ABOUT PARTY SHIRT INTERNATIONAL
The idea for Party Shirt International (PSI) started in a Tiki Bar, as most good ideas do. The founders Cooper and Jack always searched thrift shops and Goodwill for shirts to bring on their adventures that stood out from a sea of boring colors. With most of these shirts being made from cotton or other materials that are not suited to sports use, they figured there was no better time to build a brand of their own. Their goal was to not only have a shirt that was great for any action sport, but also something you can use post-ride or even on date nights (which I have).
While we may complain that there is no solid black color option for our boring closet, that is exactly what the crew is trying to avoid. They want to bring some fun and color to your wardrobe, while still producing a garment that is great for activity. Their line of patterns and colors is constantly changing, and their offering has grown to now offer dedicated MTB jerseys and other fun apparel items.
The Stretch-Tech Party Shirts are made from 95% polyester and 5% spandex, giving plenty of stretch to get wild on the trail. The shirts are aimed to be unisex, so fit may vary depending on your body type. They offer the shirt in sizes XS – XXXL, and while the shirts fit true to size, the brand ethos is “do what you want.” Prefer a baggy, cool kid fit? Size up, there’s no wrong answer here. At $59 and available in 50 different designs, the Stretch-Tech Party Shirts are a comparably affordable offering in the mountain bike space.
THE DIRT
The hardest part about shopping the Party Shirt International website is landing on what pattern to go with, with a huge selection of patterns that are often changing. Order two if you really like one of their offerings, as there is no guarantee your favorite design will be around for long. I am 6’1” with broad shoulders and weigh around 170lbs, and the large fit like a large, no surprises here. I plan to order another pattern, but this time around I will opt for an XL to obtain more of a relaxed fit. I wish they gave the model height/weight info on their site to help decide better on the fit you are after. The large works great, but my style is trending towards a bit more of an overall baggy fit.
Having used the shirt through this summer in the warm Inland NW temperatures, I found the shirt to dry out sufficiently quick to stay comfortable. When riding without my pack, I rarely had any sweat build up, and if so, it was minimal. The shirt has a fair amount of stretch, with no restriction of movement or wish for more maneuverability on the bike.
One of the best aspects of the Party Shirt International Stretch-Tech Party Shirt is that it is not just for riding or hiking – you can wear it to nearly any event or outing off the bike, too. There are some great bike-specific jerseys out there (like the Fox Flexair) that I absolutely love, but they are not something I would ever grab for a night out. This was intentional; Party Shirt International wanted a shirt that could be your one-stop shop on a trip or in daily life. As a dude with questionable fashion choices, I rarely get approached and asked about my clothing, but that changed with this shirt. There have been multiple people that have asked what shirt I was wearing and where they could get it. If you’re an introvert this may not be the shirt styling for you, but it speaks to its appeal.
I have taken the Stretch-Tech Party Shirt on many trips, where it was stuffed into my bag with no regard, and it came out nearly wrinkle-free every time. This is a drastic difference from my standard cotton tees.
I have used the shirt more in my daily life than on rides. This is not a knock on the shirt by any means, as its performance is satisfactory, but I don’t like riding in button-ups as much as I used to. Emma and I are taking our Honeymoon in a few weeks, and I will be packing this shirt and most likely another, as they are an easy choice for being out all day and packing in some extra style for the pre and post-ride cafe and bar stops.
The Wolf’s Last Word
The Stretch-Tech Party Shirt from Party Shirt International has been a solid addition to my closet, great both on and off the bike and for any situation you might find yourself in. The lack of wrinkles when stuffing it into a bag is a big bonus, and there are loads of different patterns and styles to choose from. This shirt gets an easy A+ when it comes to recommending a multi-use bit of kit for an active lifestyle. 
Price: $59
Website: Partyshirtinternational.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Cole’s den is in Spokane WA, where he relocated a few years back. Growing up in the lush, loamy playgrounds of the PNW, his soul is forever tied to steep, rooty descents and that unmistakable squish of perfect dirt. After 19 years of shredding, Cole’s been on every kind of rig out there. Once a die-hard fan of big travel bikes, he’s now on a quest for the mythical short-travel do-it-all machine. And yes, skids may be for kids, but this middle-aged manchild is here to prove they’re also for anyone who loves having a damn good time.
Rank: Professional Amateur
Size: 6’1” / 185cm | 170lbs / 77kg
Social: @adventuresbycole
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