What are in the cards for school fashion in 2010? Check out what representatives from four suppliers firms had to say.
The vintage look is hip. "Some of the most popular styles that we've come out with are the tri-blend raglan shirts for youth and kids that have the 'vintage gym shirt look,' " says Mark Smalley, who is in marketing at American Apparel (asi/35297). "Also big this year is the dancewear look, especially for cheer."
Green is good. "Tri-blends are very popular, and so are organic styles," says Morey Mayeri, president of Royal Apparel (asi/83771). "A lot of the kids today are very hip to eco-friendly because they've grown up with it. Also, longer-bodied shirts are in fashion right now." Mayeri is also seeing dip dyes and garment dyes emerging in youth fashion.
Grunge chic. "I've used the term 'grungy chic,' " says Kirwei Lo, marketing communications specialist for Broder Bros. Co. (asi/42090). "You see a lot of plaid in the retail world, which is reminiscent of the early '90s grunge movement. However, you're seeing it in a lighter weight, slimmer cut and in general more fashionable or chic silhouettes."
Plaid really rocks. "Plaid, especially buffalo plaid, is hot in the teen fashion world," says Barrie Alewine, national sales manager for Boxercraft (asi/41325). "They are also looking for cutting-edge embellishments such as knockout appliqué."
Just the Facts
We take them for granted. We abuse them, we lose them, forget them, chew on the ends when we are nervous, snap them, tap them, toss them around and let them run out of ink. They have been around since the days of the pharaohs, documenting our lives and our history with nary a thank-you. The importance of the writing instrument is so elementary that we forget that without them, history would be lost. There would be no buried scrolls, no signed declarations and no diary from a young girl in hiding. As historian C.E. Bosworth noted in his article "A Mediaeval Islamic Prototype of the Fountain Pen?," in the year 953, Ma'ad al-Mu'izz, the caliph of Egypt, demanded a pen which would not stain his hands or clothes, and was provided with a pen which held ink in a reservoir and delivered it to the nib via gravity and capillary action. With such a history, it is safe to say, wheel be damned—writing instruments and their accessories may not be the first, but they may very well be among the most important inventions in human history.
Pencils
Fact: More than 14 billion pencils are produced in the world every year—enough to circle the globe 62 times.
—Musgrave Pencil Company
"Pencils are an inexpensive way to distribute a message to an audience. Many popular imprints include messages with prevention and safety tips from police and fire departments. Other agencies use pencils to support their causes, look for volunteers or thank people for their support. Distribution is often at community events, fairs [and] parades. Popular slogans [featured] on pencils [include] 'The Write Choice,' … and 'Sharpen Your Skills.'
Trend Alert : Cotton Ties
The 100% cotton-printed skinny tie remains a popular trend because it's consumer friendly and washable. With cotton fabrics, end users are able to wash their ties with their cotton oxford or poplin dress shirt without the fear of color bleeding. Available from Spectrum Ideas LLC (asi/88638).
As men's fashion trends change, the necktie remains a staple in the apparel marketplace. But even this ever-popular accessory is branching out. The popular power ties long favored in the corporate world are now supplemented by a casual look, featuring neckwear made out of 100% cotton. "100% cotton ties are certainly being well received in the fashion world because you can wash that particular fabric with your dress shirts," says Rafael Perez, owner of Spectrum Ideas LLC (asi/88638). "Other fabrics such as silk or polyester may bleed and the colors won't be as vibrant after multiple launderings."
In addition, Perez has capitalized on the voracious demand for skinny ties by introducing countless new styles in December, targeting wearables buyers in spring. He has already received thousands of orders for them. And to no surprise, Spectrum Ideas chose to merge the two popular trends with skinny cotton ties. "For our business, we explore the latest fashions and find a way to incorporate them," he says. "Today, it's 100% cotton ties and skinny ties. We just decided to combine the two."
