For decades, the apron was associated with the 1950s symbol of the happy American housewife. (Think high heels and pearl necklace as well and you get the image.) In the decades that followed, the apron fell under the radar thanks to changing tastes and a transition into the women’s liberation movement.

Today, the apron is back and better than ever. The two most popular types – the bib apron and the waist apron have continued to evolve. The practicality of aprons is still in place, and today they’re being decorated with fashionable prints such as floral, stripes, polka dots, fruit and animal print. “A strong shift is moving toward full-color digital graphics with photographic imprinting capabilities,” says Scott Thackston, executive vice president of Aprons, Etc. “Brown is the new black lately, but in apron uniforms, royal, red and navy are still popular.” Companies are also striving to “bring sexy back” with lace-trimmed aprons and feminine colors, highlighting the housewives vibe coupled with trendy construction.

The apron has also crossed the gender barrier. Men wear them to flip burgers or stir up veggies on the grill just as much as women do when cooking, and when worn in a corporate environment, the apron provides a unified look for all employees. “They are more functional for multiple uses in one company setting or industry,” says Thackston, whose company has launched a new No-Tie Apron that uses Velcro to attach. “Our exclusive patented No-Tie Apron fits in many different departments as one uniform solution.”

W

So how do you arrive at a tropical color palette? Think of the elements that make the tropics special: Consider the vibrant green of the palms and the citrus pop of lime, lemon and tangerine. Look to sultry flowers in hot hibiscus pinks and deep reds. Try out the mellow blues of the water and sky in turquoise and aqua, with orange-accented sunsets.

For examples of how to pair tropical colors for you next promotion, there is a series of palettes inspired by paradise. Colorways range from themes like “lime and salmon,” with its citrus and coral hues, to “tropical breeze,” inspired by marine blue and serene aqua with pale melon accents.

Men and women are always on the lookout for comfortable yet professional-looking short-sleeve dress shirts during spring and summer. An absolute winner can be found at Port Authority: This classic camp shirt is perfect for upscale service or summer corporate environments. Made from no-fuss fabric, this shirt has faux- coconut shell buttons and thanks to a soil-release finish, it's designed to keep its great looks wear after wear. Crafted with a polyester/rayon blend, this shirt is supple and elegant and a perfect match with a variety of bottoms, from khakis to jeans. The shirt’s open collar adds a nice touch to the design, and the front pocket area presents an opportunity for embroidered branding.

Driftwood is one of Pantone’s featured apparel hues for spring/summer 2012. Sleek and satiny, this revamped version of taupe oozes sophistication, whether applied to a corporate polo shirt, T-shirt or trench coat. Recently showcased by the likes of Calvin Klein and Chloé, this versatile hue is a shoo-in for success in both the retail and promotional markets. Mary Ellen Nichols, director of marketing and communications at UltraClub , commends driftwood for its numerous favorable attributes. “Driftwood conveys a feeling of solidarity, creating a warm sense of comfort and dependability,” she says. Its popularity in this market can be traced to the fact that brown “exudes a calming, relaxing effect on the wearer.” This is partly due its location on the neutral portion of the color spectrum, which is commonly associated with earthy hues. Nichols suggests that businesses consider driftwood when their clients want to show “stability, down-to-earth approachability or company unity.” Jennifer Tsai, vice president and lead designer of Tri-Mountain’s Lilac Bloom line, also heartily endorses the hue. “Driftwood is a great color for our industry because it has a nice, luxurious feel to it,” she says. “Our distributors and their end-users have told us they love the way driftwood makes their apparel appear more upscale.” Tsai also notes that driftwood’s “fine metallic sheen” is an asset because it adds depth and richness to garments. Finally, the understated poise of this color can’t be ignored. “Driftwood provides a stylish look without competing for attention,” Tsai says. She cites the corporate sector as driftwood’s most prevalent user, but asserts that “it has also been enthusiastically embraced in resorts, restaurants and the travel industry.” 

You couldn't escape the trucker hat trend last decade. From the early to mid-2000s, the popular cap was sported by the likes of Ashton Kutcher, Lindsay Lohan, Justin Timberlake and others. But then the trucker hat reached overexposure, and the youth-driven look faded.

But now, not only has the trucker hat experienced continued success as a promotional product – it's being re-embraced by fashion trendsetters. High-profile celebs are wearing them once more, and even a member of Mumford and Sons has donned one at The Grammys. That's a resounding success story for a headwear piece that was originally given away by feed and farming supply companies to their customers (usually farmers, truck drivers and other workers in rural areas).

While details of the hat have changed somewhat, every trucker hat features a ball-cap shape and back mesh. "We are fortunate to have a wide variety of trucker caps for customers to choose from," says Ashley Adams, marketing coordinator at S&S Activewear. S&S offers numerous brands of trucker hats, including DRIDUCK, Econscious, Flexfit, Magic, ZKapz, Authentic and Valucap brands.

While the popularity of trucker caps has waxed and waned over the past 10 to 12 years, Adams says S&S has yet to see them go completely out of style. "They have been in high demand for a few years now," she says. "They seem to be popular among many different age brackets as well, which makes them appealing for giveaways and promotions." They're especially popular among teenagers and young adults, which makes them a great promotional canvas for the athletic and entertainment industries. 

Most likely, you have a logo that accurately and effectively represents your business. But, I have a question for you. Are you getting the most out of it?

If you’re like most business owners, your logo is being under-utilized. 

Here’s the thing. You probably spent a good chunk of cash creating a clever, eye-catching logo. But, your logo is not worth the money you spent on it if no one ever sees it.

Try putting your logo in the following places:

The Usual Suspects
Websites, business cards, and stationary, oh my! It’s a no-brainer to put your logo on these essential marketing pieces. When someone visits your website, receives your business card, or opens a piece of mail from you your logo should be front and center. But, this is just the start. There are several other ways you can and should be using your logo. 

On Apparel
A logo is a visual representation of your brand. You need to get it out in the world so as many people can see it as possible. Where better to put it than your clothing? You might not know this, but when you put your logo on your apparel, you get a tax write-off. Even better? You’ve turned yourself into a walking billboard. Trust me, when people see you wearing a logo, they ask about it. Think of how many awkward elevator pitches you’ve attempted to start. Wouldn’t it just be easier if the other person asked what you did because they were curious about the logo on your shirt? We think so.

Gifts
The next time you’re thinking of giving a gift, think of branding it first. Blankets, tote bags, and caps make terrific presents, so why not put your logo on them before you give them away? When your friends and family wear their gear, they’ll be marketing your business. Again, when you brand these gifts you can take a tax write-off, and you’re increasing the odds someone around town will notice your business.

Client Thank-Yous
You don’t have to be extravagant to show your clients that they’re appreciated. There are plenty of affordable desk-items that you can brand and send to your clients as a thank-you. Plus, when you send a practical item with your logo on it, you’re increasing the odds you’ll get a referral (your name will be staring them in the face when they’re on the phone with clients). When you send your clients a branded thank-you, you’re killing two birds with one stone: showing your gratitude AND marketing your business.

On Practically Anything
When it comes down to it, you can put your logo on just about anything these days (we can help you with this of course). Your logo can be put on something small, like a sticker, or something very large like a car. For ideas, think about what your clients need to navigate their day. Is there anything they might find useful that you could put a logo on? Some ideas that come to mind immediately are reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and journals.

The message? Use your logo to its fullest! When you brand everyday and not-so-everyday items, you’re ensuring brand visibility and getting your logo in front of people. You’ll love the results.

And The Promotional Items To Go Along With Them
Trip Advisor compiled a list of America’s top five warm-weather festivals and competitions that are both fun and a little out there. We've selected the promotional items that would mesh perfectly with these summertime shenanigans. Strap on your logoed goggles; we’re diving in.

No. 5: National Tom Sawyer Days, July 1-4, Hannibal, Mississippi
This annual celebration of the works of Mark Twain includes events pulled straight from the pages of Twain tales. Product pick: Paintbrushes and smocks for contestants who partake in the fence-painting competition a la The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

No. 4: Championship Cardboard Boat Races, July 31, Heber Springs, Arkansas
Participants craft boats from corrugated cardboard and race them through a 200-yard course. Product pick: Boat Stress Reliever. Because, really, 200 yards is a long way for waterlogged cardboard to travel.

No. 3: The Wayne Chicken Show, July 9-11, Wayne, Nebraska
This three-day fowl-fest includes the world’s largest chicken dance, the best chicken legs competition and a hot-wing eating contest. Product pick: Rubber chickens. Although chances are this crowd probably already has a few of these.

No. 2: Barnesville Potato Days, August 27-28, Barnesville, Minnesota 
Folks with a soft spot for spuds can partake in everything from mashed potato sculpting, potato-peeling contests and potato-sack fashion shows at this tater celebration. Product pick: Potato peelers are a natural fit for this spud-loving bunch.

No. 1: Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge, July 10, Virginia Beach, Virginia 
Hundreds of hermit crabs go claw to claw in the Crustacean 500 race on an eight-foot track of beach. Product pick: Crabs of the plush variety. They truly make cuddly keepsakes and won’t raise any eyebrows at the airport.

Bright colors are at the top of the fashion A-list this winter, and violet is no exception. Majestic and alluring, violet can be applied successfully to a wide range of promotional apparel programs. Hovering between pink and purple on the color spectrum, violet commands attention and beckons the eye.

“Purple in general is very popular right now,” says Barrie Cliett, national sales manager for Boxercraft. She cites violet as one of the most sought after shades of purple in the apparel industry. “It’s considered both a trendy sports-team color and fashion hue,” she says.

Cliett lauds this hue for its adaptability across the logo apparel industry and asserts the importance of integrating it. “Purple is very versatile. Businesses looking for a fashionable color with appeal to both sexes are investing in it,” she says, labeling it the “go to fashion color.” Boxercraft will introduce several new purple products in its 2012 lineup.

Lee Strom, senior marketing manager at SanMar, also notes violet’s trendiness. “Violet is an excellent choice for any logo and presents a great knit, woven, fleece or outerwear option,” he says. “It’s a great shade to match with traditionally corporate neutrals such as black and gray, as well as more casual denims and khakis.”

In addition, Strom says violet is a notable replacement for blue, particularly for suits because darker shades are appropriate for business wear. “It attracts attention, without being so distinct as to be a distraction,” he says.

From promotional marketing programs to catwalks and retail stores, eye-popping, vivid colors are all the rage this season. Valentino recently presented a bright red jumpsuit for women, and Derek Lam showcased a sheath dress in a similar color. Meanwhile, Bottega Veneta, Emilio Pucci, Furla and Ferragamo all featured shoes, clutches and flowing skirts in bright reds and yellows for their spring/summer lines. Not to be outdone, Missoni now offers beach-inspired tops and skirts in royal purple.

 "We're seeing a lot of clean, crisp, saturated colors," says Matt Waterman, director of marketing at Hanesbrands.  "We're not seeing a surge in frosted or dusty hues, but more in bright yellow, purple, orange and blue." Waterman says this is consistent with what retail stores are displaying. "Consumers see these bright colors in fashion apparel, and they want to see the same in their screen printed and logo apparel. Groups, teams and organizations tend to like bright colors for their promotions so they look unified and stand out together. Specifically, they want their message to stand out."

 While bright colors are popular now, Waterman says more muted colors may be on the way. "We see bright colors continuing into next year, with the possible emergence of more neutrals and heathers," he says. In fact, pastels are already appearing in fashion houses and on the catwalks. Just Cavalli now offers a light pink blouse, and Oscar de la Renta recently showcased a pale pink embellished dress. Jil Sander has a sea-green purse, and Tiffany & Co. presented a clutch in the same shade. The trend taps into a '50s retro feminine vibe, though it has applications beyond that initial inspiration. "We have a range of pastels this season, including colors such as light blue, lavender, pale pink and daffodil yellow," says Waterman. "Lilacs and all shades of orange and yellow continue to be popular."

 To get the most out of brights and pastels, mix and match the colors by pairing muted pants, cardigans and accessories with vivid shades. Brights work best as a singular pop of color rather than an overwhelming whole.

Trends are worth getting excited about, but they are not the only things worthy of your attention. Spring brings hundreds of new products that suppliers have unveiled for 2012. We scoured trade show floors and here are some of the new apparel trends worth salivating over.

Trend…Pajamas
Why They’re In: We’ve documented how loungewear has slowly morphed into everyday wear. Now, publications like Lucky are hailing the pajama-chic trend: flowy, sumptuous outfits that blur the lines between at home and on the go. (It’s so popular that one Louisiana town has sought a ban on pajamas in public.) But the trend has hit home as well, where people once again are choosing to wear traditional pajamas. No matter where you go, it seems, the pajama trend is comfortably settling in.

Trend…Yellows
Why They’re In: We’ll just quote GQ on this one: “If we learned one thing in Paris and Milan, it’s this: We all will be wearing yellow next summer. Call it mustard. Call it saffron. Just get a tan first.” Orange may be leading the bright trend, but yellow isn’t far behind. And the range of yellow shades proves that they’re not all blindingly bright. A subtle mustard or honey proves that yellow has some surprisingly mature depths. 

Trend…Zig Zags
Why They’re In: Stripes are ubiquitous and always trendy, but designers have shown a relentless desire to experiment with pattern. Thus, the zigzag resurgence. And you can take your pick: single zags that are large and bold or smaller repeating designs that have a surprisingly fluid grace. Either way, it’s a smart evolution of the traditional stripe pattern. Plus, the put-upon Charlie Brown finally gets his due.

Trends…Neon Bags
Why They’re In: Did we mention pop of color? Nowhere is that more embodied than in the neon accessory trend. It represents the continued distillation of the bright trend, filtering down into everyday accessories like tote bags, backpacks, iPhone holders and more. Look for day-glo greens, high-voltage pinks and all sorts of other electric colors.