With New York’s shows kicking off tomorrow, it’s time for buyers to go looking for trends. And we’re here to help. Come see the items our data suggests will have big commercial promise for Spring 2017.
Last week we chatted to WWD about the commercially resilient pieces, like bombers and white shirts, that are certain to be back on runways for NYFW. So, to round out the conversation, we went looking for the new items buyers should be looking out for as fashion week gets underway. Here they are.
Products to look out for
Instantly covetable items
With buy-now and close-to-season collections the talk of fashion week, the biggest shift we’ll see is an increase in fall-appropriate pieces: more leather, suede, lightweight puffer jackets, rainwear, knitwear, boots and scarves. Color palettes have the potential to weave in hints of the current Fall season; we’re expecting a more sultry palette than is normally associated for spring.
Sheers
Tulle and sheer fabrics have been strong on the runway for a few seasons but have yet to really break through in retail. That’ll most likely change in Spring 2017, as sheers will offer an ultra-feminine antidote to gender-neutral dressing and the sports aesthetic. Sheers featured in pre-collections from Erdem, Moschino and Gucci. Retailers should be looking to these items as layering pieces, pairing them with delicate bralets and bodysuits. This spring, tulle skirts stood up against discounting well.
Tropical prints
Bold tropical prints weren’t just hinted at during the pre-collections, they got strong support in the menswear shows at Dolce & Gabbana, Vivienne Westwood and Topman. For fall, deep tropicals on dark grounds are arriving into stores now from Erdem and Gucci. We expect Spring 2017’s tropicals will stay moody and arrive rendered in unexpected colors.
Fancy Footwear
With nearly 6,000 pairs arriving in the U.S. for womenswear, Summer 2016 was all about metallic footwear – be it sneakers, sandals or mules. Moving into fall, velvet and printed styles are coming through strong. Retailers should be seeking out a way to keep the momentum up on unusual footwear fabrics. Even better if they’re paired with a slipper shape or an unusual heel. Count on designers who show patent whites, iridescent finishes and unexpected texture to do well.
Pleats
With over 13,000 ruffle and frilled items currently on the U.S. market, it’s safe to say the trend is now at full saturation. Fifty-seven percent of those products are retailing in the mass or value markets, so luxury demand will ease off next season. Instead designers should be looking to create surface interest with intricate pleats, which carry some of the same feminine air, but are less flamboyant. Pleats worked into slip dresses will be a double win.
Pyjama dressing
Pyjama-style suits from Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana are arriving at luxury retailers for fall right now. Designers who can update this look for spring with lightweight, informal suiting will tap perfectly into the current consumer mood.
The Big Spring 2017 Themes
Skate
Expect the prevailing fascination with the 90s to turn its attention to skate subculture. Think unisex and gender-neutral garments, more hoodies, loose fit pants and band merch long sleeved tops. There’s a good chance some carpenters’ denim shows up too. These stories will work well for street style stars and off-duty model looks, but retailers will have to think carefully about how to translate the androgyny for their own customer.
Haute hippie
A more grown up take on the vibrant, cheery 70s interpretations of the last few seasons. Think the dark cult undertones of one of this summer’s bestsellers, The Girls. Floor length sundresses, sun-worn prints and long, long locks. There were early hints of this in pre-collections at Erdem, Acne and Gucci.
We’re taking to Snapchat for NYFW! Come find us EDITED_HQ for live reaction to the shows and commercial data to back up the trends seen.
And EDITED users, stay tuned for our city-by-city trend reviews each week of fashion month.
