Edition Seven: Tee and polo trends for decorators – how to spot emerging styles and stay ahead

  Ralawise  •  12 March 2026

Spot what’s coming next – before your competitors do.

The big difference between decorators who thrive and those who just survive? Trend-spotting and recognising that new fashions don’t arrive fully formed. They emerge. They shape, they signal. And if you know where to look, you can see them coming.

But you’re busy. Orders to fulfil, clients to manage, deadlines to hit. The time-sink struggle of scrolling through fashion trade sites hunting for the next big thing is real.

That’s where Ralawise come in. Not to tell you what to stock this season – but to give you the tools, insights and resources to spot emerging trends yourself. So you’re always one step ahead, ready with the right recommendation when a client asks, “What's new?”

Where trends start and how they spread

Trends don’t start in-store. They start in streetwear, sportswear, social media – in the choices early adopters make before mainstream catches the wave.

Take oversized fits as an example. They didn’t appear overnight – momentum built through streetwear brands for years before corporate clients picked up the trend. Heavyweight tees, washed finishes, boxy cuts and earthy palettes followed the same path.

The decorator who sees these signals early is instantly in the driving seat, able to guide clients toward products that feel fresh and current – not dated before they’ve even been decorated.

Trend signals to watch

• Streetwear brands – Build Your Brand and New Morning Studios set the taste trajectory. Dropped shoulders, cropped cuts, heavyweight fabrics – it starts here.
• Sportswear innovation – Performance features that turn into everyday wear. TriDri’s moisture-wicking tees aren’t just for gyms anymore – they’re showing up in hospitality, events and anywhere comfort matters.
• Colour shifts – Stanley/Stella’s seasonal designs reflect bigger, bolder movements in fashion. New shades landing? Take note – these colours are likely to be in demand.

Your secret weapon: Visionnaire

We’ve scanned upcoming seasonal trends, so you don’t have to. Visionnaire, our seasonal trend guide, is more than a product catalogue – it’s a curated view of what’s moving, what’s shaking, and what your clients will be asking for next.

It connects fashion trends with commercial opportunity, shows which products are gaining momentum and why, and gives you the language to confidently talk about trends with clients.

It’s your free, seasonal style bible – regularly updated to keep you ahead of the competition.

Curating your on-trend thinking – build your decorator instincts

Insight is earned. The best decorators develop instincts over time, but even the sharpest instincts need nurturing.

Follow the right brands – Observe their styling, colours and fits. Keep an eye on Build Your Brand and New Morning Studios for streetwear inspiration.

Talk to your clients – They’re closer to end customers. What are they being asked for? These conversations are gold dust.

Use our resources – Beyond Visionnaire, our Resource Hub is packed with trend insights, product updates and market intelligence. Make it part of your routine.

Trust the data – What’s selling tells you what’s trending. Keep an eye on your own best-sellers and check in with us for market-wide patterns.

Win trust, win business – recommendations that elevate your client service

Walk into a client meeting and say, “Based on what we’re seeing in the market, I’d recommend moving toward these styles” – and you’re no longer competing on price. You’re winning on insight and expertise.

Your clients don’t just want someone to take their order. They want someone who makes them look good and helps them stay on-message – a trusted partner. Be that someone.

There’s more client spend than just trend

Trends aren’t about chasing what’s hot, but understanding what’s heating up – and being ready with the right recommendation when clients call.

For guidance on perfect fit and fabric, see Cut & Character – How Tee Styling, Fit, Fabric, and Colour Transform Decorated Apparel. For sector-specific strategies, check Wholesale Clothing Markets for Decorators – Where to Find New Clients and Grow Sales.

When you’re ready to dig deeper, make sure you check out Visionnaire. Stay curious. Stay connected. Let us help you stay ahead.

👉 Explore tees and polos at Ralawise