There is still something classic and elegant about corporate dressing. Not only is it timeless, it engenders trust in the client or customer, because it signals professional authority.
Taraynn Lloyd of Edwards Garment, explains, "Suiting is a huge trend in corporate apparel. Dress pants, skirts, vests, jackets and neckwear to go with their favorite blouse or shirt. Edwards introduced a new washable suiting collection that has caught fire with purchasers of image apparel. Not only do we see these styles in hotels, banks, resort properties and office parks, but this collection has made a huge impact with hospitals for their non-medical staff. This has been an incredible product entry for Edwards and for Spring 2016 we have added a steel grey to this collection."
Details are more prominent and important than ever, as shown in a handful of new offerings for 2016.
At Big Bang Corporate Apparel, classic shirting for men and women is key. The men's corporate collection includes twill (Super Pop in five styles and 12 colors, Euro, five styles, four colors and Pop in three styles and one color); poplin (Comet in five styles and two colors; IO in five styles and five colors; Sun in five styles and five colors, and the short-sleeved Maui in seven styles and eight colors); Oxford (Moon in five styles and three colors; Astro in five styles and eight colors; Zodiac in five styles and two colors, Cosmos in five styles and one color, and Heli in five styles and six colors) and three types of Denim.
Lloyd says, "Edwards washable Synergy™ Suiting is our newest addition for 2016. Stylish, stunning and easy to care for with home laundry. The contemporary styling offers lightweight natural stretch twill weave fabric that is 100% polyester. The polyester lining with mesh at the shoulders and elbows, allows for quick drying and the fabric is colorfast, wrinkle resistant and tested at 50 home wash/dry cycles."
Among the new corporate styles from Vantage Apparel for ladies are the women's easy-care gingham check shirt (#1108), a companion piece to the men's version. It has patterned button-down shirt with a spread collar and bust darts for feminine flair. The 60% cotton/40% polyester, 3 oz. shirt features two-color yarn-dyed gingham body, narrow reverse continuous placket, polished pearl buttons, single-needle tailoring, back yoke, bust darts, and buttoning sleeve placket and cuff.
Also new for ladies is the women’s Wicked Woven® (# 1206), a cotton-rich, moisture-wicking performance dress shirt. The easy-care fabric is 55% cotton/45% polyester, 3½ oz. and features Vansport™ moisture-management twill body, UV protection, spread collar, narrow reverse placket, polished buttons, bust darts, single-needle tailoring, back yoke, buttoning sleeve placket and cuff, and replacement buttons.
For men, Vantage has launched Wicked Woven® (#1205), an upgraded dress shirt designed with breathable, Vansport™ moisture-wicking fabric made of 55% cotton/45% polyester, 3½ oz. and features twill body, UV protection, button-down collar, polished buttons, left-chest patch pocket, single-needle tailoring, back yoke with box pleat, buttoning sleeve placket and cuff, replacement buttons.
Also for men, River's End Trading has introduced the Brooks Brothers men's 346 Regent fit ainsley collar non-iron pinpoint dress shirt – in three sleeve lengths. It features 100% cotton pinpoint specially treated to remain virtually wrinkle-free, signature six-Pleat Shirring® at the barrel cuffs, pucker-free seams, left chest pocket and center back pleat.
New from Dunbrooke for men is the VH Gingham Check (#V0225) that is wrinkle-free, yarn dyed and features sewn-on center placket, button-down collar, double button adjustable cuff and chest pocket; it's available in red, black, periwinkle and green. For ladies, check out Dunbrooke's 100% cotton ladies non-iron dobby (# CK030) with French spread collar, feminine silhouette, and double button barrel cuff, available in black, white, ice gray and blue.
Classic elegance is an easier sale than one may think. Lloyd advises, "to ask your clients if they are looking for a simple way to change their apparel program without impacting their budget. Start small by suggesting a neckwear or shirt style change. Once you’ve had success with that, try an additional piece."
Also, following the golden presentation rule of "good, better, best" will dramatically help seal the sale. And sampling is everything. When you can have your client feel not only the fabric, but learn and see the details that you explain, this tactile sensation is a strong motivating purchase factor.
Don't forget to add that these shirts can also be worn on social occasions, increasing end-user appreciation and use.
Today's promotional corporate wear is also appealing in that employees save money by not having to pay hefty department store bills, another factor they – and thus your clients – will appreciate.
CASE STUDY
Taraynn Lloyd of Edwards Garment: A large hospital in the Los Angeles area selected the Synergy™ Suiting in navy for its insurance/billing associates. The buyer selected the dress pants, non-iron blouse/shirt and the vest and neckwear to complete the look. Edwards worked with the distributor to create a fit line and once the shipment was complete they were sent directly to the hospital for distribution to their associates. The Edwards distributor was on-site for garment distribution and handling any questions the associates had.