They'll Want to Wear This One All Year Long
Sep 02, 2026
There's one thing that comes out of the closet the first cool morning in September.
The quarter-zip.
It's the layer that works over a collared shirt for a client meeting, and just as well over a t-shirt on a Saturday. Not a jacket, not a sweatshirt. Something in between that people wear until spring.
But here's the part worth paying attention to.
Every so often it's worth putting your logo on a name people already know. That's co-branding — a recognized label carries credibility, and your logo gets to stand right next to it.
And when the product is genuinely good, they won't want to take it off.
This one is a label people recognize before they read a word of it. Soft stretch fabric, sun protection, a clean fit. It's what somebody would buy for themselves, which is exactly why it doesn't end up in a drawer.
And the branding stays quiet. A small embroidery on the left chest is all it takes. It reads as something they own, not something they were handed at a conference.
Product Details:
- Available in men's and women's, same style
- Performance stretch fabric with sun protection
- Embroidery, logo fusion, or patch — embroidery preferred
- Placements include left chest, bicep, cuff, upper back, and hemline
Why We Love It:
It carries built-in credibility. Your team reaches for it first and your logo goes everywhere it goes — the office, the course, the airport, the sidelines on a Saturday.
Great For These Businesses and Industries:
- Financial services, banking, and wealth management
- Real estate and property management
- Construction, engineering, and skilled trades
- Healthcare systems and medical practices
- Insurance agencies
- Automotive dealerships
- Non-Profits
- Golf clubs, resorts, and hospitality
- Universities and alumni programs
- Law and accounting firms
Fun Fact:
WGSN's 2026 forecast found consumers will pay a premium for products designed to age well rather than follow short-lived trends. A recognized label does both — it gets kept, and it still looks right three seasons from now.
A Bonus BIG Show & Tell GIFT Show to help you plan ahead
Because the holidays have a way of sneaking up on us, I added a special bonus edition of The BIG Show & Tell on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM CST.
This does not replace the next regular quarterly show on October 27, 2026. It is simply an extra gift-focused show to help you gather ideas early and plan with less stress.
Watch on YouTube, DonnaBender.com, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
Watch Good Morning Entrepreneurs Show featuring my weekly Roving Reporter, Surprise & Delight Marketing segment.