Printwear & Promotion The Total Promotional Package
Want to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s hot in printwear? Then look no further.
If you picked up last month’s issue you should be well versed on what trends will be key in the coming 12 months.
One key trend that is going to be hard to avoid next year is the wave of eco-friendly and recycled garments that are set to enter the market. Many brands within the printwear market have added either a sustainable range or a selection of products to their collections for 2020.
Launched into the market in 2018, Écologie by AWDis is making strides in its mission to build a better future. Its new range for 2020 is now vegan accredited, perhaps a first for the industry.
Outerwear brand Regatta Professional welcomes the new Honestly Made range. Comprising at the moment of three garments, the range is made from 100% recycled fabric.
On the sportswear front, Stedman has taken the step towards more eco-friendly sportswear production. All new styles in 2020 will contain polyester made from recycled polyester bottles.
In addition, Russell, B&C and Tee Jays have all increased their organic offering for 2020.
However, Mantis World will take organic to the next level in 2020. The care labels on the new Mantis Men’s and Women’s Essential Organic Ts will feature QR codes which, when scanned, will show exactly the impact that you, your customer, or the end user can have on the environment.
Key trends
Not only this, but another trend to look out for is the rise of non-gender specific or unisex clothing. In a move that seems to have gone back to the early days of the printwear industry, suppliers are keen to not get left behind with this movement.
Take Stedman for example. To meet the demand for boyfriend style and oversized products, this brand has expanded for 2020 its range of gender-neutral products. The new Recycled Unisex Hoodie and the Recycled Unisex Sweatpants offer a great fit for both men and women. Other styles have introduced smaller sizes to cater for women.
Keep an eye on what’s happening in the retail world so you can stay on-trend in 2020.
In a prime position
Jonathan Wintle, director at AS Colour UK, explains how retail trends play a key role in the printwear sector.
Launched in the UK in 2018, New Zealand brand AS Colour is in a prime position to know what is going on in retail trends. This is because of its retail estate.
The brand opened its first shop in the UK in Shoreditch during the summer of 2019, which follows the other 18 stores operated globally.
The range is aimed at the 18-35 demographic, and the shop sells identical product offered to imprint customers.
The retail estate is key tool as a bellwether that shapes the imprint styles offered to serve the targeted demographic, as well as doubling up as an unofficial London showroom where customers can see the range in a correctly merchandised retail environment. As an example, and early trend spotted by the Australian stores, was an increasing demand from women for a crop top. Within a few short months there are now three crop tops available in the imprint sector, with the UK introducing a Cropped Womens Hoody (style 4122) available from March 2020.
As a general trend, in core unisex T shirt lines, the retail sector that AS Colour targets, prefer a little extra length in their garments so all T shirt hems sit well below the beltline, in stark contrast to many cheaper imprint brands.
Environmental sustainability is something AS Colour takes very seriously, as should any decorators who wish to enter the retail environment. AS Colour is a member of the Amfori BSCI innitiative which also includes a code of conduct procedure. We only use GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) licensed suppliers. Since 2016 we have been part of the Child Labour Free initiative. All fabrics are certified with Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
With an extensive Corporate and Social responsibility policy coupled with full vertical view of production, it means that AS Colour can supply any high street retailer as we adhere to the same strict ethical guidelines as global fashion brands. It is quite common to see As Colour T shirts in the high street retailing for x20 times the imprint wholesale cost having been decorated by a brand.
