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Creativity Abounds In Kid’s Wear
By: Audrey Sellers, Associate Editor
Issue: 2009jun
If you’re taking that first wobbly step into the world of promotional youth wear, here’s something to remember: Anything goes. You can’t go wrong with infant and toddler staples such as creepers and tiny t-shirts, and for older kids, you can dive into mainstream styles such as longer-length and burnout tees.
“Youth apparel is not as volatile as the juniors market, but it certainly changes over time,” says Mindy Anastos of Ball Ground, Georgia-based supplier L.A.T. Sportswear (UPIC: latsport). “Girls’ fashion changes about six months to a year behind the juniors market while boys’ fashion evolves a bit more slowly. With infant and toddler wear, you’ll always have your core basics, but fashion items do change year to year. The bubble rompers of yesterday have given way to the 2x1 rib tanks and ruffle tees of today.”
The shift to upscale youth fashion—think high-end fabrics, fashion colors and organic offerings—continues this year, Anastos says, but it’s not as big as the back-to-basics movement she’s seen. “High-end fabrics with trendy detailing cost more and many customers are looking for budget-conscious offerings. I think part of this swing is due to the economy,” she says.
But however tough the economy, collegiate and sports markets are still game for youth apparel. “Even in down economic times, colleges still play football and fans still support their teams,” Anastos says. “In the past, customers asked for fashion-forward colors like eggplant and charcoal, but today they’re asking for specialty collegiate colors like maroon, Texas orange and royal blue.”
Some other popular markets for children’s wear include hospitals and destination-type retail outlets such as amusement parks, aquariums and zoos. The resort market is especially strong since parents want to bring something home for their kids, Anastos says.
Before pitching youth apparel, pay close attention to sizing and fit. Not all kids are the same, so there’s no universal fit. Also, Anastos recommends working with a supplier that has a diverse offering of garments for infants and toddlers.
“Many distributors settle for the basics because that’s all their supplier carries,” she says. “Infant and toddler wear sells best when it inspires the ‘aww factor.’ Having access to basics along with ‘aww’ apparel is the best way for distributors to be successful in this category.”
 | Crayola Colors
Make a splash in vibrant shades of burnt orange, kiwi and royal caribe in the Youth Basic Crewneck. It’s also offered in classic white and a handful of other playful colors. Made from 100-percent heavyweight cotton, it’s preshrunk and features a ribbed collar, set-in sleeves and shoulder-to-shoulder taping.
Barry T. Chouinard
800-545-6366 |
Kid-Sized Cap
Round out a Little League or junior golf tournament uniform with this lightweight, low profile cap, style i5000Y. Ideal for youngsters ages five to 12, it’s made from brushed cotton twill fabric and features a cloth, two-piece strap. Choose from four easy-to-coordinate colors: black, navy, red and royal.
Cap America, Inc.
UPIC: CAPAMRCA
800-487-2227 |  |
 | A New Crew
Made from a blend of organic cotton, recycled polyester and naturally occurring rayon, the Eco-Heather Crew is knitted imperfectly for an authentic vintage look and feel. The collar is constructed from garment material and the tee features a set-in collar and shoulder-to-shoulder taping. Choose from eight heathered shades. Tip After a Sesame Street Live show or The Jonas Brothers concert, young fans can pick up a t-shirt like this to commemorate the event.
Alternative
UPIC: ALTE8602
888-481-4287 |
Juvenile-Friendly Jacket
Kids are cozy at the bus stop and on the playground in the Youth Evolux™ Jacket, which is resistant to wind and rain. It’s made from Evolux™ filament polyester fleece with an anti-pill finish and features Taslan nylon accents on the chest, back, sleeves and storm flap. There’s a drawstring at the open hem and black zippers and knit binding at the cuffs. Get it in all black, pink and gray or black accented with maroon, navy or charcoal heather.
Charles River Apparel
UPIC: CRA
800-225-0550 |  |
 | What’s Old Is New
Designed with a longer length and offered in six vintage colors, the Girls Vintage Longer Length T-Shirt blends a retro flavor with of-the-moment details. This heathered tee is made from fine jersey and features topstitching on the ribbed collar, a taped neck and double-needle stitching on the hems.
L.A.T. Sportswear
UPIC: latsport
800-414-5650 |
Twirly Girl
A double-ruffle, shirred skirt bottom and raw-serged ruffle sleeves add girly flair to the Rabbit Skins Toddler Ruffle Dress. It’s made from 100-percent ringspun cotton and features coverstitching on the ribbed collar. Get it in white or one of three all-girl shades: lilac, pink or raspberry.
S & S Activewear
UPIC: SSAC8463
800-523-2155 |  |
 | Lap Time
Parents can shimmy their little ones into the Lap Shoulder Tee for an easy, wear-anywhere apparel solution. Available in white and soft shades of banana, pink and sky, it’s made from ringspun cotton and is offered in sizes to fit children ages 12, 18 and 24 months.
AS Tees
UPIC: ASTee764
803-691-8100 |
Simple Spaghetti Straps
A warm-weather alternative to a t-shirt, the Baby Rib Spaghetti Top features double-needle stitching on the straps, neck, armholes and hem. Made from 100-percent ringspun cotton, it’s offered in a palette of classic colors including chocolate, fuchsia and turquoise (shown). TipVacationers can stop into a resort or restaurant’s gift shop for a lightweight tank like this one. It’s ideal for little ones to wear while sightseeing and it’s a reminder of good times once the family is back home.
Monag Kids
UPIC: monag
585-742-8056 |  |
 | Camo For Kids
The Code V Youth Camouflage Hoodie is offered in colors appealing to both boys and girls: green woodland, pink woodland (shown) and urban woodland. It’s made from a blend of cotton and polyester and features double-needle stitching on the fleece-lined hood and pouch pockets. It’s designed with a ribbed waistband and cuffs, a drawcord hood and set-in sleeves.
Broder Bros.
UPIC: BRODER
800-521-0850 |
Hood To Go
Toddlers can teeter around in the Bella Baby Infant Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt, which is made from ringspun fleece knit in baby blue, pink, red or white. It’s garment-washed for added softness and minimal shrinkage, and it’s designed with a full-front zipper for easy on and off. Design details include 1½-inch ribbed cuffs and bottom band, and set-in sleeves.
Heritage Sportswear Inc.
UPIC: HERI0002
800-537-2222 |  |
 | Team Player
Create a uniform look for young athletes with Face-Off, an athletic jacket with a full-zip front and taffeta-lined sleeves. Designed with a 100-percent nylon tactel shell, it has a quiet texture and features two front, zippered pockets, elastic cuffs, an open bottom waist with a drawstring and two side cord locks, and a back mesh vent. It’s sewn with a locker loop for easy storage after the game. Tip Schools, recreation centers and youth sports leagues can outfit pint-sized players in this athletic jacket. Kids can wear it to practice, after games and around school as a way to boost team spirit.
Tonix Corp.
UPIC: TONIX
800-841-1144 |
Want To Get The Most Wear Out Of Youth Wear? Start With Parents.
The goal with any promotional garment is to be worn and seen repeatedly, but how do you accomplish this with youth apparel? Instead of targeting tots, many of whom are teetering around oblivious to color, style and trends, try appealing to Mom and Dad’s taste in clothing.
This means forgoing the ultra-cutesy garments for ones that parents wouldn’t mind wearing themselves. Think longer-length tees, laid-back tanks and cozy fleece items. The idea of parents dressing their offspring in pint-sized versions of their own garments isn’t a new one, according to an article on www.MSNBC.com.
“If you rewind and take a look at the baby pictures of yore, you’ll see that very often children were dressed like the adults of the day,” Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, director of the National Center for Children and Families at Columbia University, said in the article.
To get your youth wear into cribs, playgrounds and classrooms, you’d be smart to bypass teddy bears, rainbows and super-sweet pastels for smaller versions of what grown-ups are wearing.
Source: www.msnbc.com
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