The summer sales season is officially back and better than ever. After a long year of canceled events and being cooped up inside, consumers are more eager than ever to attend the plethora of events kicking off around the country, from music festivals to comedy shows to charity runs. With these outdoor events comes the need for easy, breezy, layerable pieces that are perfect for branding, giving away or selling as merch. Yup, we’re talking about tank tops.

To secure and fulfill the greatest amount of tank top orders this summer, make sure you’re presenting trendy, fashion-forward garments that end-users actually want to wear. We’re rounding up the latest fits, cuts, colors and fabrics that consumers are gravitating toward in retail so you can provide the same level of cutting-edge know-how to your promo apparel clients.

Top Trending Muscle Tanks

Muscle tanks should be one of the first tank top styles you present to clients for two reasons. First off, they’re an extremely timely trend, being rocked by influencers and fashionistas for their summer streetwear fits all over. Secondly, they’re just as multifunctional as they are fashion-forward. Whether end-users are heading to a festival, the gym or simply running errands, muscle tanks will be the first tops they grab to wear this year – which means your client’s brand will be worn all over town too.

As for which styles to sell, the unisex Muscle Tank (6333) from Next Level Apparel is the perfect place to start. Great for all genders, shapes and sizes, this flowy and relaxed tank is lightweight with a soft hand feel that's sure to keep consumers feeling cool and confident wherever they’re headed. It also fits true to size compared to leading fashion brands.

If your clients are trying to target a primarily female audience, go for the Women’s Festival Muscle Tank (5013). It provides a flattering silhouette without being too tight or constricting, plus its super soft silk-like feel results in a premium impression. You can bet these tanks will be worn over and over, long after summer is through.

Remember: Muscle tanks are also great because they offer more coverage than standard spaghetti-strap tanks allow. Explain this selling point to your clients on your sales calls, as this means muscle tanks can be worn in more places, resulting in increased impressions per each top your clients purchase.

Ideal Tanks With Mass Appeal

If your clients need to appeal to a diverse audience, focus your suggestions on styles that strike a balance between providing the ideal fashion, value and comfort. Since you won’t know each individual’s apparel preference, it’s paramount to speak to all three demands with each tank top you present.

For example, the Women’s Ideal Racerback Tank (1533) is Next Level Apparel’s #1 selling women’s tank top, so you know this promo has mass appeal. Not only does the fit and feel work for any industry, project or event, Next Level has also managed to keep its entry point price in tow too. This is a great solution for cost-conscious clients who are still trying to make up revenue from last year’s challenges. Now they can invest in popular and crowd-pleasing tank tops without breaking the bank.

The Ideal Color Block Racerback Tank (1534) is another terrific option, particularly for clients who want tank tops that are unique and will stand out from the crowd. This style is a popular seller for the collegiate and spiritwear, thanks to its pop of color blocked pizzazz. This allows your clients to invest in branded tanks with two colors for the price of one: extremely handy for clients like colleges, public school districts and professional or recreational sports teams.

Fun & Fashionable Festival Tanks

Your clients are excited to get back out there and interact with their audience. Mirror that feeling for their next event by recommending flattering tanks featuring fresh colors and relaxed fits seen in retail. The Festival Collection by Next Level Apparel checks off all of these boxes and then some. This collection also allows you to fulfill large apparel program orders too, as each style in the set comes in the same bright and cheery colors for a cohesive brand look across multiple products.

Now onto the styles themselves. You can’t go wrong with the Women’s Festival Scoop (5030) for clients seeking a retail-approved top with a relaxed fit. The Women’s Festival Sleeveless V (5040) is another top option. Be sure to point out its modestly curved hem for a little fashionable flair. Crop tops are also especially trendy for the summer months, making the Women’s Festival Cali Crop (5080) worthy of being in your sales presentations. Last but not least, let’s not forget the Women’s Festival Muscle Tank (5013). Again, muscle tanks are terrific for the summer festival circuit!

Add-on Opportunity: Layer Up With Hoodies

Tank tops aren’t just for summer – they’re wardrobe staples that are worn year-round, layered with other pieces. This means all of your tank top projects are prime opportunities to score add-on orders for hoodies too. Highlight a few complementary styles as you present your tank tops, or perhaps even bring samples to show how great they look layered together.

We recommend the Unisex Santa Cruz Fleece Pullover Hoodie (9303) as an easy “grab and pull on” option, perfect for those chilly summer nights or the first crisp days of fall. If your clients prefer a zip-on, try the Unisex Santa Cruz Fleece Zip Hoodie (9602) or the Women's Malibu Fleece Raglan Zip Hoodie (9603). Both come in a wide range of sizes and color options that pair perfectly with Next Level’s tank tops.

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