How to Style Blank Apparel for Summer: Trendy and Effortless Looks
The temperature’s rising, the days are longer, and summer style is officially in session. While bold prints and bright colors are summer staples, nothing gives you more creative freedom than custom-made pieces built from blank apparel. Whether you run a small shop, design for your family, or just love a good DIY project, styling personalized pieces for warm-weather wear is the perfect way to show off your creativity and beat the heat in style.
This guide will walk you through styling your finished, customized apparel — sublimated, embroidered, or heat-pressed — into fashionable, effortless summer looks for women, kids, and beyond.
Why Custom Apparel Shines in Summer
Summer is the prime time for creativity, color, and comfort; custom apparel checks all those boxes. From designing graphic tanks with tropical themes to soft pastel prints for toddlers or funny summer slogans, customized pieces let your personality shine.
Lightweight fabrics, loose fits, and breathable materials make these pieces easy to wear in the heat. They're also great for layering, traveling, or packing for weekend adventures. Custom designs with sublimation or vinyl won’t fade, crack, or peel in the sun like store-bought prints.
With blank apparel, you can create a unique and versatile look, giving you an edge whether you’re selling your designs or wearing them yourself.
Choosing the Right Fabrics for Sublimation
Before designing for summer, knowing what fabrics work best for sublimation is essential. While cotton is ideal for tie-dye or embroidery, it doesn't hold sublimation ink. You'll need synthetic fabrics for crisp, vibrant prints, especially those with a high polyester content.
Look for shirts labeled specifically as shirts for sublimation, ideally with 65% or more polyester. These materials allow the dye to bond with the fibers during the heat press process, resulting in long-lasting, high-quality designs. Lightweight blends are best for summer, giving your finished products a soft, wearable feel without sacrificing print quality.
Want that perfect balance of comfort and print clarity? Moisture-wicking poly-blends are a summer favorite and work especially well for athleisure looks, beach coverups, and even sublimated dresses or skirts.
Styling Customized Apparel for Summer
You have the custom designs ready — now it’s time to turn them into looks that pop. There are many ways to style your creations for warm-weather wear.
Layering for Cool Summer Evenings
Even the hottest days can lead to cooler nights. Toss a light jacket or flannel over a customized tee or tank for a breezy nighttime look. Cropped cardigans or oversized chambray shirts add dimension while letting your design shine. Want to keep the spotlight on your artwork? Choose solid, neutral outer layers that won’t distract from your print.
Blank Apparel for Beach Days and Vacations
Oversized sublimated shirts make excellent swimsuit coverups. Pair them with flip-flops and a tote bag, and you’re vacation-ready. For a more polished look, tuck a custom tank into high-waisted shorts, add sunglasses, and throw your hair in a messy bun. Lightweight tanks and racerbacks are also perfect for layering over swimsuits or pairing with wrap skirts by the water.
Athleisure and Sporty Summer Outfits
Personalized tank tops and performance tees are perfect for summer workouts, hikes, or just running errands in comfort. Add biker shorts, a fanny pack, and sneakers to complete the look. Choose moisture-wicking blanks for extra comfort during active days, and keep designs clean and bold for that sporty vibe.
Festival and Concert Looks With Blank Apparel
Festivals and concerts are all about standing out. Create bold, eye-catching designs with bright colors, boho patterns, or music-inspired graphics. Pair your custom blank women's clothing with cutoffs, boots, and layered jewelry. Add a wide-brim hat or fringe bag for extra flair. Don’t forget the temporary tattoos and glitter if you're feeling adventurous.
Business Casual and Work-Appropriate Blank Apparel
Custom doesn’t have to mean casual. Sublimated polos or embroidered tanks can be styled with dress pants, midi skirts, or blazers for a work-ready summer outfit. Stick with minimalist designs or subtle branding if you're dressing for the office. The key is pairing the creative top with sleek, structured pieces on the bottom.
Custom Kids’ Looks: Summer Styling for Youth and Toddlers
Custom designs don’t stop with adults. Summer is the perfect season to create playful, comfortable looks for kids that parents and little ones will both love.
Youth Looks
Youth sublimation shirts are ideal for school breaks, day camps, or casual family outings. Keep the designs fun and seasonal — think beach themes, summer quotes, or personalized names. Pair with denim shorts, baseball caps, or colorful sneakers for a fun and functional outfit.
These shirts also work great for matching sibling sets or family vacation looks. Lightweight and easy to clean, they’re a hit for both makers and parents.
Toddler Styles
Toddler sublimation apparel is soft, durable, and made for movement. Whether a onesie with a summery slogan or a toddler tee with a custom birthday design, these pieces are perfect for everyday adventures. Style with leggings, sun hats, or even tiny sandals for a photo-ready look.
Add matching shorts or joggers for a complete outfit that's comfy and cute enough for playgrounds, stroller rides, or ice cream runs.
Match the Moment: Styling for Summer Activities
Need ideas for real-life summer events? Custom apparel fits right into every kind of warm-weather plan.
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Backyard BBQ: Pair a fun printed tee with distressed jeans and sneakers.
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Beach trip: Oversized tank with a sublimated tropical design tossed over your suit.
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Family reunion: Matching sets made from customized blanks in the same color scheme.
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4th of July party: Red, white, and blue graphics on lightweight blanks.
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Summer market booth: Wear your brand on your sleeve while staying cool.
Your designs should match the vibe of the event, but your styling helps bring the whole look together.
Accessorizing Custom Apparel
Accessories are the secret sauce for finishing any look. Even the best-designed shirt can feel incomplete without a little something extra.
For women, layer necklaces, bold earrings, or colorful sunglasses. Crossbody bags and wide-brim hats can turn a casual outfit into something photo-worthy. For kids, think playful: bandanas, cartoon sunnies, or colorful hair clips.
Even custom-printed totes or bandanas made from blanks can be styled to match your core design. The right accessory elevates your outfit and highlights your creativity as a maker or brand.
Choosing the Right Blanks for Summer Projects
Picking the correct blank apparel is the foundation of a successful summer look. The ideal blank is comfortable, lightweight, and easy to customize. Think flowy tanks, soft tees, relaxed v-necks, or even lightweight hoodies for breezy nights.
Look for blank women's clothing in cuts that flatter a variety of body types. Loose fits, curved hems, and breathable fabrics make styling easy and wearing comfortable.
When working with youth or toddlers, choose blanks designed explicitly for sublimation or heat transfers. These blanks hold up well to customization and playtime.
Soak Up the Style: Your Summer Starts with Bubbakins
Creating the perfect summer look starts with the proper blank. Bubbakins Blanks has everything you need to bring your warm-weather wardrobe to life. Whether you’re designing for your shop, your family, or your own closet, their collection of high-quality, ready-to-customize apparel is built for bold color, lasting comfort, and serious style.
Bubbakins offers the variety and quality for a standout summer lineup, from trendy blank women's clothing to toddler sublimation apparel and youth-ready styles. Shop today and prepare your designs for sunshine, style, and plenty of compliments.
