Increase School Sales With Decorated Apparel for Homecoming Themes

very year, students around the country look forward to their homecoming games, a time filled with excitement and school spirit! Now to make attending even more fun, there’s a growing trend among schools and students to introduce thematic dress codes, adding an extra layer of fun and creativity to these games that the kids go crazy for.  

Sometimes, schools even organize homecoming theme days as a way to fundraise to for specific causes like children’s hospitals or special educational programs. To help give you some inspiration for your next pitch, we’ve gathered six common go-to homecoming themes, along with our top apparel and accessories product recommendations for each one.

Pajama Party, Everyone?

Our first fun theme day is all about pajamas, encouraging students to come to school or a homecoming event in their sleepwear. It’s a great way to boost school spirit and enjoy a more fun, casual atmosphere. Suggest a theme day name like “Slumber Party Day,“ “Dreamland” or “Midnight Madness” to your school contact, along with some great product recommendations.

Boxercraft’s Harley Flannel Pants

Did you know college students buy pajama pants at bookstores on most campuses? Every co-ed will love these super-soft, regular fit flannel pants, with a comfortable self-elastic folded waistband and an inner drawcord. The Harley Flannel Pants come in a wide selection of color combos that will work with most schools branding.

These pants are perfect for an upcoming homecoming event, as a new staple in a bookstore or even for work-at-home parents who want to rep their kids’ schools.

Gildan’s Heavy Blend Fleece Stadium Blanket

You can’t have a pajama party without comfy blankets! Suggest a blanket with the school name, logo, crest, mascot and event name, for a winning item students, faculty, staff and supporters can use all year long, indoors and out. This high-quality fleece blanket comes in colors like Charcoal, Navy, Red, Royal, Sand and Sport Grey.

Eco-minded buyers will also love this item because it incorporates OEKO-TEX certified low-impact dyes. Gildan is also a proud member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.

Glow Crazy for Neon!

Still hot on the runways, at retail, and in the music and entertainment industries, neon hues ignite energy, enthusiasm, fun and school spirit. If you include a day for wearing neon-colored clothing or accessories, you can create a positive, lively and memorable vibe during school spirit week. Neons look amazing in photos for social media, especially under a cool blacklight!

Here are a couple of fun products to show your school contact for a glowing spirit week.

Fruit of the Loom’s HD Cotton Short-Sleeve T-Shirt

This t-shirt, which comes in fun colors like Aquatic Blue, Neon Green, Safety Green, Neon Yellow and Retro Heather Pink, have an appealing price point for high-volume school orders.

The high-density weave creates better ink distribution on the surface of the shirt and results in more detailed, long-lasting prints.

Valucap’s Adult Bio-Washed Classic Dad Hat‍

A favorite of high school and college students, the dad cap is known for its unstructured design, curved brim, lightweight material and a relaxed fit. Besides its nostalgic appeal, the Classic Dad Cap is versatile and easy to incorporate into various outfits.

This hat consists of bio-washed chino twill and is available in Neon Yellow, Neon Orange, Neon Pink, or Neon Green.

Tie-Dye Takeover

Popular during the ‘60s and ‘70s, tie-dye hit its stride again in the ‘90s and early ‘00s. We can confidently say that tie-dye never dies – the fun, whimsical trend made a comeback in 2022 that’s still going strong this year. Suggest a “Tie-Dye Tidal Wave" theme day for homecoming week with exciting tie-dye hats and shirts!

Sportsman’s Tie-Dyed Bucket Cap

The bucket cap trend is still huge, because of its nostalgic, laid-back look. Combine it with a fun tie-dye pattern, like Cotton Candy, Ocean, Purple Passion or Raspberry Mist, for a winning tie-dye theme. Since some people may not want to go tie-dyed from head to toe, this 100% cotton hat is an easy way to dip into the fun!

Colortone’s Women's Tie-Dyed Crop T-Shirt

This on-trend, tie-dye crop top hits a longer length to appeal to more wearers on campus. The classic fit t-shirt comes in a rainbow of pastel color schemes and every time they wear this shirt they’ll remember what a blast they had at homecoming!

White Out the Competition!

Ever been to a “whiteout” event where everyone’s dressed head-to-toe in crisp white or other monochrome shade? Suggest a classy whiteout theme day or event for a “White Hot Homecoming.” For added oomph, offer a tone-on-tone print that will give your apparel a sleek, clean look that’s hard to resist.

Champion’s Short Sleeve T-Shirt

A premium t-shirt like this one from Champion lends an upscale feel to this theme day. Champion remains a popular brand among students, so this tee will be a big hit for homecoming.

Made of 100% cotton, this retail branded shirt has the Champion logo everyone loves on the left sleeve. Besides White, Ash and Oatmeal Heather, you can get this shirt in other trendy colors like Tempo Teal, Body Blush and Emerald Green.

Independent Trading Co.’s Midweight Pigment-Dyed Crewneck Sweatshirt

Pair a t-shirt with a trendy crewneck sweatshirt, a style that’s recently made a comeback. This standard fit pullover comes in lots of colors like Pigment Amber, Pigment Yellow, Pigment Sage and Pigment Plum. College students love the pigment-dyed look, since it’s got that vintage, worn-in vibe – and they get a sporty, yet fashionable, piece to wear to the big game.

Independent Trading Co.’s Pigment-Dyed Fleece Pants

Students also love joggers to wear to class, at the dorms, and out and about. These relaxed fit bottoms are on trend and have handy back and jersey-lined hand pockets. Matching fleece sets are popular, so you can offer a matching white or one-color fleece set for a complete look.

Stars, Stripes and School Pride

People love to show off their patriotic side, especially during football season! Suggest a theme like “Star-Spangled Showdown,” “Patriotic Palooza” or “Red, White and Woo-Hoo,” along with red, white and blue apparel and accessories.

Code Five’s Star Print Tee

For a low-key nod to America, we like this tonal unisex tee. Choose a vintage printed stars pattern in Red Star, Royal Star or Military Green Star for a USA theme.

SOCCO’s USA-Made Striped Crew Socks

There’s nothing more fun than wearing the stars and stripes on your USA-made socks. These premium crew socks are super comfortable with a cushioned sole. Socks are fun accessories to buy and they’re generally easy to size, so these are a fun option for students to purchase.

J. America’s Triblend Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt

If you want to take the USA theme to the next level, look no further than this sweatshirt, which comes in a Stars & Stripe Triblend, Black Stars & Stripes Triblend or Camo option.

Wear Pink, Spread Hope

Since homecoming games and celebrations occur around October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an altruistic themed day could revolve around awareness and fundraising for the cause. Use inspiring themes like “Boldly Pink for a Cure” or “Blush for a Cause.”

American Apparel’s Unisex CVC Tee

This unisex t-shirt, comes in at a great low price point for schools and is made of super-soft combed and ringspun cotton/recycled polyester. The relaxed shirt’s heather texture offers you an opportunity to create a vintage look for your design too. Eco-minded buyers will love the recycled polyester for a more sustainable solution. For breast cancer awareness themes, choose the shirt in Heather Blush.

MV Sport’s Women's French Terry Short Sleeve Crewneck Pullover

Pair the t-shirt with a super-soft comfy short-sleeve pullover. This stylish, relaxed fit option has slits at the side seams. Get it in Cameo Pink  for a “Support and Survive in Pink” or “Shades of Pink” theme.

Step Into the Spotlight & Own the Night

It’s not too early to develop custom apparel merch lines for homecoming games, since it’s a strategic way to boost school spirit and create a memorable atmosphere.

Incorporating themed days like “Pajama Party,” “Glow Crazy for Neon,” “Tie-Dye Takeover,” “White Out the Competition" and “Wear Pink, Spread Hope” allows students to showcase their creativity and express their school pride.

Here are some ways you can take advantage of the upcoming  homecoming season:

●      If you already have school clients, be proactive in helping them come up with ideas for merch centered around various fun and cause-related themes.

●      Create an online store for your school clients to help them with fundraising and getting spiritwear to students, faculty, staff, parents and supporters as efficiently as possible.

●      Make it easy for the school to receive apparel and accessories onsite so they can sell them at school events and before games.

●      Another great idea is setting up a live printing activation using a unique design and piece of apparel centered around the homecoming theme during spirit week.

Explore more styles and accessories at ssactivewear.com to elevate the spirit of your homecoming games.

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