Nearly a year ago, I wrote about the trade show styles I saw at The PPAI Expo. Another trip to Vegas is approaching quickly and I’m looking forward to seeing how booth attendants and show-walkers will choose to promote themselves and their brands. Whatever you decide to wear, just make sure you have everything you need for trade show outfits: pockets, imprints and professional appeal.
Performance:
Golf shirts have become a staple of office couture because they are comfortable and professional. With many moisture-wicking and thick-knit options, you can stay comfortable from your morning coffee, through show-flooring walking, to a client dinner at night. Add a lightweight jacket to further promote your brand or company and keep warm on the sometimes chilly show floor.
Logos: Golf shirt – back collar, front chest, sleeve. Jacket – back collar, front chest, whole back, sleeves, wrists.
Corporate:
Dress pants and collared shirts are always appealing. Many suppliers offer corporate looks with stretch to make a long day more tolerable, and an easily-wrinkled shirt more well-kept. Take your corporate branding up a notch with a custom-made belt buckle or lapel pin.
Logos: Shirt – chest, pocket, wrists.
T-shirts:
V-neck, scoop-necks, boat-necks. Distressed, burnout, vintage, tie-dye. Long-sleeve, short-sleeve, three-quarter sleeve. Those are only a few styles and fabrications of imprinted T-shirts. Add poly/cotton/spandex blends and the ever-extending color wheel of apparel suppliers and you are bound to find the T-shirt of your dreams. With office fashion becoming increasingly more casual, you can even mix and match T-shirts with corporate pieces. Jeans and a T-shirt is still a show-favorite, no doubt because of its comfort and branding potential.
Logos: full T-shirt designs, left chest, back, sleeves.
As for my trade show style in Vegas, I think I’m sticking with corporate casual. And insanely comfortable shoes.
