Top 9 Pre-Runway Trends for SS17
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Fashion
London - Trend forecasting is by no means an easy feat. Fashion labels and retailers alike spend much time and money to ensure their designs are on trend and covetable once they hit the stores while turning to the bi-annual fashion weeks to act as their sound boarding. With the start of New York Fashion Week just around the corner, signalling the kick off the traditional calendar cycle, FashionUnited has teamed up with retail data agency Edited to present the top 9 pre-runway trends for spring/summer 2017.
Instantly Covetable tems
Since the emergrance of the "see now, buy now" model, the concept has rapidly become the talk of the season. This means that more brands and designers are like to incorporate more fall appropriate pieces into their SS17 collections to offer immediately for sale following their catwalk show or presentation. Think more leather items, suede, lughtweigh puffer jackets, more rainwear and knitwear as well as boots and scarves in a more sultry palette that is normally associated with spring.
Bomber Jackets
Although some may think that bomber jackets have already peaked in demand earlier this year, this item has gone one to become a wardrobe essential, much like its predecessors the denim and leather jacket. Bomber jackets continued to sell incredibly well for spring and in comparison to other trans-seasonal jackets discounts on this particular style remain low. A mere 22 percent of Spring 2016 bomber jackets were discounted in comparison to 30 percent of denim and leather jackets according to data from Edited.
In addition, retailers across the globe continue to invest heavily in this new staple. Close to 20 percent of bomber jackets currently retailing in the United States arrived in store within the last two weeks. Bombers with embroidered pateches or sporty details have sold particularly well in comparison to designs with large prints. Reversible bomber styles are also increasingly popular as they offer consumers an ease way to experiment with new colours and prints at a lower risk level.
Translucent and Sheers
Tulle and sheer fabrics have been showcased heavily on the catwalks for the past few seasons, but have yet to really break through in terms of retail. However Spring/Summer 2017 is expected to be the privotal point for sheers as they offer an ultra-feminine antidote to gender-neutral dressing and the sports aesthetic. Sheers were featured in numerous pre-collections, ranging from Erdem, to Moschino and Gucci. These pieces are also versatile and can act as staple layering pieces, thrown over bralettes and bodysuits.
Bared Shoulders
Exposed shoulders dominated the fashion scene this summer - close to 9,000 items arrived online in the US market alone. 59 percent of bared shoulders were featured on tops and 41 percent on dresses. However, it was the Bardot style which emerged as the victor, out performing the cold-shoulder styles. Pre-collections from Roland Mouret, Chanel and House of Holland featured shoulder baring styles and designers are predicted to carry this trend into SS17.
Slip Dresses
Slip dresses were a bestseller for Spring 2016, especially within the higher end of the market as 47 percent of this style arriving online was within the luxury market. Favoured slip dresses included designs from Givenchy, Gucci and Rag & Bone. Although this airy style has taken a small leave of absence as the latest fall arrivals hit stores, this design is expected to make a strong comeback in heavier fabrics such as velvet, or trimmed with silk or adorned with glitter and sequins in time for the festive season at the end of this year. Pre-collections to feature slip dresses for Spring 2017 included Christopher Kane and Dior.
White Shirts
White shirts are dominating retail, with the classic button down, sleeveless shirt and shirt dresses in hot demand right now according to Edited. White shirts have featured in 53 retailers’ email newsletters during the past month alone.
Pleats
With over 13,000 ruffle and frilled items currently offer for sale within the US market, this trend has reached full saturation. 57 percent of these items are currently retailing within the mass-market, so luxury demand for this trend is likely to decline next season. Designers looking to create surface interest are likely to turn to intricate pleats as an alternative, as it offers a similar feminie touch but are less flamboyant than ruffles.
Pyjama Suits
Pyjama-style suits from Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana are currently arriving at luxury retailers for the fall season. Pyjama inspired shirts and bottoms proved to be a big hit when they first hit the catwalks earlier this year and designers are expected to update this look for spring by incorporating lightweight fabrics and informal suiting.
Tropical prints
Bold tropical prints were not only hinted during the pre-collections, but heavily shown in menswear shows from Dolce & Gabbana, Vivienne Westwood and Topman. Deep tropicals themes on darker backgrouns are currently arriving in stores from the likes of Erdem and Gucci. This trend is predicted to trickle into Spring/Summer 2017, which will see tropicals remain moody, muted and be rendered in unexpected colours.
Homepage photo, left to right: Topshop Bomber Jacket, Givenchy pre AW 16 lookbook, Madewell white shirt
Photo 1: Bomber Jackets, Topshop, Facebook
Photo 2: Bardot styled dress, own brand, Asos website
Photo 3: White Shirts, Madewell website
Photo 4: Pyjama suits, Givenchy pre AW 16 lookbook, website