Top Trends for 2015

by C.J. Mittica

from Wearables  November/December 2014

What’s now and what’s next? We take a look ahead. Everything moves in cycles, and that certainly includes fashion trends. “New” trends are often just old ones recycled and updated for modern tastes. But just because styles are rooted in the past doesn’t mean they are all regarded the same way. Some are at the peak of their popularity while others are on the precipice of going big. Some trends lay dormant for decades while others never really fell out of favor. Here’s our look at what’s popular now and next. The key quality they share? All of them will matter in 2015

COLOR

     

Bold colors are inescapable right now. Neon heathers add welcome complexity and open up lucrative new groups of buyers. Garment-dyed items create deep, rich hues and can be found in everything from tanks to bags.

FASHION WEEK FAVS

          

Long tees hanging down to the mid-thigh (and beyond) were popular in the New York shows, but unlike the ’90s baggy aesthetic, these are more form-fitting. Designers like Todd Snyder and Alexander Wang are popularizing tailored sweats. And bags don’t have to be boring anymore, thanks to arresting graphic prints.

ALWAYS STYLISH

     

Vintage designs remain the epitome of cool, and new soft-hand techniques create stunning lightweight looks. Plaid is a pattern powerhouse. Meanwhile, polos and tunics, that corporate staple for women, are incorporating fashion touches like color blocking and epaulettes.

RETRO

         

These uber-trendy looks, which needed a couple decades to shake off the mothballs, have been smartly updated. Color, pattern, ’90s nostalgia – the timing is right for a Baja resurgence in bold stripes or more subtle treatments. Men are re-embracing that summer staple known as the tank top and wearing them in just about every imaginable venue and climate. Pocket tees are everywhere, but now they are a vehicle for vivid colorblocking and contrasting.

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