January 2008

1st Annual Wearables Apparel Design Awards

We went in search of the best-designed apparel and accessories, looking for style, wearability, performance features and the ability to really showcase a logo. Here are the winners you chose as the best in show.

By Elaine Wong

Whether it’s the classic tee, a wrinkle-free button down or performance polo, specialty advertising is specialty advertising, but you know a good apparel (or accessory) item when you see it. These are the products that not only look and wear well, but ones you won’t hesitate to recommend to a client for any occasion, be it a company outing or dress-down event.

In September, Wearables asked distributors to nominate their favorite industry suppliers’ products in more than 10 categories. From headwear to jewelry and watches to wovens, our readers selected the best of the best, and this month, we’re honoring all of the winners of our first-ever Apparel Design Awards contest. Each of the winning items featured on the following pages represents the height of creativity with a focus on design appeal, wearability, performance attributes, and, when applicable, the ability to attractively feature a logo. So, take some cues from these industry trendsetters. They’ve certainly got what it takes to stay heads above the rest.

Congratulations to all of the winning suppliers. It’s a richly deserved honor. Listed on the opposite page are all of our winners and finalists in each of the categories.

How the Winners Were Chosen Wearables first asked for apparel and accessory nominations from suppliers and distributors. Each could nominate any of the products they thought were the best designed within 11 different categories. In all, we received 125 product nominations. A panel of Wearables editors then reviewed each product and arrived at a list of nine finalists for each category. You can view the list of finalists in all of the categories online at www.wearablesmag.com. Our readers then voted on the finalists to arrive at the winner in each category. Overall, more than 1,300 votes were cast. Click here to see the Apparel Awards ballot sheet.

ATHLETIC WEAR Winner: Sport-Tek Compression T-shirt, SanMar(asi/84863) Finalists: Augusta Sportswear (asi/37461) Alo (asi/39590) River’s End Trading (asi/82588) Bella (asi/39590) Bishop Garment Co. (asi/40585) Timberline Colorado (asi/91263) Carefree Casuals (asi/43851) Royal Apparel (asi/83731) BAGS Winner: Garment Bag, Ogio International (asi/74773) Finalists: Mobile Edge (asi/71854) Clava American (asi/45335) Helbros International/Jules Jurgensen (asi/60420) Redline (asi/81133) Emporium Leather Co. Inc./The Royce Collection (asi/52390) Pendleton Woolen Mills (asi/77058) Golden Pacifi c International (asi/55549) Cross Canvas Co. Inc. (asi/47541) HEADWEAR Winner: Brushed Heavy Cotton Cap, Headwear USA (asi/60282) Finalists: Dunbrooke (asi/50930) District Threads from SanMar (asi/84863) Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) Outdoor Cap Co. (asi/75420) PremiumWear Inc. (asi/79393) Atlantic Coast Cotton (asi/37355) Mega Cap (asi/70434) Rothco (asi/83708)

HOODIES Winner: Port Authority Ladies’ Flatback Jacket, SanMar (asi/84863) Finalists: Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) Colorado Trading and Clothing (asi/45792) Game Sportswear (asi/55752) A.S. Tees (asi/30233) Bishop Garment Co. (asi/40585) Sierra Pacifi c Apparel (asi/87224) Royal Apparel (asi/83731) Alstyle Apparel (asi/34817) KIDS Winner: Sport-Tek Youth Hooded Sweatshirt, SanMar (asi/84863) Finalists: L.A. T Sportswear (asi/65948) Innovative Apparel (asi/62671) Bella (asi/39590) Sierra Pacifi c Apparel (asi/87224) Forest & Hue (asi/74257) Twisted Designs (asi/92367) American Apparel (asi/35297) Royal Apparel (asi/83731) LEATHER/SUEDE Winner: Red House Calf Suede Jacket, SanMar (asi/84863) Finalists: Bodek and Rhodes (asi/40788) Beardmore Leathers (asi/39275) Bishop Garment Co. (asi/40585) Dunbrooke (asi/50930) PremiumWear (asi/79393) Rohde Royce (asi/83278) Cutter & Buck (asi/47965) Nucom (asi/74600)

POLOS Winner: Polo, Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) Finalists: Broder Bros. (asi/42090) Hanes/Outerbanks (asi/59528) Cutter & Buck (asi/47965) Dunbrooke (asi/50930) James Harvest Sportswear (asi/63117) PremiumWear (asi/79393) Hartwell Classic Apparel (asi/60135) A.M. Player (asi/30205) TANKS AND TEES Winner: Impactwear Line, FP Services Inc. (asi/53475) Finalists: Pizzazz (asi/78230) Alo (asi/39590) Bella (asi/39590) Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) Rothco (asi/83708) Innovative Apparel (asi/62671) Royal Apparel (asi/83731) WATCHES AND JEWELRY Winner: Women’s Bangle Watch, Bulova (asi/42427) Finalists: K & R Precision Corp. (asi/63770) Pedre Promotional Products (asi/76675) The Selco Companies (asi/86230) Castle Merchandising (asi/44315) Optics Special Markets (asi/75145) Tomax (asi/91435) Ballanda Corp. (asi/38140) Helbros International/Jules Jurgensen (asi/60420)

WINDBREAKERS/ OUTERWEAR Winner: Port Authority Softshell Jacket, SanMar (asi/84863) Finalists: Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) Alo (asi/39590) Dri Duck Traders (asi/50835) Hartwell Classic Apparel (asi/60135) Sunderland of Scotland (asi/90145) Cutter & Buck (asi/47965) Dunbrooke (asi/50930) James Harvest Sportswear (asi/63117) WOVENS Winner: Red House Men’s Non- Iron Button-Down Shirt, SanMar (asi/84863) Finalists: Greg Norman Collection Hartwell Classic Apparel (asi/60135) Ash City (asi/37127) Sierra Pacifi c Apparel (asi/87224) PremiumWear Inc. (asi/79393) Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) Dunbrooke (asi/50930) Bishop Garment Co. (asi/40585)

[ATHLETIC WEAR]

Winner: Sport-Tek by Port Aurhority Compression
T-shirt

Supplier: SanMar (asi/84863)
So, you’ve got clients who hit the company gym every day after a grueling eight hours of work. Fear not. SanMar’s Sport-Tek Compression T-shirt contains antimicrobial properties to keep your customers smelling fresh and clean. “It’s a feature that not only reduces odor, but lengthens the life of the shirt by preventing bacteria from prematurely breaking down the fabric,” says Lee Strom, SanMar’s senior marketing manager. Pair it with some sleek running pants or Armani jeans for an upscale, yet casual, business look.

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[BAGS]

Winner: Garment Bag
Supplier: Ogio International (asi/74773)
Who says you can’t pack suits easily? This garment bag from Ogio International fits anything from suit pants to trousers to silky, black ties. Better yet, it even has a two-stage Pullman handle, a wet-dry pocket and plenty of small compartments for storing toiletries and other travel accessories. “The other nice thing about this design is if you’re on a sales trip where you’re staying in a different motel room every night, you can ‘live’ out of the bag,” says Nick Wright, director of Ogio International’s promotional products division. “It’s a great bag for a one- to three-, maybe even four-day trip.”

 

 

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[HEADWEAR]

Winner: Brushed Heavy Cotton Cap
Supplier: Headwear USA (asi/60282)
So, they hit the golf course a lot, eh? In that case, surprise your clients with a gift package, complete with this sportswear must-have from Headwear USA. The supplier created this six-panel, low-profile cap after “studying the golf market on an international level and identifying a niche need,” says Tony Karlicek, CEO of the company’s U.S. division.

For sales-savvy distributors, that’s everything from middle school to high school to collegiate golf programs, as well as professional tournaments and specialty sports boutiques. The selling factor? A brushed heavy cotton cap with a built-in ball marker and embossed buckle that goes for less than two bucks. Now that’s a deal that’s hard to beat.

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[HOODIES/SWEATSHIRTS]

Winner: Port Authority Ladies’ Flatback Jacket
Supplier: SanMar (asi/84863)
Ah, finally. A jacket that’s smooth, chic and functional. This ladies’ Port Authority flatback jacket from SanMar will have your clients hitting the treadmill in style. Made of 10 oz., 85/15 cotton/poly flatback rib, this jacket accentuates the female form with its twill-trimmed neck seam, princess cut and open bottom hem and cuffs. “A photo hardly does this jacket justice,” says Lee Strom, senior marketing manager at SanMar. “The subtle patterning and texture provide an impeccably soft hand that you really have to touch and feel to appreciate.”

 

 

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[KIDS’ WEAR]

Winner: Port Authority Youth Hooded
Sweatshirt
Supplier: SanMar (asi/84863)
“It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A. It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.” Oops, you caught us in the middle of a spontaneous song-and-dance. Sorry, we just couldn’t help it. After all, what youngster could resist the urge to shimmy to the beat in this warm, cozy and full-athletic-cut hoodie? “The industry standard for youth styles tends to be a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester. Our youth sweatshirt definitely exceeds that expectation for first-class quality by using a 60/40 ringspun [blend],” says Lee Strom, senior marketing manager of SanMar.

 

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[LEATHER/SUEDE]

Winner: Red House Calf Suede Jacket
Supplier: SanMar (asi/84863)
Yikes! It’s snowing outside but your clients want to look their best. Why not outfit them in a SanMar Red House Calf Suede Jacket? This winter classic has a premium suede leather shell, a 100% cotton upper body lining and slash and patch pockets. “Just have them touch it and try it on,” says Lee Strom, senior marketing manager of SanMar. “There really is no parallel in the promotional market to the Red House collection.”

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[POLOS]

Winner: Performance Polo
Supplier: Vantage Apparel (asi/93390)
What? Another polo? Relax. This isn’t your average work shirt. Vantage Apparel’s Vansport polo comes with body-mapping and UV-protecting technologies. This moisture-wicking trendsetter even has a solid rib-knit collar, three-button V-box placket and dyed-to-match polished etched buttons. “The piece is a natural fit for any golf or corporate sports outings, and could be sold to the health club/fitness industry, used for a charity event staff or presented to any sports-
related company,” says Wendy Gray, director of creative services at Vantage. “The color blocking makes it a great piece for custom corporate colors.”

 

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[TANKS & TEES]

Winner: Impactwear Line
Supplier: FP Services Inc. (asi/53475)
Wow. This shirt caught our eye. With its vibrant, all-over print and soft, poly/spandex feel, this sublimated tee is a sure attention grabber. Great for concerts and other entertainment and star-studded events, FP Services Inc.’s Impactwear Line has excelled at bringing clients’ brands to life, says Barry Brown, national sales manager for the company. “On the entertainment side, we’ve heard our shirts are among the top sellers on the concert tours of a who’s who list of popular music performers, and they’re being used to promote the premieres of a number of upcoming major motion pictures,” he says.

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[WATCHES & JEWELRY]

Winner: Women’s Bangle Watch
Supplier: Bulova (asi/42427)
Hitting the five-, 10-, 15-, much less 20-year mark at any company is no small feat, so be sure such stellar employees are rewarded with only the best. Keepsakes such as Bulova’s women’s bangle watch – which comes with a jeweled Cabochon crown, an elegant curved crystal and a moisture-resistant case – makes all the hard work worthwhile. “Watches are the classic service award. It’s engravable on the back side, which is discreet and meaningful to the recipient,” says Gary Haley, senior vice president of sales at Beacon Promotions (asi/39250), a supplier that carries the watch. “When the recipient sees the brand name of Bulova on the box, they know their expectations will be exceeded.”

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[WINDBREAKERS & OUTERWEAR]

Winner: Port Authority Softshell Jacket
Supplier: SanMar (asi/84863)
Looking for an apparel item for those who are constantly on the go? How about SanMar’s Port Authority softshell jacket? With its 100% polyester shell that’s bonded to a 100% polyester microfleece lining, this jacket is wind and water resistant, making it a great addition for those rainy and oh-so-chilly days. “Because this jacket is such a great marriage between style and performance, it’s really an amazing all-year-round seller,” says Lee Strom, senior marketing manager of SanMar. “It’ll meet the need for weather protection and the silhouette, especially in the black/chrome color, is a great corporate look. It’s even hip enough to use as campus wear.”

 

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[WOVENS]

Winner: Red House Men’s Non-Iron
Button Down Shirt
Supplier: SanMar (asi/84863)
Hey, there. Care to look irresistible? If so, then this super-soft luxurious shirt is just too good to pass up. New to SanMar’s Red House line, this men’s non-iron shirt comes in three classic patterns and looks as good as it feels. “The name really says it all. No one wants to pick up an iron when they’re on their way out the door,” says Lee Strom, senior marketing manager of SanMar. “Leave the iron in the closet – not the shirt,” he says.

READER’S CHOICE AWARD: SanMar (asi/84863) Here’s one of our favorite parts of the Apparel Awards. We asked distributors to nominate their favorite supplier for the Wearables Reader’s Choice Award. The winner was chosen based on its product selection; size range; brands, fabrics and colors offered; and available inventory. SanMar is this year’s winner. SanMar President Marty Lott chats with Wearables about his company winning the 2008 Reader’s Choice Award. Wearables: What’s your reaction to being chosen by our readers as the favorite supplier for having the deepest inventory, great selection of styles (cuts, colors and sizes) and customer service? Marty Lott: We’re so humbled and pleased by this award. The success we’ve achieved can be attributed to both our customers, who really are our sales force; and the great team of dedicated professionals who make committed customer service their number one priority every single day. Wearables: What steps have you taken to be strong in these areas? What’s your secret to success? ML: Being a family owned business, we really take a long-term approach to our business philosophy. Simply put, our success is dependent on our customer’s success. Everything we do should help the customer develop and grow their business. Every step we take – from our customer service, to the right products, to our deep inventory – is all geared toward the goal of providing an excellent customer experience. Wearables: What advice would you give to a distributor who really wants to pick the right wearables to pitch to his/her clients? How does a salesperson home in on that “perfect” garment?  ML: I’d say that there’s a lot of value to be had by letting us be part of the process. Our customer service team members love to consult with customers and are experts about our products. They can help you find the right choices, the right fabrics and the right technology. Additionally, we really believe in giving the end-user options. The good-better-best model is a great approach. If your customer is looking for a basic polo, we can offer him/her something. If they’re searching for a more upscale, distinctive sport shirt, we could provide suggestions. And if the customer is looking for that luxury or brand name polo, we can meet that need. We believe that providing a broad selection is key to customers finding the right product.

 

ELAINE WONG is a staff writer for Wearables. Contact ewong@asicentral.com.