AD. When it comes to sweatshirts, there are more options than meets the eye and we’re not talking about style or variety. Today, we’re talking about high-quality, premium fabrics that will help take your wholesale women’s sweatshirts inventory to the next level. Whether you are an established boutique or a new entrant, this article will outline some of the different premium fabrics that are used to construct wholesale women’s sweatshirts and who likes them and why. This should help you make selections that are not only relevant to your customer base but also seasonally appropriate.
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Cotton
Of course, we couldn’t being this list without referencing the world’s most popular fabric material: Cotton. Sweatshirts made out of cotton are durable, versatile, soft, warm, and a perennial favorite among shoppers of all types. Here, you want higher thread counts or something such as Egyptian cotton for a more premium experience. This is a pretty safe choice for boutiques as cotton tends to be preferred by the broadest consumer base. But you will need to pay attention to particular qualities such as the cloth and the cut itself. Again, durability is expected here and, because of that, cotton sweatshirts can command a higher margin than you might expect. Look at the fine details when stocking your store with sweatshirts of this type.
Fleece
Fleece is warm and soft but not as durable and versatile as cotton. It has a more winter vibe as well as being something more suitable for dressier clothing. Fleece is perfect for the winter seasons and stores that focus on clientele that enjoy skiing or who live in colder climates. Whether or not it is something that you should stock year around largely depends on your client’s needs. People who want something dressier and more everyday wear will tend to choose fleece over cotton because of the former’s more premium cachet.
Wool
The ultimate when it comes to warmth, wool is not for all seasons nor is it a budget fabric. Wool is often perfect for consumers that want sweatshirts that will last and, again, offer a dressier look than cotton. Wool tends to be less bold in terms of patterns and colors because of the dying process which makes it perfect for consumers that prefer more subdued and muted styles. Easily the most premium of the three fabrics discussed thus far, wool is still a great choice for sweatshirts and has many of the advantages while carrying few of the disadvantages of cotton.
Polyester
While this might be associated with a more budget-friendly product, this is not always the case - especially when it comes to athletic wear. Preferred by athletes and gym goers, polyester is a versatile, durable, stretchable fabric that is perfect for this cohort. And, depending on the branding, it can command a hefty premium as well as a fat margin for stores. If you attract athletes and an active, young customer base, polyester options in sweatshirts could make your store a go-to outlet.
French Terry
This is the cloth we typically associate with sweatshirts and hoodies. This makes it the most common but also, by all accounts, the best. If you’ve ever owned a sweatshirt that has lasted for years, it is likely constructed from this cloth. Pricing is aggressive but never cheap and margins tend to be healthy. This is a great choice for a broad base of consumers and is de rigueur for a boutique that wants to attract as many people as possible with its inventory.
