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Embroidery is the process of creating designs on fabric using a needle and thread. Although embroidery has been used to decorate clothing since man began wearing it, embroidery became an art form in the Iron Age from 1200 BC to 200 BC.
Embroidered apparel was a status symbol worn by the wealthy, and many examples can be found in ancient Egypt, India and England. In those days, embroidery was done by hand, so it took a long time to complete one piece. Today, EMB has computers and machines to help us work faster, so you won’t have to wait for your embroidered apparel.
Embroidered apparel is a popular choice for a variety of promotional apparel choices, as well as commercially produced garments.
Consider the polo shirt, the origins of which had nothing to do with the game of polo. The polo shirt was first popularized by seven-time French Grand Slam tennis champion, Rene’ Lacoste. Originally, tennis attire was a long-sleeved white shirt, flannel pants, and a necktie.
Lacoste felt the uniform was limiting and uncomfortable, so he created a white, short-sleeved knit shirt. The new design was first worn at the 1926 U.S. Open Championship. Starting in 1927, Lacoste began embroidering a crocodile emblem on the left chest. Lacoste teamed up with friend and clothing merchandiser Andre’ Gillier, formed the company Chemise Lacoste and began commercially producing and mass-marketing the embroidered apparel.
It wasn’t until 1920 that shirt-maker, Lewis Lacey, began producing a similarly styled shirt for polo players, and in 1972, Ralph Lauren included a polo shirt as a featured item in his Polo line.
Embroidered apparel is a popular choice for companies today because the embroidery process allows for a variety of detail and color options. Companies have a plethora of apparel options to choose from as well. From polo style shirts to woven button-downs and knit sweaters, nylon outerwear and more, companies can outfit their employees in embroidered apparel appropriate to their working environments. Executives, for example, are sharp and board room appropriate in embroidered woven shirts. Delivery drivers and other employees needing a more relaxed embroidered apparel option can turn to a polo shirt for a professional, yet casual look. For cold weather options, human resources managers can select knits and outwear to integrate into the company’s embroidered apparel program.
Accessories like scarves, knit hats, baseball caps, aprons, tote bags, t-shirts, and sweatshirts can also be added onto an embroidered apparel program.
Want to develop an embroidered apparel program for your company? Give us a call at 1-855-2OUTFIT (1-855-268-8348) and we’ll help with everything from apparel and accessory selection to sourcing, decoration and delivery.
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