You might think of university spirit wear as a niche product, and in some ways it is. However, that does not make it insignificant.

In Fall 2022, there were about 17.9 million students enrolled in colleges and universities across the United States. That is a large portion of the population who can relate to and connect with university spirit wear—and that’s not even including all the alumni out there!

University spirit wear has transcended fashion and become an integral part of campus culture. It goes beyond wearing a logo or mascot—it represents a deep-rooted connection to the institution, a symbol of shared experiences and cherished memories. It’s a way for students and alumni to proudly showcase their affiliation and foster a sense of unity.

We’re about to explore how universities are able to harness the powerful magnetism of university spirit wear to sell out their apparel collections.

The University of Central Florida online spirit shop sells t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, accessories, and much more.

The “Online Spirit Shop” Sales Channel

An online spirit shop allows alumni, students, and fans to purchase merchandise from their laptops, phones, or other devices. It makes it easy for anyone, anywhere to show their spirit and stay connected to the university. These online spirit shops feature clothing, accessories, and other merchandise with the school’s logo or mascot prominently displayed.

Examples of Successful Online Spirit Shops

• Georgetown University
• University of Central Florida
• Boston University
• Michigan State University
• Cornell University

Why E-Commerce Works So Well For Universities

In general, lots of brands are benefitting from e-commerce. The e-commerce fashion industry is predicted to rise to more than $1.2 trillion by 2027.

But e-commerce is especially helpful for universities, and here’s why:

Increased Reach

With an online spirit shop, universities can connect with supporters far and wide. It’s not limited to the campus anymore! Alumni, parents, and fans from all over can browse and buy spirit wear without leaving their homes.

Shop Anytime, Anywhere

Convenience is the name of the game. Online shopping lets people browse and purchase spirit wear whenever and wherever they want. No more rushing to catch the store before it closes. It’s 24/7 shopping at its finest.

Endless “Shelf Space”

Forget about cramped store shelves. The online spirit shop can showcase a huge selection of spirit wear. From cozy hoodies to snazzy hats and everything in between, there’s something for every fan.

Insights that Matter

The beauty of online sales platforms is the valuable insights they provide. Universities can peek behind the scenes to see what customers love, which products are popular, and spot trends. With this knowledge, they can make smarter decisions to improve their products.

Colleges and universities that don’t have an online spirit shop are missing out on a huge opportunity. With e-commerce, universities can reach a wider audience, offer more products, and understand their customers better.

Spirit Wear Sales Can Raise Funds and Make an Impact

How do spirit shops sell their products? Well, they use the same strategy that nearly every clothing brand uses—by offering sales that are too good to pass up.

We’ll give you an example. At Bates Technical College, the Bates Foundation held an incredible spirit wear sale by offering a 35% discount on all their branded spirit wear.

This is the best part—the foundation aims to help students in need. They established the Student Emergency Support Fund to assist students who are facing financial crises.

The Bates Foundation ensures that the emergency support provided helps bridge the gap of financial need, allowing these students to keep moving forward on their educational journey.

So, the purpose behind the spirit wear sale wasn’t just to drive conversions. It was also to give back and provide a helping hand in times of need. That drove students and alumni alike to purchase spirit wear to help their peers.

Spirit wear can also serve as a fundraising tool for universities. Some universities offer free spirit wear to donors who make financial contributions or memberships during a designated period of time.

This incentivizes donors to give back to their alma mater and helps build a spirit of giving among alumni, students, and the general population.

As shown in our work for The University of Illinois Chicago, you have unlimited creative freedom when you work with Scrappy Apparel.

How Scrappy Apparel Produces University Spirit Wear That Stands Out

One of the biggest challenges for universities is creating spirit wear that makes a statement. Since the apparel sold in online spirit shops can look similar, it can be difficult to make spirit wear that’s truly unique.

At Scrappy Apparel, we offer an all-in-one manufacturing and fulfillment solution that opens up a world of opportunities for custom apparel. Our capabilities extend beyond what a local print shop can provide, and our process eliminates all the common bottlenecks in apparel manufacturing.

Here’s what makes us different:

Diverse Fabric Options

First of all, we source all the materials for you, so you don’t have to worry about chasing down vendors and managing multiple suppliers. We offer a wide range of fabrics that can be used to create high-quality custom apparel.

Our fashion fabric blend of 98% polyester and 2% spandex ensures a comfortable and flexible fit, perfect for stylish and contemporary university apparel.

We also have a sport fabric blend of 92% polyester and 8% spandex that provides durability and performance-enhancing qualities.

With our fabric options, we can design customized university spirit wear that fosters a sense of pride, community, and belonging.

Custom Dyes and Washes

At Scrappy Apparel, we recognize the significance of university spirit wear that accurately represents the unique branding of your institution. That’s why we offer custom dyes and washes, allowing us to elevate your university spirit wear with precise Pantone color matching.

You can capture the exact shade of your university’s colors or replicate iconic tones associated with your athletic teams or traditions. By ensuring brand consistency and enhancing the perception of your university, our custom colors help create a cohesive and spirited image that resonates with students, alumni, and fans alike.

Private Labeling Capabilities

Private labeling allows you to reinforce your brand identity by showcasing your university’s logo, name, and contact information on the apparel, increasing brand recognition and establishing a professional image. With custom screen printed neck labels, you can personalize your apparel even further, incorporating unique branding elements, taglines, or care instructions.

This customization not only sets your university spirit wear apart in the market but also creates a premium and authentic feel that resonates with your students, alumni, and fans. Private labeling and custom neck labels contribute to brand consistency, ensuring that all apparel items carry the same branded elements and convey your commitment to quality.

Our 3PL Program

It’s no secret that universities experience fluctuations in student populations. This can be challenging when it comes to accurately predicting demand for spirit wear, as universities are constantly managing inventory levels and storage space.

Our 3PL program is designed to streamline the entire process, from order management to shipping logistics. With our expertise in handling inventory control and shipping, universities can focus on their core activities while leaving the fulfillment process in capable hands.

We offer scalable solutions to accommodate fluctuating demand, and our flexibility allows us to tailor our services to meet universities’ specific requirements. By partnering with us, universities can optimize their apparel fulfillment operations and deliver a seamless experience to their community.

Team Up with Scrappy Apparel!

We’re excited to bring you the best of both worlds—quality apparel and reliable fulfillment services. Our commitment to quality, attention to detail, and passion for providing a stellar customer experience make us the perfect partner for brands that need an all-in-one solution.

Ready to Begin Your Project?

The cropped hoodie has been making waves in the apparel industry. But will this trend have longevity, or is it just a passing fad?

There’s no denying that the cropped hoodie is comfortable and stylish. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for layering, adding an edgy touch to any outfit. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, and Kim Kardashian have been spotted wearing cropped hoodies, making them even more popular.

The comfort factor of the cropped hoodie shouldn’t be underestimated, either. After all, who doesn’t want to look and feel their best? It’s not just about keeping warm—it’s also about looking good while doing so.

Today, we’re going to explore how the cropped hoodie trend was born and why it continues to be so popular. We’ll take a look at how the trend has evolved over time and why people rave about it.

What Exactly is a Cropped Hoodie?

Well, imagine your beloved hoodie, but with a shorter length. It’s like someone took a pair of scissors to the bottom and gave it a fresh, edgy vibe. But the best part? It still offers that same cozy comfort you know and love. Whether you’re headed to the gym or to a night out, this trend has you covered.

How the Cropped Hoodie Was Born

We can’t talk about the birth of the cropped hoodie without first discussing the history of the crop top. Did you know the popularity of the crop top dates back to the 1940s? Back then, the crop top became a popular fashion choice, frequently designed with a raised neckline, short sleeves, and paired with midi skirts that sat high on the waist.

Fast forward to the early 2000s, and we saw a resurgence of crop tops as well as cropped hoodies. The difference? Crop tops were often made with sheer fabrics, while cropped hoodies had more of a streetwear feel.

A few years back, the cropped hoodie trend experienced a surge in popularity, largely due to Kylie Jenner sharing an Instagram photo of herself rocking a highly cropped Harley Davidson sweatshirt. Since then, this trend has remained in vogue, evolving with different variations like cutout cropped half sweaters.

Why People Love Cropped Hoodies

Cropped hoodies took the cozy factor we all adore from traditional hoodies and turned it up a notch. By chopping off a bit of length, they added a touch of sass and edge to the classic hoodie design. It was like having the best of both worlds: snuggly warmth and a fresh, fashion-forward look.

But that’s not all. Cropped hoodies quickly became a go-to choice for fashionistas everywhere because of their incredible versatility. Pair them with high-waisted jeans for a casual yet trendy everyday vibe, or team them up with a skirt or leggings to create a chic and stylish ensemble. The options were endless, and that’s what made them so appealing.

So, there you have it. The love for cropped hoodies was driven by their unbeatable combo of comfort and style, their incredible versatility, the influence of celebrities, and the way they flattered different body types. It’s no wonder these trendy pieces became a wardrobe staple for many.

Cropped Hoodie Sightings

Celebrities and influencers have been spotted rocking the cropped hoodie trend all over the world. Here are some examples:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Danielle Brown (@danielleebrownn)

Influencer @danielleebrownn on Instagram

Who knew hoodies and the beach could go together? This shows just how versatile the cropped hoodie trend can be. It can be a summer vibe or a winter look depending on how you wear it.

 

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A post shared by The Mom Edit (@themomedit)

Moms can rock this look, too! This influencer shows how you can make a statement with a bright pink cropped hoodie and shorts.

How to Gauge the Longevity of a Trend Like the Cropped Hoodie

Based on its comfort, fashion appeal, versatility, and influence, it looks like the cropped hoodie is here to stay. It has made its mark as a wardrobe staple and is beloved by people all over the world.

But how can you know for sure if a trend is going to last? Here are a few ways:

How Often You See It on the Runway

If a trend is still showing up on the world’s most famous runways, it’s likely to stick around for a while. Look out for designers and brands that are continuing to showcase the trend, and you’ll get a good understanding of how long its popularity will last.

Popularity Among Influencers

An easy way to tell if a trend is going to stay is by looking at how much it’s being posted about on social media. If influencers are still posting about a trend, it means they’re not over it yet—which means you don’t have to be either!

Its Versatility and Adaptability

If a trend is versatile and can be adapted to suit different occasions, it’s likely to remain popular for longer. That’s why we love the cropped hoodie trend—it can be dressed up or down.

At the end of the day, fashion trends come and go, but we think the cropped hoodie trend is here to stay. It has all the makings of a wardrobe classic.

Ready to Manufacture Your Trendsetting Garment?

Scrappy Apparel offers an all-in-one manufacturing and fulfillment solution. You can delegate all the complex work of sourcing materials, manufacturing, and fulfillment to us.

Our proprietary Brand Building Process (BBP) is designed to help you bring your vision to life with maximum efficiency and accuracy. When you work with us, it’ll feel like you have your own custom apparel division in-house—without the cost or hassle of having to manage it all yourself.

We’ve worked hard to expand our services so we can offer comprehensive solutions for your projects. You can count on our team to recommend the best printing techniques, materials, and additional services for your garments. Come to us with a vision, and we’ll bring it to life.

What To Expect

Let’s say you want to manufacture and sell a cropped hoodie of your own. You’ll request a free quote from our team and send us your project specifications.

For your cropped hoodie project, we might recommend the following approach:

• Wholesale blanks to help you save on material costs
• Retail Ready Screen Printing as the printing technique
• Private labeling so your brand name and logo are on the neck label of each garment

Our team will then create a detailed plan and cost breakdown. We’ll provide you with a timeline for every stage of the process so you know when to expect your orders.

Top-Tier Wholesale Apparel

We’ve vetted and negotiated with only the best suppliers for blanks, fabrics, and other materials. This allows us to offer you the best quality and price for your garments.

Here’s an example of a cropped hoodie we could source for you:

From Bella+Canvas

Retail Ready Screen Printing

Our Retail Ready Screen Printing process allows us to print on blanks with razor-sharp detail and vibrant colors.

So, what makes Scrappy Apparel’s Retail Ready Screen Printing different?

• Use up to 16 colors: The wide range of colors available allows you to achieve stunning visual effects and intricate design complexity.
• Print photorealistic artwork: Even if you have a photorealistic design, we have the Simulated Process Screen Printing capabilities to accurately reproduce your artwork on a garment.
• Print a massive design: Most local print shops have size limitations, so it’s hard to print any design over 12″ x 15.” Retail-Ready Screen Printing lets you print designs up to an impressive 17″ x 22″ size, ensuring your prints make a bold and attention-grabbing statement.

With our Retail Ready Screen Printing capabilities, you can trust us to produce garments with excellent visual appeal and lasting quality.

Private Labeling

At Scrappy Apparel, we understand the importance of brand identity. Our private labeling services allow you to showcase your logo, brand name, and contact information on your apparel, reinforcing your brand and creating a professional image that resonates with your customers.

Our private labeling services give you everything you need to maintain a unique and cohesive brand presence. Incorporating your branded elements into each piece of apparel establishes trust and familiarity with your customers.

Let Us Be Your Expert Manufacturing and Fulfillment Partner.

We strive to form long-term partnerships with our customers and provide a stress-free apparel manufacturing experience. From concept to delivery, you can count on us to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to Begin Your Project?