With summer now upon us, it’s time to begin preparing for fall fashion trends.
While some are predictable, like the continued emphasis on sustainability, others are harder to spot. To gather the best insight possible, I got in touch with some trendsetting members of the promotional products industry to bring you the inside scoop on what to look out for this upcoming autumn.
Look Out For The Long Term
As the executive director of brand operations at Whitestone, the No. 34 distributor in this year’s PPAI 100, Lee Ann Mazzarisi creates an annual trend forecast. She explains that trends “are important when you’re making products so that you can stay relevant, but most importantly, purpose driven.”
To make products relevant and desirable for the long term, she adds, brands need to “stay focused not just on the temporary shifts but the larger cultural shifts.” This allows your products to be kept because they are functional and timeless.
A few of these overarching cultural shifts involve sustainability, particularly upcycling. Whether buying items made from repurposed materials or refreshing what you already have in your closet, bringing new life to old things is key. Another important shift is the focus on inclusive sizing – including unisex and extended sizing options allows your products to reach more people.
Some fall-specific trends include the continued prevalence of sportswear, streetwear and workwear. Sportswear is still incredibly popular with the pickleball craze going strong, and for the fall and winter, keep an eye on the après ski look.
Streetwear and workwear often have some overlaps, but the main thing is finding industrial and functional pieces that will last. Items like work jackets, cable knit sweaters, comfy sweatshirts and puffer jackets work well in these areas.
Cozy Is Still King
Another broad trend is the idea of comfort and nostalgia. According to Amy Leighton, vice president of supply chain at Charles River Apparel, the No. 39 supplier in this year’s PPAI 100, new fall items were chosen to align “with the industry’s broader movement toward warm, expressive tones that evoke nostalgia and comfort.”
Beyond the warm neutrals, you can also lean into this trend with timeless styles that bridge the gap between then and now, as well as comfortable items made with materials like sherpa or fleece.
Stand Out With Color
Of course, there’s nothing like a pop of color to shake up a dreary fall day. Mazzarisi places an emphasis on moodier and pastel shades in her trend forecast, noting shades like rich jewel tones or sherbet colors. Leighton adds that Charles River’s fall collection colors are also “a response to a market trend with uplifting shades that transition well across seasons.”
With all these trends in mind, below are some items that will hopefully inspire you in your search for perfect seasonal products.
The Gender Neutral BELFORD Eco Fleece Lined Full Zip Bomber Jacket is a great choice for fall. Not only does this style offer inclusive sizing, it’s also made of 100% recycled nylon. With a timeless style that has an effortlessly cool look, this bomber has fleece lining to keep you warm on chillier autumn days.
PCNA / PPAI 113079, Platinum / pcna.com
The lightweight and moisture-wicking Cayak Lightweight Stretch Hoodie is ideal for the early days of fall. A unisex style with sizes XXS-4XL, it’s a layering piece that can be worn on a run or around the house. It currently comes in six colors, but be on the lookout for new hues that align with autumn. This hoodie is sure to become a favorite with its four-way stretch, raglan sleeves, side vents and UPF 50+ rating.
Charles River Apparel / PPAI 111644, Gold / charlesriverapparel.com
This Classic Messenger Bag gets major nostalgia points because it’s a revamp of an iconic 1989 version. This bag comes in four sizes, allowing you to pick the bag that will best suit your needs. It also comes in nine colors, like fire red (shown) and army green.
Timbuk2 / PPAI 354229, Silver / timbuk2.com
The Carhartt Sherpa-Lined Coat is a classic workwear piece that will keep you warm and stylish. Carhartt is a much-coveted brand among workwear enthusiasts for its durability and comfort. This jacket is offered in three colors, including Carhartt Brown, which is a warm tone in line with the nostalgic color trend. This jacket has a sherpa-lined body and front pockets to keep your hands warm.
SanMar / PPAI 110788, Platinum / sanmar.com
This Unisex Organic Cotton Tee is a classic basic piece that is perfect for layering in the fall. Made of 100% organic cotton, it’s carbon neutral and produced by ethical labor. This style is unisex and comes in sizes S-4XL, as well as 14 colors, including bright, pastel and neutral options.
Allmade / PPAI 743984, Standard-Base / allmade.com
Outpatch, which is dedicated to giving back to humanitarian organizations, is a company that makes reusable patches, all of which are stick-on and machine washable, making them versatile branding tools and easy to use. They’re also all made with 100% recycled post-consumer plastic.
Outpatch / PPAI 826759, Standard-Base / outpatch.org
Brookshire is a freelance writer and former PPAI Media intern.
