The Windows Phone enthusiast community tends to be a pretty vocal one. Psychologically smartphones today fill an interesting role in an individuals self-image and public persona. Android fulfills the “tinker” – offering unbridled device choice and customisation, with some caveats. iOS is the populist platform – delivering industry best marketing and positioning as the hip “must have” accessory. And Windows Phone? For this owner, Windows Phone offers the smart alternative. The “underdog” – fighting the good fight with design smarts, UI creativity and ultimately delivering usability over image or tweak. Substance over style one might simplify it as – although this would be doing Nokia and their gorgeous “best-in-breed” device form factor and Microsoft’s award-winning Metro design styling a massive disservice.

So it brings WPDownUnder a lot of satisfaction to see that now Windows Phone users around the world can access some gear to support their mobile OS and share some I <3 WP love everywhere they go! Behold….the Windows Phone Gear Store!

Announced in an official Blog post yesterday, Microsoft has opened a merchandise store for Windows Phone, bringing clothing and accessories with the I <3 WP logo. Mugs, Hoodies, T’s, Stickers, Magnets and more can now be purchased and delivered (to Australia) direct from their store. Prices are reasonable – with MS avowing that;

This store is a work in progress, and we’re still tweaking the product selection and design. We’ll continue to add new products and designs over time. Also, all products are offered at the base cost, we’re not making any money off of this.

WPDownUnder have of course placed an initial order – possibly the first Aussie one! We will report back on how long the items take to arrive by regular international mail (priority mail cost easily more than the whole order!). Interestingly, the #smokedbywindowsphone campaign has yet to make its way into the store – including the much sought after red hoodie as featured by @BenThePCGuy in these videos.

Perhaps they will be a later addition. So what are you waiting for? Click on the pictures above to visit the store, buy some Windows Phone gear, share the love – and garb yourself for battle for Windows Phone Down Under!!!

Sheeds.