Lenise Willis // Editor in Chief// January 4, 2024
Versatile Fashion Options Appeal to Budget-Conscious Spring Breakers and Beyond Manufacturer Companies Clothing
Apparel and accessories that transition easily from season to season and from occasion to occasion will be top of mind for consumers, whether they're looking for a chic resort ensemble, spring-break line-up or simply a spring and summer wardrobe refresh.
Lenise Willis // Editor in Chief// January 4, 2024
It seems “budget-friendly” was the keyword for 2023, and we don’t expect that to diminish for 2024, either. Looking at the coming year, customers will be spending, but they’ll want to invest their dollars wisely, especially when it comes to fashion choices.
Customers won’t be looking to tap into “fast fashion fads,” but rather mainstay trends that can stick around the closet for a while. With that said, versatile fashion accessories and apparel items that can be layered or that easily transition from one season to another or from one occasion to another will be key in urging customers to make a purchase in 2024, whether they’re looking for a chic resort ensemble, spring-break line-up or simply a spring and summer wardrobe refresh.
“As cost of living continues to shape consumer behavior, wear-ability and utility are at the forefront of design and trends, with reimagined staples and added proportions,” Morgan Ramage, Atlanta Apparel’s fashion and events director, said in a 2024 trend forecast report.
Fashion brands have kept this need top of mind when designing their 2024 collections, including Howard’s Inc, which has several apparel items that are either multifunctional or that can be easily mixed and matched with other items.
“Transitional apparel items have always been a key staple in both our spring and fall product launches and do really well,” said Lisa Wohlhart of Howard’s Inc. “Historically, clothing that can be worn in both cooler and warmer weather have always done well. We have seen an increase in versatile pieces that can be adapted for various occasions due to the practicality and versatility they offer. These items help consumers maximize the value of their wardrobe and adapt to changing weather or social events between work or activities.”
Now that travel has soared back to pre-pandemic levels, customers will again be on the lookout for stylish resort wear that works for a wide range of warm-weather destinations, whether a local beach or a tropical escape. From dressy swimsuit cover-ups to cute, easy-to-carry bags, there are a plethora of stylish options for spring and summer travelers.
But consumers will also be putting more pressure on these items to work double duty.
Swimsuit cover-ups that can double as casual daytime tops or flowing maxi dresses that can be dressed down for lunch or dressed up for dinner will be top of mind for stylish, but budget-conscious travelers. Items that look stylish for a vacation but can also be worn at home all spring or summer long will also be on trend since they offer more versatility and have a longer lifespan.
Known for its reversible cover-ups and stylish resort wear pieces, Howard’s has expanded its collection of versatile warm-weather items to tap into consumers’ needs and desires for 2024.
“Items that make great cover-ups, but also double as a top continue to do well and are trending up for us still,” Wohlhart said. “This season we’re seeing the ‘beach dress’ come into play in many different looks, fabrics and styles. A beach dress is designed to be styled in a number of ways, both on the beach, or as a day-to-night vacation essential that in some cases can work as a layering piece over your everyday look as well.
“The beach-to-business shirt is also a continued trending item for the upcoming spring/summer season along with city-to-beach trousers.”
Accessories like wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and scarves are also a budget-conscious way for consumers to spruce up a spring or summer outfit without investing in a whole new wardrobe. These items are functional, too, offering wind and/or sun protection, which makes them easier purchases.
“This season, we’ve introduced collapsible hats and visors that barely take up room in a suitcase or beach bag and are essential for every vacation,” said Lauren Brekke, vice president of merchandise at Mud Pie.
Howard’s new magnetic hat clips are a functional accessory that Wohlhart says has gained a lot of attention. “[They’re] perfect for weather and travel,” she said. “It’s a magnetic clip that fastens to your bag by a fashionable carabiner and allows you to hold your hat or scarf to your bag. It’s perfect for making things hands-free, especially when going from airport to elsewhere or beach to inside.”
Generally, “resort season,” runs December to April, meaning these are the prime months for consumers to escape the cold, dreary weather of winter and early spring and escape to a warmer locale. But customers will also need a few new pieces for everyday wear or weekend trips all late spring and summer long, making this apparel season the longest one to sell.
Transitional apparel pieces, like light cardigans, that can be paired with warm-weather fashions to carry them either from winter into spring or summer into fall will also be on trend and are an easy way to refresh a fashion display.
“As the seasons shift, finding the perfect outfit that works for chilly mornings and blistering afternoons can be overwhelming,” Brekke said. “Generally, apparel that is transitional becomes staples in our wardrobes. Our design team always stresses the importance of creating pieces that are classic, yet relevant and cost effective to better serve our customers. One of my favorite types of transitional pieces that we make is our selection of lightweight knits. We often make these knits in one-size styles, and they are truly perfect paired with shorts or pants and can be layered with tank tops or long sleeve shirts underneath.”
According to the trend report by Atlanta Apparel, spring and summer 2024 print themes will focus on handcrafted, artisanal designs for trans-seasonality, playful tropics and joyful motifs, which reflect consumers’ yearning to travel.
Comfort is still king when it comes to both the top home decorating style of consumers, according to the 2024 Gift Book Consumer Survey, as well as fashion choices. But that doesn’t mean consumers are sacrificing style, either. The pandemic has changed consumers’ thinking long term and how they view fashion, making way for styles that are appealing, but also forgiving and comfortable.
“Consumers are prioritizing comfort and style more than ever,” Wohlhart said. “Consumers are looking for clothing that allows them to move easily, adapt to different situations, and reflect their evolving lifestyles.”
Added Brekke: “In the post-pandemic era, comfortable apparel is often elevated, and consumers are experimenting with trend-forward silhouettes that feel great to wear. The Mud Pie design team always focuses on selecting fabrics that are soft, yet durable, to last season to season. Our spring collection consists of statement sleeves, eyelet details, smocking and ruffles, which make the wearer feel fashion-forward without feeling restricted in a body-con style.”
Brekke says that Mud Pie’s Tanya Maxi Dress is a great example of a trendy piece that doesn’t make customers compromise their comfort.
“This printed cotton dress is the perfect transition piece from day to night,” Brekke said. “Its lightweight cotton fabric, tiered silhouette and sleeveless style make it an easy, wearable choice for everyday errands; or it can be paired with a light cardigan for a breezy patio dinner.”
The “boyfriend blazer” and matching blazer-and-shorts sets, which were extremely popular for 2023, are great examples of stylish and elevated ensembles that don’t have to be uncomfortable. This trend will likely carry over into 2024 as several fashion brands have new pieces in their upcoming collections.
Mud Pie, for example, is introducing matching linen-blend blazers and shorts in two colorways for spring. The shorts feature an elastic waist and a generous inseam to ensure that women of any age feel great while wearing them. “When paired together, the set is elegant and chic,” she said. The linen-blend fabric is washable, easy to wear and comfortable.
“A key aspect in comfort is functionality,” Brekke said. “Having pieces that are trend-forward and packable for travel is really important to our customers.”
Howard’s is also introducing new blazers for 2024.
“Blazers for sure come to mind these days when I think about transitional fashion,” Wohlhart said. “Blazers have been trending up these past few seasons, but we have seen blazers come into play in a bigger way with updated fabrics – in particular stretch and lightweight fabrics. Blazers can be dressed up or down, you can pair them with denim, shorts, skirts or your favorite pair of dressier pants.
“We have expanded this category due to what we have been seeing and watching in the trends. Blazers offer so much flexibility and versatility and allow the consumer to style them in so many ways to create so many different looks. It really helps stretch the dollar for that budget-friendly consumer and offers a middle ground, allowing consumers to feel dressed up while still being comfortable.”
According to Vouge editors covering the fashion weeks in London and New York, white dresses and apparel that conveys a “feeling of lightness,” as well as black dresses and apparel pieces that are “grounded but also reflective of the times,” will be popular choices that offer extreme versatility.
Also trending for 2024 are pieces with artful cut-outs and “slashings,” extended silhouettes, metallic fabrics, rose prints and patterns, feathery embellishments and polo shirts.
Atlanta Apparel market had similar predictions for 2024, with its experts reporting that versatile fashion and flattering yet forgiving silhouettes will be on trend, as well as nature-inspired greens, vibrant pinks and reds, timeless taupe and mainstay mid-tone blues.
Per Atlanta Apparel, key colors for next spring and summer are driven by the “need to balance optimism with stability.”
“For spring and summer, consumers are expressing a sense of optimism by dressing up, while also prioritizing versatility, resulting in overall balanced looks,” said Ramage. “Spring/summer 2024 staple inspiration follows updated Y2K trends, tailored yet comfortable silhouettes on the body, and versatile, nostalgic and vacation-ready footwear paired with statement accessories all over.”
Trending prints, according to Atlanta Apparel, will focus on “surreal and playful” nautical and beach scenes, florals inspired by baroque patterns and highly decorative tile prints, futuristic and digital blends with nature and intense color combinations, collages and statement stripes, and nature-inspired prints using geometric patterns and natural tones.
Wohlhart predicts that popular 2024 styles will include a good mix of neutrals as well as bold pops of colors and prints like florals, geos, stripes and waves or patterns that mimic water.
“I think we’re going to see matching sets [and] a resurgence in tailored looks,” Wohlhart said. “Open knits are going to be widely popular across a multitude of categories, basics like tank tops will spike up and sheer overlays are predicted to enter the picture this season. I’m seeing a lot of minimalist looks, but I’m also seeing a lot of bold colors and patterns, which means we’re going to see a lot this spring and summer across the board, I think. Hair accessories is another category I continue to see on the rise for us and in the marketplace.”
Brekke said that eyelet tops and dresses will be a huge trend for 2024, as will be special, handmade fabrics. She pointed to Mud Pie’s Angelica Yarn-Dye Dress as a “stunning example of a yarn-dye cotton jacquard that makes a statement.” Crochet is also expected to be a prominent trend this spring.
She also expects ruffle details, tiered dresses, statement sleeves and feminine details to be abundant: “Consumers are craving those special silhouettes that they can wear to work, to a bridal shower, and even for a night out,” she said.
When taking into account resort-season travel, spring break and summer vacation plans, as well as transitional items for spring and fall, the spring/summer apparel season is almost all year long. Customers will be looking for items that are both stylish and whimsical, but also functional and comfortable. In short, they want it all and they want it on a budget, and luckily there are plenty of wholesale options that can accommodate.
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