What's New in 2022 - Our Top 10 New Releases in Corporate Clothing
/It’s that time of year again when some of our favourite uniform and accessory manufacturers roll out their latest product launches and so far, 2022 doesn’t disappoint. In this blog we’ll take a look at our top 10 picks of the latest garments in Corporate Clothing and Branded Uniform...
1. As the year gets into full swing, we’re already seeing a huge increase in the demand for sustainable and recycled clothing and one of our favourite collections is this new range of practical garments from Printer. What we love most is that these guys have designed garments intended for use in a wide range of physical roles but that also look smart and the use of the colour contrasting panels results in something stylish too. Another big tick in the box for us is the fact that the range is offered in both men and women’s - no nasty unisex offering here! Meaning any women in your team are catered for, with a uniform that fits properly.
This range has already won Apparel Product of the Year 2022 awarded by industry body BPMA https://www.bpma.co.uk and this was largely down to the fact that this revolutionary range utilises a high degree of recycled materials. The contrast polo shirt for instance is made from 10 recycled bottles and the soft shell jacket is made from 55 recycled bottles, which is even more impressive! The range is washable up to 60 degrees which is vital when uniform is being used for physical tasks. The price point will also pleasantly surprise you; these garments compare favourably when compared against a number of existing brands without such green credentials.
2. Sticking with the practical requirements of a uniform our 2nd choice is a brand new men’s Thermal Parka just launched from Stormtech https://www.stormtech.eu The colourway is what first appealed as the jacket is available in Moss or Charcoal both of which are a classy departure from the usual black for a working garment. This parka will give maximum outdoor protection but also street smart styling, so if you’ve got a maintenance team or outdoor workers then they can still look and feel 5 star. The coat protects from rain and wind using H2Xtreme waterproof / breathable technology and for really bad conditions it has an adjustable storm hood with face shield.
3. In at number 3 is another coat but we really couldn’t leave out this brand new Caped Wax Riding Jacket as we love it! Previously if you’ve had a team of concierge staff or anyone working outdoors in a country house, country hotel or in a rural location then the only real choice available was a Barbour and whilst a fantastic heritage brand, it comes with a steep price tag. Well not anymore, as this waxed coat is available in a range of rich colours including dark khaki, brown and navy and it’s comfortable, breathable and definitely has the country house vibe. Made from 100% Cotton and natural wax, it also has a Coolweave cotton and soft lining for everyday comfort. Due to its thoughtful design this waxed coat is also ideal for horse riding... who knew!
4. Craghoppers www.craghoppers.com is another well known and respected brand and for 2022, they’ve made a move back into the Corporate Clothing market by widening their range and making more garments suitable for branding. The Craghoppers range will also be stock supported which means we can offer stock availability all year round. One of the standout pieces for 2022 is this Expert Active jacket available in a range of colours but our favourite is the Poseidon Blue / Navy. This is the sort of garment that has made Craghoppers such a successful retail brand, reliable waterproof performance and unrestricted freedom of movement. In addition, this particular jacket is breathable to 20,000g/m2/24hrs and waterproof to 10,000m it’s also been made using approx 50 recycled bottles. Craghoppers is another brand taking their environmental responsibility seriously by moving into more sustainable manufacturing and we’re big supporters of that.
5. Taking a detour away from jackets but still sticking with outerwear, if you have staff that are undertaking manual work outdoors, then keeping them warm is a priority but also keeping them smart in front of clients and guests also needs to be considered. This brand new insulated coverall is the ideal all in one that provides warmth in even the coldest of weathers as the Thermoguard insulation provides toasty temperatures and a diamond quilt lining adds extra cosiness. This new style is also available without the thermal insulation which would be suited to the warmer months and a great way to protect uniform underneath. We predict this will be a hit with maintenance and property staff alike.
6. Our next choice in the top 10 uniform rundown is a refreshed polo shirt from golfing brand Callaway. https://eu.callawaygolf.com Golfing events have been more popular than ever in the last 24 months as these are a great way to catch up with clients or to reward employees and as the activity is all based outdoors, people have still felt safe to enjoy it. So although it’s not strictly a uniform item, we get asked to produce branded garments for corporate golfing days and have already produced branded golf day goody bags for tee off in March.
Callaway is one of the most well known brands so quality is guaranteed and for 2022 they’ve refreshed the fabric design of this microprint polo shirt, made from super soft feel fabric and including 30% recycled polyester, available in a range of colourways.
7. If you are putting together a Corporate Golfing event and you want to really spoil your clients or treat the team then you also won’t go wrong with the new Callaway Stormlite Waterproof Jacket above. This is a fully seamed waterproof jacket featuring Swingtech technology and water resistant zips, ideal for the English weather and those inevitable inclement days on the course. If you fancy going all out then there’s the Stormlite waterproof trousers to complement, so golfers will be waterproofed from head to toe!
8. Incoming at no 8 is a brand new apron style which has a striking contrast stitch detailing and has been made using recycled polyester and sustainable cotton. With oversize antique brass eyelets and available in a range of colours, this is the perfect apron if you’re looking for something modern but with an industrial edge. The zip pocket on the bib and the angled side pockets make this apron just a little bit different and with a fabric weight of 195gsm this is also ideal for embroidered branding.
9. Whilst looking at the new additions to the clothing ranges for this year we couldn’t resist including a couple of accessory options in the list as branded bags, whether for staff or clients are still a great way to say thank you whilst getting your company brand out and about. You may have seen our previous blog about longstanding partner Quadra https://www.4couture.com/blog-articles/2021/6/3/brand-spotlight-quadra-celebrating-25-years-of-having-it-in-the-bag and we love their products because the quality is excellent, stock supplies are good and they deliver a lot of spec for the money. This particular ‘security’ backpack has been made from 100% recycled GRS Certified polyester and its durable water repellent treatment helps boost the bags water resistant properties. Available in a range of brilliant contemporary colours (our favs are the pure grey and slate blue) this backpack has an internal padded laptop sleeve that’s only accessible through the main compartment via the concealed zip system. Your personal cards and work passes are secure thanks to the RFID blocking slip pocket. Every little detail to keep your laptop and personal belongings safe has been taken into account.
10. So last but definitely not least is another accessory item if you’re looking for a large, more military inspired backpack then the new ‘Tactical’ backpack could be it. Available in black or combat camo (!) this backpack will have you covered from the commute right through to the gym, with a generous storage of 35L and a multitude of internal pockets, this backpack also makes use of interchangeable patches on the front which is ideal for branding. This bag has padded adjustable shoulder straps, an adjustable chest strap, compression straps and a top grab handle. The internal padded laptop compartment accommodates laptops up to 17”
So there you have it, our very own top 10 charts style countdown of just some of the new products available in 2022. There were so many impressive products to choose from that I’m sure we’ll revisit and continue this in a future article but one thing is for sure, across the board in corporate clothing and branded uniform, suppliers are investing heavily in more transparent supply chains and increasingly environmentally friendly ways of producing goods which we fully support.
What could be better than gifting your clients a sustainable branded giveaway or dressing your staff in something that has been recycled from discarded plastic, it’s a win win.