Promotional Clothing and Branded Accessories

In line with all promotional merchandise, promotional clothing and accessories need to be creative, versatile and mustn’t cost the earth.

Obviously for brand awareness the items need to be creative and innovative. For outdoor events a versatile collection must be created to allow for all the possibilities that the weather can throw at us. Whether in the UK or further afield, the weather is becoming more unpredictable so sun glasses and Baseball Caps are advisable to protect us from the sun, but then warm hoodies and waterproofs could be just as useful. For brands who’s CSR includes environmental issues, promotional merchandise has to also be eco-friendly and so our feature covers all these elements.

Doesn’t Cost the Earth
So in true showbiz style, we’ll start at the end … with this organic cotton T-shirt that doesn’t cost the earth.

Tradewinds tells us this garment is certified organic cotton and weighs in at a hefty 170 grams. Available in white, red, sky, navy, black and natural there’s bound to be a colour to suit your promotion. Prices (below) are inclusive of a one-colour print but exclude VAT, origination and delivery. For 500 units prices are from £2.70, but minimum quantities are from as little as 50. Allow eight days for delivery. www.tradewinds.eu.com

However, being eco-friendly is not the only CSR issue. Many companies insist on Fairtrade products and Wombat is a collection that includes 13 such garments from Cheshire-based Premier Clothing Ltd. The company has a natty brochure (printed on recycled paper, of course) as well as an informative and colourful website – www.wombat.info.

Fairtrade 100% cotton garments include the Beach hoodie, Kowary top and Tambo tee meaning you can buy your favourite garments whilst supporting the Fairtrade movement.

(For more information about the Fairtrade Mark visit www.Fairtrade.org.uk.)

The Wombat 08 collection also includes other 100% cotton garments including towelling tops in retro chic styles, polos, ladies shirts and much, much more.

Sharp Shirts
If you want customised, designer shirts, then the recent expansion of the online custom shirt maker, ShirtsMyWay.biz, into custom company dress shirts (shirts with logos), will be of interest to you. Founders Peter Crawfurd and Michael Yang (based in Copenhagen, Denmark) predict an upcoming trend for quality, designer company shirts. ShirtsMyWay.biz has just launched an international website based on this idea, with free design and marketing consultation.

"Companies who have shirts made with logos often find out, too late, that the shirts don't live up to their company identity." said Crawfurd. He attributes the disappointment to a lack of personal guidance and professional marketing input on the side of the shirt maker. "Buyers are losing out or don't know the marketing potential of their shirts."

Yang and Crawfurd are delivering improved design, with a conviction that the fit of today's logo shirts can dramatically increase the chance of the shirt being elevated from being a promotional product into a garment someone wears for pleasure.
www.ShirtsMyWay.biz

A Cut Above the Rest
Merit Promotional Clothing is an established company and deals with many famous brands. Commenting on the current situation in the promotional clothing sector, MD Liz Karn said, "Despite many industries reporting a downturn, we are still finding the corporate and promotional marketplace very busy, although as always, competitive."

As well as being a leading supplier of textile products, the company also supplies quality accessories and other promotional items, such as these cups created for The Guardian.

Merit created this T-shirt for the L’Oreal brand which Merit has dealt with for over 20 years. On Merit’s website (www.meritpcuk.com) L’Oreal are quoted as saying, “Merit are a cut above the rest!” and goes on to comment on the company’s product quality, on-time delivery and ability to work within budget.

New Website from Eurostyle
Eurostyle, the Irish-based apparel specialist, has just launched a new Premium Corporate website www.premiumcorporate.eu which covers Cutter & Buck and Calvin Klein garments for the corporate market. This is neutral website for use exclusively by approved distributors.

Hats … To Top It All
Tomato Source can source uniforms, event staff clothing, hats or any other textile item that may or may not be used in the promotional sector.

For example, pictured here, they produced bespoke Sun Hats for school children as part of the mandatory summer uniform. These hats were designed with children and practicality in mind: wide but comfortable brims, high quality embroidered logo to the front, pantone matched brushed cotton twill, air holes to the sides of the head, chin straps with adjustable toggles and, vitally, machine washable features all made this item a really useful and smart element of the uniform portfolio. And of course not forgetting the branded care instruction label inside which stated that the hats were made for the school, providing that necessary ownership which is not always possible when over-branding stock items. High volume is not necessarily required for own design hats – minimum orders start at 250 units. And if you require organic cotton with Fair Trade assurance, Tomato Source can help. www.tomato-source.co.uk

Not Forgetting Accessories
It’s not just promotional clothing that has a designer element; hi-style designer keyrings are as popular as ever with both givers and receivers combining maximum promotional life with ultimate usefulness.

An icon of modern life, the computer mouse provides the inspiration for Special EFX's new Blinky keyring which boasts a brilliant chrome metal body and light-up eyes. www.efx.co.uk.

We looked at clothing and accessories that are creative, versatile, fashionable, functional, eco-friendly and (lastly) downright cute! I think that covers everything.

Carole Bull
Editor

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