Ha t s 1Truckers Rule The humble trucker hat – a structured cap with fabric front panels and mesh rear panels – remains king. “Everybody wants some sort of modern trucker cap. It’s gotten into every single market,” says Straub. “Every type of customer buys it. It’s not just for the landscaper or the construction worker.” Vogue reported plenty of sophisticated caps featured in fall runway shows: “FromGucci to Coach to Burberry, the all-American baseball cap was the dominant headgear on the catwalks.” Again, creativity is key, and the structure of trucker hats provides a great canvas for multiple decoration techniques, including printing and embroidery on the mesh back panels in addition to the standard front crown area. “The trucker hats always feel a little bit cleaner,” says Roberts, “so they end up lending themselves to being a nice vessel for any brand that comes along that needs to have a good-looking, sharp cap.” 2 Poms: The Bigger, The Better Fluffy accessories are in, according to Vogue, and the bigger the better. Look at the knit caps available and you’ll see poms the size of your fist. “Poms have become really important right now because the bigger the pom, the better the cap,” says Straub. “We’re noticing that trend all across fashion and retail.” Straub says she sees knit hats worn as fashion accessories now, regardless of the weather, and by all genders. “You can look at some of the rock stars, and they’re constantly wearing a knit cap,” she says, “so then all of the other people want to copy off of those musicians. We’ve even seen it on the West Coast when it’s 85 degrees.” 3 Hot Headwear Styles For 2023 All the hat styles available can lead to analysis paralysis when it comes to choosing a product. Here are three styles sure to put your clients’ brands on top: The OC771 Ultimate Trucker Cap provides a comfortable fit and sharp-looking finish ready for a variety of decorative branding elements. Available in 60 color combinations (slate/navy/gray shown). Most colorways are cotton twill fronts, heathered are synthetic linen, and the others are cotton linen. Outdoor Cap / PPAI 213485, S10 / www.outdoorcap.com The OC806 Oversized Pom Watch Cap “was popular right from the get-go,” says Straub. This stylish and warm acrylic knit beanie is equipped with an oversized pom on top and features a 3-inch cuff for decorating. Available in five colors (midnight blue shown). Outdoor Cap / PPAI 213485, S10 / www.outdoorcap.com 24 | DECEMBER 2022 | INNOVATE
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