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PF
PROMOWEAR
FEBRUARY 2017 images 41
holding: Gildan and Fruit Of The Loom continue to be the main
players in this market.”
Look a little closer, however, and you will discover some sig-
nificant changes in promowear since 1992. Women’s T-shirts
come as standard across all brands now: 25 years ago they simply
didn’t exist. “In the old days, you bought a T-shirt and that was it,”
explains Alex Sibbald, director of promotional products and cor-
porate gift company Creative Promotions. “Whereas in the past it
was just a case of ‘You take a large size? There you are, that’s it’,
they’ve now expanded the fits. Nowadays you’ve got skinny fit,
you’ve got ladies’ tapered ones... If you know that there’s a certain
percentage going for sale or for handing out to ladies then you
don’t just go ‘Give me 500 white, spread over medium, large, ex-
tra large, etcetera’, you say you want so many women’s because
they appreciate that the shape may be that wee bit different.”
There was little or no choice in styles at all in the beginning,
agrees Jon Birrell, marketing director of promotional merchan-
dise BTC Group, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this
year. “As the industry grew, companies like Mr. President stocked
and ran ranges of American brands like Hanes as well as a local
supply of Screen Stars, Jerzees and various UK manufactured
garments. I believe the success and growth of our industry came
from PenCarrie and the ‘sheds’. With this came service, choice
and availability – their story can be measured in the thickness
of their catalogues year-on-year. They quickly understood what
was needed to turn the industry into a powerful advertising media
known now as ‘promotional merchandise’.”
Cotton may still be the number one choice for promowear, but
other fabrics are now getting a look in. “We have seen a huge rise
in interest for tri-blend and mixed fabrics such as those produced
Splashmacs:
Rain poncho
The rain poncho
(SC010) from Splash-
macs is an enduring
favourite. Available
in a range of colours
– navy, red, yellow,
silver, sapphire, fuch-
sia and black as well as
clear – it comes with
its own carry case with
drawstring handle.
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Regatta
Professional:
Arcola 3 Layer
Softshell
Regatta Standout’s top seller is
its Arcola 3 Layer Softshell. Avail-
able in both male and female
styles in eight colours, it features
a warm-backed, woven, softshell
XPT waterproof and breathable
three-layer membrane fabric.
Other features include adjustable
cuffs, an adjustable shockcord
hem and a full zip with an inner
storm flap and chin guard. “It’s
fantastic for personalisation,
giving decorators the freedom
to brand the jacket through em-
broidery, screen printing, vinyl
transfer and opaque blackout
printing.”
w www.regattaprofessional.
com
Just Cool by AWD-
is: Cool T
The bestselling sportswear T-shirt
from Just Cool by AWDis is its
Cool T (JC001), which is made
from a lightweight Neoteric fabric
which wicks sweat away from the
skin to ensure wearers stay cool
and dry. “With a crew neck and
relaxed fit, our bestselling T is a
favourite with printers and em-
broiderers for its smooth printing
surface and versatility,” says the
brand. “It is available in XS-5XL in
36 exciting shades.”
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James & Nicholson: Promo Jacket
James & Nicholson’s top promowear item is the Promo Jacket. This 100% polyester
jacket is wind- and water-repellent, has a hood with cord integrated in the collar,
elastic sleeve bands and two side hems. It can be easily stowed away in the side pocket
and is ideal for promotions.
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