| WearableStyle
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Volume 130 / August 30, 2010 |
| Click here to read this and past issues online. | |
| VIDEO Packed and Ready to Go They are the three worst words in the English language for kids: back to school. But for distributors, it’s a prime time to pitch backpacks to your clients. Come check out the latest Wearables Monthly Trend to see the best backpack styles for kids and adults. Click here to watch this video. What did you think of this video? Send your feedback to cmittica@asicentral.com. |
| Trend Alert: Turtlenecks |
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Anybody who has ever watched Scooby Doo as a kid knows how a turtleneck can complete a look (keep up the good sleuthing, Velma). Well, the '70s staple is back as a versatile fall trend. While manufacturers in the past decade or two have gravitated toward the "mock" turtleneck (which features a much shorter neck), fashion-forward men and women are interested in the real deal this season.
The beauty of turtlenecks is that they are both trendy and practical when it comes to dressing for the weather. "Winter sales meetings in ski resort settings is one of the places that we've seen them," says Dan Tusher, sales manager for SanMar (asi/84863). "And obviously winter in the northeast and the upper Midwest is brutal, so they are used for company uniforms in some of those areas." SanMar carries only men's styles, but women's turtlenecks can be found at American Apparel (asi/35297). Darker hues such as black, browns and deep purples are most chic because they create a neutral background for layering and showing off jewelry — especially for the increasingly popular turtleneck dresses. Stick with cotton, polyester and wool blends to stay warm and comfortable as the chilly winds roll in.
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| How to Sell It: Jackets |
| While most products sold in the promotional apparel market are worn at most once or twice per month, if not once or twice per year, there is one branded product that you can be sure the recipient will wear more frequently: jackets. Indeed, jackets present a flexible and valuable option for promotional clients. Here are three trends to watch out for this fall. 1. Multi-Season Jackets "An obvious but ever-increasing trend is jackets that are multi-purpose," says Kate Souza, public relations & internal communication specialist for Charles River Apparel (asi/44620). "You no longer need a rain coat, light-weight windbreaker, denim jacket, dressier jacket or winter jacket. Now jackets are combining a variety of features to create stylish multi-season and multi-purpose jackets." 2. Color, Color Everywhere "Seaming, blocking and splicing are big jacket trends," says Gina Barreca, director of marketing for Vantage Apparel (asi/93390). "From a color perspective, we're seeing brighter options in blues, greens and pinks. Nautical looks in navy and white are also prevalent this season." 3. Hybrid Fabrics "Hybrid fabrics, or combining two kinds of fibers to create one fabric, is an emerging trend," says Diane Barrow, national sales director of Trimark Sportswear (asi/92122). "In other words, this season, expect multifunctional garments without a lot of bulk. Waterproof, breathable, movable fabrics translate into comfortable performance clothing that people want to wear." |
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| Product Safety Testing Update |
Apparel companies could be required to secure third party testing on all children’s clothing as soon as mid-November. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a notice on Aug. 18 laying out the criteria and process for labs to gain accreditation to provide testing under the Flammable Fabrics Act. A public comment period is open till Sept. 17, and anyone interested in weighing in on the issue must do so by that date. Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in 2008, with plans to increase standards and regulations on children products. The CPSC has delayed implementation of some aspects of the law because it has taken time to determine the specifics of regulations called for in the law. The requirement that apparel companies seek third party testing is one of those, delayed until February or once these criteria and processes are defined by CPSC, whichever is sooner. Third-party testing is expected to be required three months after the Aug. 18 notice’s appearance in the Federal Register. Many apparel companies have already begun testing in preparation for the requirements. To offer comment on the rules, go to http://www.regulations.gov or mail your comments to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814. The full Federal Register notice can be viewed at http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr10/clothing.pdf. |
Our Favorite Wearables |
Ask An Expert |
Q: I am looking for dog collars to embroider (specifically webbing-style collars). I can’t find a wholesaler. Can you help? |
| News Briefs |
AG PrintPromo Solutions (asi/101271) has been named one of the "Top 100 diversity-owned businesses in the state of Ohio (Div100)" by DiversityBusiness.com. |
| Wearables Terms |
Knowing these terms will make distributors who just started sound like they’ve been in the business for years. |
| Show List | ||
Sep. 8-11, Philadelphia, Baltimore |
Sep. 20-24, Van Nuys, Ontario, Newport Beach, San Diego, Pheonix Advantages Roadshow (800) 546-3300; www.asishow.com Sep. 30-Oct. 2, Ft. Worth ISS Show (800) 241-9034; www.issshows.com |
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