NStar Articles

We’re welcoming spring at the U.S. Naval Academy with the return of songbirds, flowering trees and the exciting new start that always greets this seaside town when March hits. Our Navyonline.com wares are also reflecting the new season, and we’ve pulled together some selections to help refresh your REAL Navy collection and usher in a breath of fresh air as you do your spring cleaning. Here are our top picks to welcome the season with style.

Add Some Spring to Your Step

Spring is the perfect time to perk up your tired wardrobe with some great Go Navy! gear. This Naval Academy clothing is sure to please….

Crew for You: The women’s capped neck crew looks smart in gunmetal heather. Built for the unpredictable weather that often visits during the spring, its cotton/polyester blend fleece and 100% cotton face will keep you warm when the winds blow off the Severn River. Like the Navy sweatshirts we offer, the crew can also easily be layered for chillier spring days. With a slim fit that flatters and ribbing to finish off the cuffs, waistband and neckline, it’s a stylish shirt that proclaims your loyalties in capital letters.

Vested Interest: Vests were designed for those in-between seasons of spring and fall, when the weather can be warm one day and downright freezing the next. Try this custom men’s Mesa vest on for size. Crafted with a cotton/polyester blend, it’s comfortable and durable, with a quality diamond texture jersey. It has a full zip for easy on and off, front and pocket zippers to stash your stuff and a chin guard to keep out the chill. Have fun designing your own with the variety of logo options. You can even add your class year to make it undeniably yours!

Classic Crew: For the younger fans, this youth xtreme-tek long sleeve shirt is a winner every time. It packs a slew of features to keep your athlete cool and comfortable, including an antibacterial treatment to prevent growth and odors, a moisture management system that wicks away moisture and a UPF 50+ finish that blocks the sun’s rays. Then there’s Bill the charging goat to make it extra fun.

Spring Workouts

With the return of spring, many of us take our workouts back outside to the road, paths and area trails. Here is some Navy gear to make the transition even smoother.

T-Shirt Weather: Hooray and Hoorah! With spring weather in the forecast, t-shirts are back to celebrate. This men’s USMC Iwo Jima Tee in black is ready to run. With 100% cotton jersey construction, it has a unisex fit that looks great on everyone, and an awesome image that gets straight to the heart of what it means to be a U.S. Marine. Wear it with pride.

Athletically Inclined Shorts: Spring is the perfect time to get rid of your old, stretched out and stained workout clothes and sub in some better gear. These athletic women’s shorts with anchor will up your game and then some. With Under Armour^Ⓡ band and the Navy anchor, they come prepped to play. Grab a pair or two and hit the ground running.

Battle in a Bottle: It’s so easy to misplace water bottles. If you’re looking for a good one, the insulated water bottle in black is a great choice. It’s a powder coated stainless bottle that’s durable and good at keeping drinks cold. The lid is cork and the vibe is pure Bill. It’s primed for action. This one is bound to have other Navy fans (and foes) asking, “Where’d you get that?”

Graduation Day

While March kicks off spring (officially, even if the weather disagrees), it’s also the time when our Firsties (seniors) start to turn their attention to the upcoming May Commissioning Week and graduation. It’s not too soon to start planning their gifts since many require longer lead times and need to be special ordered. Here are some of our favorites for the midshipmen.

Home for Your Diploma: These papers signify the completion of one of the hardest four years in a Navy graduate's life. You can give them a place of honor with the Bancroft Hall campus scene double diploma frame, featuring a wide angle view of the expansive and iconic “Mother B,” their home for the past four years, as well as the Brigade itself. With spots for their diploma and certificate, this handsome keepsake in Cherry wood will look great on an office wall, and will be an important reminder of their years at USNA for the rest of their lives.

In the Money: If you’re looking for a unique graduation gift, the Ryan RFID flip ID biofold wallet fits the bills (sorry). Constructed with classic leather, it's a long-lasting present that also happens to be very practical. The RFID capability keeps would-be thieves from stealing credit card information, and the expansive pocket is a bifold with flip ID and room for bills, two IDs, two slide pockets and up to eight credit cards/loyalty cards. This is a gift that will keep giving, long after graduation day.

The Famous USNA Bathrobe: Once standard issue, the USNA fleece bathrobe is a possession that has been prized by many U.S. Naval Academy graduates, and even passed down through the ranks. One online commenter said, “Most of OGs still have them.” At one point, they were betting prizes when USNA went head to head with other service academies.  Either way, it’s legendary. The robe’s tailored look with gold ribbing and the USNA seal is a formal nod to the institution, and its coziness is undeniable. You can own your own soft version of this tradition or choose to gift it to a graduate—or both!

We are excited to welcome spring and all of its sunshine! We encourage you to come to the Yard to see how the trees and flowers spring back to life and the midshipmen get a new spring in their step. When you visit the Yard, take a tour, eat at our restaurants or shop in our Naval Academy stores (The Midshipmen Store, Navy Store Online known as navyonline.com, or the USNA Gift Shop), you’re giving to the Brigade that gives 100%; all proceeds go to the midshipmen. So enjoy your spring shopping and know that you’re giving a gift to the midshipmen too. Happy spring! Hope to see you soon.