Riding Team Jackets with Embroidery

[charbar13]

My barn’s IEA team is working on getting team jackets, but we aren’t quite sure where to start. We’re pretty far north and go to a lot of winter shows, so warm is essential. Ideally, the jacket length would be somewhere between hip and knee with a hard shell that is somewhat resistant to hay and horse gunk. Doesn’t have to be a “riding” jacket, but it’s fine if it is! We will also be embroidering the IEA logo and the barn logo on the jackets.

If anyone has experience with purchasing team clothing like this, anything you can share would be helpful! We have heard good things about Port Authority clothing, and one person we know indicated that we may be able to get the embroidery done through then.

Suggestions on which particular jacket to get, as well as knowledge about embroidering and using logos on clothing would all be helpful! I looked for similar threads but couldn’t find any - feel free to link me to anything I missed. Thanks so much in advance for your advice.

[alternate_universe]

L.L.Bean does embroidery, but I can’t recall if they do custom jobs with logos. But they definitely have longer, insulated coats.

[furlong47]

I have several Port Authority softshell jackets with embroidered work logo and they are good quality and seem to hold up well. I didn’t order them personally, so I can’t speak to that, but typically when getting things embroidered there’s an initial setup fee to have your logo digitized and after that you can put it on just about anything that particular company has available. So make sure you pick a place that has available any items you might want in the future such as polo shirts, T-shirts, etc if you expand beyond jackets. Otherwise you may end up paying for setup multiple times. The Port Authority stuff, and other brands, are available through various independent and chain embroidery shops and promotional item providers so it might be best to just look for a local shop to work with.

[DinkyDonk]

Check out Wordan’s website

[Renn_aissance]

Our barn orders from Charles River Apparel. I have the Radius vest and the Ultima soft shell from them. I’ve had both as barn apparel for several years and have been pleased with the quality and longevity- that vest is super lightweight but very warm and is a super layering piece. They’re both more spring and fall type jackets but I regularly layer them over a fleece and wear them comfortably down to about 25 degrees. It looks like they make a two-way zip parka that might be better for length.

If you want something seriously warm, like “standing at a horse show for 10 hours at 20 degrees and I don’t want to wear layers underneath” warm, I’d skip these companies and go to REI or similar to get a stout parka, then take it back to my local embroidery joint and have it customized there.

I don’t recall if we had Charles River do the embroidery or if we had somebody else do it. If you haven’t already thought about this, leave room somewhere for the rider’s name to be embroidered. Make that a default feature, not an option. Otherwise you will have 20 barn kids with identical clothing who don’t know whose jacket is whose.

[Cabaret_SK]

I’m not sure where you are located, but look for “promo/promotional item suppliers”. They should be able to pull jackets from multiple companies, coordinate sizing trials, and help with embroidery.

[ilovetheadd27]

I had a great experience with It’s a Haggerty’s last year!

[sahqueen]

I do embroidery and like and use Port Authority products for my clothing orders…not sure off hand if they offer what you are looking for as my customers often choose soft shell jackets/vests or other lighter weight windbreaker or hoodie type items. But would be happy to chat to discus your project if you’d like.

[TheJenners]

Check with your local High School and local police department on where they go for Letterman jackets and embroidered police gear. I get screen printing done for polos for groups within my police department (police Explorers and the Citizen Volunteers) through the local shop that I found through the High School, and it’s been amazing. They took a picture of the Explorer patch and recreated it to screen print in reflective…um screen printing ink? and it looked great! And it’s a very busy little patch. Their embroidery is also very good. They are able to order from Port Authority and several other large companies on name brand stuff depending on what I want.

[paintedpony]

I second the softshell recommendation. This material sheds bits of hay and shavings readily and a quick wipe with a damp cloth can make a very soiled jacket (think green horse slobber) presentable. Very laundry friendly and durable.

You indicate your team attends many winter events, so I would definitely provide both insulated and lighter weight options. Your local embroidery shop will be able to source jackets that can be ordered with insulation level a choice. This will also allow members to order an item that fits their need/budget. Past experience tells me many members will want to wear this jacket outside of team events. Yes, you can reduce your cost by sourcing your own jackets, but it is a lot of work to find jacket sizes. If you shop local, members can drop in to try on before ordering. We were able to take size samples to an “ordering event”.

[Jo]

@Cabaret SK

I’m not sure where you are located, but look for “promo/promotional item suppliers”. They should be able to pull jackets from multiple companies, coordinate sizing trials, and help with embroidery.

I don’t want to get booted for advertising, but this is my sister’s line of business. If anyone needs assistance, I know she’d be happy to help!

[TheJenners]

Jo, per the rules, this is entirely permissible :yes:

[OldLadyYoungOTTB]

I coordinate the barn apparel orders @ our barn. We use a local screen printing place that also does embroidery. It’s nice to be local because we can get samples, chat in person, etc. We like the Ogio brand for jackets, half-zips, and other athletic wear, but have done some Port Authority too.

[gottagrey]

Lands End does promotional and company clothing - might be a good place to start.

https://business.landsend.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwoqDtBRD-ARIsAL4pviCBGbq5zYCtoxziDqZqX31SyUT7XJvo8T-oz01wna2_ROoYYSQR6HEaAkVzEALw_wcB

[sheltoneb]

Make sure you have permission to use the school’s logo. When I was in college, our equestrian team had to remove embroidery as the school had a contract with a company to provide a ALL merchandise. We had used a team member mother’s company to do the embroidery. Our jackets violated the agreement and could have caused issues for the team and the mother.

[rhymes_with_orange]

My barn uses Port Authority for jackets and shirts and then a local lady for the actual embroidery. They have all turned out well.

[charbar13]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for offering such fantastic suggestions. We ended up going with a Port Authority softshell for the main jacket, with the option to buy the Smartpak Hadley trainer’s coat for anyone who also wanted a long puffy. A local embroidery shop is handling all the embroidery, as well as the Port Authority ordering.