In Portland, you don’t want to put a logo on just anything. Put your logo on branded apparel that feels like it belongs in Portland.
The branded T-shirt isn’t going anywhere. But think about where people here spend their time and who they are: they attend community events, run 5Ks in the rain, hike Portland’s trails, and spend plenty of days when another layer—or something waterproof—is a welcome idea.
Connecting the SWAG you buy to your audience’s lifestyles and interests is key. “Consumers don’t want more products, they want better ones,” says Alok Bhat, market economist, research and public affairs lead at the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). “They’re rewarding brands that offer thoughtful, functional and emotionally resonant products rather than mass giveaways.”
If you are thinking of investing in your brand through apparel, don’t start with the swag. Start with the people you want to reach—and choose something that they would choose for themselves and appreciate. We’ll give you a few examples and then we’ll be there to ensure your brand makes an impression.
WHEN IT RAINS, LET YOUR BRAND SHOW UP
Your company is sponsoring a Portland 5K. The forecast? Rain.
Branded rain gear for employees and volunteers—or a poncho for participants when the drizzle starts—puts your name where the action is and providing something genuinely useful.
Consider the Billboard Poncho from Storm Duds. The large surface area turns a practical piece of rain gear into a highly visible place for your message. And in Portland, chances are it won’t be the last rainy event it will be worn.
PUT A PATCH ON IT
A local brewery wants a trucker hat customers will wear outside the taproom. A contractor wants something for the crew that doesn’t look like a standard company uniform. A nonprofit wants a special piece to identify volunteers at its annual event.
Put a patch on it.
An embroidered patch can transform a trucker hat, jacket or backpack into something that feels more like retail apparel than promotional apparel. Change the shape, artwork, or treatment to reflect your brand’s uniqueness.
Pair the Classic 6 Panel Trucker Cap with a custom Embroidered Patch, for example, and you’ve created something that can carry the brand from workday to weekend.
YES, EVEN SOCKS
Socks may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think branded apparel. That’s part of their appeal.
A high-quality pair of Merino wool hiking socks is an unexpected and welcome gift, especially in the chilly Pacific Northwest. Think about the lifestyle of your clients, those who hike, ski, camp, or simply appreciate warm feet on a cold morning.
Add your logo, and you’ve created something useful, a little different, and likely to get worn. Sometimes the most memorable branded apparel is the thing they weren’t expecting.
FROM THE SIDELINES TO THE SOFA
Some of the best branded products don’t stay in one place. Your customers find them usable enough 
to take everywhere.
Imagine an employee appreciation gift that goes to a Friday-night game, gets packed for an outdoor concert, heads out on a weekend camping trip and eventually lands on the family-room sofa.
B&B’s catalog includes a 50″ × 72″ fleece Game Day Hooded Blanket that converts from a blanket to a hooded poncho and offers space for either a large imprint or a more understated embroidered logo.
Want to take it even further? There’s also a 4-in-1 blanket/poncho/seat cushion/backpack that combines fleece with water-resistant ripstop nylon. It’s quirky, practical, and particularly well-suited to an outdoor-oriented audience.
THE T-SHIRT ISN’T DEAD
Sometimes a T-shirt is exactly the right answer.
If you’re outfitting 500 people for a fundraiser, ordering shirts for a community event, or looking for an economical way to give an employee group a unified look for a special event, the classic branded tee may deliver exactly what you need. We can offer the perfect options for quality and price within your budget.
A LAST CRITICAL QUESTION: WOULD YOU BUY IT FOR YOURSELF?
Here’s a simple test: Would the person receiving your branded apparel buy something like it for themselves?
If the answer is yes, you’re making a good investment. According to 2026 research from the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), 66% of consumers prefer fewer, high-quality branded items over more, lower-cost products. And 65% say high quality makes branded merchandise feel valuable.
B&B MAKES IT EASY
Branded apparel doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. Unexpected choices can make your swag—and your brand—more memorable. Bring us your idea. A patch on a trucker hat. Rain gear for the next 5K. Merino wool socks for your best clients. Something warm for the sidelines, campsite, or couch.
B&B works with construction crews, community groups, manufacturers, breweries, and local businesses of all types to find quality branded apparel that fits the people, the purpose, the budget—and life in the Pacific Northwest.
Give Portlanders something they’ll value, and they’ll take your brand with them.
Questions on how to begin the process? Download B&B’s Promotional Product & Apparel Guide for a quick explanation of the questions and terminology you’ll encounter when planning your next project.