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To Market, To Market

Look for these key trends at the Atlanta Apparel Children’s show.

In the age where consumers can access virtually anything at the click of a mouse (hello, overwhelm), retailers are increasingly valued for their expert, artful curation. An assortment of fresh, high-quality items is particularly important in the children’s industry, where busy parents are starved for vetted pieces that are as soft as they are on-trend and aesthetically pleasing. Retailers who are nailing the mix usually have one thing in common: they attend an array of shows and stay at each one for the long-haul.

Morgan Ramage, fashion and events director at Atlanta Apparel ANDMORE, is making that even easier for buyers with new initiatives for Atlanta’s February market. They include a daily, free buyer lunch Tuesday through Thursday, a “Taste of Atlanta” food tour, and a Market Insider influencer program where notable buyers provide tips and insights.

“Atlanta is a central hub for amazing food, lots of culture and art, and has the busiest airport in the world — making it one of the most accessible places to travel to,” she adds. “You also can’t beat the Southern hospitality and charm of our Atlanta community.”

Ramage has her eye on brands like Dondolo, Prodoh, and Snuggle Hunny. Also, Atlanta is adding such new showrooms as Rylee + Cru and Mila & Rose into the mix. Trend-wise, she’s loving pieces with boho flair, ripe with mommy-and-me potential. “It includes boho craft details like rompers and dresses, sweater and knit sets, and cardigans,” she says. “I’m also loving all of the texture we are seeing across accessories and outerwear.”

To dive deeper into this season’s trends, Ramage and the team at Atlanta Apparel are peeling back the curtain with this Fall/Winter 2025 forecast ahead of February’s show.

Color & Prints

Consumers are seeking both longevity and novelty for fall, focusing on long-lasting colors that can be carried over to future seasons, like soft pastels, deep reds, vibrant turquoise, and nostalgic shades. Following a recent burst in womenswear, deep reds add depth to items like bomber jackets and sweatshirts. For tween, look for ethereal moonstone hues aligning with contemporary streetwear trends. In the eco-conscious category, find warm spiced neutrals that can extend beyond seasons. Cosmetic pink will continue to be a strong option in girls, particularly with vintage-inspired themes.

For prints, stripes and classic big-cat patterns take an unconventional turn with offset placements and unexpected color. Western culture (looking at you, Taylor) will continue to trend, with new prints that incorporate rustic farmhouse prints and graphics. Pops of sweet treats adorn graphic tees for fall and sweaters/cardigans for winter.

Apparel

In the apparel category, themes like ’90s nostalgia, craft, and classic prep are manifested in cozy silhouettes with sumptuous textures. Look for polka dots, tulle, and collars in a playful circus aesthetic. Other key pieces include poet blouses, knit vests, bubble hems, plaid shackets, plush trousers, utility sweatshirts and cargos, rugby sweaters, and craft-inspired cardigans.

For outerwear, key pieces are heavy on volume, including fleece jackets, bomber jackets, and puffer coats and vests.

Left to Right:
Dress- Lemonade Stand Sales, Hatley
Olive Green Coat, & Socks- Janet Hunter Hawkins, Abel & Lula
Bear Sweater- Lemonade Stand Sales, Hatley
Pants- Lemonade Stand Sales, Blue Quail Clothing Co.

Footwear

In footwear, sustainability is playing a big story, as well as cozy materials injected into perennial styles for kids. Western continues here, too, with rodeo-inspired decorative elements and maximist outdoor styling. Look for silhouettes spanning decorative mules, cozy slip-ons, Mary Janes, gothic ballet flats, the Yeti boot, combat boots, utility shoes, and adjustable outdoor shoes.

Accessories

As with outerwear, tactile materials and cocooning quilted applications offer cozy updates for accessories, along with value-adding modular design elements. Think textural berets, waffle beanies, bucket hats, plush balaclavas, and puffer hoods. For bags, look for minimalist backpacks, ruffled crossbodies, padded totes, and plush mini purses.

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