Sportswear goes plastic for spring
Recycled materials used in activewear
By Mark Samora Special to the Kansan
Those plastic bottles taken to the recycling center could be used in sweaters to keep hikers warm as they ascend a hill or mountain.
This Post Consumer Recycled material, or PRC, is a new fabric created in an effort to manufacture clothes that are nature-friendly.
The plastic is mechanically altered into green and white flakes, according to the Patagonia Sportswear Company, creators of PRC. The flakes are then melted and spun into fiber. Next, the fiber is spun into yarn and eventually knit into fabric.
This is just one of many different trends in activewear available this spring.
Activewear or sportswear is designed to be user-friendly. These types of clothes are low impact and allow for
maximum comfort in strenuous situations. Whatever sport a person chooses — rock climbing, mountain biking, or jogging — there is a line of clothes custom built for his or her particular needs.
When shopping for activewear, people should keep in mind what type of climate in which they will be. The climate in Kansas can be hot and humid. To meet the needs of Kansas athletes, sporting-goods stores offer activewear that helps counteract some of the effects of these conditions.
Name brands like Bellwether, Nike and Hind design shorts, tops and jackets that are lightweight, quick-drying and air-permeable. These features can make workouts much more comfortable and longer lasting.
Customers can expect to see different colors in these brands of activewear, said Dan Hughes, assistant manager of Sunflower Outdoor Clothing, 802 Massachusetts St.
"This spring there seems to be a shift from earth tones, such as drab greens and browns to colors, not as bright as neon, but more like brick reds, aqua, and rustic flavors," Hughes said.
Students try to gauge trends when shopping
By Jenny Stevens Special to the Kansan
"We're pretty cautious when we buy," said Midge Grinstead, manager of Natural Way Natural Fiber Clothing, 820 Massachusetts St. "We look for basics and occasionally one-of-a-kind fashions."
Mexican-style ponchos are one example of a fad. Natural Way sold 24 to 60 a month when they were popular two years ago. But sales plummeted a few months later, Grinstead said.
Lindsay Frey walks into her favorite clothing store. She eyes the new fashions and makes her selections carefully. She tries to guess which of the new styles will be around for a couple seasons and chooses those clothes.
"I don't like to spend money on clothes that I know I won't wear next season," said Frey. Leawood sophomore.
Frey is similar to many KU students on a tight budget. She doesn't want to buy clothes that will only be fashionable for a few months.
Another popular style that Grinstead predicted would not sell as much in coming seasons was cardigan sweaters from Ecuador.
Consumers are not the only ones who are wary of fads. Buyers for clothing stores also must keep their eyes open for styles that will sell a lot at the beginning and then become obsolete.
"We sold 200 sweaters last year, and we only reordered 40 this year," she said.
Some retailers recommend that consumers stick to buying clothes that could be described as trends or classics.
Cheryl Murray, fashion instructor at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Shawnee, said that trends were styles that would be around for a few years. She said classics were styles that satisfied basic wardrobe needs and would remain in general fashion acceptance for a long period of time.
One example of an ongoing trend is the shoe boot. The shoe boot looks like a cowboy boot when covered by long jeans, but it is actually an ankle-high shoe.
Some examples of past trends are big clip hair bows and oversized sweaters worn with big jeans, making up the style commonly called the baggy look. Both of these trends were around for several seasons but then completely died off, Murray said.
Blazers, leggings and Levi's jeans are all classics that are guaranteed good buys Murray said.
Grinstead made some predictions about the start of new trends that might become classics. She said that the vintage look has become popular and that it might join the ranks of other classics. The casual look will also continue to be popular.
So what did Lindsay Frey decide to purchase? She bought a pair of Levi's jeans and a simple plaid shirt.
"I know these clothes will be in style for a long time," Frey said. "They won't be pushed to the back of my closet next season, never to be seen again."