Take note, retailers. Crewneck sweatshirts are having a serious moment in both the wholesale and retail market, thanks to their rising popularity in the Gen-Z crowd. The trend was evident last year during fall, with embroidered crewneck sweatshirts being present more in TikTok videos and Instagram uploads of the younger generation. As we look ahead to the cooler months this year, the sweatshirt trend presents a golden opportunity for retailers to stock up and cash in on what might just be the season’s hottest item.
The Embroidery Craze
Gen-Z loves to stand out. They do it in a lot of ways. Personalized, embroidered crewneck is just one of them, but an important one at that. Did you know they are leading adoption for secondhand apparel globally? The global secondhand market is projected to grow three times faster than the global apparel market. Sweatshirts and hoodies are among the apparel that clicks well with Gen-Z. These young trendsetters evidently want to make a statement with what they wear, even if the clothing is secondhand. And embroidery is how many of them make that statement.
With embroidery, one can add a tactile element that screen prints just can’t compete with. Considering Gen Z has this thing with nostalgia, embroideries appeal timeless to them and offer them an experience tailored to their inherent self-expressive nature.
Alright, so this is a general understanding. Gen Z is drawn to designs that are minimalist, ones with unique quotes, retro-inspired designs with vintage-style fonts, humorous slogans, and trending memes.
Comfort Is Priority
Statista found that comfort was the most important criterion for Gen Z when choosing apparel, in 2023. Quality followed. If it’s all about that cozy life, it’s safe to say that crewneck sweatshirts fit the bill perfectly. There is Reason #1 for stocking up on snuggly crewneck sweatshirts for Fall, if your customers are mostly Gen Z.
You can easily get wholesale hooded sweatshirts at great prices, to sell customized at higher markups for decent profit.
Stocking the Right Brands
When sourcing crewnecks, retailers and decorators need to go with brands that already have Gen-Z’s stamp of approval. Here are a few that are crushing it in the wholesale market:
Comfort Colors: Known for their ultra-soft, pigment-dyed fabrics, Comfort Colors wholesale sweatshirts are a favorite among young consumers according to Gildan Activewear, the widely popular wholesale apparel manufacturer and owner of Comfort Colors. The muted tones and superior softness make their apparel excellent choices for embroidery.
Bella+Canvas: If you’re looking for something a bit more fashion-forward, Bella+Canvas is the brand to beat. Their modern fits and commitment to sustainability appeal to the Gen-Z crowd.
Next Level Apparel: The brand’s cropped crew style for women and fleece crew for men were pretty successful last year. The brand’s designers are also mostly young and consider the pulse of the younger demographic on every design.
These brands offer comfort, versatility and quality that’s just great for embroidery. Rest assured that your inventory will be on-trend.
Expanding Your Embroidered Offerings
While embroidered crewneck sweatshirts seem to be a great investment for fall, it doesn’t mean other apparel items that can be embroidered should be overlooked. Hoodies, especially blank full zip-up hoodies can work too. Embroidered varsity jackets have always had a niche audience in the United States. This could be a good call considering the upcoming NFL season. Hooded sweatshirts and zip-up hoodies are cold weather essentials that offer the comfort and style that Gen-Z loves.
The more options you offer, the more likely you are to make brand advocates out of younger customers.
Where Your Brand Can Benefit
Inclusivity, for starters. If you offer inclusivity in sizing, Gen Z will appreciate that, with more positive word of mouth. Your brand can get a little more visibility with creative branding designs on embroidered crewnecks and other apparel. A study by the Advertising Specialty Institute found that promotional apparel generates an average of 3,400 impressions throughout its lifetime. That’s pretty huge to neglect. Doing all of this at pricing that hits the sweet spot between quality and affordability will contribute greatly to improving customer retention.
Offering embroidery workshops or DIY kits along with your blank crewneck sweatshirts is a tactic that can help retailers build a community around their brand, subsequently boosting sales.
Make sure to:
- Showcase the customized products using high-quality images & videos
- Leverage influencers to promote your products
- Use social media platforms to gather feedback and engage with your audience
- Throw surprise deals often with a couple of freebies
That’s pretty much my take on why embroidered crewneck sweatshirts are Gen-Z’s new obsession. The only thing left is to position your brand in a way that gets your messages across to the younger demographic the way they like it. And they’ll deliver the growth you need.
Win-Win!