At the heart of the Hanes legacy is the iconic Beefy-T®, a style that helped define the printwear category and continues to be a customer favorite for its comfort, durability and printability. Hanes is the top-selling apparel brand in the U.S. and brings over 110 years of heritage in quality and innovation to the market.

With this exclusive partnership, S&S will not only carry the full range of Hanes styles but will also offer deeper inventory positions and enhanced availability across its national distribution network—ensuring decorators and promotional partners get what they need, when they need it.

“This is more than an agreement—it’s an evolution of one of the industry’s most enduring relationships,” said Mike Faircloth, HanesBrands President Global Operations. “Hanes has been a foundational brand in printwear for decades. With S&S as our exclusive distributor, we’re doubling down on that legacy while positioning ourselves to lead in the next chapter of the market.”

The partnership comes on the heels of S&S’s successful integration with alphabroder—creating a unified platform that offers customers expanded product access, faster delivery and unmatched service. With over 6 million square feet of warehouse space, advanced automation technologies, and a portfolio of more than 100 top industry and exclusive brands, S&S has established itself as the leading technology-enabled, customer-focused distributor in the channel.

“We’re incredibly proud to deepen our relationship with Hanes, a brand that represents both heritage and reliability,” said Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. “As a unified company, we’re in a better position than ever to bring more of Hanes’s trusted styles to more customers, more efficiently while continuing to raise the bar on service.”

Through this strategic alignment, customers can expect:

• A focused and expanded Hanes assortment, available exclusively from S&S
• Deeper inventories across S&S’s nationwide network of distribution centers
• Faster shipping and delivery windows for Hanes styles
• Seamless ordering through the unified S&S website and service model
• Customers may continue to purchase Hanes products from other distributors through the transition period. This partnership will be fully operational by December 31, 2025.

This agreement reflects a shared belief that the future of the printwear industry will be shaped by deeper, more strategic partnerships between manufacturers and distributors—focused on long-term brand building, supply chain alignment and delivering unmatched value to customers.

“As we continue to grow, our focus remains on supporting the industry’s most trusted brands,” added Myers. “We believe strong partnerships with manufacturers like Hanes are what drive value and progress for the industry and our customers.”

The post Hanes Names S&S Activewear Exclusive Distributor for Printwear Channel appeared first on Impressions.

The expanded facility will allow Prime Line to significantly scale its operations, create new jobs in the region, and continue to deliver best-in-class service to its distributor partners. This expansion also supports the implementation of a state-of-the-art Warehouse Management System (WMS) across the entire Prime Line network. The WMS will streamline warehouse and production processes, resulting in faster order fulfillment, reduced error rates, and improved overall reliability.

“Our Gaffney location plays a critical role in our national distribution strategy,” said Eric Levin, general manager of Prime Line. “This 100,000 sq. ft. expansion, combined with new technology and increased headcount, is a major step forward in our commitment to service excellence and scalable growth.”

Currently operating two shifts from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, the Gaffney facility also offers convenient customer pick-up service between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET. With the expansion, Prime Line anticipates not only increased operational capacity but also a notable boost to the local economy through job creation.

This expansion further strengthens Prime Line’s footprint in Spartanburg County, one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing logistics and manufacturing hubs, and highlights the company’s long-term investment in the region’s workforce and infrastructure.

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Jim Sturgell will serve as senior vice president of sales, Nick Blannin will serve as senior vice president of merchandising and Bill Topf will serve as senior vice president of commercial strategy and operations.

“These strategic appointments represent a pivotal investment in our commercial leadership team as we continue to transform our business,” said Toby Whitmoyer, chief commercial officer at S&S Activewear. “Jim, Nick and Bill are bolstering our organization with decades of combined leadership experience. They are each known for their creativity, deep commitment to team and company performance, and fostering lasting relationships with customers.”

Sturgell joins S&S Activewear with more than 30 years of experience in the foodservice industry, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief commercial officer at US Foods, one of the largest foodservice distributors in the U.S. with more than $38 billion in revenue. In his new role, Sturgell will lead the sales team to deliver on sales plans, build deeper customer partnerships and drive a transparent, accountable and empowered sales culture.

Blannin brings extensive experience in merchandising and building apparel brands globally across e-commerce, retail and wholesale. He most recently served as vice president of global merchandising at Under Armour and previously worked in merchandising at Abercrombie & Fitch. In his new role, Blannin will lead the merchandising team to shape a competitive product assortment strategy, leverage product choices to drive customer engagement and build effective relationships with mill partners.

Topf joins S&S Activewear with deep experience as both a management consultant at Booz Allen & Hamilton and in senior leadership roles at Diageo, where he held several SVP positions in commercial strategy, planning and analytics. As SVP of commercial strategy and operations at S&S Activewear, Topf will build efficiencies across the commercial team while streamlining operations and driving sustainable growth.

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This unisex classic
mid-weight hoodie is
spun from premium 3-end fleece, making it soft and prime for DTG printing. Photo courtesy
of Lane Seven

Fashion Influences: Gen Z, Gen Alpha and More

Women drive many household purchasing decisions, even those marketed to men, and when it comes to the fashion industry especially, women are also influencers and trendsetters.

“It’s funny, because I always tell people that to find out the trends, you should always look at the younger generation. They are the ones that find the trends, put them on social media, and then the mainstream catches on and those take off. The first to wear something used to be on the fashion runways. Now you just have to look to see what the younger [people] are wearing, and within a year, they will be everywhere,” said Andi Goeing, product marketer and content strategist with SS Activewear.

Fashion trends in womenswear are also influenced heavily by the music industry, particularly those artists favored by Gen Z, Gen Alpha and even younger millennials. Think Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, BLACKPINK, Taylor Swift, SZA and more.

At the same time, it is generally agreed that trends predominantly deriving from Gen Z, do not take into account how more mature generations also influence trends. In other words, all demographics of women and all age groups have a say. Not only that, but with headwear, Jeremy Laney, president of Infinity Product Group, said men’s headwear trends are even encroaching in the women’s space. “We look across and see what is trending in men’s and adopting and adapting that to women’s headwear,” he said.

Beyond that, elevated basics and comfort-driven silhouettes serve as the foundation for workwear-influenced styles, which will also be trending. “Influenced by the ‘utility’ trend, workwear-inspired promo items like chore jackets, utility vests and cargo pants are emerging as stylish yet functional choices. These pieces are popular in industries where practical apparel is needed, but they also appeal as fashionable and unique items that can work beyond the workplace,” said Goeing.

“Womenswear styles are being modernized for both work and play. We’re combining comfort with functionality by leveraging fabrics with stretch, softness and easy care,” agreed Amy Carton, director of merchandising and brand management, SanMar.

Eco-friendly Options for Blank Apparel and Custom Decorators

Continuing a longstanding trend, many companies increasingly use organic or recycled materials, or materials that are carbon neutral. “When corporate values change to put sustainability at the forefront, consumers tend to align themselves with these brands in a deeper way,” said Mel Lay, marketing director and co-founder, Allmade Apparel.

In previous years, perhaps making eco-conscious buying choices was a luxury for many consumers because products made in a sustainable much were more expensive. And while that is still true, the tide is now turning, with manufacturers able to incorporate sustainability practices into their production facilities with greater ease and less expense. As a result, while sustainability may not be fully mainstream just yet, with the passage of time it is becoming more the standard in manufacturing, in direct response to growing consumer demand.

Milissa Gibson, sales director with Lane Seven Apparel, noted that as environmentally friendly practices become more widespread in manufacturing, that in turn reduces the costs of manufacturing in a sustainable way. Companies can then pass along these savings to the consumer, which both helps the environment and serves to elevate trust between the consumer and the producer.

Transparency in Sourcing, Production a Continuing Trend in Bank Apparel

Complementing the growing emphasis on sustainability is the demand for transparency throughout the supply chain, from how and where cotton is sourced and grown to whether the apparel is ethically made to whether it is delivered in a recyclable bag: all stages of the production process are increasingly highlighted on social media, putting consumers in a better position to hold companies accountable.

“We are updating our omni channel messaging to share more about our sustainable raw materials and the production process. The consumer wants what they wear to represent their values,” said Glen Brumer, sales director with Royal Apparel, describing his company’s efforts in this area.

Along these same lines, Gibson note, “Women tend to be more conscientious buyers overall, because they are the ones that drive a lot of purchasing decisions.”

“To me, it’s more of a ‘once you know, you can’t go back’ situation…transparency is key. Once that became a trend, people don’t want to close their eyes. They want to know they are getting product from a reliable source,” said Ramona Watson, vice president of product development/marketing with Infinity Product Group.

Which is not to say consumers have to compromise on quality as they are doing so. Infinity Product Group, for example, includes a division called Infinity Her, which manufactures baseball caps specifically designed for women, featuring an opening for a ponytail and a make-up resistant, wicking sweatband that is breathable.

Colors: What’s Hot and What’s Not in 2025

For womenswear in 2025, neutrals continue to dominate, but more vivid tones are finding their way into the market as well, with a cornucopia of colors expected. Experts say vibrant hues, like pinks and oranges, in particular, will dominate. “As 2024 ends, we are seeing an end to ‘tone on tone’ looks. The days of natural tops paired with natural sweats are over, and color is back in the spotlight. Neons and brights will be back in the forefront. ‘Neon Pop’ or ‘Color Revival’ are the buzzwords to look out for,” said Lay.

The Tess style offers a trendy, modern take on your traditional mesh cap. Photo courtesy of Infinity Her

Brumer added that not just bright hues but contrasting color combinations are expected to be popular. “We are also seeing classic shades that are seasonless: navy, natural, grays and black. We introduced a new garment dye program where brands can customize their own color,” he said, describing his company’s efforts to accommodate customers seeking out unique looks.

Goeing agreed that neutrals—such as tans, whites, blacks, dark browns, and beiges—will be trending, along with darker red shades, such as maroon. However, she predicted that leopard print is going to be huge in 2025, particularly, muted, monochromatic leopard prints, as she is seeing that all over social media.

“In 2025, leopard print makes a sophisticated comeback with muted, monochromatic tones. Rather than bold, high-contrast colors, many designers are exploring muted versions of leopard print, like tone-on-tone neutrals or monochromatic color schemes, for example, shades of beige, soft grays, and off-whites,” she said.

In addition, other animal prints, like cow and zebra, will be dominant. “It has really become more of a staple than a fashion,” said Watson. “Camo will be everywhere. We saw it peak a few years ago, that generic fashion camo, and we are predicting that it will be back in a big way,” she added.

Laney agreed, adding that other patterns will be blended into camo. “It’s mixed media camo. It will be incorporating other elements, such as stars and flowers,” Laney said.

“In 2025, we are still embracing office-ready neutral colors with black, rich navy and a range of white to off-white as an essential base. However, earthy colors are emerging as a new complement, beautiful shades of green from sage to mint and olive, sienna, rust, dusty purples, and rich tones of brown and tan. These fresh updates are approachable and easily elevate your wardrobe for the season,” said Carton.

Silhouette: Form and Function in Today’s Blank Apparel

Some industry experts noted that gender-neutral styles and gender-neutral inclusive sizing is also trending. “To accommodate diverse audiences, promotional apparel is expanding its focus on gender-neutral styles and inclusive sizing. Relaxed fits, unisex designs and a broader range of sizes make branded apparel accessible to more people, enhancing its appeal and utility,” Goeing said.

This unisex classic mid-weight crewneck is crafted in a plush, textured knit and features ribbed cuffs, and waistband. Photo courtesy of Lane Seven

Lay agreed that gender inclusivity is also influencing womenswear trends in 2025. “You will start to see more gender-neutral fits and styling that consists of both typical pieces styled by men mixed with fitted feminine elements,” she said.

“We are definitely in a maximalist era. Think Carrie Bradshaw in ‘Sex in The City.’ More is more in 2025: layering and bold looks are in our future. You will see more experiments and individuality with styling,” Lay added.

Similarly, Gibson said she’s seeing a kind of diversification or split between a minimalist versus maximalist era. “Either they are tight and fitted, like the ‘90s Bibi tank, or super oversized and relaxed.”

As for Goeing, she noted oversized styles are increasingly popular overall, not just because people are buying bigger sizes, but the sweatshirts and silhouettes are actually larger.

“The oversized trend in 2025 reflects a shift toward comfort and high-impact branding in the imprintable apparel market. Larger, relaxed-fit items like oversized hoodies, T-shirts, and crewnecks provide ample space for logos and custom designs, creating memorable brand visibility. These pieces are especially appealing as they offer a universal, unisex fit, making them versatile to a wide audience,” she said.

On a side note, according to Goeing, this ties in a bit to athleisure, which she said predates the pandemic but has skyrocketed after Covid, with more and more brands coming out.

“Athleisure still reigns supreme and is not going anywhere, but it has gone from working out to wearing it to work on the weekends, to running errands. Wearing it out has become such the norm attire,” she said. Because people can work from anywhere, this parallels the trend of women wanting elevated basics and comfort-driven silhouettes.

“These items come with a strong focus on moisture-wicking, quick-dry, and odor-resistant fabrics. Branded items like joggers, zip-up jackets, and moisture-wicking polos offer comfort and practicality, especially for outdoor events, team-building activities and corporate wellness initiatives,” Goeing added.

“Spring 2025 will usher in a move toward new-bohemian and romantic silhouettes. From SanMar, you’ll see this come through in soft sleeve shapes, subtle shirring details and feminine necklines,” said Carton.

Fabric Blends and Textures All Critical to Today’s Womenswear

Cotton, especially organic cotton, is going to be popular, which is consistent with the previously mentioned sustainability trend. Brumer noted that RPET blends (recycled polyethylene terephthalate), made from recycled plastics and other materials that are blended with organic cotton, are growing in popularity as well. Other fabric blends include organic cotton blended with viscose bamboo and tri-blends.

The Weekend Boxy Crop is not only comfortable but ideal for all embellishing needs. Photo courtesy of Royal Apparel

“Subtle textural interest is a common theme when we look at 2025 styling. From fine linear ottomans to sub-fabrications, baby ripstop, and oxford piques, we’ve injected playful textures to give new dimension to core silhouettes,” said Carton.

Gibson said that ribbed and micro-ribbed are the textures that will be popular in 2025. She added that fashion choices are more about fit and weight versus fabric, and next year there will be an emphasis on heavyweight.

Goeing agreed, predicting heavyweight styles have been and will continue to be huge. “Almost every single main brand we carry has a heavyweight style,” Goeing said. This ties in to customers seeking durability and comfort in what they wear. She also noted that these types of heavyweight pieces, like hoodies, sweatshirts, and oversized Ts, are inspired by streetstyle and skate culture.

Beyond that, Watson said corduroy is going to be a dominant texture. “We’ve seen it across the board. If you pair it with a mesh back, it makes it a year-round fabric. It used to be a fall holiday fabric but now it’s a trend.”

Other trends are tech-integrated fabrics and smart fashion, like mosquito repellants built into the fabric or those that provide UV protection or have antimicrobial properties.

Vintage/Retro: Back to the 1990s

The ‘90s are back in vogue and appear to be an ageless decade, as the ‘90s retro look seems to be hanging on. “That means butterflies, big prints and low-rise jeans,” said Lay.

Vintage black, or faded black will be dominant, which also ties into that neutral trend, added Gibson.

Other vintage-inspired trends over the past few years, which will still be present in 2025, include bomber jackets, old vintage T-shirts, and ringer T-shirts. “I was at a street festival in downtown Chicago, and every single vendor had vintage T-shirts; some people were paying $100 for them,” said Goeing. The buyers for these vintage styles are often Gen Z, who are, of course, the primary trendsetters.

A Demand for Quality: Today’s Custom Decorators Want Garments that Last

On the downside, as we get deeper into 2025, some companies will likely start to see a downslide to today’s trends, among them, fast fashion and lower-quality garments. “Consumers would rather thrift an item than buy a low-quality, poorly made, cheap piece of clothing. Women will be searching for staples that last in their closets instead of the one-time wear,” said Lay.

Another thing that is waning is the “retail fit” T-shirt, which Gibson described as being akin to a lightweight fitted unisex T, in light of the ongoing transition to an oversized, relaxed fit and heavier weights.

That said, overall, trends are slowing down, observed Goeing. “Much of what we have been seeing have been trending; people are slowing down and making trend last longer, which is better for the consumer, because there is less that you have to buy.”

Hilary Daninhirsch is an award-winning freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. Her work has been featured in a number of lifestyle and trade magazines. She can be reached at hdaninhirsch@gmail.com or hilarydaninhirsch.journoportfolio.com.

Updated 4/24/25

The post For Custom Apparel Decorators, Anything Goes in Women’s Clothes appeared first on Impressions.

From school, corporate and hospitality uniforms to styles for active individuals and teams, the line features budget-friendly T-shirts, sport shirts and quarter-zips tailored for men, women and youth.

AllPro apparel features two fabric technologies designed for color durability and printability: Pro-Lock and Pro-Flex. Pro-Lock is made of 100-percent polyester interlock jersey manufactured using a cationic disperse dye that ensures exceptional colorfastness with a bleed-resistant print surface ideal for decorators. Pro-Flex is made with 60-percent polyester and 40-percent Sorona® for eco-friendly durability—offering superior stretch, quick-drying capabilities and a reduced environmental footprint compared to traditional performance materials.

“AllPro provides our customers with extensive color options, reliable inventory depth and innovative fabric technologies that make decorating easy and cost-effective,” said Toby Whitmoyer, Chief Commercial Officer for S&S. “Our goal is to ensure decorators can recommend an assortment of styles to their clients. Adding AllPro to our growing list of apparel brands gives our customers the versatility they need.”

The collection features size ranges from Youth XS to Adult 4XL with select styles available up to 6XL—all available in a wide range of corporate and team colors. This brand launch comes weeks after S&S’s partnership with Jaanuu that brought modern uniforms to the distributor’s line-up. S&S plans to continue its expansion of brand offerings this year.

AllPro products are available through S&S Activewear’s distribution network. For more information, visit www.ssactivewear.com/ps/allpro.

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Pablo Mercado. Photo courtesy of S&S

Mercado joins with more than 24 years of leadership in finance. As CFO, Mercado will manage S&S Activewear’s finance and accounting operations, serving as a key member of the executive team. His duties will encompass driving strategic growth, crafting future-oriented financial strategies, and enhancing operational effectiveness and credit solutions for our customers. Mercado’s expertise will be instrumental in helping S&S Activewear meet its financial targets while providing outstanding value to customers, employees, and vendors.

Mercado’s career includes positions as CFO of Lithium Americas (NYSE: LAC), CFO of EnLink Midstream (NYSE: ENLC), and CFO of Forum Energy Technologies (NYSE: FET). His career began in investment banking, where he developed rich expertise in capital markets, M&A, and corporate finance, which he has applied throughout his career. His proficiency covers both public and private company roles, global M&A, and the pursuit of operational excellence.

“We are excited to welcome Pablo to the S&S Activewear family,” says Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. “His outstanding record in finance, strategy, and leadership makes him the ideal partner for executing our growth vision. His strategic insights and proven effectiveness will enhance our company and propel us toward sustained success.”

Mercado will be instrumental in leading a superior finance team at S&S Activewear, focusing on ensuring the company’s financial strategies align with its overall strategic objectives. He is a highly strategic leader with proven success in driving operational excellence, process improvement, talent development, and corporate development.

“I am thrilled to join S&S Activewear during such a vibrant phase of its growth,” Mercado says. “The company’s dedication to innovation and customer service aligns with my professional values and experiences. I’m eager to contribute to S&S Activewear’s continued success and deliver value to all stakeholders.”

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Eric Levin. Photo courtesy of S&S Activewear

In his role as general manager, Levin will be responsible for leading a dedicated division focused specifically on hard goods, leveraging his extensive experience in the promotional products industry. A specialized sales team devoted to hard goods will report directly to Levin as he works closely with the executive team at S&S and alphabroder to shape the division’s strategic and organizational design.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Prime Line Hard Goods division,” Levin says. “Throughout my career, I’ve gained valuable, first-hand experience within the hard goods and decorated apparel industries. That specialized knowledge developed into a unique ability to pinpoint areas prime for growth and improvement within the business and industry at large.”

Levin brings more than 33 years of industry leadership to this role, having previously founded Jetline, a successful promotional products business that merged with Prime Line in 2015. Two years later, Prime Line was acquired by alphabroder and became the supplier’s hard goods division, where Levin served as executive vice president of strategy and growth.

“We’re excited for the future of the hard goods division with Eric at the helm,” says Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. “His expertise and strong customer relationships position us for significant growth in this new phase.”

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Completion of the transaction enables S&S and alphabroder to commence a thoughtful, multi-year integration process designed to ensure the combined company continues to deliver exceptional customer service, while leveraging the strengths of both brand offerings.

S&S Activewear CEO Frank Myers will continue to lead the combined company, with support from alphabroder CEO Dan Pantano through the integration process. For now, S&S and alphabroder continue to go to market under their respective brand offerings backed by their existing distribution channels.

“Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter for our company, as we build on the unique strengths of S&S and alphabroder to enhance the customer experience, strengthen our relationships with our industry partners and continue to invest in growing our sales force and technology capabilities,” says Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. “Over the past few months, we have had valuable discussions with our customers and vendors that will inform the strategic direction of our company and ensure S&S is best positioned to deliver for our partners into the future. As we work to bring this combination to life, our top priority is ensuring our employees, customers and vendors continue to succeed alongside S&S.”

“We are pleased to officially join with S&S and kick off the integration process,” says Dan Pantano, alphabroder CEO. “Together, we are focused on building on our business momentum while continuing to exceed the expectations of our customers and our partners as we begin our next phase of growth as a combined compano

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