Fashion isn’t just about clothes – it’s a statement, and an expression of who we are and what we stand for. As we head into spring, the fashion world is excited about new trends that promise to redefine style. This season is about heavyweight tees and fleece, balloon sleeves and vintage garment-washed apparel.
Get inspired for your next drop and take note of the styles that will keep your brand in front of your customers or fill in the gaps within your current line.
We infused some fun into this post by featuring past designs created for our clients, highlighting their companies.
1. Heavyweight Fabrics Are in Demand
The heavyweight fabric trend in streetwear and skateboarding styles continues to drive the demand for tees and fleece. The loose fit, oversized, urban heavyweight vibe is trending for the hip-hop market and concert merch, but also in retail across many categories and genres for a wider audience.
Numerous brands are meeting this demand with their 2024 style collections. For years, trends in this category have been driven by utility-focused workwear brands like like Dickies and Wrangler, long known for blending durability with fashion. This aesthetic has resonated strongly with artists, musicians, and influencers in urban streetwear and skate communities and continues to gain momentum.
The rise in demand for heavyweight options has spurred brands serving the wholesale market to expand their offerings. This lift enables them to incorporate fashion-forward elements such as thicker ribbed collars and garment or pigment washes into their heavyweight lines, creating a vintage, worn-in feel that embodies the essence of a favorite t-shirt.
To access further details, color options, and availability, please select the item link highlighted in orange text.
CAS’s Top Style Picks
Bayside’s Ultimate Heavyweight T-Shirt:
This tee brings it all together with a preshrunk, oversized silhouette in core neutral shades like PFD, White, Black, Cream, and Navy. Crafted in North America, this t-shirt offers a locally made appeal because it is knit, dyed, and cut in the U.S. and sewn in Mexico. This tee exudes a cool, relaxed vibe for any occasion—perfect for working from home, running errands, or weekend outings.
American Apparel’s Garment-Dyed Heavyweight Cotton Tee:
A companion style to the iconic 1301, this tee stands out as a distinctive piece with its oversized fit, non-topstitched collar, and luxurious, crisp cotton feel. Garment-dyed for that vintage, faded look, this style will heavily appeal to bands, skate, surf, and streetwear brands, because of its relaxed fit and heavier fabric.
- * The COCOS brand logo was crafted for Kathy Murphy’s Surf Line, representing her California-based venture. Kathy, who is like a soul sister to me, resides in the Golden State.
2. Drawcords No More
Heavier-weight fleeces are also making a statement in the fashion industry. Leading the retail private label and wholesale market, brands such as Independent Trading Co. are tapping into this trend with of-the-minute hoodie and pullover styles.
Hoodies without drawcords is also something we’re seeing more and more in retail fleece. The absence of them gives these hoodies a cleaner look, ensuring front-chest decorations stand out more than ever.
Our Top Style Picks
Independent Trading Co.’s Mainstreet Hooded Sweatshirt:
The brand has created new styles to support this streetwear market trend, adding the Mainstreet to its premium hoodie offering. This upscale style made of 12.5 oz.,75/25 ring-spun cotton/polyester three-end fleece has all the bells and whistles: a durable dry-hand feel, an oversized fit, drop shoulders, and a relaxed modern appearance without a drawcord.
Independent Trading Co.’s Avenue Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt:
A perfect option for those seeking an oversized, clean look without the bulk! This sweatshirt has an on-trend boxy fit and modern drop shoulder giving it a streamlined, contemporary design. It’s the ideal choice for elevated appeal without the use of heavyweight fabric.
3. Layered, Boxy Looks
The ’90s and Y2K trend remains strong, with ribbed baby tees paired with crops and oversized joggers. These pieces are perfect for layering with oversized hoodies or boxy options for a throwback vibe.
Our Top Style Picks
BELLA + CANVAS’ Micro Rib Raglan Baby Tee &
Sponge Fleece Long Scrunch Pants
Of note, the nostalgia of the ribbed baby tee collection from BELLA+CANVAS paired with crops alongside oversized joggers is a look that’s been sweeping coast to coast. These pieces can be effortlessly layered with oversized hoodies, crew fleece, or boxy, slightly cropped options featuring dropped shoulder seams for that perfect throwback vibe.
4. Bold Balloon Sleeves
Balloon sleeves are a statement accent we see all over retail and on the runways. While consumers are gravitating toward minimalist, quiet, luxe styles, comeback balloon sleeves add some much-needed volume and personality to sweatshirts, sweaters, and outerwear. A scaled-down version of the puffy sleeve, balloon sleeves work for any occasion or season for a look to last all year.
Our Top Style Picks
American Apparel’s ReFlex Women’s Fleece Crewneck Sweatshirt:
This on-trend style gives you an oversized look with dropped shoulder seams and slightly flared balloon sleeves.
- * Apryle Lawson Daye is one of my oldest and favorite clients. I created this fun logo for a tradeshow. She is a Real Estate Agent at Coldwell Banker HPW (Durham NC) serving all counties in North Carolina.
Boxercraft’s Women’s Cuddle Puff Sleeve:
Part of the brand’s top-selling cuddle fleece collection, this crewneck pullover with puff balloon sleeves keeps you cozy while adding volume and dimension. Made from a soft, drapey viscose/poly/elastane blend, this retail-inspired top features a cinched drawstring waist hem and gathering at the shoulder seam and sleeve hem for a stylish and comfortable fit.
5. Lots and Lots of Washes
We’ve noticed a significant rise in unique washes and dyes over the past few seasons. This trend has ebbed and flowed over the years but has seen a steady surge post-pandemic, particularly with the popularity of DIY tie-dye and bleaching. Brands are expanding their assortments to cater to these specialty opportunities, offering a range of options to suit various tastes and styles.
Dyenomite’s Bleach Wash T-Shirt & Essential Fleece Crewneck
Bleach washes, in particular, have become a favorite among young adults, and some of our inventory items provide exciting opportunities for creative decoration, including full-chest options. Additionally, the trend toward sustainable manufacturing drives new washes and dye production, reflecting a growing market opportunity for environmentally conscious consumers.
Next Level Apparel’s Soft Wash T-Shirt:
The vintage, worn-in look remains a top trend, driving demand for specialty washes that offer garments a unique, lived-in appeal. This classic-fit t-shirt, featuring an on-trend baby rib collar and a finished straight bottom hemline comes in soft vintage shades like Washed Banana Cream, Washed Mauve, and Washed Stonewashed Denim.
- * One of my close friends, Pam Fender, owns Fender Homes in Charlotte, NC. She reached out to me to design and print a fun t-shirt for her staff to wear during special events.
LAT’s Unisex Vintage Wash Tee:
A casual everyday tee made from polyester/cotton vintage washed jersey, it comes in on-trend shades like Washed Mauvelous, Washed Rouge, and Washed Saltwater.
American Apparel’s Garment-Dyed Collection:
Garment-Dyed Women’s Heavyweight Muscle Tee:
These styles are garment-dyed for that vintage, faded look and almost no shrinkage at home. The comfortable Garment-Dyed Heavyweight Cotton Tee sports a relaxed fit for everyday wear. The retail-inspired, 100% cotton Garment-Dyed Women’s Heavyweight Muscle Tee is a daily essential, with an updated twist of exaggerated structured shoulders and boxy cropped fit. Both garment-washed styles come in earthy shades like Faded Army, Faded Brown, Faded Cream, and Faded Mustard.
- John Tummel has his own band and asked me to take his handwritten sketch logo and to take it to the next level . He is located in Ohio and found me through a friend, of a friend, of a friend (David Lile).
These styles are garment-dyed for that vintage, faded look and almost no shrinkage at home. The comfortable Garment-Dyed Heavyweight Cotton Tee sports a relaxed fit for everyday wear. The retail-inspired, 100% cotton Garment-Dyed Women’s Heavyweight Muscle Tee is a daily essential, with an updated twist of exaggerated structured shoulders and boxy cropped fit. Both garment-washed styles come in earthy shades like Faded Army, Faded Brown, Faded Cream, and Faded Mustard.
Earthy Washes:
One of the most innovative and eco-friendly washes to come out is the Botanical wash which uses select fruit, flowers, and leaves to dye the fabric. The colors from organic material give them a unique look that stands apart from typical colorways.
ComfortWash by Hanes’ Botanical Dyed T-Shirt:
Colors made with dyes that are derived from select fruits, flowers and leaves. This relaxed-fit tee, made from US-grown, 100% ring-spun cotton, comes in nature-infused colors like Botanical Annatto, Botanical Nimbus, and Botanical Pomegranate Rind.
- * I created this 2024 logo and used filters to make it look 3D and plastic!
Alternative’s Botanical Dye Jersey Tee:
Another eco-friendly cotton/recycled polyester tee comes in soothing shades like Heather Botanical Aqua, Heather Comfrey Mauve, and Heather Pale Turmeric.
6. More Relaxed Fits
Crops have evolved to relaxed, modest lengths suitable for all sizes and ages, offering versatility for all-day comfort. Their raw edging detail adds a touch of urban edge making them perfect for pairing with high-waisted bottoms or layering over more extended pieces.
These versatile styles are fashionable and functional, seamlessly transitioning from casual to active mode for gym sessions and fitness studios. Whether running errands or working from home, these cropped tops are a must-have for any wardrobe, offering comfort and style.
Our Top Style Picks
Boxercraft’s Women’s Crop Retro Jersey:
This retro jersey with a crop top shape has a relaxed, oversized fit making it perfect for sororities, collegiate events, sports, and repping your favorite brand. This style comes in color-blocked versions with double athletic sleeve stripes.
MV Sport’s Women’s Angel Fleece Crop Hooded Sweatshirt:
This super-soft hooded sweatshirt has a conservative crop fit for those who like the crop look but want a longer length. Perfect for pairing with joggers, jeans, or sweat shorts!
Take the Year in Fashion Stride
2024 is about bold, expressive fashion choices. Brands are rising to meet the demand, offering styles that resonate with diverse audiences. With sustainability at the forefront, brands are exploring new manufacturing processes to minimize environmental impact.
Embrace these trends and empower your clients to make a bold brand statement that reflects their unique style. Now is the time to impress with your presentations and help your clients stay ahead of the curve