All about Stanley/Stella’s New Button-up Styles
Our official partners Stanley/Stella have just launched their new Spring & Summer collection of 2025 and we’re here for it! Alongside fresh Polos & popular T-shirt styles, the sustainable apparel company has unveiled four new modern shirt styles, ready to brand! These premium shirts are made of 100% organic GOTS certified cotton making them ideal for processes like water-based screenprint and eco-embroidery.
If you ask us, they couldn’t have picked a better time to launch. According to HubSpot research, 40% of purchasing decisions happen in the 1st quarter of the year when budgets are approved and spending is planned. The coming weeks are a critical time for businesses to make purchasing decisions, making it the perfect time to renew your workwear.
Are shirts even relevant to the UK workwear & promo markets?
Shirts are often overlooked in the British promo market, likely due to the rise in remote working in recent years. Some still appreciate having a polished look for face-to-face client meetings, making them ideal for branded workwear. As for promotional clothing, there’s a new opportunity for branded shirts thanks to the growing popularity of Workwear shirts being worn casually by the younger generations.
In 2025, the revenue in the Shirts & Blouses market in Europe was $24.51 billion, with the UK contributing $5.56 billion. While the UK market may be smaller compared to its continental counterparts, there’s still a demand for stylish, branded shirts – especially those that are versatile, sustainable, and modern.
Below, we’ll break down the different styles offered by Stanley/Stella and have a look at inspiration from the fashion retail world for some unique ways to brand your shirts for the promo and workwear markets.
The Breezy Poplin Shirt
The Stanley/Stella Styler Poplin shirt comes in both men & women’s cuts. Defined by its lightweight and smooth finish, it’s the most professional style, making it suitable for smart occasions and business meetings.
Embroidery on the left breast is a popular choice for corporate branding, offering a subtle yet professional touch. For a retail inspired branding approach feel free to decorate the front panels with large transfers or consider combining different techniques to give your design a layered, textured effect.
The Styler shirt is ideal for:
- Corporate workwear
- Hospitality
- Retail uniforms
The Classic Oxford Shirt
The Oxford Shirt has been a staple in professional wardrobes for decades! Its slightly thicker texture and distinctive basketweave makes it an excellent choice for smart-casual business styles. It comes in both men & women’s cuts, and the button-down collar ensures the shirt stays in place throughout a long work day.
This timeless shirt provides a solid base for embroidery, which is the most used decoration technique for this style. Like the Poplin shirt, the pleats on the lower back panel make it difficult to decorate in this area. Consider making a statement by branding the upper back with a larger logo or motivational slogan for a standout look!
The Stanley/Stella Oxford is ideal for:
- Corporate Workwear
- Hospitality
- Retail uniforms
The Unisex Heavyweight Worker Shirt
The trendiest option on the market!
Unisex Worker shirts are a go-to for all ages due to their highly versatile wearability. This heavyweight cotton shirt can both be worn traditionally or layered over a T-shirt for a casual look. Everyone wants one: The worker shirt was first popularised by iconic retail and workwear brands: think Carhartt, Levi’s and Dickies (it’s everyone’s favourite for a reason!).
Thanks to its thicker fabric and flat back panel, the decoration options on this shirt are practically endless. This shirt can easily fit extra large prints on the back and the fabric creates an ideal canvas for large or applique embroidery designs.
The Worker Shirt is perfect for a variety of industries, including:
- The Entertainment industry as elevated music merch
- Hospitality; think hip cafes and restaurants
- Retail & Event wear
- Workwear: made the trades, after all!
The Durable Stanley/Stella Denim Shirt
The iconic denim shirt needs no introduction! Always in style, the Stanley/Stella denim shirt allows you to recreate classic vintage workwear looks with custom-made leather & embroidered patches. Like the Worker Shirt, the durable heavyweight fabric makes it suitable for almost any decoration technique, and the flat back panel creates the perfect surface for extra large prints or embroidery. Why not get creative and combine both techniques for a truly elevated look? This style is also available in both men & women’s cuts!
The Stanley/Stella Denim shirt is ideal for:
- Entertainment industry & music merchandise
- Hospitality; think hip cafes and restaurants
- Retail & Event wear
- Workwear: the denim shirt has long been a staple of hard-working industries!
For more ideas on how to decorate shirts or to inspire your clients, have a look at our Pinterest board linked here: Button up shirts on Pinterest
Sources used to write this blog: