"Year in, year out, the average trade show attendee finds themselves with pens and gadgets given to them by companies trying to be original but all ending up giving away the same thing. When companies decide to use Bella underwear, they are far more successful in making people remember their company or product. The whole point in a promotional product is making that company's name stick. What could be better than underwear?"

With a relatively small surface area, you would be forgiven for thinking that there are limitations when it comes to decoration, but Bella doesn't agree. "Anything is possible," it says. "Even if you take the Bella 301 thong where there is as little as 7 square centimetres of print surface, with a little creativity, there is actually a lot more print surface than one would think."

It adds: "We have seen some high tech companies who have nothing to do with clothing using our 301 thong styles as a catchy giveaway. When printing your logo on underwear take to heart the ‘anything, anywhere goes!' approach and you are guaranteed to get looks and reactions."

With the combination of the right style, construction, and comfort, the Bella underwear range is ideal for both the retail and promotional industries, says the company, offering the high quality standards of a retail garment at a promotional product price.

In terms of fabrics, Bella suggests that a blend of cotton and spandex is the way to go. "This creates an easy care fabric, which is easy to embellish, strong enough to hold embroidery and has the right amount of stretch to perfectly fit every woman."

B&B Leisurewear, which although more well known for its leisurewear collection offers a small selection of underwear, also feels that there is an opportunity for decorators within underwear.

It believes that generally underwear is considered more as an add-on sale than being specifically requested, although says it does get some orders specifically for underwear.

BBL's underwear is made from cotton lycra to combine elegance and comfort. The items available are: the BB418 Y-Front set available in chalk/vinyl, vinyl/chalk, racer/vinyl, marshmallow/fuchsia, fuchsia/marshmallow; and the BB425 hot pant set available in racer, vinyl, chalk, fuchsia.

Distributor PenCarrie offers underwear from a select group of quality brands: Hanes and Henbury (for briefs and boxers); plus Tombo Teamwear (for sports underwear including ‘second skin' body temperature control vests; and sports socks). PenCarrie is now also selling a new outdoor clothing range from Regatta which includes walking socks, thermal vests and thermal long johns.   

Andrea Charteris, PenCarrie's customer services manager, says: "Underwear is a steady seller.  Socks are often bought as an add-on to an outfit, sporting or corporate, and decorated with the club or company name or logo.  In contrast, briefs, strings, shorts and boxers are mainly bought independently of other items. They can be used as promotional/fun merchandise (think of seaside souvenir shops selling boxers and briefs with humorous slogans). Underwear is also bought by sports clubs, leisure centres and country house hotels to be decorated with their own brand or emblem and sold in the hotel or club shops."

The underwear that PenCarrie stocks comes mainly from Hanes. "Hanes Underwear items are all individually boxed, which gives them retail appeal," comments Charteris.

 According to PenCarrie, the best selling women's style in the Hanes Underwear range is the HU210 Ladies Shorts. For men, the Hanes Underwear HU110 Mens Boxers are most popular. In both cases, white is the colour most choose (rather than black). All the Hanes Underwear styles that PenCarrie stocks are made from a cool, comfortable, stretchy 92% cotton/8% elastane fabric; and all the designs mould to the body and give a smooth line to outerwear.

Traditional, loose-cut boxer shorts for men sell steadily too, says PenCarrie. The company stocks Henbury's H920 Boxer Shorts, which have a fully elasticated waist and single button fly. They are made from 100% cotton poplin and are available in three colour choices: light blue check, plain white, or cobalt.

According to Ralawise, underwear has always been a niche sector for the promotional market, but with lines from international brands such as Bella and Hanes at Ralawise, there's plenty to choose from.

Whilst T-shirts, polos and sweats dominate the printwear market, underwear still remains a popular sector for garment decorators looking to offer more than your average product portfolio, says Ralawise.

"Underwear in the distribution industry tends to be used for promotional means, as embroidery or printing can add-on further value for decorators," says Ralawise. "Typically underwear proves effective as a gift, or for customers buying for stag and hen parties."

New for 2008, Ralawise is stocking Bella, which offers a range of different styles of women's underwear, including the BE002 Women's underwear shortie. Available in 10 assorted colours at Ralawise, it offers excellent space for decoration, and the 5% spandex content gives an elasticated comfort.

 For men, Ralawise suggests the HU110 Men's boxer from Hanes. Available in white or black, the garment comes individually boxed and is made from stretch cotton, again offering superb options for personalisation.

For thermal wear, Regatta has a number of products suitable for colder climates. The RG270 thermal short sleeved vest is made from a polycotton fabric, lightly brushed for maximum comfort. This garment would suit a more retail based portfolio, and is an ideal product for outdoor pursuits to help keep the wearer warm and comfortable, says Ralawise.

For customers looking for a more patterned underwear, HB920 boxer shorts from Henbury offer a checked styling available in three colours from Ralawise. The garment has a fully elasticated waist for a comfortable fit and comes in a Henbury presentation box.

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