Beyond the Brim: How Ocean City, MD Partnered with Tiki Island Wear for Custom Swag That Stands Out

When the Ocean City, Maryland Department of Tourism reached out to Tiki Island Wear, they weren’t just looking for standard promotional items — they wanted something that embodied the energy, personality, and coastal charm of their city.

While some of their requests went beyond our usual straw hat, hydro baseball cap, and bucket hat lineup, our team didn’t hesitate for a second. At Tiki Island Wear, we thrive on custom creativity. When a project calls for innovation, we rise to the occasion — no matter how unique the request.

Expanding Beyond the Norm

The Ocean City Department of Tourism wanted a variety of items to reflect their fun-loving beach-town vibe while appealing to both residents and visitors. From custom bandanas and foam trucker hats to tie-dye bucket hats and custom fanny packs, the lineup captured the spirit of Ocean City in every detail.

The foam trucker hats featured raised puffy embroidery paired with tie-dye bucket hats with rubber PVC patches of the city’s iconic smiley face logo — giving them a bold, textured finish that stood out in any crowd.

The tie-dye bucket hats were another highlight, featuring PVC patches that showcased Ocean City’s branding in vibrant, eye-catching colorways. Each bucket hat became a wearable piece of art, blending bold design with laid-back comfort — a perfect representation of both the city and the Tiki Island Wear design philosophy.

And let’s not forget the custom fanny packs — practical, stylish, and made for on-the-go fun. Ideal for summer events, beach days, and festivals, they combined function and brand visibility in one sleek accessory.

Creative Collaboration at Its Core

From the beginning, this project was a true collaboration. Ocean City’s team came to us with a vision, and we worked closely with them to bring it to life through materials, colors, and finishes that matched their branding goals.

Our design and production teams coordinated every detail — from sourcing the right fabrics and textures to ensuring embroidery, patch placement, and color accuracy were perfect. Every product was produced with the same standard of care and craftsmanship we apply to our own signature line.

The end result? A complete collection of custom headwear and promotional accessories that were not only visually striking but also embodied the upbeat, coastal energy that makes Ocean City such a beloved destination.

A Word from One of Our Founders

“If we were to highlight all the full custom solutions we provide, we’d have an endless scrolling website,” says Dan McLoughlin, co-founder of Tiki Island Wear.

“Every project we take on is unique. From hats and bandanas to fanny packs and promotional gear, each piece is crafted specifically for our client’s needs. There’s no cookie-cutter approach here — just creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration that turn ideas into reality.”

Dan’s perspective captures the essence of what we do: no limits, no shortcuts — just authentic, purpose-driven design that makes your brand shine.

No Limits to What We Can Create

At Tiki Island Wear, we’ve built our reputation on flexibility and innovation. While we’re best known for our straw hats with sublimated underbrims, hydro baseball caps, and custom bucket hats, projects like this showcase how adaptable we truly are.

Whether it’s embroidered details, PVC patches, woven labels, or full sublimation, we work hand-in-hand with clients to deliver products that make a lasting impression. If you can dream it, we can design it — and we’ll ensure it’s built to stand out and built to last.

Let’s Create Something Custom Together

Whether you’re a city tourism department, event planner, or brand looking to elevate your promotional merchandise, Tiki Island Wear is ready to help.

We can source nearly any style, color, or niche product imaginable, delivering one-of-a-kind headwear and accessories tailored to your vision. From large-scale city projects to boutique branding, we’re your partner in custom design done right.

📧 sales@tikiislandwear.com