How to Choose a Winter Jacket

The long term weather forecast for Johannesburg put us with average low temperatures of between 8 and 6 degrees. While the days remain a pleasant temperature, much to my delight, like most people I have to get up early to get to work and those chilly mornings and the sudden drop of temperature at sunset and not to my liking. To see the long term view for weather have a look at http://www.accuweather.com/en/za/johannesburg/305448/may-weather/305448?monyr=5/1/2014 That is why a good winter jacket is essential at this time of the year. Initially jackets are worn primarily in the early morning s and after work, but as winter progresses; a good jacket is an essential element for a corporate winter wardrobe. Choosing the correct winter jacket for your staff and clients can seem a bit tricky. But if you use some basic guidelines, you will be able to choose the most suitable style for your company, based on the average type of use for the winter jacket. 1. Choose your budget. On average companies who are paying for the full price of the jacket, will choose a style every second year. This means that you need able to choose a quality jacket that will last and still look good after two years of wearing. So there needs to be a balance of cash flow and value. For companies who get staff to pay for their own jackets, budget works around what the average employee can afford. The more advanced the technology of the jacket, the higher the budget will be. However it is important to consider the cost per usage value. I have jackets that I have worn for years and then I have jackets that I have only been able to wear for a season. A quality jacket that lasts may initially seem price, but given the cost per usage of the jacket, it makes it a good value for money option. 2. Choose the best jacket for your needs. Where your staff are working on site and primarily outdoors, then an insulated padded jacket is a must. However if you staff will wear them primarily around the office, then a good soft-shell jacket will work. While jacket that works well for the rainy season, such as a Drimac Jacket or a MacJack, these are very casual looking jackets and are not suitable for corporate wear. 3. Consider the brand for your jackets. There are a number of promotional jackets on the market, Such a Barron and Altitude. These are good value for money options and often have a large selection of styles and colours. Popular winter jackets from the Barron Range include Another brand which has a limited range, but is an excelent corporate choice is the Caddy Master jackets. The Tony jacket by Caddy Master is a Showerproof micro peached outer fabric with 200g micro fleece lining for warmth. Another very corporate choice that makes a good all year round jacket is the Ernest Jacket by Dunbar, which has a cotton outer with poly/cotton lining and ribbed collar. Many retail brands are designed around fashion trends are do not always work for a corporate unless you are willing to stick to black and as good base colour. However certain brands available at a retail level are performance driven brands. Brands such as First Ascent are performance tested and due to the fact that they last a long time, they often value for money in comparison to servicing an immediate cash flow issue. The First Ascent Soft-Shell fabrics combine the insulation benefits of a soft fleece with the water & wind repellent benefits of a hard shell. Fusion Soft-Shell fabrics are research inspired fabrics developed to move fast and light and simplify your wardrobe. Fabrics are lightweight, durable, and easy to wear and for the most part outperform a traditional hard shell, except in extended rainy conditions. In the First Ascent Jackets, the jackets that use this technology include • Ladies Bernina Body Warmer • Ladies Minstral XT-2 Jacket • Ladies Oracle XT-1 Jacket • Ladies XT-2 Jacket • Matterhorn Body Warmer • Men’s Phantom XT-2 Jacket • Men’s Oracle XT-1 Jacket • Solace XT-2 Jacket 4. Consider the tasks of the staff members. Warehouse environments are extremely cold and so performance jackets are more suited to this environment. We find that a good 3-in-1 jacket allows versatility, as it can be used as a body warmer, jacket or a jacket with a fleece lining. However styles of 3-in-1s do differ from time to time. However offices often have air conditioning so staff have some protection form the elements during the day. Working on a computer requires upper body mobility, which is restricted with many of the padded jacket options. Once you have juggled, the needs to your staff, the performance of the brand and your budget, you will be able to come up with a good jacket choice. While you can’t please everyone all the time, your can come up with a jacket choice that will keep the majority of your staff happy and attract the attenti