There are lots of things that are important to players when it comes to their headwear, but some are more important than others. Today, we’re bringing you the top three vital on-field trends: the style/fashion aspect, performance attributes and comfort, and up-to-date technology.
Look
Headwear fashion trends, have made a lot of progress in the last few years. It took some time for retail looks to bleed over into team sports, but now that it has, we’re able to make much more interesting and fun pieces.
Snapbacks and caps with mesh back panels are really popular right now. Heathered fabrics in all different colors have really ramped up; it’s not just heather grey anymore.
If we just look at colors alone, you can see how much on-field trends have evolved over time. Everything used to be navy, red, or black, with a few outlier colors. Now, OC Sports offers dozens of colors including teal, lime, fuchsia, Columbia blue, and neons. Additionally, we offer chambray fabrics, sublimated prints, and licensed camo patterns as well as generic and digital camouflage.
One thing never changes—hats have to be on-trend and pass the mirror test.
Feel
Comfort is one of the most important aspects of any uniform, but this goes beyond a well-fitting cap. OC Sports specializes in performance fabrics and other cap attributes we developed by studying what the pros wear on-field.
In 2018, players expect at a minimum for their caps to be lightweight and have a moisture wicking sweatband. That’s becoming pretty standard practice.
OC Sports is always looking for ways to push those boundaries. Now, we offer caps made with wicking fabrics instead of just the sweatband. When players sweat, it’s quickly moved up and out of the cap so it can evaporate and keep them cool. That’s one less thing to worry about, allowing them to focus more on their game.
Another cooling option is to choose a cap with mesh back panels or one with perforation or venting like our AIR25 which has laser cut size panels to maximize airflow.
Our most popular performance fabrics are:
Tech
As apparel technology advances, teams expect a lot more out of their gear than they did five years ago. Players are looking for more advanced features like black anti-flare undervisors, odor control, cooling elements, and fabrics that block UV rays.
Stretch mesh is a recent OC Sports development. This provides ultimate ventilation with an unrivaled fit. Stretch mesh is quickly knocking out the traditional wool look for on-field baseball caps. It is the perfect blend of casual style and technology that players will wear long past the ninth inning.
Do your research to become a headwear expert, so you can adequately meet your customers’ needs. Listen to their concerns so you can provide the best on-time solution to meet their budget. Stay up-to-date with industry trends you see in retail styles and what the pros are wearing.
What is the most important thing to your team when ordering custom on-field caps? Let us know in the comments below. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
