Choosing styles and colors suitable for a wide range of different body types is one problem promotional apparel manufacturers and distributors face. Since most promotional items are gifts, end-users rarely have the option to find a better color or fit. A successful promotional garment must be color- and style-suited to the majority of women. “Women are very, very conscious
about colors that they can and can’t wear,” said Brian Thigpen, national sales manager at Jensen Apparel, Portsmouth, Va. According to Thigpen, a woman’s eye color, hair color and skin tone comprise her pallet, and sharp, bright colors do not mix well with certain pallets. The need for softer colors and styles is
especially prevalent when dealing with women’s apparel for corporate programs. “Mainly, if [a garment is] for an office worker, it needs to be more of a polo shirt or a woven button-up shirt,” said Thigpen, “and if you’re doing a program for a company, you have to be mindful of [color pallet], you just keep it basic.” Thigpen suggested white, black, chocolate brown and some shades of blue as colors that will match a broad spectrum. Vuong agreed colors for corporate women’s wear must be “very subtle,” but he also pointed out a recent acceptance of new colors.
- Places:
- Commerce, Calif.
- Minneapolis