A/W Retail Trends

Within this A/W season we have seen some key trends and patterns in retailers, very much inspired by a 1950's-1960's look with the bright, un-ntaural, monochrome colours we have seen emerge this season. Within one of my of one lectures this week we started to talk about trends and trend stories within retailers/brands - and were then given the task to think about what trends are prevalent in the stores. We are revisiting the 1950's-1960's and putting a more sporty/active twist on classic and sophisticated outfits. For example, some track trousers with a plain smart top paired with heels or smart shoes. A look that one of my favourite Bloggers and Youtubers defiantly channels within her own style - InTheFrow. The monochrome bright colours carry on throughout the fashion industry with red being a very prominent colour this season - to create a youthful, girlish, modern and sporty feel.

Red:

The first very obvious trend is a very common theme of the colour red, a brighter adaptation of the typical Burgundy we see a lot in Autumn and Winter. This adaptation has been very influenced by the 1950's-1960's as I have noticed a lot of these trends returning and becoming new trends. Personally I love this trend a lot, I love the vibrancy of the red and how it adds a bit of energy and life to our typically dull and predictable winter wardrobe. It injects a bit of life into my wardrobe lifting my spirits about picking my outfit in the morning. The mix of white., red and black create a bold statement and a youthful look which personally I think is perfect for everyone. This colour is seen in possibly every clothing item at the moment and spans from the runaway, expensive section to the high street, accessible section.

Sports Luxe:

This sports luxe look has become particularly popular this season and towards the end of the last season. The effortless and more sporty look has become all the craze amongst the fashion world with all the online and in-store retailers adopting this to get on the 'bandwagon' - brands like Missguided, PrettyLittleThing, Topshop, Adidas etc. The first brand to put this on the radar I would say was Tommy Hilfiger with their iconic stripes and navy, red and white colour palette that has been a running theme throughout their history. This trend has blown up this season to mimic and interpret the 1950's-1960's monochrome, contrasting colours that were so prevalent in those times. They have gone back to this to communicate modernity to the consumer and how we live in an ever changing world that is constantly evolving.

'The Slogan Tee':

The slogan tee has now become a staple in every girls wardrobe, its a essential for every outfit. Its my solution to a 'stuck in a rut' fashion day - pair it with a denim skirt or statement shoe and I am good to go and face the day. The slogan tee blew up especially this year after Dior showed their 'We should all be feminists' slogan tee on the catwalk turning peoples heads a bit. Now I love slogan tees as a concept and fashion statement but putting slogans like that when the production methods for tops like that are probably harming women doesn't make much sense. These brands try and preach equality and fairness through these slogan tees when actually they don't back them up - for example, producing them in sweatshops and making women work in horrible conditions doesn't exactly scream feminist. I think if a brand is going to plaster 'Feminist' or some equality phrases they should match the ethics and ethos of the company and not just to be to boost profit because its creates controversy and doubt about that brand and their integrity. However, slogan tees are a personal favourite of mine - they make a statement using the power of words to create the mood and look of an entire outfit.

Embroidered:

The embroidered trend has been a constant through the whole year, starting in January and going through to October. Now again this trend is defiantly one I wear and admire. I love the stitching and detail that it gives to.a very simple and modern item of clothing - you pair it with a simple piece and you have a put together and intriguing outfit. This trend is currently very evident in jackets - the leather jacket being a staple for this time if year anyway, jazzing up and adapting a frequent trend within the calendar. Its also seen in another winter favourite which is the classical jumper, especially being stitched on the sleeves to make a basic jumper a bit more interesting. Of course they couldn't go without putting embroidery on my favourite shoe - the boot. This is a favourite from this trend as statement shoes can be instrumental in a wardrobe. Overall, I love all of these trends a lot and can't wait to experiment and explore them further within this current season.