Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/951849
By Nancy Baeder W ant to make girls happy in a way that never goes out of style? Then simply pay attention to what's new. Small shifts in colors, silhouettes, fabrics and decorating may not seem like a big deal, but offering on-trend styles and decorating options makes all the difference to the girls. Believe us, they notice. Creativity plays an essential role in creating winning uniforms and apparel. "It's new, new, new. Every team, every year. They never have to get exactly they same thing because there are so many options," says Garrett Crane, owner of Sports Locker in Grove, OK. "Our approach is to show them the new options and that's generally what they want. Everyone wants that extra something no one else has and there are so many options that it's hard to label anything a trend." So what's the low-down on the athletic runway this year? In a word, color. "Pantone's 18-3838 TCX ultra violet was named the color of the year and we're definitely seeing it used on uniforms and sports apparel, using our stock color purple, which is available in the AquaTru transfer and in our Champ Pro numbers," says Kathie Clark, content marketing strate- gist for Transfer Express. "Hex camo has been popular on and off the field for sports teams, especially in the ultra violet color scheme," she adds. "Retro looks are very fresh and in vogue at the moment. Chunky numbers and throwback styles are cascading down from the college football ranks to affect sports all the way down the line of both genders." Bright bold colors and ultra pastels are trending in street fashion and migrating to athletic looks. "From sheer transparencies to saturated color, it's a season full of energy and optimism," according to WWD.com, the online fashion site. Fashion looks include bold prints, especially florals. "2018 fashion trends are nothing if not bright, bold and really quite beautiful," states whowhatwhere.com, an online site for fashion content. "Color is key, whether bold or pastel." Hint: Girls always love basics in neutral colors such as gray, black and ivory because they coordinate well with everything and can be extensively used. Feeling inspired yet? With the girls approaching half of the team busi- ness, it pays to understand what the girls want. "It's absolutely wide open for styles and decoration and you can basi- cally get anything you want. There are definite trends that come and go, mainly what the Big Three are pushing, and it's hard to predict how long they'll last," says store manager Cheryl McLagan, Black's Sporting Goods, Alton, IL. Color, Color and More Color Girls want a fresh look for uniforms, even when they have to stay true to traditional team colors. Look for the continued popularity of heathered colors (an interwoven mix of colors that produces a muted shade) and neutrals such as graphite and black. Holwerda-Snoap Sporting Goods, Grand Rapids, MI, is selling a lot of heathered T-shirts. "A school with orange and blue colors can select a heathered orange T-shirt and it's something a little different," says 36 Team Insight / March 2018 teaminsightmag.com GIRLS' & WOMEN'S SPORTS / DECORATING GIRL-TRENDS Decorating and fashion drive the apparel business for female athletes. AquaTru from Transfer Express is a water- based ink heat transfer that is stretchy and mitigates dye migration.