The Promotional Idea Showcase - Spring 2002 - Updated Quarterly

Apparel Showcase
Multi-tasking Mania
By Matt Histand

While most people are happy when their wearables perform one function, buyers are demanding a little more these days. We at Imprint combed through the thousands of products offered to find a few that live up to this unusual standard. Be forewarned: These multi-tasking wearables are not for the novice buyer looking to fill promotions with stock products. Proceed with caution ...
Kids love to color, but are often limited to coloring books and sidewalks. The My Coloring Tees come with five markers so your children can try their hand coloring a shirt (which they can wear when they’re done). It’s not just one time fun, because all you have to do is throw it in the wash and the shirt comes out like new. And don’t worry about the markers, they’re similar to food dye and will wash out completely without getting anything on the other clothes in the washer. The shirt is made from 100% pre-shrunk cotton; available in a full-range of youth sizes from XS-XL. Choose from 20 standard designs – or customize it with one of your own. Ask for asi/80633

While the bomber jacket has long been a fashion classic, new types of military-inspired dress are also becoming popular, like this E-Series 2nd Gen. Parka. “The 100% nylon outer shell has a lightweight poly/cotton lining, and the jacket is now enhanced as a cold weather protector when worn with the included button liner,” explains Bob Olson, promotional consultant. The removable lining and concealed hood allows for multi-season wearability. The jacket also features eight pockets and comes in three colors – black, replica gray & titanium – in sizes S-2XL. Ask for asi/34394

A shirt’s just a shirt, right? Not when its compressed into the shape of a tractor trailer, flower, or whatever your next promotion requires. And though the process may be the big draw, the shirts inside are the real deal. Made from 100% cotton, they’re available in standard colors and all sizes. Ask for asi/87425

Choosing the right wearable for a corporate gift can be a tall order, but it may be a little easier with this MPF-148 Rock Jacket. If the weather changes, just zip off the sleeves and it converts into a vest. The jacket is perfect for travel promotions and changing weather conditions. Made of 100% polyester Polartec, it features a silver tooth zipper, zip pockets, black nylon yoke, outer collar, welts and casings, 3M-reflective piping in front and back yoke and adjustable shockcord with cordlock. It comes in sizes S-2XL and six colors. Ask for asi/90144

Outfit your team with this versatile vest, which not only provides warmth but is reversible. In a second it switches from a 4.4-oz cotton/polyester peached twill to a 100% 6.3-oz polyester tricot fleece. Features include a full-zip front with oversized left chest zipper pocket, two lower-body welt pockets fitted with zip closures and self-covered elastic waistband. Five colors are available in sizes S-2XL. Ask for asi/75460

Despite the popularity of The Full Monty, tear away pants (thankfully) remain most popular in the sports arena. These Kobe Tear-Away Pants are made of a 100% Taslan outer shell with upper leg lining of polyester and cotton and lower leg lining of taffeta. Features include dome-shaped snaps and elastic waist with tunnel waist draw cord. The pants come in sizes S-XL and three colors. Ask for asi/75085
With the Quill Shirt you get two promotional products in one. Available in pique or jersey knit, this golf shirt features a small pocket for a Quill #250PDC Chrome Pocket Pen. The pique offers color-matching rib knit sleeve welts and comes in five colors, while the jersey has set-in welts with color contrasting stripes to match the collar and comes in four colors. Each shirt has a three-button placket with wood tone buttons and is available in sizes S-3XL. Ask for asi/60930


The high-tech sports clothes of today are great at keeping us dry and warm, but sometimes they forget the basics – like pockets. That’s where this hat comes in. This “lid” can store cash, keys or other valuables while playing on the slopes, jogging and other outdoor fun. Each hat is made from 14-ounce, 100% polar fleece. Ask for asi/66105

The Pit Row is a excellent promotional product to be included in gift packages that accompany a cruise or corporate sponsored trip, says Dave Bandy, promotional consultant. “It’s a lightweight jacket (#8012) that packs into a self-pocket for easy access.” It’s made of nylon with an upper body lined with breathable mesh. Other features include elastic cuffs and waist, full zip, vented back, three color combinations – royal/black, yellow/black and red/black – and comes in sizes S-3XL. Ask for asi/50930


Not only are the Trekker Convertible Pants made of 100%-nylon Dura-Trek canvas with Omni-Dry finish, but they have zip-off legs that convert the pants into shorts. Available in sizes S-XL, they feature side-elastic waist with belt loops, zipper fly, two front slash pockets, two front cargo pockets with drainage eyelets, two back pockets and the Columbia logo on the right thigh. In two colors: sage and fossil. Ask for asi/34408