Knitted sweatshirts become the new favorite: Tech fabrics + fashionable designs ignite the 2024 sportswear and Casual wear market.
【 Industry Trends
With the popularization of a healthy lifestyle and the continuous popularity of Athleisure, knitted sweatshirts have become the focus of the global clothing market in 2024. According to data from market research firm Statista, the global sportswear market size is expected to exceed 450 billion US dollars by 2025. Among them, knitted sportswear, due to its breathability, elasticity and fashionability, has an annual growth rate as high as 12%, far exceeding traditional sportswear.
"Product Innovation
Upgrade of technological fabrics
Leading brands such as Nike, Lululemon, and Uniqlo have all adopted eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester (rPET) and plant-based spandex, combined with 3D knitting technology, to achieve "seamless one-piece molding", reducing seam friction and enhancing the comfort of sports activities. Some high-end series also incorporate antibacterial silver ion and temperature-regulating coatings to meet the all-weather wearing requirements.
Design cross-border integration
Fashion collaboration: Adidas has collaborated with designer Stella McCartney to launch a detachable hooded knitwear that combines functionality with street style.
Retro Revival: The loose silhouette of the 90s combined with fluorescent color fringes has sparked the #RetroSportwear topic on TikTok, with over 100 million views.
Smart wearables: Domestic brand Li-Ning has embedded flexible sensors that can monitor heart rate through an APP, highlighting the concept of "technological health preservation".
"Consumer Trends
Diversified scenarios: Over 60% of the respondents indicated that they would wear knitted sweatshirts to the office, socialize, and even attend semi-formal occasions.
Enhanced environmental awareness: 67% of Generation Z are willing to pay a premium for sweatshirts made from recycled ocean plastic.
Customized demands: Niche brands have achieved a doubling of weekly sales through the "online yarn selection +AI pattern recommendation" model for personalized customization.
"Market Challenges
Despite rapid growth, the industry still faces problems such as cost pressure (the price of high-end functional fabrics has risen by 18% year-on-year) and inconsistent green certification standards. Experts suggest that brands reduce premiums through large-scale production and technology sharing, while enhancing supply chain transparency to win consumer trust.