8 Takeaways for Apparel Brands from Texworld 2025

Highlight had the pleasure of attending Texworld NYC, the leading textile event connecting global textile manufacturers, fabric sourcing companies, and sustainable fabric suppliers with buyers from across the U.S. market.

After back-to-back days of meeting with the apparel industry’s top innovators, here were Strategic Account Director Dilara Sharifi’s and Apparel Account Executive Lukas Cartmell’s 8 biggest takeaways: 

Value Perception in Apparel

The big question brands need to answer is where their value lies—whether it's comfort, style, functionality, durability, or a combination of all these factors. The suggestion to use a Wear Test with a Key Drivers analysis is essential because it provides real-world, in-context insights into how consumers experience the product. Digital testing can’t capture how a garment holds up after multiple wears and washes, especially in terms of comfort, fit, and long-term durability. It’s that hands-on experience that gives consumers a true sense of whether they’re getting value for their money.

Challenger Brands are Winning the Casual Athlete Market

Over the past six years, challenger brands have increasingly stolen market share from the big four (Nike, Adidas, Puma, Under Armour) by targeting more lifestyle-oriented consumers. These consumers value comfort and style as much as performance. Think Lululemon, Hoka, Columbia, and Fila. The rise of athleisure among Millennials and Gen Z (with 2 out of 3 wearing athleisure several times a week) shows that sportswear has evolved from a performance-only category into an everyday lifestyle choice. This shift means brands need to rethink their focus, considering the everyday consumer, not just professional athletes.

Sustainability & Consumer Behavior

Sustainability is still a growing concern, but it’s clear that guilt-driven messaging doesn’t work. Consumers are more likely to adopt sustainable practices if brands make these choices easier. Circularity programs (like Rothy's) or offering product longevity programs (like Levi’s repairs) resonate more than simply telling people to make “good” choices. The goal is to integrate sustainability naturally into the brand narrative, showing how it benefits the consumer, rather than using it as a separate, guilt-ridden message. This approach builds trust and makes sustainability feel attainable rather than a burden.

The 50+ Consumer Market

The 50+ age group represents a goldmine for brands, especially those in the sportswear and athleisure spaces. They’re more influenced by comfort and functionality, are more brand loyal, and have more disposable income than younger consumers. This demographic feels underserved, and brands that can tap into their needs for practical, comfortable, and high-quality products are in a great position for growth.

Shift in Quality Across Price Points

There's a noticeable trend toward better quality in the mid-market and premium segments, with quality being a major factor in consumer decisions, especially as more people become price-sensitive in the current retail environment. This shows that consumers are becoming more discerning and are willing to invest in products that offer durability, comfort, and good design—even at mid-tier price points.

Sustainability in Product Development

There’s a clear push for brands to focus on sustainable production practices, including textile-to-textile recycling. Eileen Fisher’s take-back program, for instance, aims to close the loop on textiles, but challenges remain, including logistics and supply chain alignment. Highlight can assist in helping brands prioritize sustainability features and communicate these effectively to consumers—whether it’s in the materials, product longevity, or the broader sustainability narrative.

The Casualization of Workwear

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward casual, comfort-driven attire, pushing many people away from traditional work clothes and into more flexible, comfortable options like athleisure. This trend is reshaping how brands think about their product offerings, and it's another opportunity for challenger brands to capitalize on the growing demand for comfort-first apparel that’s stylish enough to wear in a variety of settings.

Gen Z's Complexity

Gen Z is incredibly hard to segment due to their diverse needs and behaviors, but their influence is undeniable. They are both driving and being driven by social change, including sustainability and ethical consumption. Brands need to tap into their core values rather than just appealing to them as a demographic. Building trust and offering authentic experiences and products that align with Gen Z’s values is key.

The Key Takeaway for Brands

Ultimately, brands must evolve their testing and development strategies to stay competitive in today’s market. Wear tests with deep consumer insights will allow brands to understand what drives their consumers' purchasing decisions—comfort, style, functionality, or sustainability. Brands also need to think beyond athletes, focusing on the broader consumer who now views sportswear as part of a lifestyle. By combining real-world testing with targeted marketing and sustainability efforts, brands can better connect with consumers and maintain long-term relevance.

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