By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Some tourist merch is so delightfully dumb, it loops back around to being perfect.

Case in point: these socks.

White crew. Red type. All they say is:

🍕 PIZZA ITALIANA 🇮🇹

That’s it. No clever twist. No overthinking.

Tourist merch isn’t trying to be cool.

It’s trying to be loud, obvious, and unforgettable.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what works.

The same principle applies to branded merch for companies: not every piece needs to be minimalist or subtle. Sometimes the most effective swag is the bold, unapologetic kind that makes people laugh, turn their heads, and want to wear it—because it says exactly what it means.

Whether you’re designing city souvenirs or corporate swag, the best branded merch captures attention in seconds and leaves an imprint that sticks.

Your turn, what’s the dumbest tourist item you own… and secretly love?