Are you ready for some football?

We’re certainly fixin’ for some. And that’s all well and good, as the 2019 college football season kicks off in earnest this weekend. Of course that means great gridiron action to enjoy. Plus, from a promotional products perspective, there’s also a raft of new branded merchandise to check out from teams across the country. We did a little swag reconnaissance to see what styles might be trending in merch collections. After all, the looks could bellwether trends end-buyers will be keen for promo distributors to provide. Here are four fun trends we found – plus sales tips promo products distributors can use to sell similar styles to end-clients.

Bucket Hats

As Counselor has mentioned previously, bucket hats are back in a big way, and we’re sure Liam Gallagher is pleased. Perhaps Baker Mayfield is to praise (blame?) for the comeback of buckets. Regardless, the style is featuring prominently in the branded merchandise collections of more than a few top college football teams, as seen here with this example from the University of Southern California. Sales Idea: Sure, college, university and Greek life clients are a clear fit. But don’t forget high schools and youth sports leagues. The younger athletes, coaches and parents/supporters are often eager for the cool styles that pop up on campuses and at NCAA stadiums. Also: End-clients in the music and entertainment industry could go for bucket hats, too.

Floral Patterns

Floral and football? Yes, it’s a thing. Saturday afternoon superpowers across the country are featuring branded, button-down, floral-patterned shirts in their swag collections. This scarlet-colored model from the Nebraska Cornhuskers – featuring the famous Nebraska “N” logo throughout -- is a spot-on example. Football’s floral fandom is an outgrowth of one of retail’s hottest casual everyman apparel trends – namely, form-fitting patterned short-sleeve woven shirts. Sales Idea: You already know certain hospitality clients favor the style, but go beyond that. Start-ups and otherwise youthfully-vibed technology firms could convey their cutting-edge, quirky/irreverent culture with branded floral shirts.

Color Block Polos

Color block polo shirts like this one from the Alabama Crimson Tide are sure to be favored by coaches on the sidelines of some this season’s biggest games. The style, which features an abrupt top/bottom cut off between the different colors just below the chest, incorporates a fetching flourish in the form of heathered-style striping in the lower half. Sales Idea: Try golf events and corporate stores. Really, companies and corporations of all varieties could be keen to outfit sales associates in this casual logoed wear look.

Gradients

Many of the NCAA’s top pigskin programs are selling quarter zips, hooded sweatshirts and even hooded T-shirts that feature performance features and gradient coloring. This hooded tee from the Miami Hurricanes is an excellent incarnation of the trend, featuring as it does a gradient that rises from black to light gray before ending in white around the upper chest/shoulders. Sales Idea: Beyond the obvious of schools and youth sport teams, consider gyms/fitness centers, mixed martial art studios, independent auto body/custom vehicle shops, wellness programs and more.