For the Business of Apparel Decorating
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64 || P R I N T W E A R M A Y 2 0 1 6 FEMALE STYLING AND DETAILS Beyond athleisure, which styles are hot right now among women and what details are they looking for? What should go without saying is that many buyers, regardless of the market, are expecting a feminine look and appeal with their apparel. Also trending? V-necks and racerback tanks, which especially work well for yoga/fitness businesses, bar/restaurants, college/high school teams, and dance/cheer companies. Fine Jersey Ts are another best-seller, as they find that women enjoy these shirts because of their comfort, styling, and fit, ex- plains Andre Murphy, senior marketing manager at LAT Apparel. For more daring options, crop tops, tanks/muscle tops, flowy ponchos, and eco tri-blend scoop necks and fleece raglans all make the list, according to Mayeri. On top of unique and practical styles, thought- ful details are important. Things such as top-qual- ity zippers, thumbholes, and a ponytail port with- in the hood are all extras that help set styles apart, says Proffit. DESIRED COLORS Besides the fundamental shades that every woman has become accustomed to, such as black, gray, navy, and white, be prepared to also look out for garments that offer much more palette variety. Perfect for the spring and summer seasons espe- cially, a wider range of colors is now being offered by many suppliers. Krebs indicates that, "colors are remerging as more vibrant for women. Brights have entered the picture, as they offer more of a 'making-a-statement' appeal." Vivid and soft colors such as celadon, orange, coral, mint, and cream, "do well because women enjoy color, it's that simple," adds Proffit. From neons to pastels to typical athletic colors, the wide range of shades is certainly fueled by fash- ion trends, as well as promotional apparel needs. Even if you find some female customers who don't wish to choose one solid bright color, they can always select pieces that offer unique col- or-blocking and pop-of-color stitching details. "The bottom line is you have to offer a lot of WOMEN'S WEAR continued on page 111 Even with basics, femi- nine and unique details are desired. (Image cour- tesy Alstyle Apparel)