Out of Office

Embroidered, Not Printed

Embroidery is the quieter way to say something. The thread sits on the fleece instead of in it, so the line reads as texture from across the room and as a sentence only up close, which is exactly how near a coworker needs to be before she gets it. Each piece is a classic crewneck in 8 oz cotton-poly Heavy Blend fleece with a ribbed collar, cuffs and waistband. It holds its shape, layers under a coat, and passes most business-casual dress codes at conference-room distance. The embroidered crewneck is the most finished thing Swatchix makes. It is priced accordingly.

The Auto-Reply, Worn

Every design in Out of Office is written like a status message: short, final, and not open to follow-up. Unreachable, except by the cat. Calendar blocked, reason: cat. Back in Q1, if the cat permits. The lines work for the last two weeks of December and the first two weeks of January equally well, because the out-of-office mindset does not end when the auto-reply does. She is still at her desk. She is simply not available to it.

A Cat Mom Sweatshirt That Works as a Gift

Out of Office is built to be given. The relaxed unisex fit lowers the sizing risk, the embroidery reads as premium in a gift bag, and the joke lands with anyone who has taken time off from a job she is mostly fond of. For the coworker who keeps her camera off, the friend whose cat runs the household, or herself, on the day the auto-reply goes on. Any two pieces ship free. Three or more save 10% or 15%.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Out of Office collection?

Out of Office is the Swatchix collection of embroidered sweatshirts for women: ten heavyweight crewnecks, each stitched with one dry line about time off, auto-replies and the cat who approves the schedule. Sizes run S to 5XL, and prices run from $64.99 to $69.99 depending on size.

Are these sweatshirts embroidered or printed?

Embroidered. Each line is stitched in thread across the chest, so it has texture and sits slightly raised on the fleece. Embroidery holds up to regular washing better than most prints, and it reads as more finished, which is why this collection is the one Swatchix recommends as a gift.

How do you wash an embroidered sweatshirt?

Turn it inside out, wash cold on a normal or gentle cycle, and tumble dry low or hang dry. Skip bleach, skip the dry cleaner, and never iron directly over the embroidery. If it needs pressing, iron it inside out on low heat.

How does an Out of Office sweatshirt fit?

It is a classic unisex crewneck, so it sits relaxed on women. Take your usual size for a relaxed fit with room to layer, or size down once for a closer fit through the shoulders. Sizes run S to 5XL, though a few colors stop at 3XL. The size guide on each product page lists exact measurements.

Why do embroidered sweatshirts cost more than printed ones?

The fleece is the same Gildan 18000 Heavy Blend used for the printed Swatchix sweatshirts. The difference is the decoration: every line is stitched rather than printed, which takes longer to produce and costs more to make. The price covers the thread, not the label.

Is an Out of Office sweatshirt a good gift for a coworker?

Yes. Every line is about taking time off, which is the one thing everyone at work agrees on, and the relaxed fit forgives a guessed size. If the size is wrong, she keeps it and we send the right one at 30% off with free shipping. Any two pieces ship free, and three or more save 10% or 15%.