Jackets and Outerwear

“I’m so con-fused!” Well that makes two of us, Vinnie Barbarino—I mean, John Travolta.

HanesBrands announced Wednesday morning that it will narrow the focus of its worldwide imagewear business, which sells basic apparel to wholesalers in the screen-print market. The company is announcing the sale of its European imagewear division and, in the United States, the exit from the private-label category and the planned divestiture of its Outer Banks brand.

Riverside, California-based Gorilla Marketing, a premier promotional products company, is helping companies expand brand awareness with the latest trends in summer apparel for branded clothing.

If you are familiar with my blog, then you know I live for sarcasm—especially when celebrities are involved. However, this week, I'd like to get serious. Last Friday, Beastie Boys rapper Adam Yauch (aka MCA) passed away after a three-year battle with cancer of the parotid salivary gland. He was only 47.

In a triumph for animal rights activists but a grand loss for high-end retailers, the West Hollywood city council voted 3 to 1 to pass the nation's first ban on fur sales.

It was the third time that the council had voted on the city ordinance, which expressly prohibits the sale of clothing and accessories made from the skin or pelt of animals with hair, wool or fur. The ban was originally approved unanimously in September, but needed modifications before it could come for a final vote.

Vantage Apparel has hired Kim Schalk as the sales representative for Wisconsin. Schalk joins Vantage Apparel with 18 years experience in the promotional products market, having most recently held the position of promotional products consultant for a Wisconsin-based distributor. Schalk can be reached at (732) 340-3187 or via email at kims@vantageapparel.com.

Fashion dictates classic styles for outerwear this fall and winter. Lucky for you, the industry offers coats for each trend.

This week Editor's Picks takes a look at promotional rainwear that will continue to be useful, according to Weather.com, for the next 1,000 days straight. Weathermen are never wrong.

This week, Editor's Picks looks at what may be the most popular apparel promotion next to the T-shirt: hoodies and hooded sweatshirts.

The months of barbecues, beach days and hair-frizzing humidity are over. You've already sent out your back-to-school promotions and now you're focusing on the shiver-inducing task of selling outerwear.