I wanted to complete my review of the Milan menswear runway shows with a look at Fendi and Armani. Both showcased imprintable, albeit sometimes barely wearable, garments. The main points: ombre, drop crotches and sweatshirt suits. Learn how to bundle these styles and more with a few tips from Cindy J. Sims, PR and promotions manager for Heritage Sportswear Inc., Hebron, Ohio.
Ombre
Ombre/fading color styles were prevalent for Fendi. Ombre has been a consistent trend since 2010 with ombre hairstyles (dark roots, light ends), ombre nails and dresses. It makes sense for the trend to extend to menswear. It is a style that transfers easily to the promotional products industry because it works on outerwear, T-shirts and sweatshirts. Fendi also showed many monochrome looks. By combining navy garments in different textures, the ensembles appeared appropriate for all seasons and events.
Suiting for Sleepwear
This year, Giorgio Armani experimented a bit with drop-crotch pants (an MC Hammer fashion mistake that keeps inexplicably reappearing). If you look at them more as a new take on sleepwear than suiting, the outfits become more tolerable and even cozy. Who doesn’t want to have some sartorial shut-eye? For daytime ensembles, Armani offered velvet blazers for men and women. Velvet (or velvet substitute) companion styles with detailed embroidery would be quite chic for a corporate promotion.
Bundles
Cindy J. Sims, PR and promotions manager at Heritage Sportswear Inc., Hebron, Ohio, offered a few examples of bundling for corporate programs, schools and nonprofits. For office uniforms, Sims suggested dressing each level of employees differently, but with the same logo. “Executives may be fitted with wovens or polos for the office. The salespeople will select a color that complements their company as well as is transitional to other styles. For other employee teams, a color-matched tee works and when combined with a visor or cap, the logo power is emphasized,” she said. She added that a piece like a windbreaker or jacket for every level of employee will bring the promotion together. You can use these ideas with the monotone looks Fendi showed. A navy windbreaker, polo, button-down and cardigan all match without seeming too uniform.
For schools, Sims offered “promo pack” ideas. “For example, a booster club will create a sales sheet that offers a short sleeve tee, a hooded sweatshirt, athletic shorts for gals and guys, imprintable slide sandals, and perhaps a windbreaker and a pair of sweat pants” she said. “Clubs will take orders for the items they want or offer a special price on a combo of items. Parents can shop for their students and are sure to buy something they’ll wear,” she added. The proceeds from the parents at the school add value to the bundle for your client. Use Fendi-inspired ombre looks and Armani-esque sweatshirts for school wear. They are trendy and can be worn to class or sports practice.
For special events and nonprofits, Sims suggested picking a color or theme, like pink Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “A breast cancer run might feature a pink visor, a tee, running shorts, socks, sweat bands, a windbreaker, etc., on a pre-event sales sheet,” Sims said. Event-goers can purchase the merchandise to show their support. Again, look to the monochrome looks from Fendi for inspiration. Read more advice from Sims in February’s T-shirt feature.
