2018 Style Guide: Executive Apparel's Lisa Denham on What's New in Promotional Uniforms

Promotional uniforms are shifting for 2018. They’re getting more technical features and designs, and they’re even getting more casual. To help distributors stay on top of the latest in promotional uniform trends, Promo Marketing interviewed Lisa Denham, marketing director for Executive Apparel, Philadelphia.

Promotional Uniforms Style Trends

For promotional uniforms, 2018 will continue to see the sector evolve to meet end-user demands.
“We’ve been seeing requests for some more hybrid fashions that can work in both the career and promo arenas,” said Denham. “We just added two semi-casual blazers to our collection as a result: The Devin Knit Blazer and The Jet Unlined Polyester Blazer. Both are easy-care and suitable for branding with patches or embroidery. I see them as great options for workplaces that need a professional look but have a more millennial workforce who may pair a blazer with jeans and T-shirts for a hip casual look.”

Promotional Uniforms Color Trends

It’s not just promotional T-shirts that have been going bolder with their color options lately. Promotional uniforms are also experiencing a new color wave.

The Devin Knit Blazer by Executive Apparel

“Our bright Club Colors always do well but we added a couple of new shades of blue this year due to demand,” she said. “We’ve added a light ‘carolina’ blue to our UltraLuxMotion stretch polyester collection and in our Easy Wear Polywool Blazer we added a royal blue.”

Millennials and Promotional Uniforms

As the millennial generation continues to enter the workforce, they also bring with them a new set of uniform changes.
“Millennials seem to love comfort combined with interesting style details,” said Denham. “Anything that promotes a brand they actually use is cool and if it has a pop of color, even better.”
But, Denham pointed out that no matter your client’s generation, communication is the key to ensure your uniform promotion is a successful one.
“Ask a lot of questions and then do your research,” she said. “The best distributors always keep up on new cool products and have many sources to custom-make something if it doesn’t exist.”

Promotional Uniforms Decoration Trends

There’s not a lot of change in the uniform decoration area, but Denham pointed out the techniques that are still safe bets.
“As Blazer experts we tend to get request for mostly embroidery or patches but I would love to get a request for program of bedazzled blazers,” she said.

Technology and Promotional Uniforms

Looking forward, it seems the promotional uniform world is getting a tech upgrade.
"I think tech will play a big part in a couple of ways,” said Denham. “In the promo arena, anything that facilitates accessing our devices more easily or tracking our daily health goals will continue to grow. But, as a career wear manufacturer I see a more universal use for tech in RFID technology for inventory and tracking product through its journey.”