How to Choose Custom Clothing for Your School

What to consider when choosing

Budget

Start with what your group can comfortably spend on each item.

• Our popular Hoodie, Crew Neck Sweater and Quarter-Zip Sweater are budget-friendly choices in warm 330gsm fleece.

• For a jacket, the Woven Varsity Jacket is our most affordable varsity style. The Fleece Varsity Jacket and Rugby Jersey are mid-range.

• The Reversible Varsity Jacket is a premium style, with two jackets in one.

• If budget is the main concern, the T-Shirt and Polo Shirt are our most affordable styles overall.

Three things change the price of any style:

• Quantity. There are two price levels, for 10 to 24 items and for 25 or more. Larger orders cost less per item.

• Decorations. Each product includes a set number of decoration areas. Adding more increases the price.

• Personalisation. Extra custom names or numbers, and a custom printed lining on jackets that have one, add to the price.

The Design Lab shows an estimated price as you design, so you can see the effect of each choice. See how pricing works.

Weather and climate

Think about where your students live and when the clothing will be worn most.

• Cold winters: the Fleece Varsity Jacket, Hoodie, Crew Neck Sweater and Quarter-Zip Sweater are made in a warm 330gsm fleece for cooler regions. The Fleece Varsity Jacket (Stormfront) adds a zip and storm flap for extra warmth. The Reversible Varsity Jacket is one of our heavier-weight styles, with a fleece side and a semi-waterproof side. For the coldest days, our Puffer Jacket is also an option.

• Warmer regions: the Woven Varsity Jacket is a lightweight varsity jacket made for warmer parts of Australia. The Rugby Jersey is made for comfort in all climates. For the hottest days, the Polo Shirt is lightweight, breathable and quick-drying, and the T-Shirt and Lightweight Hoodie are lighter options too.

• Wind and rain: the outer side of the Reversible Varsity Jacket is semi-waterproof. For a dedicated rain jacket, the Hardshell Jacket is semi-waterproof with a removable hood, the Windbreaker Jacket protects from wind and light rain, and the Coaches Jacket has a semi-waterproof shell.

• All year round: the Rugby Jersey suits every season, and the Reversible Varsity Jacket gives you two looks in one.

Who wears it, and when

• Year 12 leavers: this is a keepsake that students wear all year and keep afterwards, so most groups choose a statement piece. Our most popular leavers styles are the Fleece Varsity Jacket, Reversible Varsity Jacket, Rugby Jersey and Hoodie, each personalised with student names. A Polo Shirt also works well as a signing polo for signing day, and can be designed to match the leavers jersey in graduation photos. See our Year 12 leavers page.

• Primary schools and younger students: kids sizes are available on selected styles, including the Fleece Varsity Jacket, Reversible Varsity Jacket, Hoodie, Crew Neck Sweater, Polo Shirt and Puffer Jacket. Kids sizes are ordered through our team rather than the Design Lab, so design with the adult version of the style and then contact us to set up a kids order.

• Staff: the Quarter-Zip Sweater, Crew Neck Sweater and Hoodie give a team a consistent look, with staff names or department names added. A Polo Shirt suits warmer months. See staff and school uniforms.

• Student uniform pieces: for winter, choose a Hoodie, Crew Neck Sweater or Quarter-Zip Sweater. For summer, a Polo Shirt or T-Shirt.

• Milestones and anniversaries: a commemorative Fleece Varsity Jacket or Rugby Jersey marks a school anniversary or another big occasion.

Wear and care

Clothing worn every day needs to handle backpacks, playgrounds and frequent washing.

• Fabrics that last: the 330gsm fleece used on our varsity jackets, hoodies and sweaters has a cotton face that helps prevent balling (pilling). The polycotton twill on the Woven Varsity Jacket is crisp and wrinkle resistant.

• Decorations that last: the Nylon and Embroidery Badge is sturdy and hard-wearing, which makes it a good choice for back decorations where backpacks may rub. Sublimated designs won't fade or bleed when washed. See decoration types.

• Care: most styles are machine washed cold on a gentle cycle and dried in the shade, with no tumble drying or dry cleaning. Each product page lists its care instructions. See caring for your product.

Design

What you want on the garment can decide which product you choose, because not every decoration type is available on every product.

• Detailed or colourful artwork, such as First Nations artwork: sublimation suits large, colourful and intricate designs, but it's only available on sublimated fabrics, such as the outer side of the Reversible Varsity Jacket, the Polo Shirt and the Puffer Jacket.

• Fleece, knitted and woven styles: the Fleece Varsity Jacket, Woven Varsity Jacket, Rugby Jersey, Hoodie and sweaters are decorated with badges, embroidery and prints in set areas such as the chest, back and sleeves, so very fine detail may not be possible. On the Fleece and Woven Varsity Jackets, a custom printed inside lining is another way to add detailed artwork.

• Colours: fleece and knitted styles come in a smaller set of fabric colours, but decorations come in 200+ colours, so your school colours can go into your crest and lettering. To match an existing uniform, send us a fabric sample.

• Your logo: use a high-quality PNG with a transparent background and up to 8 solid colours. If students are running the order, check you have the school's permission to use its name or logo.

See decoration types and our design help for more.

Choosing between designs as a group? Our guide to running a design vote shows how.

The best product for each use case

Use this list as a starting point. Every style can be designed in your school colours with your own logo. Our most popular styles for schools are listed first.

• A Year 12 leavers jacket for a cold winter: Fleece Varsity Jacket or Reversible Varsity Jacket, then the Puffer Jacket. Warm 330gsm fleece; the reversible adds a semi-waterproof side, and the puffer is made for chilly days.

• A premium Year 12 leavers jacket: Reversible Varsity Jacket, then the Faux Leather Varsity Jacket. These are our most premium varsity styles.

• A Year 12 leavers jacket for a warm climate: Woven Varsity Jacket, then the Bomber Jacket. Lighter polycotton twill made for warmer regions.

• A Year 12 jumper: Rugby Jersey, Hoodie, Crew Neck Sweater or Quarter-Zip Sweater. The rugby jersey suits all climates, and the hoodie and sweaters are warm fleece.

• Large, colourful or detailed artwork (such as First Nations artwork): Reversible Varsity Jacket, then the Reversible Zip Hoodie, Polo Shirt or Puffer Jacket. Sublimation suits large, colourful and intricate designs, on sublimated fabrics.

• A budget-friendly group order: Hoodie, Crew Neck Sweater or Quarter-Zip Sweater, then the T-Shirt or Polo Shirt. The t-shirt and polo are our most affordable styles.

• A winter uniform piece: Quarter-Zip Sweater, Crew Neck Sweater, Hoodie or Fleece Varsity Jacket, all in warm 330gsm fleece.

• Staff wear: Quarter-Zip Sweater, Crew Neck Sweater or Hoodie, then the Polo Shirt. Everyday styles that can carry staff or department names.

• Wear on wet or windy days: Reversible Varsity Jacket, with its semi-waterproof outer side, then the Hardshell Jacket (a dedicated rain jacket), Windbreaker Jacket (wind and light rain) or Coaches Jacket (a semi-waterproof shell).

• Primary school students: Fleece Varsity Jacket, Reversible Varsity Jacket, Hoodie or Crew Neck Sweater, then the Polo Shirt or Puffer Jacket. All available in kids sizes; contact us to order.

• A school anniversary or milestone: Fleece Varsity Jacket, Rugby Jersey or Reversible Varsity Jacket, our classic commemorative pieces.

• A signing day polo: the Polo Shirt. Lightweight, and can be designed to match your leavers jersey.

• A summer uniform piece: the Polo Shirt (breathable and quick-drying) or T-Shirt (breathable cotton).

Our range by price

• Most affordable: T-Shirt, Polo Shirt.

• Budget-friendly: Crew Neck Sweater, Hoodie, Quarter-Zip Sweater, Lightweight Hoodie, Zip Hoodie, Windbreaker Jacket, Coaches Jacket.

• Mid-range: Woven Varsity Jacket, Rugby Jersey, Fleece Varsity Jacket, Fleece Varsity Cardigan, Track Jacket, Bomber Jacket, Hardshell Jacket.

• Premium: Reversible Varsity Jacket, Reversible Zip Hoodie, Puffer Jacket, Hooded Puffer Jacket, Knitted Varsity Cardigan, Faux Leather Varsity Jacket.

Prices depend on quantity, decorations and personalisation. The Design Lab shows an estimated price as you design.