Monday, May 28, 2007

Burdens of operating a century-old brand

They may carry BlackBerrys instead of fountain pens, but many executives still sport the suit label their great-grandpas wore: Hart Schaffner Marx.

Founded in Chicago in 1887, Hartmarx Corp. has a longstanding reputation for high-quality tailoring that has helped it grow from a single, family-owned clothing store into a $600-million company that is the largest suit maker in America.

Hartmarx makes suits under 14 labels it owns or licenses, including Hart Schaffner Marx, a classic line that retails for upwards of $700 in stores like Macy's, and Hickey Freeman, a luxury line aimed at CEOs that sells for $1,200 at Neiman Marcus.

But maintaining a century-old brand has burdens, too. "Every 10 or 20 years, you have to make some dramatic changes," CEO Homi Patel, 57, says. "If you get stuck in what you did before and are not constantly evolving, it can be a problem."

This company is #90 on Crain's 2007 list of the Chicago's largest public companies. The full list is available online in HTML, PDF and Excel spreadsheet format.
In 1982, Hartmarx branched into men's sportswear, manufacturing golf apparel by Jack Nicklaus and polo shirts and slacks for British label Ted Baker. More recently, it embraced women's apparel. Through acquisitions, it owns 10 womenswear lines, a division that has grown from 8% of business in 2004 to 25% today.

One advantage Hartmarx has over competitors trolling for women's brands is a reputation for giving designers creative freedom, says Gary Giblen, an analyst with Brean Murray Carret & Co. in New York. "Most other companies centralize everything and make it hard for an entrepreneur to stay on," he says.

That's an important edge as Hartmarx continues to diversify its clothing lines, a strategy that has become crucial as more companies relax their office dress codes. In the early 1980s, 95% of company revenues came from suit sales. Today, it's 48%.

Last year, Hartmarx took a hit on its suit lines when department stores Marshall Field's and Saks Fifth Avenue changed hands. The new owners pared the higher-end brands and pushed their own private labels, causing Hartmarx's net earnings to plunge 69% year-on-year to $7.3 million. To compensate, Hartmarx is boosting production of its luxury brands and looking for new customers abroad.

Last December, it licensed the Hart Schaffner Marx name to Youngor Group Co. Ltd., the largest men's apparel manufacturer and retailer in China. The agreement calls for 400 stores across China in 20 years. Six of those stores are scheduled to open in the Shanghai area this fall.

Hartmarx is seeking similar partners in India and Vietnam. If all goes well, Asian businessmen won't just be buying a suit; they'll be starting a family tradition.

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=27819

Wholesale Apparel - Apparel Photo

The wholesale apparel segment has revolutionized the apparel market by making the apparel more cost effective for the consumers. The wholesaler buys the apparels from different manufacturers and sells it to the retailers who in turn sell it to the individual customers. Apparel photo has come to stay as an important tool to reach out to potential customers through fashion magazines and online apparel stores.

Wholesale Apparel

Wholesale apparel has reduced the costs of the apparels significantly ever since the concept of mass production and mass marketing techniques were introduced in the 19th century. Wholesaling usually involves, selling in larger quantity and at significantly lower costs than the average retail price. Apparel encompasses children clothing, women clothing and men clothing. It can also extend to include garments such as riding or sport apparel. Wholesale apparel is all about selling of goods in large quantities at low and affordable prices to shops and businesses, rather than selling them directly to individual customers in the shops. It proves to be cost-effective if you are buying apparel in bulk.

Wouldn’t we all like to sport the trendiest of outfits and yet not pay exorbitantly for them? When talking about clothing apparel, wholesale apparel caters to all kind of tastes ranging from casuals like T-shirts, sports shirts, fleece, outwear, active wear, and casual dress shirts to office formals like business suits and its accessories. For men, it includes a wide range of designer tops like graphic tees, knits, polo and shirts for both casual wear and formal business wear. They also include shorts, jeans and pants in the bottoms section. Women can choose from tops including graphic tees, tanks, knits, shirts and sweaters. Bottoms can include shorts, skirts, jeans and formal pants. Outerwear such as jackets and fleece as well as other styling accessories also find favor with fashion aficionados.

Even intimate clothing can come under this category. Whether it a sleeveless tee, a tank top, a cool athletic trunk suit or a business formal, wholesale apparel caters to all shapes and sizes. Wholesale apparel stores are just the place to shop for your child and baby clothing. Wholesale sports apparel can also be bought at bargain prices from wholesalers.

Apparel Photo

Photo apparel is generally used to refer to photographs printed on your favorite T-shirts and sweatshirts or for that matter on any of your clothing apparel. You can choose your favorite image and get your photo apparel ready in less than 5 minutes. These photo T-shirts and photo sweatshirts are available in S, M, L, XL and XXL sizes.

Photos of apparel usually help to advertise the products of the company. So you can actually see and visualize how your product will look in reality. Photographs of apparel are used in shopping catalogs to entice buyers with attractive merchandise. They enable users to click on a photograph of the product to change it to another hue or pattern thus enabling the client to customize the product.

Photos of apparel will enable customers to make better purchasing decisions. A picture says more than a thousand words it is said and how accurate it is with apparel sales. Being discerning buyers, women would like to examine the apparel photograph so as to get a clearer picture of its look and style. An apparel photo will go a long way in clinching a sale.

http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/wholesale-apparel.html

Female First Responders Require Women's-Specific Footwear

An Overlooked Consumer
Throughout footwear history, the comfort of women has been no less than ignored. The painful, lace-up boots of 18th Century and constant trend toward high heels have implied to women that comfort is not a priority. Such was the case in uniform footwear, as well. Until recently, uniform footwear was essentially designed for men. So-called "women''s styles" were simply smaller men''s styles made available to women.

This unisex trend overlooked a valuable market which is demonstrating consistent growth. Women make up 15 percent of public safety personnel, up 50 percent from 10 years ago, with an even higher percentage in the emergency medical field.

Magnum answers the call
For over 15 years, Magnum has been the leader in offering unsurpassed comfort, technology and value in uniform footwear used by law enforcement, fire/rescue and emergency medical agencies around the world. With its long history of addressing the needs of the tactical and service footwear markets, it was the natural progression for Magnum to be the first footwear brand to develop and market a unique collection of footwear that address the needs of women. The Magnum Women''s Uniform Collection, introduced last year, addresses the specific requirements of women in uniform with enhanced fit, comfort and performance features.

Women''s vs. men''s requirements
Research has shown that women demand footwear that is much different from men due to anatomical differences in a woman''s calf muscle and foot. The Magnum Women''s Uniform Collection is made on a women''s-specific last, so the footbed fits the shape of a woman''s foot. The women''s last is narrower and tapered in the heel for a better fit and wider in the forefoot for added comfort. Additionally, the collar is cut lower to accommodate the lower calf muscles of a woman.

The lightweight, slip-resistant outsole is lower in profile to accommodate lighter weight personnel, and the women''s-specific 3D2 tri-density insole features a slightly softer foam base for additional comfort and protection.

Marion Reed, a first responder from Sacramento, CA, sang the praises of her women''s boots in a recent letter to Magnum. She wrote, "I just purchased a pair of Magnum [Women''s] Midnite Plus boots. I work on my feet up to 12 hours a day and was having a lot of pain as a result. Inside a week of my purchase the pain was gone. I just wanted to send my appreciation."

Current styles
The Magnum Women''s Uniform Collection features five styles: Stealth, Stealth Safety Toe, Stealth Side-Zip, Storm and Midnite Plus.

The Magnum Stealth is the #1 selling uniform boot worldwide. The new Stealth is an update of the original Magnum boot, the 1152 Magnum. Building upon the success of the popular 1152 style, Magnum USA worked in conjunction with focus groups of American uniformed personnel and with European designers to achieve top-quality global style, features and benefits.

The Stealth''s increased surface area of the proprietary Friction+ outsole design exceeds industry slip-resistance standards ASTM F 1677. Additional full-grain leather material creates a more polishable area and a sturdier boot, while quarter panels of 1150 denier nylon allow for increased breathability. For exceptional comfort, designers opted for a Cambrelle® moisture wicking lining to draw moisture away from the foot. A women''s 3D2 contoured insole utilizes three layers of impact-absorbing materials, including elastomer shockpads to cushion the foot.

The new Stealth Side-Zip features the added convenience of a flexible, lockable zipper. The Stealth Steel Toe features the added protection of an ANSI-approved steel toe.

The waterproof Storm is a mid-cut lightweight boot featuring a full grain leather and 1150 denier nylon upper. For added protection from moisture, the Storm features a waterproof, breathable Sympatex® membrane and a Dri-Lex® moisture wicking lining.

The multi-functional, mid-cut Midnite Plus features a leather and 1150 denier nylon upper. The athletic tread pattern of its outsole is bike pedal friendly, allowing the wearer to react quickly in pursuit situations.

Past and future performance
According to Paul Brooks, CEO of Hi-Tec Sports USA/Magnum USA, new styles are introduced in men''s versions, and only the most popular styles go on to be produced for the women''s collection. Still, Brooks sees the Women''s Collection growing in the near future.

Though the women''s collection only accounts for 10% of Magnum''s sales, the demand for women''s-specific uniform footwear is substantial. The introduction of the Women''s Stealth Side Zip proved successful, generating a 100% increase in sales from 2001 to 2002.

Annette Cotton, a reserve patrol captain in Tennessee, explains, "Personally I use and swear by [women''s] Magnums. I wear them for street work, search and rescue and with my dress uniform. They are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn and they wear [age] well."

For more information on the 2004 Magnum Uniform Footwear Collection or to find a local dealer, visit the Magnum website at www.magnumboots.com.

http://www.jems.com/products/apparel/articles/11696/

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Apparel Designing - Apparel Industry

Apparel designing involves the designing, manufacturing and sales of garments and accessories for men, women and children. A student of apparel design needs to have a keen eye for elements such as color, fabric choice and silhouette. Proficiency in computer-aided design is also a necessary prerequisite these days. During the course of their study, students of apparel design become familiar with pattern-making, draping and sewing techniques. Read on to find out more on apparel design courses as well as current trends in the apparel industry.

Apparel Design
Many designing institutes offer short-term programs for students who do not posses a bachelor’s degree in apparel designing. These vocational schools also enhance the technical skills of the students. Most apparel institutions also encourage internship, which is necessary in obtaining a job.

Apparel designing courses are carefully charted out by colleges so that their students can seek gainful employment in the garment industry. Courses in computer and contemporary tailoring are almost offered by most colleges. Most of the colleges insist that the students pursuing an apparel-designing course should possess sewing skills and knowledge of commercial patterns.

The students of apparel design are encouraged to interact with people and analyze the environment before creating a design. Apparel designers seek to create fashion statements and draw a sizeable clientele with their innovative and attractive designs. The apparel designers sketch their designs by hand or make use of a computer. The designers should also have a thorough knowledge of fabric construction. The apparel designers should also have a good idea of apparel construction and pattern. The specification drawings can be done efficiently by using computer tools. The designers should not be unaware of garment costs and saleability.

The students who complete the apparel designing programs qualify for entry-level positions such as assistant-designer, stylist, custom designer, patternmaker or technical designer, assistant trend manager and assistant product developer. Students of apparel design can seek career avenues in the following fields:

* Fashion advertising
* Fashion Design
* Fashion Styling
* Fashion Forecasting
* Fashion Journalism
* Custom Apparel Design
* Image Consulting
* Pattern Making
* Product Development

The students of apparel design should have thorough product knowledge, analytical thinking ability and clear understanding of the market to which they are catering. A career in this field can be a glamorous one revolving around fashion houses and garment shows.

Apparel Industry

The apparel industry has adapted itself to the needs of the buyers. It has begun to specialize in clothes for people of various age-groups and it is also constantly looking out for innovative technology to serve its’ customers in an efficient manner. The apparel industry constantly adapts itself to the changing conditions. The improved standard of living of the middle-class has also benefited the apparel industry. But, predicting the economic changes and its’ impact on the minds of the young people proves to be a major challenge for the apparel industry. Creativity and originality are the cornerstone for success in the apparel industry.

The apparel industry is driven by buyers. The retailers, manufacturers and marketers are key elements of the apparel industry. The competition between the apparel firms has increased and each firm concentrates on tapping the global market. The apparel firms need to be innovative and search for new opportunities and vistas. An apparel firm would do well to incorporate these features so as to gain cutting edge superiority over the others.

* The application of new technologies in order to improve productivity.
* Introducing new marketing strategies.
* Identification of high-potential markets.
* Diversifying products.
* Honing e-business capabilities.

Competition is the underlying factor in the apparel industry, especially in today’s global economy. If the small businesses intend to survive in the apparel industry, they need to design products that are unique and cater to a specific market segment. The small industries will have to create a brand in order to stay in the minds of the consumers. The apparel industries recognized the importance of Internet in the mid 1990s. Many firms in the apparel industry have adapted to the Internet and they have their own websites. The firms have also come to appreciate the opportunities offered by e-Commerce. But, a survey in 2000 showed that the Internet accounted for less than 1 percent in the total sales of apparel, though this is projected to increase in the future. The imports of apparel from China have increased dramatically since January 2004.

It is said that by the end of 2004, all the apparel and textile quotas will be eliminated which would lead to a free trade of textiles. The American apparel industry also has serious reservations about child laborers in the various apparel industries in developing countries. Many companies in the U.S. have prohibited child labor. The U.S. is the largest importer of apparels in the world. The American law enforcers also monitor various apparel firms in order to ensure that they do not indulge in child labor.

The new technology has contributed to mass customization operations. This mass customization in the apparel industry is fuelled by computer technology. Let us take a look at how this happens:

* Firstly, an experienced sales representative measures the customer with the help of the computer.
* Secondly, the measurement data is entered into the computer and specific alterations are made in accordance to the customer’s preferences.
* Thirdly, the measured adjustment is sent to the fabric-cutting machinery to produce a garment piece.
* Finally, the finished pieces of customized garments are allocated a bar code, assembled and then retailed.

The customization practices use a digitized image. Here, the customers are able to determine their preferences by viewing their digitized image on the video screen. The customization process helps the customer to select the apparel design of his choice. The U.S. apparel industry is focusing on global sourcing. The leading players in apparel sourcing are the retailers, marketers and manufacturers.

http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/apparel_design.html

Friday, May 25, 2007

Leather Apparel - Leather Fashions

Leather is one of nature’s most practical yet sensuous materials. Leather apparel can be made of stingray, crocodile, alligator, ostrich or snakeskins. Leather is known for its aesthetic appeal and durability. Varied textures and wide range of colors enhance the appeal of the leather apparel. New techniques have led to lighter skins that can be used round the year. The snake apparel could act as a gift on many occasions. The leather apparel could be made with the customer’s logo or the customer’s favorite brand. The personal leather goods include small articles carried by a person in his handbag.

Leather Apparel
Leather apparel does not easily wrinkle and is comfortable for extended wear. The structure of leather apparel fibers makes it wind -resistant and is ideal as motorcycle apparel. Leather apparel is ideal for layering. Choosing good leather apparel requires good understanding of its various features. Leather apparel is a hot fashion trend as man apparel as well as women's apparel. Man leather apparel extends to lambskin leather pants and leather jackets. Motorcycle apparel like motorcycle leather chaps and biker jackets are available too.

Leather is a luxurious material and its value is dependent on its softness and texture. The appearance of the leather apparel is influenced by raw materials, the skin of the animals and environmental conditions. The surface of the leather garments depends on the uniqueness of each animal. The genetic make-up of the animal has a bearing on the final quality of any leather apparel. Experienced craftsmen select the leather hides that are then tanned, dyed and finished. The process of leather making is nearly 5000 years old and dates back to 12th century England. The curing process involves adding a protective treatment to the hide or pelt. At the tannery, chemical processes render the leather soft and pliable and also adjust the thickness of the skin. Then, the leather hides are cut to patterns that represent the sleeves, collar and the other portions of the garment. Leather apparel has a large and distinguished clientele.
Guidelines For Purchasing Leather Apparel

* Feel the softness and the texture of the leather apparel before buying a garment. A softer garment with a richer feel is generally more expensive.
* The cut, quality of stitching along with the line and style distinguishes a classic leather garment from the rest.
* The price of the leather apparel is determined by the quality of the leather and the labor involved in creating the apparel.

Leather apparel stretches to provide comfort to the individual yet retains its’ shape. The leather is also breathable.

Increasing the Life of the Leather Apparel
* The apparel should be stored on a broad hanger to maintain its’ shape.
* The dust and dirt should be wiped with a soft sponge or cloth.
* The leather apparel should not be stored in a plastic bag or a heated area.
* The wet leather garment should be allowed to dry naturally and it should not be exposed to humidity.
* Perfumes and hairspray should not be applied while wearing the garment.
* Tapes and pins should not be applied to the leather garment.
* Water and strain repellants should be used to preserve the leather apparel.
* The leather apparel should be covered with a heavy paper before ironing it. It should be ensured that the leather garment is dry before ironing it.

Professional methods should be used for the cleaning of leather apparel and the traditional dry cleaning method should not be used. The traditional cleaning method destroys the leather apparel as it removes the natural oil from the leather. So, harmful chemicals should not be used to clean leather apparel. The hides are transformed into leather by pre-tanning, tanning and finishing.

Leather Apparel Fashion
Leather never goes out of style. Black leather apparel and leather apparel in rich colors can make you stand out in a crowd. Rich colors such as burgundy, plum or cordovan or warm neutral shades such as caramel, russet or chocolate brown are all time favorites. Teflon coating makes the leather apparel water-resistant. Sandblasting adds a vintage feel or glazed look to the leather garments. Suede is a popular leather fabric – an enzyme washed and softer version of leather. The suede is made from a piece of cowhide and is considered very popular. Suede has now been making its’ presence felt in all kinds of clothing and it could be used in every season. Suede can also be tailored as sports wear. Suede is also expensive and soft leather apparel. Suede could also be used with jeans, pants or skirts.

Leather Fashions
* Vintage: The antiqued leathers and shearlings reflect the growing attraction towards vintage. Its’ antique finish; notch collar and self-belt increases its appeal.
* Matrix: This leather apparel is made for the fall season. It has bold colorations and a notch collar adds to its’ appeal.
* Utility: These leather jackets are multi-pocketed and multi-zippered. It is a biker-inspired jacket.
* Retro: It is modeled after the 50’s styling and is comparatively less flashy. The old jacket shapes are updated with colorations and fabrications.
* Fine Tuned: It has welt pockets and sleek zipper closure. This design has a new appeal and a slimming vertical quilting.

PETA (People for the ethical treatment of animals) is an organization, which is opposed to the killing of animals for leather. PETA feels that the animals should not be abused in the name of fashion. Zebras, boars, elephants, alligators, walruses, turtles and snakes are sometimes hunted for their skins alone. Exotic animals are even factory-farmed for their skin.

http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/leather-apparel.html

Kid Apparel - Girl Apparel

The Kid apparel market has undergone a revolution, with the kids increasingly choosing their apparel and clothing. Kid apparel is big business these days, what with the child-clothing segment becoming such an important niche in the market. Little girls have a wide variety of clothes to choose from – the varied range of girl apparel available is mind-boggling.

Kid apparel
The kid apparel market has undergone several changes over the ages. Gone are the days when parents used to make choices for their kids – The child of today dictates what he or she wears. Kids like things bright and beautiful, the fancier the better. So the kid apparel market has to now keep in mind the tastes of the kids and their changing whims and fancies. Doting parents too want their kids to be smartly turned out so they don’t grudge the colossal amounts they spend on their kid’s apparel.

A kid’s apparel can include a wide range of clothing for both young boys and girls; including unisex apparel. Since kids like bright and beautiful colors, kid apparel market caters to this need when designing and manufacturing kid’s apparel. Little dresses, toddler T-shirts, toddler sweatshirts cater to the tiny infants. Kid apparel caters to a range spanning from newborn infants to pre-teens. Though unisex clothing dominates this apparel section, you can also find kid apparel for specialized categories:

* The newborn-18 month girls summer and winter
* The newborn-18 month boys summer and winter
* 2-4 years girls summer and winter
* 2-4 years boys summer and winter
* 5-8 years girls summer and winter
* 5-8 years boys summer and winter
* Summer accessories
* Winter accessories
* Swimwear
* Shoes
* Sleepwear
* Undergarments

Kids imitate their elders and want to dress up like them. The casual section includes T-shirts, shorts, knickers, hats and caps. The athletics section includes sport wear, shower caps, swimsuits and other sports apparel for the sporting whiz kid in the making. Not to forget the attires of the fictitious hero characters like Superman and Spiderman, which are a big hit with young boys.

Winter is the time when the children get to swathe themselves in beautiful fur coats, leather jackets, socks, gloves, goggles, ski pants, mittens, shirts and winter boots and other woolen apparels. Undergarment section is a very important section, which includes various ranges of comfortable underwear and innerwear. These include nappies for the newborn, the top of the shopping list of young mothers.

Girl apparel
The girl apparel market is a versatile and popular one. It offers the trendiest and latest designs in the apparel market. It’s an ever-growing market, with a lot of scope for creativity and expansion. Skirts to jeans, pants to spaghettis, classical gowns to midis and graceful frocks, shorts to demins, wraparounds to sarong, swimsuits and bikinis to warm woolen and leather, there so many varieties a girl can choose from. Each of these sections has its own variety and variation of fabric and styling. Some fancy top section includes the baby doll T-shirts, the camisoles, and the spaghetti straps tank tops. Jeans and cargos - favorites with teenagers, come in various style and fashion. There are also gab pants, stretch jeans, buckled pants and pinstripe side strings to choose from.

Designers specifically cater to this important girl apparel sports section. There are many stores, which stock women sporting attire. Female athletes of all ages can choose from a wide range of different quality accessories, t-shirts and sports apparels. If you are choosing a dress for your little baby girl, you can choose from printed sleepers, chambray sun suit, woven pants, belted shorts, top tanks and the like. You can dress up your baby girl in bodysuit, smocked top and Capri, a stretchie, tiny tee or even a cardigan.

The girl apparel section for little girls includes girl’s accessories, activewear, outerwear, pants and jean variety, shirts and tops, shorts, sleepovers and swimwear. For the teenaged girls, you can find a range of innerwear for their transit years from girlhood to womanhood. Girls in their teens fancy a lot of accessories and makeup to go along with their dresses. They can choose from a whole range of assorted accessories like hats, scarves, fancy belts, gloves, mittens, earrings and other jewelry to complement their beautiful apparel.

http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/kid-apparel.html

Greek Apparel - Sorority Apparel

There are many shops that specialize in formal Greek apparel. Formal Greek apparel is characterized by a banded collar with covered buttons. It also has Greek letters on the collar and cuff. Greek apparel is popular and many shops offer Greek letter sweatshirts, jerseys and tee shirts. You can also find many online stores offering a variety of Greek apparel. Sorority apparel is a personal statement of fraternity on the campus.

Greek Apparel Industry
The apparel industry in Greece aims at:
* The advancement of the apparel industry in Greece.
* The apparel industry also seeks to contribute to the economic development of the country.
* It also works to facilitate contacts between the members and foreign buyers.

The apparel industry organizes fairs and shows in Greece and the other countries. They also develop integrated marketing plans. The Greek apparel industry also organizes training and seminars for its’ members. Many retailing, manufacturing and wholesale companies offer a variety of apparel at competitive prices. Many apparel companies in Greece offer money-back guarantee. The Greek apparel stores specialize in offering the following kinds of apparel:

* Junior Fleece Shorts: These fleece shorts are short and snug. They are also very comfortable.
* Men’s Sleeveless Tee shirts: These Tee Shirts are perfect for the summer. They are made of cotton and are pre-shrunk.
* Women’s tank top: It is made of 100% combed ring spun cotton and is trendy.
* Women’s Ringer Tee Shirt: It is made of cotton jersey. It features cuff trim and contrast stitching.
* Value Tee Shirt: It is said to be pre-shrunk, durable and guaranteed. It is densely knit and is shaped shoulder to shoulder. It does not fade easily.
* BBQ apron with Greek Flag: This is a different kind of apron, which has the country’s flag on it.
* Junior Raglan: This tee shirt also carries an elegant flag of Greece.
* Infant Creeper: It is a type of tee shirt for children. It has double-needled hemmed sleeves and bottom and is made of cotton.
* Toddler Tee Shirt: It is a tee shirt made of a soft material. It has shoulder-to-shoulder taping and a ribbed crew neck.
* Sweatshirts with Greek flag design are popular in Greece.
* Golf Shirt: They are popular and are sported while playing golf. They are made of pre-shrunk, heavy weight cotton. They have a soft fashion-knit collar.
* Greek Hooded Pullover: It is available in most of the fraternities. These jackets are available in red, white, navy, forest green, purple and maroon.

Sorority Apparel

Sorority apparel is worn by students during formal events, community events and sports. Sorority clothes are uniform in color and style and the girls wearing sorority clothes are called sorority sisters. Sorority apparel distinguishes the sorority sisters from the others. Students who are sporting sorority apparel are easily spotted in a crowd. Sorority apparel allows personal expression. Sorority apparel enables a person to feel that he belongs to a group.

Sorority is a social organization for female students in some U.S. colleges. Sorority apparel is popular in the U.S. Sorority apparel includes the clothing and personal care items like general clothing, sports apparel, specialty clothing, uniforms, costumes, lingerie, shoes as well as foot wear, accessories, beauty and personal care items and jewellery. Many websites offer fraternity and sorority tee shirts. Sorority apparel can be either printed hooded Sweatshirts or embroidered Hooded Sweat shirts.

Have a look at various types of hooded shirts and other apparel:
* Hooded ‘State’: It is very popular and helps in keeping a person warm. It could be printed in a person’s favorite color. It has an extra heavy low-shrink fleece.
* 2 Color Printed Letterman: It costs $10 or slightly more. It could be printed in any color as per order.
* Printed Tail Hoodie: The printed Hoodie provides warmth and is stylish. A person could also get a matching shirt for his Hoodie.
* Hooded Established: Here, the person ordering the Hoodie should specify the fraternity or sorority letters. He should specify the established year and the imprint color.
* Printed Letter Hooded Sweat shirt: This is a heavy weight hooded sweatshirt and the customer could get it printed with his own fraternity or sorority letters.
* Established Retro Hoodie: A person could save more if he orders for more of this Hoodie.
* Hooded Zipper Seat shirt: This is the new shirt in the market. The customer’s group name could be printed on the left side of the sweatshirt.

The following are different types of embroidered hooded sweatshirts:
* Lettered Hoodie: It is considered to be a classic and a must-have on campus.
* Vintage Letterman Hoodie: Here, the letters are sewn on the shirt with new colors. But, it offers only a maximum of 12 letters for optimum size.
* Vintage Tail Hoodie: Here, the sorority name of the customer is sewn on these heavy weight hooded sweatshirts.
* Chenil Lettered Hoodie: The Chenil lettered Hoodie has been recently introduced. The Greek letters sewn on this Hoodie give it a stylish appearance. But, it takes 4 weeks to produce a Chenil lettered Hoodie.

The jeweled sorority tee shirts are also popular among the girls along with sorority sweatshirts and the sorority fleece shirts. The sorority apparel manufacturers advertise and use various promotional tools to popularize their products. Catalogs, trade show exhibits and industrial publications are also used to promote sorority apparels. The sorority apparel manufacturers compete with the other manufacturers to offer good quality and competitive prices.

http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/greek-apparel.html