In the world of custom apparel, design is everything. A shirt isn’t just something you wear—it’s a statement, a mood, a walking billboard. And as trends shift, so do the styles that turn heads and spark conversations. From throwbacks to predicted colors of the year, we’re breaking down what’s hot in the world of design.

TREND 1 : THROWBACK TEES & TECHY TOTES

RETRO NOSTALGIA

Retro nostalgia is always in, one way or another, but these days there is a lot of interest in a Y2K look, which can mean referencing early internet culture and graphics, like an AOL emoji or the Internet Explorer Icon. Callbacks to old tech, arcades, VHS tapes, or looking forward to the future and imagining robots, flying cars and the re emerging interest in space travel. Of course, being based in Houston, we’re all too familiar with NASA iconography! We are in a new era of rapid technological advances largely centering around AI and its applications which mirrors the curiosity and uncertainty of the early 00’s.

TREND 2 : YOU BETTER SHAPE UP!

BOLD SHAPES

You’ll notice a lot of trendy designs, branding, and apparel make use of big organic shapes. They’re often used as a pattern or a unique way to frame an image. The terms ‘Bouba’ and ‘Kiki’ are often used to describe certain shapes and are associated to emotions, even though they have no inherent definition. In design, the shapes and colors used may affect the tone that comes across in the final product. When a ‘Kiki’ shape is used, viewers may get a sharp and energetic vibe, while a ‘Bouba’ shape gives a more laid back and comforted feel.

Enter Henri Matisse, a 20th century French painter, who is known for his use of expressive colors, and in later years, his recognizable cut outs. His style has a huge influence on this design trend.

TREND 3 : CONTOUR DE FORCE

CONTOUR & HAND DRAWN

Other design trends focus on less tech and more on sketched lines and natural textures. They lean into a more handmade feel, which could be seen as a push back against the rise of AI in art. If something is handdrawn or utilizes a little planned irregularity, it reminds people that another human had a hand in it’s making, which is heartwarming. It’s why we at APDAT love to show off the print process at our live activation events! These design styles are more than aesthetics—they echo what is culturally relevant today, are a reflection of our past tastes, and have the ability to evoke feelings of nostalgia and ingenuity, but that may just be the graphic designer nerds in us.

Matisse’s work also made use of simple contour lines, or in other words, the outline of the subject. This design style is referred to as contour and is a way to portray a subject or image simply without needing multiple values.

TREND 3 : MOODY HUES

COLORS OF THE YEAR

There are a few organizations that predict what colors can be expected to be seen in fashion, home goods, graphic design, marketing materials and more. Pantone is best known for their Pantone Matching System, which provides a standardized color language for various industries to use when working on their designs. Each year, Pantone announces a ‘Color of the Year’, and has given ‘Mocha Mousse’ the highlight spot for 2025. They describe the color as nurturing and “answering our desire for comfort”.

Another predictor is WGSN—a trend forecasting company who use a different color language called ‘Coloro’. ‘Future Dusk’ is their 2025 pick, which gives a moody hue with a sense of mystery and escapism—perfect for a period of immense change. The name and description evoke emotion for a new era of excitement with a little anxiety.

Both Colors of the Year come with suggested complimentary colors that combine deep or bright hues with more neutral tones, which keep it visually interesting and more likely to grab your attention. Stay on trend and check out our style picks below.