Stanley, one of the most influential brands in drinkware for the time being (despite recent controversy) is looking to grow into the apparel world, too.
The Stanley website now features a tab alongside “Quencher” and “Hydrate” for “Apparel,” which features their whole “Wear the Bear” line of clothing. This includes things like T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and children’s apparel.
Most of the T-shirts incorporate the winged bear motif in some way, and have streetwear-esque design elements like cities listed on the back of a shirt, or minimal decorations on the chest.
I want to make fun of the Stanley apparel but some of these are bangers pic.twitter.com/hgOKynow0E
— Bort (@SenatorGiggity) February 6, 2024
One of those chest decorations is a heart made from interlocking Quencher tumblers, because Stanley clearly knows what its calling card is at this point.
Sweatshirts come in both crewneck and hooded options, with a zip-up hoodie option, too.
Stanley debuts its first apparel collection, and it's as gorgeous as the tumblers https://t.co/9Tt3qtwafZ by @lauramrosenberg
— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) February 6, 2024
What stands out the most, honestly, is the fact that the apparel is priced very reasonably. The T-shirts are $30. The sweatshirts are $60. The hats, which come in trucker, corduroy, snapback, and “dad hat” styles, are also $30, and use both embroidery and patch decorations.
Basically, what we’re trying to say here is that Stanley has not reinvented the wheel with its apparel. But, it recognizes the power of its brand and logo right now, so is capitalizing on that. It’s not going over the top with options, but is giving choices for different aesthetics and looks.
It speaks more about what people want their branded merchandise to look like than about Stanley becoming a powerhouse in apparel like it has in drinkware. This is just an opportunity for them to advertise the core product: the Stanley cup.
If a company as popular right now as Stanley is using apparel to complement its products and showcase its brand, it shows the power of quality apparel. But that means you have to make it quality: Choose comfortable and fashionable pieces, and use decoration techniques that take a promotional product and make it fashionable.
