Apart from upgrading construction, makers boost product performance by adopting functional, and plant- or animal-based materials.

TOP TRENDS

• Improved durability: Suppliers employ double stitching to strengthen seams. Nonwoven fabric is also placed under embroidered sections to prevent the garment from puckering and stretching after washing.
• Natural & treated textiles: Lightweight cotton, linen and ramie are popular for spring and summer casual shorts. Warmth-retentive wool, a material typically used in winter wear, is mixed with cotton for added comfort. Sports pairs adopt functional nylon and polyester. These are chosen for the anti-bacterial, quick-dry and UV-protective qualities.
• Eye-catching look: More attractive embellishments such as full-sized and irregularly shaped sublimation prints are chosen, with many of them using photographic designs. Differently hued fabrics are also utilized to provide visual interest.
• Price forecast: Quotes for knitted children’s shorts are expected to rise 10 to 15 percent in coming months, about 5 percent more than the projected markup for woven types. This is due to knitted textile costs increasing roughly 15 percent in 2011.

Product gallery Beingmate Group Megawa Fashion Co. Ltd Model: CK0305 Description: 100% ramie; sizes 2 to 14

Huzhou Intl Co-operating Imp. & Exp. Co. Ltd Model: C9 Description: 100% cotton; striped; custom designs

Luke (Shanghai) Garment & Accessories Trading Co. Ltd Model: 1 Description: 100% cotton denim; 10oz; water-washed; for 4 to 8 years old

Qistar International Ltd Model: Kams Description: 100% polyester microfiber; 140gsm; custom prints, colors, packaging

Wingtas Garment Group Model: LS-10MB-0602 Description: 100% polyester microfiber; 70gsm polyester mesh lining; striped; in various sizes

Zhejiang Orient Junye I/E Co. Ltd Model: 5703 Description: 100% polyester; 120gsm; custom prints, colors, packaging

Note: This article "Better design, fabric choice enhance quality of children's shorts" was originally published by Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with China manufacturers and India suppliers, providing essential sourcing information to volume buyers through our e-magazines, trade shows and industry research.

All price quotes in this report are in US dollars unless otherwise specified. FOB prices were provided by the companies interviewed only as reference prices at the time of interview and may have changed.

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