Impressions - January/February 2021 - 23

Taraynn Lloyd, vice president of marketing, Edwards Garment, agrees that blended
fabrics, particularly those with added stretch,
are extremely popular. " Having the blended
fabrics perform well by holding their color,
provide easy home [laundering] with no-iron
capabilities and offer comfort and stretch is
what we all want to wear these days, " she says.
Functional fabrics also are trending category-wide - those with UV-protection and
moisture-wicking properties are key, along
with protective features like antimicrobial and
antibacterial capabilities. In addition, many
environmentally conscious consumers seek
out like-minded manufacturers.
" Some brands have released styles with
recycled polyester that help conserve energy consumption and our natural resources, "
Lloyd says. " Sustainable fashion apparel is
becoming more readily available, with innovations to yarns, materials, manufacturing and
marketing. Brands and clients want to make
better environmental purchases. "
Vicki Ostrom, trend editor at SanMar,
added that consumers also are looking
for stain-release, odor-fighting and snagresistant properties. " The usefulness and
longevity of a product has never been more
important, as dollars need to stretch as far as
possible in this uncertain economy, " she says.

Untucked & Unbuttoned
The untucked trend is more prevalent than
ever, as it is a reflection of the casual, comfortable way of life that offsets the hardship
of a global pandemic.
Jordin Nabi, vice president of marketing,
TSC Apparel, says consumers are not only
wearing plackets and wovens untucked, but
also unbuttoned and layered.
" [Wearers] are layering them under sweaters
and wearing them unbuttoned over T-shirts
and hoodies, " she says, adding that wovens
will continue to be a layering staple and that
oversized, flannel shirts will be worn over
dresses and skirts instead of a cardigan or
oxford shirt.
The pandemic also has forced people to get
active when their schedules allow; the untucked trend ties in with this desire to stay fit.
" The movement toward an 'all-day active'
lifestyle has never been more in play as it has

Silhouettes are more relaxed
and looser, with a laid-back look
and feel, making them great
for working from home. Photo
provided by TSC Apparel.

been over the past six months, " Ostrom says.
" That's an ironic statement, given the fact that
most of us have never been more cooped up
than we have been since the pandemic hit.
However, because of our work-from-home,
no-travel lives, finding ways to be active is
top of mind. "

Colors & Patterns
Colors for plackets and wovens run the gamut
and will continue to do so in 2021. Nabi cites
key colors for 2021 as gray, Lemon Sherbet,
Oxy Fire, A.I. Aqua, and Quiet Wave.
" These shades are robust and earthy but
also light and airy, " Nabi says. " Clinical greens,
neutrals, mellow yellow, plaids and animal
prints are all making their way on the popular apparel list for the year 2021. "
Lloyd says to look for soft blues, olive greens
and cool grays as trending colors in 2021,

while Barecca says that with sustainability at
the top of many consumers' minds, " earthy
shades of green, blue and purple are becoming increasingly important and will lighten
the mood. Also, look for lighter beiges and
tans here. Heathers and watercolor stripes
are prevalent in polos. Color-blocking with
bold accents, as well as tone-on-tone, add
some edge to these styles. "
Additionally, power colors like cobalt, red,
yellow and orange are trending, she says.
Patterns are as versatile as colors and will
continue to be popular in plackets and wovens. Lloyd points to gingham checks or micro
checks as rising in popularity.

Style Check
Barecca says airy prints and patterns are trending with golf shirts. " Tie-dye is something
you wouldn't typically associate with golf wear,

" Som

Impressions - January/February 2021

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