For the Business of Apparel Decorating
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/682926
2 0 1 6 J U N E P R I N T W E A R || 39 and is often featured in both fashion and basic styling. PATTERN AND TEXTURE We are beginning to see real growth in the yarn-dyed checks, plaids, and stripes in corporate woven shirtings. Finally, the old wives' tales that patterned shirts could not be embroidered or decorated have fallen to the wayside. We are now seeing mini checks, tattersal checks, and larger plaids with big repeats to all go along with the multitude of new textures in woven shirts. These include dobbys, rip-stop, nailhead, slub chambray, herringbone, and more. In addition to the traditional weaves, such as oxfords, pinpoints, and broadcloth, we are beginning to see yarn-dyed flannels in our market. This is a welcomed addition to our woven sport shirt assortments, as we have struggled for years to see the styl- ing and fabric types found at retail in our marketplace. Today's corporate woven sport shirt market exhibits a "dressed-up" casual look that lends itself very nicely to the office and to the service and hospitality industries. OUTDOOR OPTIONS The fishing shirt phenomenon has come full circle and has now become a true life- style piece in our product assortments. Like the camp shirt, the fishing shirt is not really about fishing, but more about lifestyle and comfort. Relaxed fits with better fabrics, such as 100 percent polyester rip-stop that feature UPF sun blocking, and antimicrobial fin- ishes are the norm here. We are finding an abundance of fishing shirt styles in several fabric constructions, including: • 100 percent polyester rip-stop • 100 percent piece-dyed solid nylon • 100 percent cotton poplin Performance features that also play a vital part in this fishing shirt story include: • UPF sun-blocking • Mechanical stretch • Antibacterial finishes • Stain and soil finishes • Wrinkle resistant In addition to the fishing shirt in this outdoor category, we are seeing canvas, yarn-dyed flannel solids and plaids, rip-stop in cotton and polyester blends, and per- formance lightweight plaids and checks in utilitarian makes and models. Attention to pocket treatments and venting for freedom of movement are important here. The popularity of outdoor styles could be the next step in the "active" lifestyle arena that has been led by the performance knit products in our wholesale and promotional channel. So, as we soldier on into our 2016 Fall Selling season, let's all take a deep breath and focus on what is truly new in our corporate woven sport shirt arena: performance, pat- tern and texture, and outdoors and fishing. Happy selling. The corporate performance story began 25 years ago and has continued to evolve to incorporate a wider range of features.