1. High-Tech Fabric Blends Are In

Photo: Cutter & Buck’s Forge Polo Collection

Through tech advances, more suppliers and manufacturers are creating innovative fabric blends that combine and elevate the best elements of performance and comfort. Be ready for additions across product categories. With fleece, for example, Top 40 supplier Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) offers an 80% cotton/20% polyester fabric with a 100% cotton face that allows DTG and discharge printers to experiment with it. Meanwhile, Top 40 supplier Cutter & Buck (asi/47965) is bringing its new Forge Polo Collection to market, which features a blend of soft matte-finish polyester and spandex. “We believe in this new fabric so much we’re offering the Forge Polo in four distinct patterns, in regular and tailored fit, making this our largest polo launch ever,” says Brad Moxley, business development manager at Cutter & Buck.

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2. Natural-Feel Polos Are Back

Photo: alphabroder’s Devon and Jones CrownLux Performance DG20 Polo

For years, shiny polyester polos that screamed synthetic fabric in their appearance and feel reigned supreme. But now, people are experiencing some polyester fatigue. “While end-users won’t give up the performance features of polyester, there’s a longing for the softer feel of cotton once again,” says Andrea Lara Routzahn, vice president of portfolio & supplier management at Top 40 supplier alphabroder (asi/34063). “Performance cotton yarns combined with performance polyester are a good way to bridge this divide. These hybrids offer the best of both worlds.”

3. More Clients Want Retail Quality

Growth in better and best quality apparel and brands has been strong, and that’ll accelerate in 2019, Routzahn says. “End-users are demanding the promotional products market provides retail and retail-like apparel, whether from actual premium brands or from private brands that deliver true quality at better-than-retail price points,” she says.

4. Sherpa Will Sizzle

Photo: Epic Sherpa Quarter Zip (8454) from S&S Activewear

Sherpa fabrics are going to star in the fleece and hoodie categories this year. A thick-piled heavyweight fabric, sherpa has a fluffy feel reminiscent of wool, but without the scratch. “Sherpa is huge right now,” says James Andres, marketing coordinator at Top 40 supplier S&S Activewear (asi/84358). “Even teens are getting into this fashion trend, so you know it’s a big deal.”

5. Athleisure Wear Will Be Everywhere

Photo: Vantage Apparel’s Vansport Zen Pullover (3451)

This clothing refers to attractive functional apparel with performance features that can be worn for everything from athletic activities to happy hour. In the fast-growing category, look for stylistic and high-tech fabric evolutions, particularly in fleeces/mid-layers, hoodies and golf shirts.

6. Plan for Chest Blocks to Add Style

Photo: Collarless necklines feature in the Vansport Pro Boca Polo in royal (2470) and the Women’s Vansport Pro Boca Polo (2471) from Vantage Apparel.

“Retro-inspired chest blocks will be big,” says Lauren Cocco, director of merchandising at Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390). “The throwback look speaks to retail trends while also providing an ideal placement for logos and imprints to be front and center. Meanwhile, unique styling details like collarless golf shirts and full-button polos with a laid-back feel offer a break from traditional polos and appeal to younger clients.”

7. There’s a Need for Speed & Small Quantities

Online retail shopping that offers lightning-fast turn times and no minimums is conditioning buyers to expect a similar experience in their B2B transactions. That expectation will intensify in 2019 when it comes to apparel orders. “Customers are constantly requesting and needing shorter lead times and lower minimum order quantities,” says Eric Simsolo of Next Level Apparel. “The ability to do single-piece decorated orders is key,” adds Cocco.

8. Fanny Packs

Photo: Fanny Pack (15097) from BIC Graphic

Not long ago, fanny packs were about as uncool as they could get – the crowning style fail for a bungling tourist wearing shorts with socks pulled up to the knee. But that’s all changed. Fanny packs have been popping up on high-fashion runways and are a hit with younger demographics. Even Elle magazine declared, “We can deny it no longer: the fanny pack is here to stay. No matter your aesthetic, there’s a hip-slung bag for you.” Fanny packs will do well as swag for concerts and festivals. Think colleges and trade show giveaways, too.

9. Expect Soft-Hand Feel & Stylistic Diversity in Tees

Photo: The 6.5-oz. garment-dyed pastel crewneck (1801GD) from Los Angeles Apparel

“Fabrics with a soft, unique hand in a wide array of colors will continue to drive growth in the T-shirt segment,” says Routzahn. Though crewneck and V-neck styles remain the most popular, end-clients are increasingly seeking softness and diverse color options in silhouettes beyond those cuts. “Cropped styles for women are trending, as are retro-athletic looks in ringer tees, raglans and baseball silhouettes,” says Routzahn. Similarly, Simsolo says the industry will experience a push into new T-shirt looks. “The current streetwear world likes heavier, relaxed fabrics,” he says. “The customer still demands a soft, flattering piece, but a nice unisex garment that can supply an oversized look with a tailored fit and function would be very beneficial.”

10. Fleeces in Bomber & Baseball Jacket Silhouettes Are Boomin’

Silhouette diversity isn’t just for T-shirts. Expect more fashion-forward fleeces shaped into bomber and baseball jacket cuts. The PCH Bomber Jacket (9700) shown here from Next Level Apparel is an example.

11. More Customers Will Be Primed for PMS Color Matching

Branding consistently across all channels of communication, from social media to company apparel, is growing increasingly important to organizations of all sizes. With color so central to branding, savvy distributors can capitalize by pitching custom apparel in hues that are an exact PMS match to the colors of a client’s brand.

12. Workwear Styles Will Inspire Outerwear

Photo: Vantage Apparel’s Boulder Shirt Jacket (7340)

“We’re seeing tremendous response to outerwear with workwear-inspired silhouettes made with durable fabrics, utility pocket details and fashion linings,” says Cocco. Jackets that are lightweight and packable but still offer ample protection from the cold will also be popular.

13. Muted Colors Paired With Pigment Dyes Are Making Good

Photo: Unisex Pigment-Dyed Crewneck (PRM3500) from S&S Activewear

“We’re seeing more muted colors showing up in palettes across the industry, especially in the pigment-dyed department,” says S&S’s Andres. “The vintage look is still really popular and these colors fit in perfectly with that style. You’ll see them in everything from tees to sweatshirts to headwear.” The look will sell well in the education and resorts markets, as well as industries that include boating, craft beer and more.

14. Statement Socks Are a Thing

From high school classrooms to corporate boardrooms, boldly colorful socks with personality-filled patterns and graphics are a hit. Forward-thinking brands have latched on to the trend, and are creating similar styles that spotlight their logos and brand aesthetic.

15. Watch for Performance Wovens

“End-users want the crisp professional look of a classic business-friendly woven shirt but with the performance comfort features they’ve been getting in knit fabrics, like wicking, cooling and stretch,” says Routzahn. Suppliers like alphabroder and Cutter & Buck are among those stepping up to meet the demand. “Stretch is the hottest trend for wovens right now,” says Moxley, of Cutter & Buck. The MCW00188 Men’s Soar Windowpane Check Tailored Fit woven shown here from Cutter & Buck exemplifies the ever more popular combination of classic business style matched with stretch fabric.

16. Speaking of Wovens, Patterns Will Prevail

Photo: Double-Stripe Poplin Shirt (men’s 1983/ladies’ 5983) from Edwards Garment Co.

Plain is definitely passé as brands especially will opt for a stripe/tattersall print to get a fresh look. “Patterns like ginghams, checks and plaids are outperforming solids for men and women,” says Cocco.

17. Modified Flat Bills Are Spurring Headwear Sales

Photo: The Blended Wool Acrylic Modified Flat Bill with Mesh Back Cap (I3035) from Cap America

Structured, mid- or high-crown caps with a near-flat brim that’s slightly curved at the ends – often bearing a mesh back – have grown wildly popular with certain industries and demographics. Expect these caps to sell everywhere from the education and team markets to the automotive, agricultural and outdoor sports industries.

18. Dad Hats Are Still Huge, But …

Photo: Camp-Style Flat-Bill Cap (I1012) from Cap America

The classic “dad hat” has eternal staying power. The curved bill, low crown, unstructured or slightly structured cap style is attractive to everyone from 17-year-old urban hipsters to 70-year-old retired farmers. Still, as illustrated earlier with modified flat-bills, it’s important to keep an eye out for trends particular to certain demographics. For instance, “stylish looks like a (five-panel) flat-bill camp hat or a corduroy cap are going to be popular with the millennial market,” says Rhyen Campbell, content strategist at Cap America (asi/43792).

19. Open Cardigans Are a Uniform Hit

Photo: Open cardigan sweater (7056) from Edwards Garment Co.

When it comes to professional uniforms, expect open cardigan sweaters and shawl collar sweaters for women to appear on the wish lists of end-clients ranging from technology corporations and banks to hotels, automotive dealerships and travel-related companies. 

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