When it comes to corporate gifting, there's an ongoing debate: do you go for a smaller number of premium items, or stretch the budget across a larger quantity of cheaper options? Nowhere is this debate more relevant than with branded clothing, and branded jackets in particular.

Let's break down the real differences and help you decide where your budget is best spent.

The True Cost of Cheap Promotional Items

A cheap promotional item might look like a bargain on paper. At £2 per unit, you can outfit 500 people for a grand. But here's the reality: if 80% of those items end up in a drawer or bin within a week, your effective cost per impression rockets upward.

Cheap items can also actively damage your brand. A flimsy jacket that falls apart after two washes doesn't say 'we value you', it says quite the opposite. In a world where first impressions matter, your promotional items are a physical representation of your brand's standards.

The Case for Quality Branded Jackets

A quality branded jacket costing £25 to £50 per unit might seem steep compared to a £2 novelty item, but consider the return. A well-made softshell or fleece jacket gets worn regularly, to work, at weekends, walking the dog. Each wear is a brand impression, and over the life of a quality jacket, that could mean hundreds of impressions per recipient.

Our branded jackets range features durable, stylish options from trusted brands that recipients genuinely want to wear.

When Budget Options Make Sense

This isn't to say cheap promotional items never have a place. For large-scale events, exhibitions, or giveaways where you need high volume, budget items like branded pens, lanyards, or tote bags serve a different purpose. They're about reach rather than longevity.

The key is matching the item to the occasion. Event giveaways can be budget-friendly. Employee gifts, client thank-yous, and milestone celebrations deserve something with more substance.

Finding the Middle Ground

The smartest corporate gifting programmes use a tiered approach. Budget items for broad-reach events, mid-range items for team gifts, and premium pieces for VIP clients and key milestones. This way, every pound works as hard as possible.

Not sure which tier suits your needs? Explore our branded fleeces for a quality mid-range option, or browse our full

branded clothing collection for options at every price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are expensive branded jackets worth the investment?

For employee gifts and client appreciation, absolutely. Quality jackets get worn regularly, delivering ongoing brand impressions for months or years. The cost per impression is typically far lower than cheap items that get discarded.

What's the most cost-effective branded clothing?

Branded polo shirts and fleeces tend to offer the best balance of quality and cost. They're affordable enough for team-wide distribution whilst being genuinely useful and wearable.

Can I get quality branded jackets on a tight budget?

Yes. Many quality softshell and fleece jackets fall in the £15 to £30 range at scale, which represents excellent value for a gift that gets regular use.