Camo Chic
There’s no hiding this popular pattern’s hold on the fashion world
Hunting enthusiasts who mark their calendars by whatever game is in season aren’t the only people who cover themselves in camouflage these days. With the increasingly popular outdoor lifestyle pattern celebrated by TV shows like Duck Dynasty and big retailers like Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops and Academy, there’s no stopping the camo from flying off the racks and shelves, especially in the middle of the country and in rural areas. But city-slicking fashionistas also rocked a lot of camo during last year’s fashion month, and pop stars like Rihanna and Pharrell are no strangers to the leafy, brown and green patterns.
It’s official: Americans are crazy for camo, and the rugged activities associated with it.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (its most recent) reports that in 2011, 13.7 million people aged 16 or older—about six percent of the U.S. population—hunted and spent $38.3 billion on equipment, licenses, trips and other hunting-related items. That’s a 30-percent increase in hunting spending since 2006, when the previous survey was published.
“Even in today’s urbanized America, hunting continues to be a vital part of our culture. Hunter spending is the lifeblood of countless small businesses in rural communities nationwide, and hunters make up the main source of wildlife conservation funding through their purchases of licenses, firearms and ammunition,” says Chris Dolnack,
National Shooting Sports Foundation senior vice president and chief marketing officer, in the organization’s 2013 publication Hunting In America. And the publication reveals that U.S. hunters outnumber the populations of 46 states. Only Florida, New York, Texas and California have more residents than the combined population of U.S. hunters. That’s a lot of camo enthusiasts—with kids and spouses to outfit as well.
Promotional apparel has taken the hint from camo’s retail surge and suppliers have expanded camo offerings in everything from workout wear to college gear to baby accessories. If you haven’t yet recommended camo clothing choices to your clients, now’s the time.
Drape Your Clients In These Dapper Camo Duds
VOLT Performance Poly Fleece Pullover Hoody Constructed of 8.25-ounce, 100-percent polyester fleece fabric, this on-trend hoody is available in three camo patterns (digital green, digital white, outdoor camo) as well as in seven solid debossed VOLT colors. The front pouch has zippered hand openings and there’s a hidden media port for earbuds. Choose from sizes S – 3XL.
J America Wholesale Blanks Division UPIC: Blanks www.jamericablanks.com
Kings Camo Long Sleeve Crew Neck T-Shirt There’s no concealing this camo shirt—the contrast rack stitching and solid sleeve and shoulder combine with camo to make a bold visual statement. Select from six Kings Camouflage patterns and sizes S – 5X.
Head To Toe UPIC: HTTH0002 www.HTTApparel.com
Unstructured Licensed Camo Soft Mesh Cap Made from washed cotton with a soft mesh, this cap is perfect for both work and play. It’s offered in the following patterns and colors: Mossy Oak® Breakup/black, Mossy Oak Country/tan, Realtree® All Purpose/brown, Realtree Max 5/tan, Realtree Xtra/Realtree Xtra, Oilfield Camo®/tan, Game Guard®/Game Guard, Game Guard/tan, Muddy Girl® Camo/white.
Kati Sportcap UPIC: KATI www.katisportcap.com
Synthetic Leather Palm Camo Glove Protect your hands and enjoy superior all-day grip in any working condition or recreational situation with this sturdy glove. You can even use your smartphone while wearing them, since the first three fingers include touchscreen-compatible polyurethane. Ideal for light-duty work, these gloves are available in large and extra large.
Starline USA, Inc. UPIC: STAR0009 www.starline.com
Men’s Browning Wasatch Long Sleeve Camo Tee Guys will love this 4.8-ounce, 100-percent cotton jersey. It’s lightweight, loose and comfortable with a rib knit collar and cuffs. There’s a heat seal Browning logo on the back yoke. Choose from sizes: S – 3X in the Realtree® Xtra pattern.
Heritage Sportswear UPIC: HERI0002 www.heritagesportswear.com
Code Five Adult Camouflage T-Shirt This 5.5-ounce, 100-percent cotton printed jersey has a ribbed crew neck and is taped shoulder-to-shoulder. Double-needle sleeves and bottom hems make this shirt durable. Colors available include blue woodland, desert camo, green woodland, sand digital and urban Woodland. It’s offered in sizes S - 4XL.
LAT Apparel UPIC: latsport www.latapparel.com
Softshell The 98-percent polyester, two-percent spandex softshell fabric is waterproof to a 5,000-mm water column yet still offers a breathability rating of 3,000 g/m2 (mvp). The bonded polyester microfleece interior keeps you as comfortable on the inside as the weather-proof finish does on the outside. Featuring pieced detailing, reverse coil zippers, adjustable Velcro™ cuffs and a drop-tail hem, this machine-washable style also has an inside zip pocket for valuables and reflective piping. It’s available in nine colors, including camouflage in the men's style.
Cutter & Buck UPIC: CUTT0001 www.cbcorporate.com
Camouflage Bandanna Take advantage of the 18 inch-square imprint area for your client to customize.This is a great item for honoring the military and veterans, as well as for promoting gun clubs, insurance companies, pets and outdoor events.
Caro-Line/Bandanna Promotions UPIC: BANDANNA www.bandanapromotions.com
Stretch-Fit Camo Cap Blend right into the trees with this medium-profile, six-panel structured cap in Realtree AP™ stretch-fit camouflage. It comes in two sizes: S/M or L/XL.
Cap America, Inc. UPIC: CAPAMRCA www.capamerica.com
Ready, Aim … Promote
Target These 12 Types of Businesses With Creative Camo Campaigns
1. Businesses in rural towns
2. Sponsors of hunting events
3. Gun shops
4. Marinas
5. Government agencies dealing with parks and wildlife
6. Sporting good stores or sports leagues
7. Businesses with outdoor races or events
8. Home-cooking-style restaurants
9. Businesses that sell or fix trucks, or provide add-on truck accessories
10. Non-profits focused on wildlife or outdoor education
11. Construction/demolition companies
12. Waste management companies