Statista’s market data reports that the Jerseys, Sweatshirts & Pullovers market in the US generated a whopping $14.17 billion in 2024. This is also the highest annual revenue in the segment this year when compared globally. And to top this off, this market is also growing each year. The data also makes it a safe bet to conclude that there is a growing demand for jerseys, sweatshirts and pullovers.
Pullovers, particularly, are dominating fashion basics regardless of seasons. And all of that comes down to the fabrics used to make them. For store owners and decorators, understanding fabric variations is vital to capitalize on this market demand and improve profits.
Breaking Down The Most Popular Fabric Blends
Clothing store owners and decorators generally source blank pullovers from wholesale sources to minimize investment and get the best per-piece pricing on the garments. These blanks could be from various brands. Each brand has its own uniqueness when it comes to fabric and fabric blends. Covering everything would take a while. So let’s dive into some of the most popular and innovative fabric blends of pullovers from America’s most beloved wholesale apparel brands.
Heavy Blend™: Gildan’s trademarked Heavy Blend technology is for those heavyweight pullovers. Heavy Blend™ pullovers are made with the finest yarns and an innovative MVS Air spinning technology. The result is a cozy fabric with brushed interiors, pill-resistance and more durability. Also, a smoother printing surface.
Ultimate Cotton®: Ultimate Cotton is a popular lineup from Hanes, as much as it’s a fabric technology. Ultimate Cotton sweatshirts are luxury personified due to the quality of the cotton, a 100% cotton face, high stitch density and incredible comfort.
NuBlend®: NuBlend is among the most sought-after fabric blends in the market today. A Jerzees registered trademark, NuBlend might be the brand’s answer to Gildan’s Heavy Blend that makes the garment pill-resistant and friendlier to smooth printing. Additionally, all NuBlend styles are known for cozy comfort and soft feel.
Sponge Fleece: Sponge Fleece is another factor that contributed to the popularity of Bella+Canvas. The fabric is ultra-soft and really cozy with amazing structure retention
Ecosmart®: Hanes Ecosmart pullovers are really popular in the market. Every garment branded with their Ecosmart will have sustainably-sourced materials for the fabric.
Poly-Cotton Fleece: The perfect middle ground between comfort and performance.
Double Dry Eco®: Champion combines their Double Dry and Eco Fleece technologies for the Double Dry Eco fabric. With excellent moisture-wicking and quick-dry traits, the garment will also have a fleece made of eco-friendly or sustainably-sourced materials.
DryBlend®: This is how Gildan brings superior moisture management in their garments for active lifestyles. Additionally, the garment also gets considerable resistance to shrinking.
Supercotton™: A dense knit construction by Fruit of the Loom, blending US-grown high quality cotton and polyester pre-shrunk fleece for premium decorating results.
French Terry: Cotton but better, French Terry has soft loops that enable improved air circulation in the fabric and adds more flexibility. Some say French Terry is superior to fleece and jersey.
Reverse Weave®: Reverse Weave pullovers from Champion are among the most premium wholesale hooded sweatshirts in the market today. The fabric is known for durability, very low-shrinkage and an abundant presence of cotton in a cotton-poly blend. The first ever sweatshirt engineered in the world by Champion back in the 1930s came to be known as the Reverse Weave.
Jersey: Light, breathable, and perfect for layering
Triblend Sponge Fleece: A Bella+Canvas Sponge Fleece garment but with a fabric that blends three materials instead of two. Generally a blend of supersoft ringspun cotton, polyester and rayon.
Tailgate Fleece: Fleece known for outdoor-ready construction
Smart Fabric Selection & Tips
Smart fabric selection drives sales. Here’s what we’re seeing:
- Sustainability-focused customers gravitate toward Ecosmart® and Double Dry Eco®
- Athletic buyers prefer DryBlend® and NuBlend
- Fashion-forward shoppers love Triblend and Sponge Fleece
- Value seekers looking for heavyweight apparel generally favor Heavy Blend™ durability
Your competitive edge lies in offering the right fabric for each customer. Here are a few important tips.
- Stock varied fabric types to attract audience from different market segments
- Highlight performance features for specific use cases
- Build premium collections around high-end fabrics
- Create fabric-focused marketing campaigns
The pullover market’s expanding. Your understanding of these fabrics will help capture your share of the growth. Great fabric choices lead to happy customers, and happy customers keep coming back.
