6 Tips for Styling Branded Apparel: Look Your Best at Work & Events!

There’s a lot involved with running a business. You’ve got to manage your inventory or services, bring in customers and keep them happy, constantly find new ways to stay relevant in your market space… With the endless list of to-do’s that you have to tackle, styling your company apparel probably falls toward the bottom of your priorities. I mean, on top of everything, now you have to be a stylist too?! I hear you, but the way you wear your company’s branded apparel does have an impact on the image of your business. Like all fashion statements, your company’s uniform can say a lot about you.

The good news is, branded apparel is an easy (and stylish!) way to promote your business. Whether you opt for a formal or casual uniform, well-styled custom clothing ensures your team looks their best at work, trade shows, meetings, and beyond. As for the style department, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with all the tips to make sure you leave a lasting, positive impression on clients, prospects, and anyone lucky enough to see your branded ‘fit. 

Tips for Wearing Clothing with Logos

1. Consider the Occasion
   Where do you plan to wear your branded apparel? A custom t-shirt is a great option for company picnics, but for a professional event or meeting, you’d want to opt for more formal branded apparel styles. For example, you could create a more polished appearance with a crisp Oxford shirt or similar office-worthy separates. Spending the day outdoors at a job site? Make sure you’re on brand with every layer, from a base t-shirt to an insulated logo jacket.
   
2. Don’t Mix Logos
   Serving as brand indicators, logos on clothes help speak to the quality of the garment. When you see Carhartt’s iconic “C” logo, you know the garment is made to last. Adding your logo to apparel from popular brands like Under Armour®, Nike, and Columbia® brings more attention to your business—letting your company benefit from the quality reputation their renown logos bring to mind. But avoid adding other logos on top of that. For example, if you’re wearing your own branded jacket, don’t pair the look with a hat sporting your favorite team’s mascot. Too many clashing logos draw attention away from your own, and frankly, can be downright dizzying.
   
3. Proportion, Proportion, Proportion!
   What if you’re attending a company trade show and want to wear your brand from head to toe? Plan to scale the look accordingly: If one item of clothing with logos is emblazoned with a large professional logo, add branded apparel or accessories with smaller logos. It’s all about balance—the goal is to maximize brand exposure while still looking polished and put-together.
   
4. Choose Colors Carefully
   When creating custom apparel for your business, choose clothing colors that complement your small business’ logo. For example, Carhartt’s vivid yellow logo will stand out on more a white, gray, or black polo shirt. Work color contrasts to your advantage. If your company has a brightly colored logo, choose neutral clothing colors to ensure it stands out.
   
5. Find Your Perfect Fit
   Nothing looks (or feels) worse than an ill-fitting wardrobe, particularly at a company trade show or other customer-facing event. If your clothing with logos won’t zip, snap, or close easily, it’s simply too small. Ditto if you can’t bend or lift your arms—just go up in size. On the other hand, clothing that’s too big just looks sloppy. Be sure to communicate size requirements with your team to order correctly from the start.
   
6. Keep Your Branded Apparel in Tip-Top Shape
   Custom logos on clothes not only represent you, but your company. Stains, tears, fraying, and missing buttons appear careless and unprofessional—not a good look for your brand. Donate or repurpose old branded clothing and replace it with new styles. Keep an eye out for new styles in our apparel collection when you’re ready for a refresh.

Now that you’ve mastered this simple fashion style guide for business attire, get out there and wear your company apparel with pride! Don’t forget to share these tips with your team to ensure everyone looks and feels their best on the job.