With branded merchandise being the single most effective use of advertising, and apparel accounting for one third of branded merchandise sales, that amounts to a lot of brand exposure!

And with all that branded apparel out there, there are some really stylish, well chosen branded garments, and then there are some not helping their companys image at all!

So here are some pointers to make sure your branded apparel represents your company in the best possible way, flattering both the people wearing it and your companys image.

1. Offer Ladies Garments & Sizes . It cannot be overstated how important it is to consider women in the selection of the apparel. While trying to achieve organizational uniformity, too often women have been forced to succumb to wearing traditional corporate styled selections like boxy button downs, polo shirts, and blazers. While these pieces are often chosen because of their traditionally polished and professional look (on men), too often not enough consideration is given to getting comparable types of choices in more flattering cuts and sizes for womens figures.

Women will only wear a required garment the minimal amount if it does not fit well or look good. If styled and sized to fit well, it will be worn repeatedly, thus getting more advertising and branding value.

Consider, 68 million women are part the American workforce. We need to get it right!

2. Offer Options with a Theme. Here is a scenario.  You have a corporate team going to a trade show. Your team is made up of both men and women. This is a suggestion that would be quite successful and professional. Offer a couple of different options from which your team members could choose. For example, the men could wear black pants, and the women either a black pant or a black skirt.

Then you could pair that with a branded woven shirt in a mens cut for the men, and for the women, a coordinating, but specifically styled womens cut branded shirt, both in a color that is part of your brand scheme. Then allow the men and women to choose from a pullover sweater, cardigan, zip up or some type of cover up in case of cooler conditions. Again, these would be branded.

Depending on how formal your event, you may want to have the men wear ties and the women coordinating scarves. If it is possible to be more casual, the men could choose between an upscale polo shirt and a woven shirt. The key is to offer choice, while allowing the color scheme and the brand to maintain the consistency and uniformity.

3. Go Subtle with Style, Not Large and Loud. Ultimately, maximum impact for your brand will occur through the exposure you get when a branded garment is worn again and again. And that happens when a garment looks good, and fits well.

Unfortunately, sometimes in the zealousness to make an impact with the branding, there is a push to have a logo sized or placed very obtrusively on the garment. The result is that the final product is a piece of clothing that neither tends to get worn very often, nor looks attractive to anyone else.

The intent should not be to have a large promotional brand logo, but ratherto have a garment with an appropriately sized and placed brand logo, with retail style and flair! This is what will show well!

4. Be Creative with Brand Placement. Assuming you have chosen a garment that fits well and is well made, you can really get a a little extra flair when you do something a little different with your brand placement. Consider for a moment your typical polo or golf shirt. While it is conventional to place your brand name or logo on the upper left chest of a shirt, consider putting it at the bottom of one of the sleeves. It will still get seen, but now it is different and distinctive.

It is this type of difference that sets your style and brand apart and will cause people to pause a moment, and then remember you!

5. Choose Quality Materials for Your Brand. Everybody has budgets to work with. It is a frustrating fact. But, you need to make sure to understand the quality of the fabric you choose, including how it will hold up after washing, before you put your brand on it. The last word you want associated with your brand is cheap. If you really cannot afford a suitable fabric for your garment, than it is better to choose another product. You want your brand image to always stand for quality, no matter what.

6. Incorporate Style & Trend. People will be more likely to wear your branded apparel if it is stylish and reflective of retail trends. While you want to make sure you remain consistent with your brand image, regardless of what that is, you can find stylish clothing that works for both objectives.

With these pointers in mind, you should be able to deliver branded apparel that enhances your image, and provides stylish options for your personnel.