Have you ever wondered why some companies decide to create corporate shirts for the employees? Who will this piece of clothing item benefit the most? A corporate shirt is normally worn on the first few days of the week while you are usually allowed to dress differently (but not less formal) for the rest of the week. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest advantages of wearing a corporate shirt is that it makes your team appear more professional. However, the question remains; are corporate shirts necessary? We will break down this question and go over several related aspects, so do read up to know more!
1) Branding
A corporate shirt is known to help in building and showcasing your brand identity. As the design is something the people of the company will decide on their own, you are free to adjust the placement of your logo and slogan to emphasise them, a good, clean design can create and maintain a good image of your company. When putting it on, you are basically a walking advertisement for your company. This means free marketing! Hence, when designing your corporate shirt, make sure it is as eye-catching (but not tacky!) as possible.
Your shirt generally give more brand impressions on people in real life compared to many other marketing tools. These impressions are also relatively longer. For the amount you spend, compared to the number of people passing by and seeing your corporate shirt for a long time, it is hardly a waste of money! The key is in its cost per use. You are paying for the corporate shirt once, but you are getting free publicity and walking advertisement for as long as the shirt is being worn around people. Never underestimate the power of a shirt for this piece of clothing item is practically one of the best, cost-effective marketing tools for your company or business!
2) ‘Enclothed Cognition’
Did you know that people do act based on how they dress? Don’t believe me? Look up the term ‘enclothed cognition’! It will give you a deeper insight into how clothes can shape or alter the wearer’s behaviour. To summarise, the term describes the effect and influence clothes have on the wearer’s psychological processes like emotions, self-evaluations, attitudes, and interpersonal interactions. This means that clothes can make people behave accordingly. To some extent, it can affect one’s mood, personality, and confidence – no matter where they wear it.
When you get all suited up for a meeting, it will not only make you appeal and behave in a professional manner, but also motivate you to perform well. Putting on gym clothes, for instance, can constantly remind and drive you to make healthy choices. For some people, it can even make them go to the gym because they consider wearing the attire as one step completed in getting ready. Thus, wearing corporate shirt can encourage people to be more disciplined in working which, as a result, can improve everyone’s work performance. When people are dressed formally in a corporate shirt outside, they would gain confidence as the whole appearance portrays them to be working in a good, stable company.
3) Uniformity
Put yourself in the shoes of the spectator at a business-centred event, seminar, or conference. Which one would catch your eyes more; a team in different outfits or a team in similar corporate shirts? Your answer is most likely the latter. In fact, the former may look scattered and do not resemble a team at all. Now put yourself back in your shoes as the company that holds or joins such events. Wouldn’t you want to appear more exclusive to your prospect? This is where being uniform always wins over appearing casual.
Have you ever told or been told to “dress formally or appropriately” when expecting important guests or business partners? How did that turn out? Chances are, everyone turns up in different attires and irregular styles as they have different views on how ‘appropriate’ should be. By putting on a corporate shirt, the whole team will look more prepared and organised. Plus, it also gives a good impression on the other party!
4) Style
Many people would not think to make a corporate shirt as a fashionable clothing item, but you sure are missing out if you are one of them! Sure, designing a corporate is not that difficult. Just paste a colour and your logo onto a white shirt and you’re good to go. You are not wrong, but would you rather have a bland shirt or one that can be fashionably styled? I’m sure anyone would opt for the latter without much thought. If you manage to design the shirt stylishly, your peers may have just gained a new favourite shirt! It will not only be well taken care of but will be cherished for a long time after the completion of their service at your company.
Make your company image stand out on the corporate shirt. This does not necessarily mean you have to show off all the elements like logo, slogan, and motto of your company. Instead, create the design to be as attractive as possible. This reflects that your company comprises a team of youthful and versatile people who keep up with the trend. Plus, by getting a corporate shirt for your work peers, you are secretly doing them a favour! You technically spare them about 5 minutes (or more, for certain people) of deciding what to wear for work!
The takeaway is that getting a corporate shirt does not have to be costly, far from it being a waste of money! If you have to stay within a budget, there are various elements that you can modify, deduct, or dismiss completely.
The first step is to weigh your options of supplier or printing companies and compare what they have to offer one by one. Look at not only the prices but also the materials and the printing methods that you can choose. Remember, you want to make this shirt long-lasting without any component (the fabric, stitches, or the design) breaking apart before time. This does not mean you have to pick the most expensive options of all! Some materials and printing method would not cost you a lot but are still tough and can endure everyday wear and tear for a long time!
Look around for companies that offer free design review and free printing consultation so you can learn more about designing corporate shirt. If they also offer free shipping, that is another advantage that will help you cut the cost!
