Hoodie Decoration Trends

Aug 1, 2008

Royal Apparel produced several thousand of this Dave Matthews Band fleece hoodie to mark the start of the band's new tour. The lettering is partially shredded, similar to the Abercrombie look [at retail], says Morey Mayeri, president. The company sewed down the applique, shredded it, then washed it to get the full effect.

Once a popular street or hip-hop item, the hoodie has now infiltrated all markets. "It started out as a more rugged, street look, but now, a lot of retail designers have been buying it," says Morey Mayeri, president of Royal Apparel, New York. "Distressed and vintage looks are probably the hottest treatments that people are doing to our hoodies. You can do an enzyme wash or a stone wash. There are so many ways to make it look worn." Edge grinding has been popular, he adds, but it's more for the designer market.

For full-zip style fleecewear, Royal usually decorates on the chest or across the zipper, says Mayeri, adding that the hood also is popular. "We have put embroidererd patches on the hood," he says. "Also, appliqué across the chest is popular. We decorate fleece using plastisol inks, water-based inks, appliqué and foil."

Cindy Sims, public relations and promotions manager for Heritage Sportswear, Hebron, Ohio, says decorators should look for kiss-close zippers so the design on the front is uninterrupted. "Be creative!" she says. "Decoration can wrap around the entire side, be added to the hood and embellished with sequins, studs, metallics and more." — H.H.

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