Retail Trends: Fabric Technology Trends On The Rise

Smart fabrics are no longer the darling of the fashion and athleisure industries. When it comes to fabric technology, we are beginning to see more and more retailers invest in uniforms that are made from innovative fabrics. These fabrics are embedded or woven with additional properties that provide a specific benefit, enhancing the use for the wearer.

Retail uniforms need to withstand more wear than standard clothing, so they need to be designed tough. As well as durable, any garment designed for the retail sector also needs to be easy care, machine washable and low or no iron. Because let’s face it, the care-factor for washing and ironing uniforms is on the down-low.

As a uniform manufacturer, we have painstakingly invested in developing our own fabric, focusing carefully on the best possible weave, thread size, twist ratio, colour fastness, softness, durability, sheen and internationally-leading moisture wicking and antimicrobial treatments.

Let’s unfold some of the fabric technologies that are available and gaining in popularity in the retail sector.

RPET 100% Polyester Fabric

Similarly to traditional polyester fabric, this fabric is made from recycled PET fibres. Post consumer waste, including water bottles and fishing nets, are collected and sterilised, dried and then crushed into small chips – a great way to divert waste from landfill.

The biggest benefit is by using 100% polyester fibres it has a high probability to be recycled as it is not blended or contaminated with other fibres. The production of recycled polyester also requires fewer resources than that of new fibres and generates fewer CO2 emissions. While recycled polyester is a sustainable option, be aware that it is still non-biodegradable and takes years to break down if discarded into landfill. We only supply products made with fabric containing REPREVE® fibres. 

The chips are heated and passed through a spinneret to form strings of yarn. The yarn is then used to create recycled PET fabrics using various methods of knitting and weaving, depending on the desired fabric.

Polyester Cotton Back Fabric

Cotton back polyester fabric combines the best of both fibres. The polyester face of the fabric allows for sublimation printing with vibrant colour and strong colour fastness. The inner, cotton backing provides cool cotton comfort against the skin, allowing the garment to breathe and absorb perspiration, making it ideal for retail uniform application. This fabric is perfect for when you want a more premium, comfortable alternative to polyester to capitalise on the printability of the fabric.

SilverTech Bacteria Control Fabric

SilverTech takes feeling fresh to a new level. One of the oldest anti-bacterials known to man, antibacterial Silver Ions embedded in the fabric work to minimise odour by binding to moisture and killing bacteria. Silver interrupts the bacteria cell’s ability to form the chemical bonds essential to its survival and because it’s a nano-scale yarn treatment, it won’t wash out – keeping you fresher for the life of the garment.

This fabric is highly desirable in customer-facing retail uniforms. Some of the features are:

• Reduces staff body odor, which can be a cause of complaints by customers and peers.
• Staff report the uniform feels fresher for longer giving them confidence.
• Easy Care, machine washable and low iron.
• Static Free, increasing comfort for staff in static environments.

Polyester Bamboo Back Fabric

Bamboo fabric is considered an environmentally friendly material. Compared to its most similar textile of cotton, bamboo does not usually require pesticides or fertilisers and grows well without a lot of additional resources.

This polyester is backed with bamboo fabric, making it feel unbelievably soft on your skin and all the features of polyester on the face. Because polyester is highly suitable for sublimation printing, this fabric is ideal for custom-printed uniforms such as business shirts and blouses. The polyester face also increases fabric durability, colour-fastness and resists stretching and shrinkage – ensuring your team look sharp all day.

Bamboo fibre is a highly water absorbent fabric (hygroscopic), which means it feels cool on the skin in hot weather as it draws moisture away from the skin. It will also feel warm on the skin in cold conditions, providing natural temperature control. Bamboo fabric is incredibly soft and great for sensitive skin.

The natural antibacterial and moisture wicking properties pull moisture from the skin, keep odour at bay. They are also easy care – ideal for use in uniform programs.

Cooling Fabrics Ideal for Sublimation Printing

Breathable performance fabric, providing maximum airflow for the wearer, is typically used in sports uniforms. However, it is being seen more often in custom corporate polos and tshirts. This fabric utilises unique moisture-wicking fabric technology, giving you maximum comfort and keeping you cool when you need it most. Being quick dry, this fabric aids rapid evaporation of moisture through the fibres.

This fabric is ideally suited to sublimation printing, achieving a highly flexible design application to integrate any branding element. Being machine washable, this fabric is very low maintenance making it a great choice for retail uniforms.

Ultra Durable Hexagonal Weave Fabric

Let’s not exclude the workers in the retail industry who work behind the scenes to keep things running. Many workers in the retail industry wear hi-vis garments and this fabric is ideal for these roles.

Heat Stress is a big problem affecting people at work in Australia. Heat stress is not only uncomfortable but can result in serious injury or even death in extreme cases. This innovative fabric helps combat heat stress, is lightweight, highly breathable and also increases tear strength by more than 70% compared to industry alternatives.

The unique hexagonal weave fabric construction is inspired by the honeycomb – one of the strongest structures found in nature. Pressure is evenly dispersed, improving durability and strength. The fabric also provides 50+ UV Protection, provides hypoallergenic and anti-static benefits and is comfortable to the touch.

The distinctive hexagonal weave fabric brings a new class of air flow and comfort to the workwear category, that is 140% cooler than standard workwear garments, while still keeping you warm in cooler environments. The highly durable and lightweight fabric also provides 190% more durability for tough work conditions.

Why invest in fabric technology in your uniforms?

So next time you are developing uniforms for your retail franchise or chain, think about the fabric used and how that can play a more purposeful role.

In summary, what are the best things about using specialised fabric technology in retail uniforms?

• Increased durability so the uniform lasts longer.
• The uniform will stay fresh during long shifts.
• Provide low maintenance, easy care options which keeps laundering uncomplicated for retail workers.
• Requires low or no ironing to guarantee your team turn up looking sharp every time.
• Fast drying.
• Highly breathable, sweat wicking to leave the wearer feeling more comfortable throughout the day.
• Antibacterial fabric minimising body odour which can be problematic with active workers who are also interfacing with customers.

What fabric technology have you used in your retail uniforms? Keep ahead of the trends and incorporate smart elements into your fabrics.