Did you know branded outerwear is the number one most influential promotional product for ages 18-44? And according to ASI’s 2016 Impressions Study outerwear is among the top five most influential products across all ages?
Under Armour 3-in-1 Jacket
By choosing outerwear, you are setting yourself up to achieve the highest return on your promotional spend.
But with so many options for outerwear, how do you choose the right piece?
To begin, there are three reasons people hang on to outerwear – usefulness of the piece, attractiveness, as well as the enjoyment of having them. So, let’s talk about each of these as it relates to how to choose a great outerwear piece.
Keep the Recipient in Mind
Prior to purchasing an outerwear piece as part of a branded apparel program consider who will wear it and where will it be used? For example, a versatile, light-weight piece would work best for recipients living throughout the country.
Two additional factors that will drive your apparel purchase are warmth rating and level of water-resistance.
Warmth will be determined by a number of factors, including insulation level, finish on the inside of the jacket, and weight of the jacket. If you need something warmer but lightweight, consider a jacket with thermal reflective technology which reflects and retains body heat on the inside.
Thermal reflective technology reflects and retains heat on the inside.
Waterproof ratings are determined by the water-resistant and or repellant coating on the garment as well as whether the garment’s seams are sealed. The waterproof rating refers to the amount of water a garment can withstand in 24 hours before it leaks.
Today’s Trends and Attractive Features in Outerwear
Retail trends are a big influencer of outerwear purchases.
One of the biggest trends driving current outerwear sales is lightweight warmth. Your employees or customers want a garment that will allow for a cozy commute, regardless of the weather, but also one that doesn’t weight them down.
We are seeing some of the biggest brands in outerwear trend towards lighter and lighter weight garments through the careful use of quilting, insulation and technical fabrics.
Another driving force in the retail outerwear space is the concept of the urban professional. The urban professional is a traveler, someone who needs to look upscale and presentable no matter where his or her profession takes them.
The urban professional not only needs function, but they demand style. Heathered fabrics, weather-resistance, well-placed pockets and topstitching details, and “puffy jackets” are all features that the urban professional might find attractive.
Heat transfer process for clarity and precision, combined with laser etching which produces a permanent tone-on-tone look.
Thoughtful Branding
All these factors are important but whether a jacket or fleece, the piece has to appeal to the recipient’s lifestyle AND their sense of style.
If it looks good and also has some cool performance features (for instance – did you know some outerwear pieces will pack into their own pockets for easy transportation as you’re traveling?), it is sure to be a hit with your audience.
Combine a great outerwear piece with thoughtful branding, and that is when the magic really starts to happen.
By choosing a decoration technique and location that fits the audience, you are able to ensure your brand message is not only noticed but worn over and over again.