What began on the sidelines of sporting events as Spunkwear- a retailer for young girl athletes and their mothers, has matured and evolved into a thriving, flattering, favorite clothing line for women from coast to coast. As the brand has expanded and changed, it has added a new division…
Introducing Southwind Apparel. Southwind Apparel speaks to a large demographic of consumers. It is a multi-level clothing collection reflecting on the many roles a woman plays in her life. All women- All the time. It is fashion women can live in.
Devotees of Spunkwear can rest assured that what they love about the brand is still very much a part of Southwind Apparel. The new line will still be made with machine-washable, nylon spandex material that gives the undeniable flattering fit that its followers have come to love. Southwind Apparel, however, takes the success of Spunkwear to a higher level with the addition of new styles, accessories, design details and an expanded array of inspired, exclusively-designed prints. The result is a collection of pieces that are easily interchangeable, offering many wardrobe options and still translates to that effortless look – all at competitive prices.
Southwind Apparel is for professional women, stay-at-home moms, athletes, retirees and more. It takes women from daytime to date night, from the beach to the boardroom, from the gym to grocery store. It’s the perfect fit and fashion for swimming, boating, and stand-up paddle, and the latest style additions in Club Southwind are perfect for the golf course and tennis court.
Southwind Apparel’s roots will forever reflect the core values and high-quality products that have made Spunkwear a resounding success. The brand remains headquartered in Maryland where the relaxed attitude and lifestyle of the shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay and Kent Island provide the perfect inspiration for the design and style of Southwind Apparel. The new brand too will carry on the same proud tradition of being made in America with the highest UPF50 rated fabric.
With Maryland being a hotbed for lacrosse, Spunkwear’s first foray into the retail market in 2009 began at summertime tournaments as a tent vendor where teams from all over the country would play. Founder Sheilah Ruppert’s unorthodox approach to selling her product in those early days, and listening to what women loved about it, turned out to be a great research and development endeavor that easily encouraged positive feedback from customers.
Spunkwear was an instant hit with girl athletes buying sports bras, compression shorts and headbands. Her small line of athletic apparel soon gave way to Sheilah designing the “Original Dress”, a sundress she and other lacrosse moms loved for its ability to withstand the humid, hot summers while still looking fresh and current. It too became an instant hit and more styles followed. Women of all ages were wearing Spunkwear skorts and dresses right out of the tent to the sidelines and were being noticed!
A website was soon developed to enable women from all corners of the country to purchase Spunkwear and they shared their new favorite brand with their friends. Spunkwear fans quickly became collectors as they eagerly awaited new prints. Spunkwear evolved into a brand that expanded the contemporary woman’s closet and her choices with dresses, separates, active living, golf/tennis attire, accessories and headbands. Spunkwear also launched a successful line for young girls clothing in matching “Mommy and Me” prints and styling.
Today Spunkwear transfers its reigns to Southwind Apparel with the mission to keep listening to its customers and appealing to their fashion needs. Effortless, wrinkle-resistant, wickable, lightweight and interchangeable, Southwind Apparel will be a wardrobe staple and a travel essential.
It’s an exciting time for Southwind Apparel. Available now for wholesale with a growing team, updated systems, new warehouse space and a fresh new website, the brand will take on an established yet expanding customer base. Women from across the country are realizing they simply fall in love with the way this brand makes them feel and look in its styles, prints and fabric.
All women - All the time. It is a true lifestyle brand.