Is it time to upgrade your wardrobe? A new study has revealed what’s warming up, what’s hot, and what should stay in the back of your closet.<br /><br />The poll of 2,000 US adults found many are predicting future fashion trends to focus on a rise for tie-dye (35%), shirt pockets (33%) and portrait photography (33%). <br /><br />Meanwhile, the best current trends when it comes to custom apparel are to have clothing featuring either quotes (32%), bright colors (31%) or logos on the front (31%).<br /><br />More than half (58%) agreed a person’s choice of clothing suggests a lot about their personality and for 57%, it’s done best through customized garments. Almost half of those surveyed (45%) like to express themselves through customized apparel.<br /><br />Especially for younger generations — combined, 54% of Gen Z and millennials surveyed buy custom clothing to reflect their personalities. Nearly as many (53%) Gen Zers and millennials do it to support small businesses.<br /><br />Commissioned by VistaPrint and conducted by OnePoll, the study also found the things people are flat-out avoiding in their wardrobe: swear words (38%), a photo of themselves (34%), pictures of strangers (33%), well-known phrases or slogans (33%), animal prints (29%) and innuendos (29%). <br /><br />Branding expert Clare Alexander helped reveal the rules of designing your own clothing, be it for a music festival or bachelorette party. <br /><br />The top 10 list of things to avoid also includes using someone else's image without permission and not to overcomplicate things by using too many graphics or details. <br /><br />She also offered advice to businesses considering merchandise or uniforms, including make your logo colors stand out and make sure no competitor has similar tones — handy tips, considering that 57% show support for small businesses via their merchandise. <br /><br />A quarter (26%) agreed they’re more likely to remember a business if employees wear branded apparel and if they owned a business 55% would sell labeled merchandise. <br /><br />Of those who are employed (86%), six in 10 (62%) agreed having a customized uniform would make it easier and quicker to get ready for work and 77% would be proud to wear apparel representing their employer. <br /><br />“Customers and businesses alike deserve to represent themselves in any variety of ways, from celebrating occasions, selling merch, or making staff look good and consistent. Creating custom apparel, like T-shirts, feels good, looks great and gives them a chance to celebrate their individuality,” said Llorenç Sola, General Manager of VistaPrint Promotional Products, Apparel and Gifts.<br /><br />“T-shirts are by far the most popular item of personalised apparel, but we know it can be tricky to get it right — from style and color preferences to what image or logo to feature.<br /><br />“We hope the do’s and don’ts list helps both individuals and important business owners when designing their own garments – know your audience and do your research into competitors before ordering.” <br /><br />The survey also found T-shirts are the most popular item of personalized clothing people have owned (51%), followed by polo shirts (46%) and hoodies or sweatshirts (46%).<br /><br />Reasons for having ever owned personalized items were for events such as a bachelorette party (50%), for work (54%) and to support a small business (52%). <br /><br />Occasions Americans have bought or worn such items for included graduation (28%), concerts (28%) and for their birthday (28%). <br /><br />More than two thirds (68%) are willing to spend more money on customized clothing, because they know they can’t buy anything similar somewhere else (47%) and it evokes memories (47%). <br /><br />“Who doesn’t have a favorite T-shirt? Wearing artwork on clothing is an established fashion tradition, but graphic tees are perhaps the most literal form of this,” said Clare Alexander.<br /><br />“Through prints, you can express yourself in visual form by representing places you have visited, favorite tunes, television shows, films, or designers. <br /><br />“Most graphic tees also serve as a platform for showcasing brands, expressing loyalty for the creators and it is a unique and modern medium for creative expression and graphic tees make a stylish statement.<br /><br />“There has never been a better time to start your own customized T-shirt brand and accessibility to resources has never been better - all you need is a laptop and an idea to get started.”
