The first trend taking over the industry in 2020 is a momentous rise in activewear. Consumers across the globe are staying home and embracing comfy casual everyday wear more than ever before. Never before in history has a market eschewed confining, stiff fashion trends in such vast quantities - instead, as a global population, we’re favouring cosy stay-at-home comfort above all else. The perfect wardrobe for lounging? Leggings, hoodies and activewear, ironically. It works so well, in fact, that it has its own entire category: athleisure.  

 Of course, as well as being the go-to casual garments of choice for most, activewear also keeps its original purpose: activity. In the midst of a global crisis, taking care of your health, self care and making time to exercise has never been so important. Likewise, major sports brands such as Nike and Under Armor all also now stock more laidback yoga lines. At the same time, fashion brands such as Nasty Gal and Topshop have also launched fitness gear to capitalize on rising demand for activewear. Put simply, Activewear has become a staple of the modern closet.  

 There’s another appetite which activewear manufacturers must stay on top of in today’s climate, too: sustainable fashion. More and more, consumers are steering clear of fast fashion, better understanding the environmental and societal damage it does, instead choosing to spend their money with ethically sourced manufacturers. In a recent survey, 52% of people said they want the fashion industry to become more sustainable, and 50% of consumers who desire sustainable fashion would be more likely to buy clothes from companies they know are committed to sustainability. 

 So, in such a booming industry on multiple accounts, what does this mean for the future of activewear manufacturing in Australia? Here are the biggest trends in activewear manufacturing for the future and beyond…  

 High quality activewear  

As customers turn their back on fast fashion, they are instead choosing to invest in high quality activewear which will provide better products and last longer in their wardrobe. Thankfully, we also know that consumers are willing to pay for the elevation in quality - a recent study found that activewear is largely favored by the wealthy, particularly the 25-44 age group who earn upwards of $100,000, and that the most popular item associated with the category – yoga pants – can cost anywhere between $75 and $100. Sourcing sustainable manufacturers is a key step in producing high end garments. When you invest time into producing these locally, at the source, the resulting quality speaks for itself: in impressive items, satisfied customers, and better repeat business.  

Ethical manufacturing 

One of the major turnoffs for customers when it comes to fast fashion are the unethical business practices that surround some of the arena’s retail giants. In a recent Australian Ethical Fashion Report, it was found that 45% of companies (an increase of 18%) have introduced policies addressing responsible purchasing practices, with an aim to improve working conditions. Likewise, more than 81% of companies were working to trace where their fabrics come from in 2019 - an increase from 49% in 2013. Customers and Australian manufacturers alike are clearly keen to know that they are spending their money with companies which have ethical business practices. To make this change, businesses can choose an Australian activewear manufacturer such as Always Trendin to ensure the process is ethical throughout.  

 Sustainably sourced materials  

High on consumers’ list of buying wants are eco-friendly materials. More than ever, customers are aware of where the fabrics in their clothes are coming from - and whether it’s kind to the planet. Customers are making it clear on Google, too, as searches for sustainable fashion are up 75% year on year. cotton. Meanwhile, searches for “sustainable activewear” are higher than ever, with searches for the term up a staggering 151% compared to the previous year. In broader attitudes, 60% of millennials say they want to shop more “sustainably” in the future, while brands themselves are also moving to more sustainable production methods going forward. In 2018, 12.5 percent of the global fashion market pledged to make these changes by 2020. Next season’s on-trend statement colour? According to consumer trends, it’s clearly green.  

 Discover more high quality ethical, sustainably sourced activewear manufacturing at Always Trendin.