Apparel retailers have started making plans for the upcoming Fall season. And the first course of action is an active search for standout apparel options that are on-trend for fall. This blog looks into two often-overlooked categories that are almost guaranteed to make a significant impact in the season: hoodies and polo shirts.
The hoodies are undisputedly a fall-favorite, but there are quite a few varieties of them and not all of those can offer the most profit when the season kicks off. Nevertheless, hoodies are versatile enough to be considered suitable for casual wear, lounge wear, team uniform and even as corporate swag. They are one of those garments that can easily bridge the gap between comfort, appropriateness and style.
Polo shirts are a different story. Once predominant in sports, polo shirts are one of the most popular business casuals in the world. So sourcing these two garments for sale in fall is not a bad idea.
Which brands should you choose? Do they actually elevate your store in fall?
How exactly do you minimize risks while sourcing them?
Do they demand a lot of investment?
Let’s discover the answers to these questions.
The Two Hidden Gems
Did you know that the hoodie had an athletic origin? Today, they are basically the most fashionable layering piece during colder months. The right hoodie can elevate an outfit from basic to trendsetting.
So where do you get the right hoodie? That’s the “first gem”.
Port & Company
The name might be familiar to retailers and organizations that buy apparel in bulk. The brand has been around since before the 2000s, offering well-styled apparel and accessories at great value. The brand never lost its popularity, but had been fluctuating in demands as the competition rose over time. Until they made a big comeback recently.
The most popular Port & Company hoodies wholesale offerings include the trending Core Fleece lineup, the Pigment-Dyed pullovers, and the Performance Fleece full-zips. What makes the brand a gem is the consistency in their quality and their undaunting commitment to affordability. Sourcing hoodies from Port & Company is now the best way to get top-quality apparel that lasts at the best prices in the market. But that also depends on the wholesale distributor you are sourcing the apparel from.
Coming back to polo shirts, these garments share a similar origin to the hoodies but in sports instead. Did you know that the original polo shirt is over a century old? There are strong speculations that the garment was invented by an unknown pioneer in Northeast India, back in 1859. But the garment evolved, so much to the point that you see people wearing polos in corporate environments.
That brings us to the “second gem”.
Port Authority
The brand is older than Port & Company, tracing its origins back to the early 1990s. Unlike Port & Company that aligns itself to be economical, Port Authority is all about aesthetic value by artfully blending modern and classic elements in their styles. That’s evident in their polo shirts.
While traditionally associated with preppy styles or uniforms, polo shirts easily earned their spot in the business casual sphere in the past couple of years. They offer a sublime balance between formal and relaxed, making them a solid option for modern, more liberal workplaces.
Port Authority polo shirts wholesale offerings that gained traction among apparel retailers recently include the Silk Touch ™ lineup, the Core Classic Piqué series, Performance Fine Jacquard polos, and the latest C-FREE® lineup of polos.
The growing demand for Port & Company hoodies and Port Authority’s polos indicate they do have the potential to elevate a retail store in Fall. The latter particularly if the retail store serves business casuals. But there are a couple more things to take into account, before you begin sourcing them.
Key Apparel Features for Fall 2024 Hoodies
- Innovative fabric blends
- Fall colors
- Unique customizations
- Oversized fits for layering
- Eco-friendly materials
Key Apparel Features for Fall 2024 Polo Shirts
- Aesthetic versatility for hybrid work environments
- Cozier fabric blends
- Heat retention
- Sweat-wicking
- Compatibility with layered looks
- Premium looks
Smart retailers will offer polo shirts in various cuts, from slim-fit to relaxed, to accommodate different body types and style preferences.
While hoodies and polo shirts have universal appeal, certain demographics are particularly receptive to these trends:
- Young professionals (25-40): Seeking versatile pieces that transition from remote work to social settings
- College students: Looking for comfortable, stylish options for campus life
- Active adults (40-60): Valuing comfort without sacrificing style
Styling Tips for Retailers
To maximize the appeal of hoodies and polo shirts this Fall, the merchandising strategies must not be outdated.
- Create layered display looks
- Showcase hoodies over polo shirts or under blazers to demonstrate versatility.
- Encourage customers to build complete outfits by bundling hoodies, polo shirts, and complementary pieces.
- Highlight texture contrasts
- Emphasize warmth without bulk
- Display lightweight, insulating options for transitional weather.
- Display signages about customization options
- If available, highlight embroidery or printing services for corporate or team orders.
Pricing Strategies
The competition is not to be overlooked, especially in autumn. It’s a race, and to be ahead retailers will have to think about their markups at some point.
- Tiered pricing based on fabric quality and features
- Bundle discounts for multi-item purchases
- Promotions to drive early-season sales
- Pricing offers to improve customer retention
There are a lot of things you can do to enhance the perceived value of these garments. This value is what’s going to sell your merchandise. To a certain extent, the in-store experience often increases the perceived value. The basic things you can certainly ensure are:
- Touch-and-feel displays for customers to experience fabric quality
- Knowledgeable and trained staff to assist with fit and styling questions
- Try-on areas with good lighting and mirrors
- Clear and straightforward info on the products near the display
The higher the perceived value, the higher the markup. To make things even better, you can source them wholesale from reliable distributors. Shortlist a few, vet them in terms of price and service quality, and ensure the best value price with bulk orders. Some distributors offer per-piece discounts on bulk orders on top of other benefits.
Hoodies and polo shirts from Port & Company and Port Authority respectively, worked for retailers last year. It’s expected to work even better in 2024. With the right selection, presentation, and marketing approach, hoodies and polo shirts can exceed your expectations on autumn’s profit margins.