Making Swag Simple by Ending the Awkward Employee Size Question

Few things at work feel more awkward than asking a coworker, “Hey, what’s your size?” It’s one of those moments that’s supposed to be quick and harmless—but instantly turns weird. Whether you’re ordering shirts for a company event or putting together new hire welcome kits, the process of collecting sizes can be painfully uncomfortable.

Thankfully, that awkward chapter in office history is closing fast. With Merchloop’s on-demand company stores, teams can finally skip the awkwardness, avoid the endless spreadsheets, and make the whole swag process actually enjoyable—for everyone.

Let’s talk about why asking for employee sizes is so uncomfortable, why the old way costs companies more than they realize, and how the new way makes swag simple, smooth, and genuinely fun.

The Awkward Reality of Asking for Sizes

Picture this: You’re ordering branded hoodies for your team. You send out a group message: “Hey everyone, what’s your size?”

Then the replies start trickling in:

• Some people drop their sizes immediately.

• Some message you privately because they’d rather not broadcast that information.

• Others completely ignore you.

• And someone inevitably jokes, “Does this run big?”

What started as a simple task turns into a guessing game of who’s small, who’s large, and who’s “I’d rather not say.” The truth is—asking for sizes is personal. It’s not just a number or a letter; it’s tied to body image, confidence, and comfort. And let’s face it—no one wants their HR manager or team lead knowing their shirt size.

The Hidden Costs Behind the Awkwardness

Aside from being uncomfortable, collecting sizes the old-fashioned way is also inefficient. There’s a long list of hidden costs that most companies don’t notice until it’s too late:

1. Time drain. Sending emails, follow-ups, and reminders takes hours. Multiply that by every new hire or event, and you’re losing serious time.

2. Spreadsheet overload. One wrong column, and suddenly half your team ends up with the wrong size.

3. Storage nightmares. You overorder mediums and run out of smalls. The leftover pile becomes a sad corner of branded hoodies that no one wants.

4. Shipping mix-ups. Someone moved, someone left the company, and someone new started—just as the swag shipment goes out.

The end result? Frustration, wasted money, and a process that’s anything but fun.

It’s Not Just Awkward—it’s Outdated

Beyond logistics, this issue points to something bigger: employee experience. Modern teams value inclusivity, autonomy, and personalization. They want gear that fits their preferences, not a one-size-fits-all T-shirt that ends up in the bottom drawer.

So why are we still handling swag like it’s 2010?

Companies that still rely on size spreadsheets are missing a huge opportunity to improve culture, save time, and show employees they actually care.

Merchloop to the Rescue

Here’s where Merchloop steps in. It takes all the awkwardness out of the swag equation by giving employees what they really want—freedom, privacy, and choice.

Instead of someone asking for your size, you simply log in to your company’s branded store, browse approved items, and pick exactly what you want in your size. Done.

Every item is decorated, fulfilled, and shipped on demand—from one to one thousand pieces—without your HR or marketing team needing to lift a finger.

How It Works

Employees Choose Their Own Sizes

Each person picks their preferred style and fit privately. Whether someone likes a relaxed hoodie or a fitted polo, they can make that choice without having to share details with anyone else.

No questions, no awkwardness, no group messages about “men’s cuts” versus “women’s cuts.”

On-Demand Fulfillment

Merchloop’s vertical setup means every order is produced and shipped individually from their own facilities. There’s no need to order in bulk or store excess inventory. You save space, money, and sanity—all while keeping the process seamless.

Always On-Brand

From startups to large companies, keeping brand consistency across swag can be a nightmare. Merchloop solves that, too. Every item is designed and produced to meet your brand standards, whether it’s a new hire box or a seasonal merch drop.

And because they offer top brands like Nike, The North Face, and TravisMathew—all made to order—you can give your team premium gear they’ll actually be excited to wear.

The “Oops, Wrong Size” Problem

Here’s a common story: a company orders 200 jackets, gets everyone’s size through email, and still ends up with 30 people needing exchanges. Some misjudged the fit. Some changed sizes. Some forgot what they originally said.

Now you’re stuck managing returns, reorders, and a growing pile of mismatched gear.

With Merchloop, that never happens. Employees order their items when they’re ready, in the size that fits right now. It’s a stress-free, mistake-free experience.

Remote Teams Love It Even More

In a world where hybrid and remote work are the norm, size collection gets even trickier. You can’t just walk over to someone’s desk and ask. Sending “What’s your size?” messages to people you’ve never met in person feels downright strange.

Merchloop makes remote swag distribution effortless. Every employee—no matter where they are—can log in, choose their gear, and have it shipped directly to their door. You stay out of the size conversation completely.

HR and Marketing Teams Finally Breathe

Let’s be honest—the people usually stuck collecting sizes are the same ones juggling onboarding, culture events, and brand initiatives.

With Merchloop, they get that time back. No more endless follow-ups or messy spreadsheets. Instead, HR and marketing can focus on what they do best—making the employee experience amazing.

And since the company store handles everything from design to fulfillment, your marketing team can finally stop worrying about brand consistency. Every logo, every color, every font—perfect, every time.

Inclusivity Without the Awkward Conversations

Not everyone fits into a standard size, and not everyone feels comfortable discussing it. Merchloop’s approach gives employees control and privacy while offering inclusive sizing and a wide range of styles.

That means everyone—from the smallest to the tallest—feels included and represented. It’s a small but powerful way to build a culture where everyone belongs.

The Employee’s Point of View

Imagine being a new hire and getting an email that says:

“Welcome to the team! You have credit in our company store—pick out your favorite gear and choose your size.”

That’s a completely different experience from someone asking your size over Slack. It feels empowering, professional, and personal all at once.

Instead of being handed something that might not fit, you get to pick what works best for you. That’s what real employee appreciation looks like—modern, thoughtful, and just plain cool.

The Future of Swag is Awkward-Free

Company swag is supposed to bring people together, not create uncomfortable moments. With Merchloop’s on-demand platform, your team gets the best of both worlds—custom, branded gear they love, and a smooth process that saves time and energy.

Here’s what that means for your company:

• No more asking for sizes.

• No more order mistakes.

• No more wasted inventory.

• Just simple, efficient, on-brand swag.

It’s a small change that makes a big difference in how your team experiences company culture.

Final Thought

Asking for employee sizes has always been awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. With Merchloop, you can keep your brand stylish, your employees comfortable, and your team communication blissfully free of awkward size questions.

Make swag something people look forward to—not something they cringe about.

Visit Merchloop to learn how to simplify your swag process, empower your employees, and finally make “What’s your size?” a thing of the past.