Communications Director Amanda O’Neal said in a news release.
“This is why Hardwear is simple and designed to reduce any distractions to creativity: it’s a nine-piece collection of tees, hats, sweats, jackets, and pants. Every piece is intentional, and there is meaning behind each item in Hardwear.”
The Hardwear collection contains two t-shirts, where one features a classic Windows XP wallpaper while the other one sports a nostalgic Microsoft MS Paint icon. The Windows XP T-shirt with the famous blue sky and green hill screensaver and the MS Paint T-shirt that imitates the original color palette of the app are available for $60 each.
Besides the above, the Hardware collection also includes an Inbox Overshirt, a Green Utility Jacket, Sweatpants, Cargo Tech Pants, a Crewneck Sweater, a It’s In You, Not On You Tee, and a Hardwear Hat with the Microsoft 1990 logo style. You can check out the entire Hardware collection at the Xbox Gear Shop here.
This is not the first time that Microsoft has engaged in the clothing business. In 2020, the tech giant managed to sell MS Paint-themed sweaters and Windows 95 and XP sweaters during the Christmas season. Further, in 2021, it followed with another Windows-themed sweater inspired by “Minesweeper”.
