The Bench

I highly recommend this spot! You can customize various shirts, hats, bags and more. I will say that the prices are a bit steep but it sounded like the patches are also from a local shop ! The best thing here was the experience. The owners helped me so much and made the whole process very fun!

LOVE THIS PLACE. They have tons of delightful patches that you can pick and choose from, then customize anything in the store. The vibe is vintage/prep in all of the right ways. My daughter and I had a ball with the owners, carefully selecting a sweater and patches for her father's Christmas present. When she selected a LOT of patches and wanted them all front-and-center on the sweater, the owner smartly suggested "what if we hide some on the inside, so if he lifts the edge up, he can see it's from you?" Ha! Genius!!! Now the sweater has her initial as a nautical flag and a heart inside the bottom edge. The result is a classic sweater with really special custom patches that he will actually wear. The experience was so fun for my daughter and me. And the cost? The sweater with all of the patches was $131.97 with tax - So reasonable! I'll be back - I want a hat, a bag, a pennant, a sweater..... the list goes on!

I had the best time creating a custom sweatshirt for our boat at The Bench in St. Michaels! This shop is such a gem—packed with creativity and personality. There were so many options to choose from, and designing a one-of-a-kind piece was not only easy but genuinely fun. The staff made the whole experience even better—super friendly, helpful, and full of great suggestions to bring my vision to life. They really know their stuff and made sure I walked out with something I loved. If you're in town and want something personalized, meaningful, or just totally cool—The Bench is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be back for more!

The Bench in St. Michaels offers a unique and stylish experience for anyone looking for classic, vintage-inspired rugby polos and attire. This isn't your average clothing store – they specialize in creating personalized pieces, offering on-site patch and iron-on services to make your purchase truly one-of-a-kind. Their selection of patches includes some fantastic locally made designs celebrating all things St. Michaels and Washington D.C., allowing you to represent your favorite spots in style. Beyond the customizable clothing, the store itself is a treat. The beautifully laid-out space evokes the feeling of a vintage crew, jockey, or polo locker room, adding to the overall charm of the shopping experience. What truly sets The Bench apart, however, is the wonderful ownership. They were incredibly helpful, guiding us through the process of sizing and designing our perfect shirts. Their expertise and friendly demeanor made the entire experience enjoyable and stress-free. While the pricing might be on the higher end, it's justified by the quality of the products and the personalized service. You're not just buying a shirt; you're investing in a well-made, custom-designed piece that reflects your personal style. Overall, I highly recommend The Bench to anyone looking for a unique and high-quality addition to their wardrobe. It's a must-visit in St. Michaels!

Best place to buy something special for you or a loved one at St. Michael’s! Personalized with care. Thank you!!!

The place to go if you are looking for vintage rugby new England style...just perfect. You can also customize everything yourself with very friendly advice!

A perfect place for custom goods and adorable gifts. The owners make you feel like family. Please visit this shop!!

I highly recommend this spot! You can customize various shirts, hats, bags and more. I will say that the prices are a bit steep but it sounded like the patches are also from a local shop ! The best thing here was the experience. The owners helped me so much and made the whole process very fun!

I stopped by The Bench with a friend when I was visiting her in St. Michaels this weekend, and it's a really cute shop. I don't know how to describe it but it has sort of Americana loungewear or is it sportswear or is it just cute? I dunno! But everything was cute and fun and I couldn't resist making a few purchases - a sweater vest and a hat that says egg salad on it. I may be having a hard time describing what The Bench sells, but I really did love it. Too cute. I'm having some buyer's remorse for not buying a sweater that read "FOOTBALL" across the front and might be heading back for it soon!

We were visiting for an overnight stay and spent the afternoon doing some holiday shopping at small businesses. This place was incredible. Sure, you can get clothes with a similar vibe and cheaper at the Gap, but their products are extremely well made of very high quality materials so I'll gladly pay the up-charge. The people working today, 12/6, I think they were the owners, but they made the whole experience what it was. They were super friendly, but not overbearing or intrusive. I bought a sweater that I customized on the sleeve, making it personal and one of a kind, super fun. I love interacting with people who truly love what they do, and that was completely the vibe. The woman helping me decide on what exactly the customization of my sweater would be had great suggestions and didn't blink an eye when she figured out that what I was putting on my sweater was a funny homage to my husband (that's not always the case in some of the small towns along the shore) she leaned right into it and was in on the joke making it fun and special. If I'm ever in the area again, I would definitely stop in and buy something else. Thank the lord I don't live closer or everything that I owned would be customized!

Was visiting St Michael's today and stopped in because everything they had set out on the porch looked adorable. Didn't even know literally everything was customizable. Had SO MUCH fun picking out two sweaters and patches--easily could have spent hours in there. Everyone working in the shop was super friendly and helpful and just fun. Really liked how high quality everything they had felt and how knowledgeable everyone was. Thrilled to support a small business but glad I don't live closer because I'd end up giving them all of my money :)