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PPB
• AUGUST 2016
EYE ON
APPAREL
EMBRACE COOLER TEMPERATURES WITH
FASHION-FRIENDLY LAYERS
By Julie Richie
WHETHER DUE TO RISING global
temperatures or simple fashion preferences—
or both—sweaters are continually trending
lighter, and are being manufactured
with easy-care, machine wash-
friendly fabric blends that fit busy
lifestyles. These benefits are par-
ticularly appealing for employees
who wear sweaters as part of
their company uniforms.
“Lighter weight sweaters fit the layering
trend nicely,” says Gina Barreca, director of
marketing for Vantage Apparel (UPIC:
vantage). “For ladies, they can go over t-
shirts or a tank top and for men, a light-
weight V-neck layers well over a button-
down shirt.
Up-to-date styling is important in
today’s corporate uniform sweaters and
suppliers are offering more items that
have current retail appeal. “Longer lengths
in ladies’ sweaters are popular. For example,
our new ladies’ cardigan looks nice open or
closed, and you can belt it for a nice
crossover look. It’s good for uniforms,
but also has some style,” Barreca says.
Hybrids are another new popular
option. (See sidebar on p. 30).
As for sweater colors, they tend to
remain subdued in a basic corporate
palette, according to Barreca. “Our
best-selling colors are navy, black and
heather gray. Deep maroon did very
well as a fashion addition last year.”
Read on to see a wide variety of
popular sweater options that will
have your clients clamoring to
place orders.
Sweater Season
INNOVATE