What we wear and why we wear it has changed drastically throughout history. It wasn’t until the early to mid 20th Century that personalized apparel became a significant aspect of businesses and individual expression. The boom of industry and capitalism in the U.S. during this time brought with it the creation of the T-shirt in 1920, a product which has since evolved into two billion dollar market. Today, 95% of Americans wear T-shirts, and 90% of Americans wear a T-shirt at some point every day.
T-shirts, polos, hoodies, and other apparel and accessories are comfortable and stylish in their own right, but today you’ll seldom see someone wearing an article of clothing without some sort of brand, logo, quote, or special pattern embroidered into it or pressed on it. Today, the branded apparel industry is worth $40 billion. Some individuals buy the materials to make their designs and customize their clothing. Small businesses might do the same, printing T-shirts as promotional tools to help spread their name. Larger companies that need uniforms for employees can search online to find businesses that specialize in custom apparel.
There are many reasons why this industry has grown so rapidly. For a better understanding of the industry’s appeal, take a look at these three major uses of custom apparel!
1) Personal Expression
Many of us like to express who we are as a way of enhancing our individualism. One of the easiest and most noticeable ways to broadcast who you are to the world is by wearing clothes that represent your interests and quirks. With custom printed apparel, you can wear a T-shirt with your favorite band’s name slapped on it, or buy a hoodie from a local business and flaunt their company’s name across town. You can design your own clothing and hire someone to make it a reality, or do the work yourself.
2) Company Uniforms
Custom workwear is crucial for business. Not only do uniforms advertise the company itself, they unite and empower employees, letting them know they are an important part of a team rather than a random grunt. Custom workwear also has practical applications. For instance, those who work in colder environments (freezers/coolers, for instance) will wear custom company jackets as opposed to custom company shirts.
3) Sports Teams and Organizations
Personalized sports apparel is another significant application for custom apparel. Much like company uniforms, sports apparel unites the team, and custom jerseys and shirts can feature the name and number of each team member. And just like custom workwear, custom sports attire is often functional. Even off the field, wearing custom sports apparel is a great way to show off your favorite team or your own team, and your participation within it!
We still wear clothing for the same reasons we have since Adam and Eve first understood their nakedness. But today clothing has become more than just a necessity and shield for embarrassment. Now we wear clothes to show the world who we are, what we love, and what we do!
