What is Considered Business Casual?

In today’s lax society, it is hard to imagine going to work in a full suit and tie. While there are some offices that still require traditional business attire, most allow business casual. But, what is business casual?

Business casual is a term used to describe office dress code or clothing that is more casual than traditional business wear, while still looking professional. Generally speaking, business casual is a way for employees to feel more comfortable at work while still maintaining an appropriate level of professionalism. 

If you are uncertain what is appropriate for a business casual dress code, there is no harm in asking your boss or human resources. Also, observe how others in the office dress; it is a great way to gauge what is expected from your employer.

Business Casual Tips for Men

Collars are in! Whether it is a long sleeved button down shirt, a polo shirt, or a golf shirt, remember that collars are the most appropriate for business casual attire.

Tuck your tails! Your shirt should be tucked in and paired with an appropriate belt.

No tie required! Business casual does not require you to wear a tie, so relax, unbutton that top button and leave the tie at home.

Jeans are not considered business casual. This is where business casual goes grey. Some places allow you to wear jeans as part of their business casual attire, while others do not. Be sure to establish if denim is okay. Until then, wear khakis, dress pants or trousers.

Dress up your feet with formal leather shoes and dress socks. Oxfords and loafers are standard.

Business Casual Tips for Women

Women have more options than men do when dressing for business casual.

Keep length in mind when picking a skirt or a dress. An acceptable workplace hem falls just below the knee.

Khakis, linen or dress pants are all acceptable. If your employer allows jeans, skip the distressed look and go for a standard straight leg jean.

Top it off with a blouse, either tucked in or our, depending on the style. Do not wear overly flashy shirts or a blouse with a very deep neckline. Polos and button down shirts work for women as well.

Cold Weather Dressing Tips

As we go through the toughest winter months of the season, to stay professional for work, you need to make some modifications to your wardrobe, while still maintaining your business casual attire. Here are some of our best cold weather dressing tips for a business casual winter!

Cold Weather Dressing Tips for Men

Dressing appropriate for work and weather is important. A great wardrobe staple that will keep you warm on chilly days is a V-neck wool sweater paired with a long sleeved button down shirt underneath. This will add layers while still looking professional.

A cable knit sweater is another alternative for staying warm at work. 

A heavier material pant, such as khakis or corduroy, clean and pressed will help keep your legs warm while still maintaining business casual attire.

Your ability to perform at work will be impaired if you are too cold, that’s why outerwear and underwear are important to staying warm. Longjohns containing dri-fit technology will help keep you dry while working indoors, and keep your warm outdoors. Meanwhile, heavy winter hiking boots, a peacoat, a scarf, gloves and a hat are all a must while outdoors to keep everything from your nose to your toes warm.

Cold Weather Dressing Tips for Women

The long sleeved button down shirt with a blazer or sweater works well for women as well as men. Be sure to wear it with a nice pant, and a button down.

If you still enjoy wearing your skirts and dresses in the winter, invest in a pair of thick, or fleece lined tights to lock in heat and keep you warm.

Sweater dresses are your friend in the winter months, just be sure to your sweater dress is long enough to be appropriate for work and paired with opaque tights.

Boots and booties will keep your toes warm while still maintaining a professional look.

Outerwear and underwear are equally important for women. Dress for warmth with a peacoat, scarf, gloves and a hat, while wearing longjohns or tights under pant outfits.

Remember, dressing warm in the winter is important to your health as well as your work performance, but don’t let the weather deter you from dressing with business casual in mind. 

What is your favorite business casual cold weather dressing tip?

Making Promotional Fit Lifestyle

Comfort is important in today’s casual world; three-piece suits are no longer a requirement in the office and employees take full advantage of the fact that business dress code has become more lax. Corporate to casual attire requires a professional refinement, while still meeting the active lifestyle of employees outside of the office. Business casual attire should be able to float between the office, the golf course, the restaurant, or a weekend getaway without the individual feeling like they are wearing “business” clothes. Here are some ways to bring casual to business through apparel.

Lifestyle Brands

Maintaining the business casual environment is easy when corporate promotional apparel is made from lifestyle brands, such as Nike; allowing the apparel to easily transfer from in office to out-of-office. Providing brands that people want to wear will increase the likelihood that promotional apparel will be worn elsewhere.

Material

No one likes the feeling of wearing a uniform to work so scratch the itchy fabrics, and opt for soft fleece, or dri-fit material. Dri-fit technology is designed to be cool and breathable, while absorbing the moisture from the body. Dri-fit is great for a company promoting a business casual workplace as well as a healthy, active lifestyle in extracurricular activities.

Color

Don’t limit color options. A plethora of colors diminishes monotony of business casual attire, allowing for ease of flow from the workplace.

Business apparel does not have to be stuffy, however it should be polished. That is where American Promotional Apparel comes in. With top brands, comfortable materials and a wide range of color options, it is easy to take corporate promotional attire from corporate to casual. Whether on the green, in the office, or on the sales floor, American Promotional Apparel has everything your company needs for useable corporate promotional apparel.

Office Holiday Party Planning Tips

With the holiday season right around the corner, businesses are hosting parties to relax, celebrate, and show gratitude. Office holiday parties can be fun, but with a list of questions ranging from location to food and entertainment, planning it can be stressful. Here are some helpful office party planning tips to inspire you this year!

Eat it Up

If you are hosting a party in the office, consider a potluck dinner, or catered food from the office’s favorite restaurant. Take it a step further by bringing in food trucks. Food trucks are very popular right now and not limited to taste. With food trucks ranging from tacos to gourmet-style meals, it is a great way to support local businesses.

Did Somebody say Ugly Holiday Sweater Party?

Do you remember that sweater your aunt gave you years ago for Christmas. You know, the one that is so heinous the thrift store did not even want it? Pull it out of the box, dust it off, and throw it on! Ugly, or tacky, holiday sweater parties not only provide a great laugh to all of the attendees, but are a great way to remind everyone that, while it is an office party, it can still be fun!

Take it a step further by having attendees make their own ugly sweaters, or host a contest with prizes for tackiest sweater, most holiday spirit, strangest saying on the sweater, etc. This will incentivize everyone to participate! By providing the sweaters for the partygoers, it is less expense on them, and more fun for all.

Party for a Reason Other than the Season

The holiday season is also coined the season of giving. By including a charity fundraiser or raffle, participants have the opportunity to donate to a cause.

Take it a step further: Survey partygoers to determine the charity. This will make them feel more involved in the decision making process and more likely to purchase additional raffle tickets.

Attire

If you are hosting a party outside of the confines of the office, but are not hosting a costume party, make the attire something comfortable. Casual attire will help the team relax and to truly enjoy the evening.

Pump the Jams

Don’t rely on Christmas music as background noise. Have a cover band come in to play some great 80’s and 90’s pop music, or hire a DJ to liven up the mood of the party. Remember, just because it is an office holiday party, does not mean it should be boring.

White Elephant Gift Exchange

A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a simple concept: Everyone brings a present, draws a number, and then picks a gift from the pile. This takes the pressure off of buying gifts for everyone, and ensures that everyone gets a gift. Putting a gift price cap on the gift exchange takes away the stress or obligation to get something over-the-top. Here are some great, inexpensive office holiday party gift ideas.

Take it a step further: Each person has the opportunity to pick from the pile, or “steal” a gift that has already been opened. A present can only be “stolen” once.

For raffles, white elephant and other party activities, you are going to need supplies, so stock up on promotional pens and necessities!

Office holiday parties should be fun, and planning one should not be the holiday nightmare. What office holiday party tips would you add to the list?

Black Friday Shopping Discounts

Thanksgiving is this week, which means the largest shopping day of the season is fast approaching! According to Buzzfeed one in three of us will go shopping on Black Friday. With that in mind, you’ll want to do your research ahead of time in order to score the best loot before the masses arrive.

To help you find the best discounts we’ve gathered a list of the prime places to go for Black Friday deals November 29^th.

1.      Loyalty programs are an often-overlooked means to accumulating discounts during the holidays. Use your benefits to save on travel, restaurant deals and retail discounts.

2.      Take advantage of Black Friday promo codes while shopping online at American Promotional Products. Enjoy 15% off any custom product or apparel purchase when you enter promo BlackFriday1 at checkout on www.app-co.com.

3.      Visit Blackfriday.com to find the latest retail offers and big box store deals. You can also sign up via email to be alerted to new discount advertisements from your favorite stores.

4.      Pay attention to the media to find out what local discounts are in your area. Morning news programs like The Today Show will often offer exclusive discounts on a segment called Jill’s Steals and Deals. Choose from a variety of deeply discounted products - but act fast because products sell out quickly!

5.      Be prepared to wake up early. Beat the masses to the finish line and get exclusive deals before they sell out!  

Which Black Friday deals are you taking advantage of this year?

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Thanksgiving Office Party - Budget Friendly Supplies

Planning for the holidays is expensive especially when you’re responsible for organizing the annual Thanksgiving office party on top of hosting family events. Purchasing holiday decorations, food, drinks and entertainment can set you back quit a bit. In honor of a budget friendly Turkey day, we’ve come up with three frugal tips to help you spend less and enjoy more this holiday season.

1. Encourage the whole office to play a part in decorating the hallways, common areas and cubicles. This not only gets them involved but also helps you save time. Bring in a basket full of affordable décor including confetti, door covers, spinners, glitter leaves and garlands to inspire your interior decorating team.
2. Stick to your budget by hosting a potluck. Let each person be responsible for a side while you provide the star of the meal, the turkey! Add a bowl of fruit punch for an easy beverage that everyone can enjoy.
3. Get in the Turkey day spirit by helping employees dress the part. Leave temporary tattoos and festive feather hats at everyone’s desk in the morning to spice up the office for the afternoon festivities. If you have a large team create a competition by giving prizes to whoever wears the most creative Thanksgiving outfit. At the end of the day have everyone cast his or her vote on who should be crowned the winner.

Spending less is a nice stress reliever coming out of the holidays. We hope you enjoy a fun filled Thanksgiving office celebration with your team. Nothing feels better than showing your employees they’re appreciated, especially when costs are minimal.

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What is Screen Printed Apparel?

If you’re in the market for custom apparel you’ve come to the right place. First, did you know there are multiple ways to order custom apparel? Some of those options include contract embroidery, direct to garment, digitizing and screen printing. With all of these choices it can be confusing when you’re trying to decide which way to go. So, today we’re going to discuss what screen printing is and how the process works.

What is screen printing? During the screen printing process, ink is forced through a one-of-a-kind custom

screen pattern designed for you. It is then placed over the fabric and ink is pressed through the screen design to create the desired image.

What are the benefits of screen printing? Screen printing is a permanent, smooth to the touch design that won’t crack or crumble. Your shirt will surely stay intact wash after wash without fading.

At APP we have the expertise and manpower to accommodate virtually any size order you have, no matter how large. Whether you’re looking for custom tees for a softball team or custom shirts for a corporate event, we've got you covered.

Since 1983 we’ve been churning out quality custom apparel for corporations like The Boeing Company and for organizations like the Girl Scouts and Boys Scouts of America. APP is the most reputable source for custom apparel you can find and we pride ourselves in giving our customers only the highest quality screen printing available.

Do you love your screen printed apparel? Tell us about it in the comment box below!