Impressions - March 2022 - 19

Kilelee adds that sweats, matching sweat sets and other fleecewear
styles are here to stay for a while longer, especially if travel increases
in the coming months.
Just as other apparel categories see different emphasis on details
and fabrics yearly to update their styles, the same can be expected
with athleisure.
" Cotton is clearly king when it comes athleisure, but it's more complex
than that, " Johnson says. " Ring-spun cotton, for example, is softer and
more durable than open-end, and United States-grown cotton is more
sustainable than the majority of cotton grown in other countries. In
terms of fabrication, newness comes in tri-blend fabrications, washes,
and weights. Elevated neutrals can give a super-soft tee a refined edge. "
Johnson adds that garment-dyed fleece and tees, which have been
staples of the resort business, also are becoming part of the athleisure
trend as consumers try to bridge their work and social lives.
INFLUENCERS' INFLUENCE
Consumers also want variety, and they want to be able to change up
their looks from season to season.
" Consumers want to see added details, new prints, and improved
fabrics from their favorite brands every season, and I believe this will
be no different for athleisure, " Kilelee says.
New Styles: Athleisure
7. ComfortWash Garment-Dyed Tee
Style GDH100 Ý Designed with a focus on softness, color and printability
Ý Made of 5.5-ounce ring-spun cotton Ý Vintage, lived-in look with a
consistent canvas, longer-lasting print, no-shrink comfort and a super-soft
feel right out of the box, according to the company Ý Available in more than 30
colors and sizes XS-3XL
Use Info⋅Action #306 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction
8. Hanes Perfect-T T-Shirt
Made of 4.5-ounce, 100% U.S grown ring-spun cotton in a lightweight,
modern fit Ý Collection includes long-sleeve and women's styles Ý Also
available in a tri-blend fabrication in both unisex and women's silhouettes
Ý Sizes up to 5XL are available in a blend of neutrals and on-trend colors
Use Info⋅Action #307 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction
9. JERZEES Nublend Sweat Shirts
Nublend Unisex Billboardhood sweat shirt (style 97CR) and Nublend Unisex
Varsity Color-Block Hooded sweat shirt (style 98CR) Ý Made of 8.0-ounce
50/50 cotton/polyester preshrunk fleece Ý Nublend pill-resistant fleece
Ý Available in adult sizes S-3XL
Use Info⋅Action #308 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction
10. Champion Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
Style T425 Ý Made of 5.5-ounce, 100% cotton Ý Tag-free neck label; shoulderto-shoulder
taping; and double-needle sleeve and bottom hems Ý Left sleeve
features the Champion " C " logo Ý Sizes S-5XL are available
Use Info⋅Action #309 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction
11. Just Hoods By AWDis Girlie Cropped Sweat
Style JHA035 Ý Made of 8.3-ounce, 80% ring-spun cotton/20% polyester
Ý Twin-needle stitching detail and tearaway label Ý Five colors are available
in sizes XS-XL
Use Info⋅Action #310 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction
12. Alternative Apparel Modal Tri-Blend T-Shirt
Made with sustainability in mind, according to the company Ý Features U.S.grown
cotton, recycled polyester and TENCEL Modal Ý Set-in sleeves and
neckband; shoulder-forward construction for better fit; and a tearaway tag
Ý Available in sizes XS-3XL
Use Info⋅Action #311 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction
MARCH 2022
P.19
Regarding demographic groups who are driving athleisure's popularity,
Brown says all age groups, from Baby Boomers to Gen-Z,
contribute to the category's elevated.
Johnson agrees with the strong influence of the Gen-Z consumer.
" Gen-Zers are driving key trends within athleisure - for example,
unisex sizing and silhouettes, color palettes that feature elevated earth
tones, and sustainably made apparel. "
With social media playing a key role in driving what's popular,
Gen-Z users are definitely in the driver's seat.
" We all know the popularity of social-media platforms like TikTok
has skyrocketed since the pandemic hit, and Gen-Z is mostly
driving that popularity, " Kilelee says. " So many of these trends start
out on TikTok or Instagram. People are looking to TikTok for what's
cool and Gen-Z users are largely responsible for a lot of those trends.
" Athleisure is not just a style category; I think it is safe to say it has
become a lifestyle, " Kilelee adds. " With the increased demand for athleisure
since the start of the pandemic, I believe [its] popularity will
continue to rise in the next five years. Athleisure has become one of
the fastest-growing categories in the apparel industry and will continue
to grow even as we return to a new normal. " 
Jennifer Morrell is an award-winning writer who has written for a number of
national consumer and trade publications. For more information or to comment
on this article, email Jennifer at jennmorrell@hotmail.com.
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Impressions - March 2022

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