Hot Merch, Cool Brands: Why Sunglasses, Tees & Stubby Coolers Slap

If your merch can’t survive a backyard BBQ, is it even worth branding?

We’ve all seen it: flimsy sunglasses that snap before you get to the esky, stiff t-shirts with logos big enough to land a chopper on, or stubby coolers that feel like damp socks after two drinks. In 2025, promo gear needs to work. It needs to be wearable, usable, and ideally—stealable (in the good way).

Let’s talk about the Aussie promo trifecta that’s still undefeated: sunglasses, custom t-shirts, and stubby coolers. If it doesn’t make sense in this lineup, it’s probably not worth your budget.

The Trifecta That Actually Works

We’re not here to push gimmicks. We’re here for gear that people keep. Sunglasses, tees, and coolers do three things brilliantly:

• They’re seasonless and useful year-round

• They get seen—on the street, at the beach, on the ‘gram

• They’re made to be branded (the right way)

You’ll find them all in our Best Sellers collection—and for good reason.

🕶️ Sunglasses That Don’t Suck

Why Cheap Sunnies Can Trash Your Brand

Handing out low-quality sunglasses is like handing someone a splinter with your logo on it. Not ideal.

PeopleAsked asks: “Do cheap sunglasses actually protect eyes?” Spoiler: most don’t. If they’re not at least UV400-rated, they’re more about damage than branding.

And no, “plastic frames from a box of 500” isn’t a flex. Our best selling sunglasses are designed to be worn—not binned. Think lightweight frames, decent lenses, and just enough edge to be repped at festivals.

Want impressions? Style matters. On-trend wayfarers, mirrored lenses, or matte finishes in your brand colours can go a long way. Just don’t skimp where it counts.

👕 Eco Tees People Actually Wear

If it’s scratchy, boxy, or shrinks after one wash—it’s merch for landfill.

Today’s buyers care about feel, fit, and ethics. Promo t-shirts need to be soft, breathable, and ideally not made from plastic bottles turned into sandpaper.

Questions like “How can you tell if a t-shirt is high quality?” and “What makes a shirt feel premium?” all point to one thing: material matters. That’s why we stock custom t-shirts made from organic cotton, bamboo blends, and recycled fibres.

Want it worn? Keep the branding subtle. Think minimalist chest prints, tonal embroidery, or back tags instead of billboard-sized logos. Bonus: our eco apparel range is perfect for limited-run drops that actually get snapped up.

🍺 Stubby Coolers That Don’t Suck (or Soak)

Stubby coolers aren’t a gimmick—they’re a lifestyle.

You’d be surprised how often PeopleAsked drops questions like “Do stubby holders actually work?” and “What’s the point of a cooler?” Short answer: they keep your drink cold, your hands dry, and your brand front and centre.

We recommend going local. Our Aussie-made coolers are built from high-quality neoprene with full wrap print capabilities and strong stitching. None of that “floppy foam and glue” nonsense.

Design tip: bold type, punchy colours, and limited-run jokes absolutely kill. Want to go a level deeper? We also offer custom stubby coolers with individual names or QR codes.

How to Nail This Promo Combo

Short Runs, Big Impact

Don’t get stuck with 1000 tees no one wants. Our low MOQ merch model means you can drop 30–50 units, test designs, and re-up based on what hits.

Mix It Into a Pack

A summer promo pack with a tee, sunnies, and a cooler? That’s the kind of merch people fight over. Bonus points if you wrap it in a custom gift box. Use it for:

• Client onboarding

• Seasonal loyalty rewards

• Campaign drops

• Staff or event giveaways

Real Brand, Real Impact

One Byron Bay surf school ordered a batch of soft bamboo tees and pastel-lens sunnies for a weekend surf comp. Not only did attendees wear them all day, they posted pics—tagged the school—and kept them for summer. The stubby coolers? Gone before the first final heat.

That’s ROI in real life.

Final Thought

Promo is like streetwear now—if it looks good, it lives on. If it’s junk, it’s forgotten.

Tees, sunglasses, and stubby holders aren’t new—but when they’re done well, they absolutely slap. Go custom, go low MOQ, go wearable. Or keep spending money on pens that don’t work. Up to you.

Ready to build your kit? Start with our best sellers and let’s make your brand cooler than your client’s drink.