CampusEDGE

Editor's Note

June is the quiet month that decides your fall. Graduation is behind you. The campus is emptier. But this is exactly when the buying decisions that shape your back-to-school floor get made — or missed.

Orientation families are about to walk in for the first time. They're spending. Fall import orders need to be placed now — not in August when it's too late. And with tariffs pushing import apparel costs up significantly, there's a real case for leaning into domestic production this cycle.

This issue covers what to prioritize right now: orientation readiness, the tariff landscape, trend direction for fall, CWS hat deadlines, and the hard deadlines on import fleece. Plus — Blue 84 and Zephyr at the Indy 500.

Import Fleece Pool 3 closes June 20. This is the last call.

James Smith ·

Wall and Broad Supply Co.

Blue 84 / Zephyr Headwear · Northeast Territory

In This Issue

June 2026 · Orientation Season

Orientation Is Your First Impression

New student orientation is the first time incoming freshmen and their families walk into your store. They're excited, they're spending, and they're forming an opinion about your floor that lasts all year. This is the moment to be fully stocked and visually sharp.

Here's what should be front and center when orientation families walk in.

Fall Preview · What's Selling

Varsity, Vintage & Muted Tones — Fall 2026 Trend Direction

The trend data for fall is clear: varsity is having a moment. Oversized lettering, jersey-style elements, and vintage wash aesthetics are dominating campus style boards. Who What Wear flagged the varsity tee as the silhouette of Summer 2026, and it carries straight into fall.

On the color side, Gen Z is moving toward muted and tonal — sage green, washed navy, dusty rose, soft beige. Tonal embroidery and subtle branding (woven tags, small sleeve prints) are outperforming loud, full-chest graphics with this buyer. The 90's Graphics and New for 2026 lookbooks cover both ends of this spectrum.

Quarter-zips continue climbing. Premium-feel fabrics in relaxed fits are what this generation reaches for — casual but intentional. If your fall assortment doesn't have quarter-zips and crews in muted tones, you're missing what's moving.

Sources: Who What Wear · Strategic Factory · Fresh Prints

Co-Brand Programs · Update

Warner Bros., Hello Kitty & Disney — All Active

All three co-brand programs are in production and shipping. Warner Bros. (Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Flintstones) launched in April and first orders are arriving now. Here are the latest Warner Bros. ship dates for orders entered by 5/22:

Hello Kitty continues to perform — UCLA's pop-up section was a case study in what dedicated floor space can do. Disney remains the anchor co-brand. Contact me for pricing, minimums, and art requirements on any program.

Production

Turn Times & Import Fleece Deadlines

Updated May 29 production turn times for Blue 84 and Zephyr. All times listed in business days. Key changes: Blue 84 Sublimation is now 25 days (up from 8), Zephyr Import Air is 10 weeks and Boat is 17 weeks. New art, comp, and web image request timelines are included below.

Blue 84 Standard Production

Blue 84 New Art, Comp & Web Image Requests

Zephyr Domestic Production

Zephyr New Art, Comp & Web Image Requests

Warehouse Handling: For orders requiring post-production handling, add 1–2 business days to the turn times above.