Trends come and go — but great design sticks.
At Xtreme Designs Plus, we’ve seen a lot over the years.
And while we’re always up on the latest vibes, we also know this truth:
👉 The best designs aren’t just trendy — they’re timeless.
Whether you’re designing team gear, merch for your brand, or school spirit wear, here’s what’s worth riding the wave for… and what’s better left in 2020-something.
✅ Trends That Last
1. Bold Simplicity
Clean, confident design with strong shapes, big letters, and clarity.
Great for all print sizes
Easy to wear, easy to remember
Pairs with any apparel color
When in doubt: make it readable from across the gym.
2. Retro-Inspired but Modernized
Throwback block fonts, varsity styles, vintage badge layouts — with updated colors or minimal twist.
Feels nostalgic but fresh
Loved by students and parents alike
Works great on hoodies, tees, and banners
Think: old-school roots, new-school energy.
3. Mascot Art That Actually Hits
Clean outlines, bold angles, simplified detail.
Modern mascots feel fierce and wearable
Avoids overly detailed clipart vibes
Looks fire on embroidery, print, or decals
Mascots are legacy pieces — design them like they’ll be remembered.
4. Custom Typography
Not just “pick a font” — but crafting letters that feel like your team or brand.
Builds a unique look
Avoids the “seen it before” Canva effect
Feels more like you, less like a template
❌ Trends to Avoid (or Use With Caution)
1. Over-Complicated Designs
Shadows, glows, 5 fonts, 10 colors, heavy gradients — they don’t print well and age even worse.
Looks cool online
Looks messy on fabric
Often becomes unreadable
Simple wins when it comes to wearability.
2. TikTok Fonts & Drippy Letters
They had their moment — but fast trends date your merch quickly.
Doesn’t translate to team/brand legacy
Hard to read at a glance
Becomes a “last year’s design” faster than you want
3. Stock Templates
Generic shapes, repeated logos, the same layout 100 people used before.
May save time
But kills originality
Your brand ends up invisible
If it doesn’t make people say “Where’d you get that?” — it’s probably forgettable.
🎨 How to Choose What Lasts
Ask yourself:
Will this still look clean 3 years from now?
Does it match who we actually are?
Will people want to wear it again and again?
If the answer’s yes — you're on the right track.
💡 Bonus: Our XDP Rule of Thumb
We always say:
“Design it for now. Build it for legacy.”
That means:
Let it feel current — but don’t depend on trends
Add character — but stay clear and bold
Be fresh — without chasing likes
🎯 Ready to Design Something That Lasts?
Whether you’ve got an idea already or need help avoiding the trends that fade, we’ve got you.
At Xtreme Designs Plus, we create custom merch that looks good now — and still hits years later.
👉 Tap in with your vision. We’ll make it timeless.
Author: XDP
“Good design is trendy. Great design becomes tradition.”