New 1/4 Zips for Fall 2016

We just got some great new gear in from Sport Tek, Eddie Bauer, and Port Authority including the new 1/4 zips for fall. 1/4 zips are great for the team or corporate world to transition into the  new season. And all of these styles (JST65 excluded) come in ladies sizing.

More details about all of the above styles are available on our CompanyCasuals website.

 

Charles River Apparel in Action

Ever want to see what some of the gear you may be interested in purchasing looks like on actual people who are actually moving around?

Charles River has stepped up to the plate and put out this video on their newest line for the year. (with real people who are actually moving around…..)

 

Check out more items from Charles River here.

Spring Training 2016

If you follow this blog at all you know I have a thing for baseball tee’s. I think because they remind me that spring is on it’s way and opening day for the Boston Red Sox is getting closer by the minute.

District Made and Sport Tek are apparently feeling the same way..except I don’t know weather they are Red Sox fans but oh well. Here are their styling tips for the baseball tee.

Varsity 1 Varsity 2

Besides turning these ideas into high office fashion these tee’s and sweatshirts would be  great for corporate team building, spirit wear, company outings, or family gatherings.

photos courtesy of SanMar

Charles River Doggie Rain Gear

For all you with four-legged BFF’s are you ready for this cuteness?

1099

Charles River has just introduced the New Englander Doggie Rain Jacket. It coordinates with the human version so you and your pal can step out in style.

A few of the product features include:

  • 100% wind and waterproof shell
  • Leash access opening
  • Back pocket for doggie bags and treats
  • Silver reflective trim for visibility

These jacekts are a great way to promote your pet store, grooming shop, vet practice, or specialty shop that focuses on the tourist trade.  (Think Newport, RI in the summer.)

We don’t have a sample in the shop as of yet but if you want to check one out in person drop us a line and we will make it happen.

Photos are courtesy of Charles River.

 

 

Color Block Pockets Trending

Check it out! We can help you stay on trend without having to go to a fancy boutique!

pocket sweater

DT6000SP_heatheredcharcoalblack_model_GA16

Bella and Canvas

Top image we found  on Pinterest. The other two  images are from our sources at  District and Bella+Canvas.

We are feeling really cool about now…

 

Patterned Fleece Blankets..who knew?

I really should spend more time browsing on-line. (And Dale its for research purposes I promise….)

We have a lot of blankets that come through the shop all in great colors. But none ever have  patterns. Then while browsing (for research purposes of course) I found these beauties.

BP61_flat_NEWGH15

Patterned blankets may not work for everyone but they just might kick off your next big marketing/branding idea.

Now back to browsing…I mean research…

2016 E-CATALOGS UPDATED

The snow day yesterday allowed us (and by us I mean me…) to get the E-Catalogs updated. I even added a couple of new ones. Not sure how I missed these last year but check out the 2016 Pennant and Game catalogs. Great for teams, clubs, and spirit wear.

 

_preview

Our featured catalog today is from Blue Generation. These guys offer a nice range of items  for the restaurant, hospitality, and service industries. But there are plenty of garments perfect for the corporate world including cardigans for the ladies and oxfords for the men. The size range on most styles is from XXS thru 5XL.  They even have Youth sizes on select items. And their color options are bold which makes it easy to find a color to match most any logo or branding requirement.

 

 

 

 

Giveaway Ideas Part 1: Glasses, Mugs, and Water Bottles

Drinkware is very versatile at expos and events. There are tons of styles, colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from. Some even come as a gift sets if you want to up your giveaway level. If your company has multiple logos or tag lines drinkware can be very cost effective. Instead of charging logo set ups for multiple locations most vendors offer a wrap service. This means you are given an area that wraps around the glass, mug, or water bottle. Whatever you can fit in that area is considered one logo, one location. Pretty niffty huh?

Scroll through the ideas below and see if anything floats your boat. For a full image click on the item you are interested in.

Glass

Mugs

Water Bottles

 

It’s Show Time!

Promo1

The first quarter of every New Year is marked by a lot of promoting. Home shows, boat shows, bridal expos, fitness expos, small business events, city and town events all abound in the winter. My theory: Cold weather, captive audience.

The amount of promotional items available is staggering. Don’t believe me? Check out our Promotional tab on the website. Where do you start? So many goodies so little time. Overwhelming!

Some clients know exactly what they are looking for. Most don’t. And that’s okay. Here are some questions we try to ask to help get the brainstorming started.

When is the event? This is BIGGEST and most important question of all. When dealing with promo items try to allow at least six weeks for the idea search, sourcing, sampling if needed, production, and shipping. Who wants to pay rush charges when you don’t have to? We try to work with local companies first. That way shipping time and costs are reduced. When it’s not possible we cast our nets further.

How big is your space? With everything else you are dealing would at a trade show the last thing you want to be doing is juggling more stuff. Remember you have to have a spot to store the items during the event.

Do you have a theme or have very specific branding? If so do you want to stick to the theme or the branding? Do you like to think outside the box and try something that, right off the bat, may not scream your theme/brand but ultimately will remind your clients of you? These are  the hardest questions to answer. Just remember your first instincts are usually right. If you find an item you like but don’t think it will fit with the theme/brand don’t discount the idea. There may be something else along that same line that would. Or there could be a way to tailor that item with a clever tag line that will relate to your theme/brand.

Do you want levels of giveaways or just one item for everyone? Would it be to your benefit, for example, to give pens to folks who are just walking by but give a car charger to a client who is a real prospect you will be following up with after the show is over? This is probably the second hardest questions to answer and one that has no right or wrong answer. You may find different level of giveaways work at some events and not at others.

How big is your budget? Having some idea of what you can or want to spend is always helpful but don’t let it get in the way of brainstorming ideas .You may have a tremendous budget but know that what works well in your industry is to give away note pads. On the other hand you may have a smaller budget and feel you only afford note pads when a more expensive item that nails your theme/branding will produce bigger results by the time the show is over.

Over the next couple of weeks we will be highlighting some new productions that have come to our attention for 2016. You may like them, you may not, or you may be hit with an “AH HA” moment and discover that perfect item for your event.

photo courtesy of Illini

 

Fruit of the Loom for Fall 2015

Yes I am posting a catalog on line with a beach scene on it and yes I am aware that fall started yesterday. There is a method to my madness however. Fruit of the Loom has some great colors with awesome contrasting details that will be perfect for you crew to carry you into the cooler fall weather.

Fruit of the Loom sweatshirts are soft, wear well, and I love the contrasting detail in the hoods, zipper plackets, and drawstrings. Take a flip through the catalog and find your fall colors and remember June will be here before you know it….

 

Double click the catalog to view it full screen.