4 Ideas Friday

All dressed up—spring apparel trends for 2017!
Our apparel merchandising manager, Sara, is a guru of all things apparel, especially when it comes to identifying major trends. From the retail store shelves to the runways, she knows what’s going to translate perfectly into the world of promotional apparel. Here you’ll find her top observations on partnering popular trends with your brand. Our advice: take Sara’s word for it!

Choose “vintage new.”
You surely have a favorite vintage tee, whether it’s from your younger days or from your dad’s collection of old band T-shirts. There’s as much comfort in the well-worn fabric as there is in the memories. Provide your customers with a good memory along with their own comfy custom tee. Give each member of your team a Jerzees® Dri-Power TriBlend Baseball T-Shirt to help keep the season’s memories alive beyond the final inning. Raw edges and an off-the-shoulder neckline give the Alternative® Tempo Athletic Eco-Fleece Sweatshirt a cozy, relaxed vibe. Vintage-quality fabric combined with cutting-edge moisture-wicking and UV-protection technology make the Hanes® X-Temp® Tri-Blend T-Shirt a perfect blend of old and new. Garment-washed fabric makes the Vintage Wash Muscle Tank feel well-worn right from the beginning.

Get in touch with nature.
Patterns that mimic scenes from nature, such as starry skies, rocky landscapes, cloud covers or highly charged storms, are desirable in apparel right now. The excitement that makes these scenes captivating in nature also makes them captivating to wear! You’ve seen these types of patterns on leggings in the retail arena, but they also translate well into team and club wear. For starters, cloud cover is the theme of the Storm Ultra-Lightweight Packable Jacket. Next, the J. America® Cosmic Poly Fleece Hoodie represents the energy of the cosmos with neon colors and static patterns. The Alternative® Tempo Eco-Fleece Sweatshirt is available in a fashionable camo or star pattern. And your team will sparkle like the stars in the radiant J. America® Glitter T-shirt. Besides, glitter makes everything better, right?

Consider monochromatic themes.
Monochromatic apparel creates a sleek, slimming, sophisticated look. The style is particularly popular in athleisure wear because of its versatility. Some new colorblock pieces even nod to the monochromatic look by using just slightly differing shades; for example, check out the Nike® Performance Hybrid 1/2 Zip Pullover and the Heather Raglan Hooded Wind Jacket. The tonal District Colorblock Pocket Tee works well as a base layer or statement piece. Monochromatic camo may sound like a contradiction, but the Challenger Camo Performance Tee really does create a camo pattern using just one color.

Not all styles are created equal.
Admit it, ladies. You’re not always thrilled to wear polos to work. Don’t worry; business attire that offers fashion-forward appeal does exist. Take the Amelia 3/4 Sleeve Tunic, for example. The gathers, the neckline and the ¾-length tab sleeves provide a feminine look. The Julianne Long Sleeve Tunic comes in fashion-friendly colors with dainty details, like silver buttons, roll-up sleeves, a Y-neckline and princess seams. The Cowl Neck Knit Top is a graceful and flattering piece that makes a friendly first impression. Eastern influences and performance features make the Mandarin Collar Knit Top a comfortable, classy addition to her wardrobe.