It’s time to immerse yourself in the looks of Fall and Winter that will guarantee winning presentations. I’m showcasing six his-and-hers looks for you, while going in-depth about the staple piece of each. Find out why pitching these apparel items will help you gain a competitive advantage across different industries and markets.
The Campus Look
Step onto any high school or college campus, and you’re likely to see all the latest fashion trends. It’s important to pay attention to what they are wearing because their demographic is constantly engaged with social media, where they discover and share new styles rapidly with their friends and followers.
This makes them influential in shaping fashion and cultural trends that quickly become popular among all ages trying to stay in touch with fashion. These two campus looks I put together highlight the heavyweight apparel and varsity-inspired trends.
His Staple Piece: The Heavyweight Tee
The BELLA + CANVAS 6.0 oz. Heavyweight Tee is the ultimate wardrobe staple for a trendy campus look this back-to-school season. Why heavyweight? Its durable fabric ensures longevity, and the sturdy construction makes it perfect for layering or wearing on its own.
It’s an ideal choice for students on a budget, as it offers versatility and can be worn for years to come – just like my heavier college tees that I still have in my dresser drawer. It also boasts a more structured fit that is less clingy but still provides excellent softness and comfort. The Heavyweight Tee is perfect for branding with Greek letters, university logos, or fun graphics and sayings.
ADDITIONAL MARKETS: This trend has gained traction not only on campuses but also in other markets like boutiques, music merch, surf & skate, and uniforming. Construction, landscaping, and agriculture all love heavyweight tees, where rugged conditions demand added durability and protection in apparel.
Her Staple Piece: The Varsity Jacket
Few items of clothing are as iconic or as American as the classic varsity jacket. With nostalgia still being a main theme in fashion, the varsity jacket fits the bill with its classic appeal and versatile style. Combining classic elements with modern designs, it offers both a sporty and fashionable look that fits effortlessly into on-campus and off-campus styles.
Also, its connection with school spirit and team pride makes it a perfect canvas for expressing school identity through personalization and branding with chenille patches, school logos, or Greek letters.
ADDITIONAL MARKETS: The varsity jacket has also gained popularity with trendy online retailers and streetwear brands. After being seen on major fashion house runways, iterations of the varsity jacket have trickled down to mainstream, fashion-forward retailers. Other industries that embrace this trend include the music and entertainment sectors, as well as corporate branding.
Outdoor Leisure Edit
Recreation outerwear has transitioned from being exclusively worn on adventurous hikes or activities to becoming a fashion statement, thanks to the Gorpcore trend that gained popularity a couple of years ago. These apparel pieces are no longer limited to hiking, camping, or fishing. Popular outdoor brands like Columbia and DRI DUCK are creating apparel that can be worn on your next big adventure in the wilderness, to the office, or while hanging out with friends.
His Staple Piece: The Quest Lifestyle Canvas Jacket
This new jacket from DRI DUCK combines the durability and performance of workwear with style. Triple-needle stitching and Canyon Cloth™ canvas give you a durable exterior, and a snow top poly sherpa-lined body gives you a cozy interior. Gorpcore lovers enjoy functionality in their outerwear too, and this one brings it with internal pockets and a cell phone compartment.
ADDITIONAL MARKETS: This jacket is not only for outdoor leisure activities, it also makes for a great corporate gift option for urban commuters. It’s also an excellent choice for agricultural employees and other outdoor industries. Additionally, this jacket is perfect for staff or patrons at breweries and pubs with its rugged yet trendy design making it a perfect billboard for your brand.
Her Staple Piece: The Shirt Jacket aka “Shacket”
The Columbia Shirt Jacket, aka “shacket,” is built for the outdoors made of 100% cotton with a lining of nylon taffeta; this shirt jacket offers a perfect blend of softness and durability in the elements. Shackets have surged in popularity over the past few years at retail and aren’t going away anytime soon. This piece, with its camel colorway and iconic Columbia patch logo on the left chest, is also perfect for co-branding since this line is a retail favorite.
ADDITIONAL MARKETS: The shacket is ideal for the fall/winter months, as it’s a staple transitional wardrobe piece. It’s excellent for company stores because employees will love to wear it since it effortlessly transitions from work to weekend life. It’s also a great option for resort staff and gift shops, particularly in mountainous regions. Lifestyle brands will appreciate its trendy appeal and iconic brand name.
Retail Trending Looks for Holiday Gifting:
It’s important to look at what’s trending at retail for corporate gifting because it increases the chances that your apparel and accessories will be appreciated and used by employees, ultimately helping to enhance brand recognition and loyalty.
Trendy items capture attention, create buzz, and are more likely to be shared on social media, boosting overall brand visibility and engagement.
His Staple Piece: Water-Resistant Performance Headwear
This new Cannon Cap from the ever-popular headwear brand Richardson is a performance-focused 7-panel trucker that not only offers a modern look and feel but also comes with water resistance. It’s built with materials to maintain its shape even when wet, laser-perforated mesh for airflow, and a Stay-Dri sweatband to wick away moisture.
This cap was clearly built for adventure, but it’s also suitable for everyday use due to its stylish qualities. Although similar to a popular hat in retail, this one offers the same high-quality features at a more accessible price, making it an ideal corporate gift choice for those who value both performance and aesthetics.
ADDITIONAL MARKETS: The Cannon Cap is a great option for fitness studios and gyms. Because of its performance qualities, it’s also a great add to the collegiate team market, spirt wear and staff uniforming. In company stores, the Cannon Cap stands out as a premium yet accessible option that is easily customizable with corporate logos.
Her Statement Piece: The Unisex Oversized Vest
The vest is the ultimate layering piece for those transitional seasonal months and makes for the perfect holiday gift. This vest from Burnside is inspired by the popular vests you’ll see in retail, but at a more budget-friendly price. It features a unisex oversized fit with bigger baffling that has been on the rise in all outerwear recently.
ADDITIONAL MARKETS: It’s a great piece for lifestyle brands, campus stores seeking trendy apparel for students, giftshops and boutiques, and uniforming for a variety of industries with plenty of decoration space for their logos.
How to Style Your Vision for the Colder Months
Styling and merchandising with the seasons are essential for enhancing client experiences. These six trending looks from the Fall & Winter Style Guide illustrate how to create versatile collections that can easily become people’s favorites to wear for the upcoming season and beyond.
Whether for trekking around campus, outdoor adventures, holiday gifting, or simply everyday life, focusing on the right merch and themes of the season serves as an influential marketing tool for any brand.
This season, embrace the power of merch with pride. Create unique branding opportunities and maximize sales by featuring these styled looks in your presentations. Gain merchandising inspiration that will keep you relevant and allow you to create a personalized product experience. All the while, you will leave a lasting impression, enhancing customer loyalty and securing a competitive edge for your business.
