2020 Winter Outerwear Styles and Trends

Branded winter outerwear makes an excellent promotional item for a loyal customer, valued employee or prospective partner. 

According to the ASI 2019 Ad Impressions Study, a piece of outerwear generates more than 6,100 impressions throughout its lifetime, which is nearly double the amount of T-shirts — those tend to generate about 3,400 impressions.

As with all apparel, promotional clothing is subject to the ever-changing whims and trends of fashion, and customized embroidered jackets are no exception. 

Identifying outerwear trends helps you select garments that match your target market’s preferences and look modern, which in turn maximizes your ROI on promotional purchases.

With that said, what are the outerwear trends for 2020? 

All-Inclusive Sizing

Body positivity reminds us all that people come in all shapes and sizes. Reflecting this, clothing companies are increasing the sizing option available for promotional use. This is great news, as it increases your chances of finding the size of outerwear you need. 

Ditch the Natural Down Jackets

Demand for outerwear made with synthetic down is on the increase, due to a number of intersecting 2020 trends. Real down, while an effective insulator, is expensive and difficult to care for, while most people prefer the convenience of wash-and-wear clothing.

Allergic reactions to down are always possible — no-one wants a promotional item that sends someone to the hospital. Concerns about animal rights have also reduced interest in natural down, especially when coupled with the sustainability movement that exploded onto the international scene in 2019. 

Like natural down, synthetic down works by trapping air between the body and the outer layer of the garment. It’s a popular insulator in puffer jackets, such as those produced by the Independent Trading Co.

Brightly Colored Winter Outerwear

Retro fashion proves nothing goes out of style forever, and clothing colors reminiscent of the 1980s and early 1990s are expected to be big in 2020. Outerwear trends for women are towards cheerful colors that brighten up drab winter days. examples include:

• Storm-Tech’s Edge Softshell Jacket,
• Tri-Mountain’s Ascent (in Coral), and
• Charles River’s New Englander Rain Jacket.

Lightweight Winter Jackets

Weatherproof, warm outerwear has traditionally been quite bulky, but advances in fabric technology have led to lightweight winter outerwear that retains warmth while resisting wind and rain. This outerwear trend owes its existence to mountaineering wear, which required maximum comfort while taking up a minimum of space. 

Popular lightweight custom embroidered jackets include:

• The men’s Thermoball Trekker Jacket from The North Face,
• The ladies’ Soft-Shell Bonded Jacket from Matrix,
• The men’s Flight Jacket from Tri-Mountain, and 
• The ladies’ Soft-Shell Jacket from Charles River.

The Classics: Leather Outerwear and Personalized Carhartt Jackets 

Outer wear trends bring new styles and colors every year, but it’s important to remember some clothing never goes out of style. Leather jackets remain a popular choice with men and women, as does the rugged good looks and durability of a personalized Carhartt jacket.

This isn’t to say companies like Carharrt are resting on their laurels. They pay close attention to the latest outerwear trends and incorporate them into their line. For instance, Carharrt’s Crowley Soft Shell Jacket blends the latest in lightweight winter outerwear trends with the brand’s reputation for sturdy, attractive, and long-lasting clothing. 

Not sure which 2020 outerwear trends will work best with your brand? Check out our 2020 trends list, or contact us. We’ll help you choose the best custom embroidered jackets and outerwear for your needs.