Impressions – Team & Activewear – Spring 2018 - 6

Performance-level fabrics are
no longer confined to the gym.
Photo courtesy of EG Pro.

have to help the consumer understand new functional attributes such
as odor control, sun protection, stretch fabrications and compression. This was a priority with our newly designed website at Russell
Athletic, including visual elements to help the education process."
In educating your customers, who in turn must educate their consumers, be aware that there are two types of anti-wicking apparel.
Vince Winters, president of EG Pro explains the difference, which
takes place at the manufacturing level. "The main difference is the use
of hollow core fabric, where the moisture goes around and through
the apparel, versus a chemical-based solution that is applied to polyester garments. Use of hollow core is the more costly method of the
two, with a longer life span for the garment. An important thing to
know, for those who sell the less costly, more affordable chemically
treated apparel, is that the life span of those garments is 25 to 40
washes, depending on the quality of the solution."
Winters also warns that the use of a fabric softener sheet tossed
into a dryer will destroy the anti-wicking properties of the fabric and
the value of the garment.

What's Hot

Look at Layering
One current trend in both the retail and wholesale markets is layering.
Beginning in 2017, layering became a fashion statement seen on
international runways. "The art of layering is something of a creative outlet, not to mention a canny way to rethink pieces already
hanging in your wardrobe," according to fashion writers at Vogue.
"With the added consideration of ever more unpredictable weather
to contend with, building a look which affords the opportunity to
add or remove pieces throughout the day is rather appealing and
surprisingly practical."
De-structuring the layered look and seeing what elements are used
under, over and left open presents an opportunity for wholesalers
to offer clients individual items or the complete package. Practical
on many levels, layering allows wearers to adjust their outfit as the
weather dictates. Comfortable, casual and affordable, it is a style that
became popular with athletes (think warm-up suits), that was picked
up by youth (think untucked shirts and hoodies) and has worked its
way into athleisure (think yoga apparel). It is difficult not to embrace
a style based on comfort.

Skin in the Game
Beyond providing a higher degree of comfort, investment in the
proper attire for sports and daily living also can contribute to performance, health and hygiene.
"Performance is no longer just moisture management," says Matt
Murphy, vice president of marketing at Russell Athletics. "Brands
6 * Spring 2018

According to Winters, the hottest selling item at EG Pro right now
is the quarter zip, which is perceived as a base in the layering process,
and used in training, for warm-ups and on its own. He also finds that
polos are popular as a dressier option.
"We see a lot of examples of items that start out as performancewear for athletes, then turn up as regular streetwear," he says. "Why
not just look good, but feel comfortable as well? While some price
points will keep apparel at the retail level, we are always working on
affordability, technology, comfort, price - and in many cases we do
get performancewear trickling down to the blanks market."
Over at Russell Athletics, Murphy says the T-shirt will continue
to lead the performancewear category. "There are many low-cost

A New Poly Process?
Polyester has long been the dominant fabric
in performancewear. Not only does it have the
lightweight, stretch and wicking characteristics
required of products in the category, but it
also is adaptable to the cut-and-sew process.
Dave Wheatley, director of business development
for Myogrid, says that on the higher end of
the quality spectrum, Myogrid now uses a
circular seamless knit process that merges
polyester and nylon. This process produces a
softer, anti-chaffing garment with built-in
venting, and quicker wicking and drying, he
says. - Impressions archives

Impressions – Team & Activewear – Spring 2018

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