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Women entrepreneurs always up their game as seasons change. One gets to see the trendiest clothing for the season at every single designer boutique or apparel store run by women. But some of them neglect the significance of accessorizing their seasonal apparel combinations. Many others refresh their hat offerings, with hats being the most important accessory that can complement any fashion style.
From breezy berets to playful baseball caps, the right hat collection can add a touch of whimsy and personality to any outfit. This blog post dives into the world of wholesale hats, how to source the best and share creative customization ideas to help you curate a spring collection that will have your customers swooning.
But before that, you need to figure out how to get the best blank hats you can customize for the season.
Wholesale Sourcing
Minimizing investments should be your focus here. And you can do that by sourcing blank or custom hats wholesale from the right kind of suppliers. These tips can help.
Attend Trade Shows
Trade shows are so underrated. They’re a goldmine for discovering new suppliers. And you get to discover some cool trends by attending them. Major events like the Chicago Collective and MAGIC Las Vegas offer a wide array of wholesale headwear and apparel suppliers under one roof.
Explore Online Directories
The internet offers the most convenient way of sourcing hats, where suppliers are easier to vet. If attending trade shows isn’t your thing, online directories can be great resources for finding reputable suppliers. Or you can just use Google to discover hidden gems that offer high quality hats at the best prices.
Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)
Before committing to a supplier, check whether they have MOQs. Some suppliers may have higher MOQs to qualify for good wholesale prices and volume discounts. Some have none at all.
Prioritize Quality
Look for suppliers that offer hats from brands that prioritize quality, fair labor practices, and sustainable manufacturing. These factors emphasize your effort to align with consumer values. Better product is an added bonus.
Customization
Another underrated aspect is retailers procuring blank hats and apparel from one source and getting them customized from a different source. This can considerably increase the cost of procurement.
Once you’ve secured your hats, check whether the suppliers offer professional customization services. Some actually do. And they know what they’re doing. Buying hats from them and getting the hats customized by them is a great way to build a relationship with the supplier, which will not only cut your costs but also benefit you in many ways in the long run.
Made For Spring
Here are some fresh ideas to make your spring hat collection stand out.
Embroidery and Appliques
Embroidered designs, quirky appliques, and playful patches can transform a simple baseball cap or bucket hat into a one-of-a-kind statement piece; provided they come in colors that reflect the season’s vibes.
Fabric Manipulation
A more advanced customization technique, fabric manipulations involve manipulating the hat material like rouching, pleating, or smocking to add texture and dimension. It’s best used on berets or sun hats.
Decoration
You might already have a list of trendy embellishments in mind. There is a lot you can do here, like pom-poms, tassels, or beaded accents. These decorations can make trucker caps or bucket hats truly unique.
Color Blocking
Play with bold color combinations by color blocking brims, crowns, or panels on baseball caps or bucket hats for a fresh, modern look.
Custom Prints
Floral patterns, abstract designs, psychedelic artwork – customizations are limited only by creativity. Custom-printed fabrics easily elevate a simple hat into a work of art. This is also where a little collaboration with local artists or designers can boost your business momentum. Offer limited-edition headwear items that aren’t found anywhere else.
Mind The Styles
When curating your spring hat collection, be sure to include a diverse range of styles to cater to different tastes and occasions. Here are some must-haves:
Berets
These classic French-inspired hats are perfect complements for spring outfits with an effortless chic appeal. Look for lightweight fabrics like cotton or linen for warm-weather wear.
Baseball Hats
Spring or summer, baseball caps rule. They can perfectly reflect spring’s casual, jovial vibe with the right kind of customization.
Trucker Caps
Trucker caps, being breathable, are solid picks for customers looking forward to some outdoor fun and spring adventures. Go for 5-panel trucker hats with a foam front and add unique prints on them for a norm-breaking twist.
Bucket Hats
Bucket hats are versatile, can be dressed up or down, and are simply inevitable during spring. Try to offer reversible bucket hats or color-blocked ones.
Sun Hats
As the weather warms up, customers will be seeking sun protection. You can give them stylish sun protection with sun hats. Fedoras and oversized visors in lightweight fabrics are perfect for beach days. Good old straw hats will do the trick too. Make sure to offer wide brim options along with regular sun hats.
Pay attention to all the above, and curating a spring hat collection will be a breeze. Your offerings should not only follow the latest fashion trends but also reflect your brand’s unique personality. Remember, a well-curated collection is more than just a set of products. You can weave a cohesive story around them that resonates with your customers. Women entrepreneurs specialize in just that, after all.
Good luck.
