2022 Sportswear Selection Trends: Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Fabrics Are the Key!

Every New Year, exercising and losing weight are usually on everyone's list of goals, which inevitably leads people to invest in sportswear and sports equipment. Coupled with the impact of the epidemic, the NPD Group reported that sportswear revenue increased by 20% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to 2020.

In a market report by Edited , it is mentioned that in 2022, consumers will continue to seek multifunctional sportswear. These demands stem from the demand for hybrid clothing, hoping that these clothes can be worn at home on weekends, during exercise, and when running errands. Given the repeated outbreaks, it can be predicted that this kind of multifunctional sportswear will still be in demand.

According to Cotton Incorporated   According to a survey by Lifestyle Monitor TM , 46% of consumers said they mainly wear informal sportswear when exercising . For example, 70% of consumers own 5 or more T-shirts for exercise; more than 51% own 5 or more vests or sleeveless shirts; 54% own 4 or more pairs of pants or leggings; and 60% own 4 or more sweatshirts (hoodies). The above types of sports or non-sportswear are what consumers are used to wearing when exercising.

Analysts at Edited said that despite a more saturated market, demand for activewear remained intact, with every clothing category growing relative to the previous two years.

It is worth noting that McKinsey & Company proposed in its " The State of Fashion in 2022" that environmentally friendly fabrics will be more attractive to consumers, who will pay more attention to sustainable development. Consumers want to know where the materials come from, how the products are made, and whether the relevant personnel are treated fairly.

The Monitor TM study also said brands and retailers should take into account that when it comes to eco-conscious activewear, 78% of consumers believe that clothing made primarily of cotton is the most sustainable and environmentally friendly.

According to the 2021 Cotton Incorporated Activewear Study, 52% of consumers strongly prefer their activewear to be made of cotton or cotton blends, rather than polyester or recycled polyester, polyester blends, nylon, rayon or other synthetic fibers.

In addition, the Cotton Company report also pointed out that the renewed focus on outdoor sports has also prompted consumers to accept changes in outdoor clothing, and they pay more attention to the breathability, performance technology and waterproof characteristics of outdoor clothing. Performance-oriented materials and details promote sustainability.

Cotton Incorporated predicts that popular trends in sustainable activewear in 2023-2024 include pigment prints on lightweight cotton voile, wavy jacquard terry fabrics with undulating patterns, cotton blends with woven 3D patterns, and more.

With reference to the above survey, sellers and manufacturers can predict and adjust the selection of sportswear in the next few years to select sportswear that best suits consumers' tastes and increase sales.

Sportswear

Sustainable