PPB May 2020

T-Sh i r t s by Danielle Renda I n fashion, trends come and they go—and many times, they come back around again—but one thing that never goes out of style are t-shirts. From runway glam to hip streetwear to athletic apparel and loungewear, t-shirts are one apparel item on which everyone can agree: you can never have too many. In the promotional products industry, t-shirts are one of the most popular apparel items used in marketing and promotion to get the word out about a new brand, a favorite cause or big event. Tees are also frequently the featured item distributed during giveaways, included in promotional packs that coincide with ticket purchases or event attendance, and sold at fundraisers where a portion of or all proceeds are donated to a charity or cause. The popularity of tees lies in their universal appeal. Tees can be screen printed, tie-dyed or embroidered with a logo or design, or they can be bedazzled with rhinestones to add extra sparkle. Tees can be cut in a near-endless list of styles, from V-neck, scoop neck, off the shoulder or cold shoulder, to a cropped top or a longline, to a tight fit or an oversized style. When design comes into play, tees can be printed with an allover design, drawing even extra attention to a logo, or they can feature a logo in unique places, like a sleeve, chest pocket or lower hem. And, of course, there are many fabric options to choose from. “T-shirts are my first love,” says Carol Weathersbee of distributor TC BEE Inc. “It’s where I got started in this industry. My favorites are those designs that tell a personal story of the customer, although designs such as this can be the most challenging because every minute detail is essential to sharing the customer’s story or message. But I’ve always loved these challenges and gained quite a reputation for being a creative companion as my artists and I take great pride in helping folks use t-shirts to illustrate their stories.” But because of the universality of t-shirts, every year brings forth new trends and fresh takes on classic Trying Sustainability On For Size Top t-shirt choices this year are those fashioned using sustainable, eco-friendly manufacturing processes that keep the environment top of mind. 20 | MAY 2020 | INNOVATE