Trend Journal
Fall 2013
By Arriana Drakes
The Boyfriend jean The boyfriend jean trend has become extremely big and apart of every woman’s wardrobe. The slouchy, relaxed style has taken the industry by storm and is every trendy fashion brand’s must-have item. Today, designers are finding and inventing new ways to innovate the trend by making the denim in various varieties, colors, and patterns to meet the needs of today’s modern woman, who loves versatility. The trend found its roots reverting back to the 90’s with the famous tomboy-inspired look. The trend is still making its way down the runway with featured looks from designers such as, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Roberto Cavalli, and Balmain.
Brands have incorporated new fits and details into the jeans, refreshing the megatrend and keeping it new and revitalized. Designers have introduced a new fit to the jean, which is the “slouchy-slim” look. WGSN describes the look as “A commercial androgynous anti-fit that updates the boyfriend fit. With a borrowed-from-your-boyfriend square top block paired with a tapered skinny-fit leg, this new sexy boyfriend look has a neo-grunge sentiment.” This look gives women a more slim-fitting leg with just enough slouch to make the jeans have that masculine appeal. Another popular fit is the “Parallel Crop” boyfriend jean style. This style is described by WGSN as an, “Wide parallel leg shape cropped to just above the ankle and an subtle flare for a more directional look.” This particular style dates back to the 70’s for a more refined retro-inspired denim look. Brands such as Acne, Cheap Monday, and J Brand have incorporated the “Parallel Crop” into their denim assortment. This trend is relevant to fashion merchants because it is in high demand by consumers. Today’s modern woman is constantly on the go and desires a more relaxed and comfortable look. The trend is constantly being revitalized and introduces new style aspects into the modern women’s wardrobe. This item is a must-have item in denim.
Street Style These jeans have a whirlwind of new variants featuring details such as, pattern accents, indigo patchwork, the painter-look, sun-bleached colors, and the classic, distressed/destroyed. These details give the denim a contemporary vintage look.
September 24th, 2013
The new Overall Reverting us back to our adolescence, overalls have made a strong comeback. Known first as protective garments worn by professionals such as, painters, carpenters, farmers and railroad workers. This trend got its first fashion buzz in the 60’s as it was made in a variety of colors and patterns and worn by the younger generation. The trend then faded and reappeared again in the late 70’s, then finally, the 90’s as designers and commercial retailers made the garment stylish again. Overalls were mainly made of denim and corduroy in the 90’s for a casual look.
Today, the trend has been innovated and invigorated into a great onepiece fashion statement. Designers are incorporating prints, patterns, denim, and leather into their designs for a new take on the classic overall style. Designers houses such as Balmain features a pair of leather overalls in the Spring/ Summer 2014 runway collection at Fashion Week. This further authenticates the trend and lets consumers and retailers know that the trend will definitely spill over into next year as long as it is refreshed and updated succefully. Commercially the trend has had big success selling very rapidly in fast fashion stores such as Forever 21, Asos.com, TopShop and Primark. The reason being is that “The New Overall” is an easy wear. It’s stylish, comfortable, affordable, and chic. The versatility in the garment makes it easy to turn into to a day-and-night look with a quick change of blouse, jewelry,w and shoe.
Street Style
Traditionally, the overalls were worn as an casual wardrobe item. The New Overall is known as an interchangable piece that can be worn with heels, your favorite statement flats, or a cool tennis shoe for a sportier look.
October 1st, 2013
Bomber jacket The bomber jacket has went from being a utilitarian necessity to a chic fall and spring must-have item, to keep stylishly warm that is! The jacket originated in World War I, as pilots did not have cockpit and used the jackets to keep warm whilst flying. The jacket was known for being heavy duty with snug cuffs and waists, accompanied by a fur lining. Leslie Irvin designed the classic sheepskin jacket in 1926, making him the main supplier of the jacket to the Air Force.
Today designers have incorporated new silhouettes, fabrics, prints, patterns, appliqués/embroideries, and even non-traditional textures to the jacket. In menswear, the jacket is now being made in different styles including, The Varsity Jacket, the classic: Military jacket, Spliced, Plaid and Floral. Mens wear is definitely developing quite rapidly and only getting stronger. Men are becoming more conscious of their wardrobes now more than ever and this is a must have-item for the Fall/Winter. Comfortable and a plethora of styles to choose form. In womenswear, the style is being influenced by men with the new oversized silhouette and shapes plus, sleeves are made either regular or raglan. WGSN reports, “newness is delivered in the fabric, ranging from fur to leather, tweed, jacquards, bouclé and pliable neoprene, which allows the ovoid shape of the jacket to stand away from the body.” The style took over last year with the varsity jacket but today, the designers and brands are producing styles that are a lot more non-traditional, mixing prints and patterns, and adding texture.
Street Style
In street style the bomber jacket has been seen in many variations. Men are spotted mixing daring prints with florals and plaids for a relaxed look. Women are seen wearing jackets that have embroideries and statement graphics. And of course we’ve seen a more classic polished look with a pair of trousers and a cozy knit sweater. The bomber is nothing short of versatile.
October 8th, 2013
The Parka Another 1990’s inspired key wardrobe item is the “Parka” jacket. It’s a lightweight classic piece that has been updated with new details, fabrics, and colors. Originally worn by Eskimos to keep warm in cold-weather the Parka had gotten a new-aged face-lift becoming a versatile staple in outerwear. Today, designers and brands held tight to the silhouette of the jacket, which is A-lined. It’s versatility allows for a synched waist with incorporated drawstrings at the waistline for a feminine touch to the oversized fit. Designers such as Phillip Lim (photo left), Isabel Marant, Burberry and Marc Jacobs have incorporated their renditions of the Parka into their collections.
The category that most updates this jacket is sportswear. Lightweight synthetic fabrics are used to give an modern look to the traditional piece. Neon colors are used as accents or on entire jackets for a futuristic feel. The traditional approach is also kept by designers and brand, keeping the classic utilitarian cotton and army inspired colors, such as natural beige, green and khaki. The Parka can be found a numver of different accents, such as fur trims, zip pockets and back detailes for a sportier look. The jacket also varies in length stopping just at the hip for a feminine approach or stopping just before the knee for an oversized boyfriend look. This jacket can be worn as a casual look with jeans, stylish fall boots and you favorite tee or as dressed up as Phillip Lim’s rendition, with strapped heels, a mini-skirt and an elegant blouse.
Street Style
The Parka jacket is a great addition to a Fall and Spring wardrobe. It’s a staple piece you can wear for months out of the year, while mixing it with different pieces. It’s an easy wear because of the more traditional natural colors, which adds mounds of versatility. This piece can be found at retailers such as, ASOS.com, Macy’s, Gap, and Shopbop. October 12th, 2013
The Sweatpant Sweatpants are one of the most widely used clothing items. Originally designed for athletes for athletic purposes, sweatpants have become a stylish item that has been seen on runways and on the streets as a must-have item. Designers have refined the silhouette and created different stylish variations. The details of the garment have remained minimal and functional. Draw cords still remain a classic element featuring metal or leather for a luxury twist. Prints and patterns have become a staple with this style. Designers have incorporated prints all-over for a bold statement piece. The fabric has become a bit heavier, to achieve a more structural, sculpted look.
Featured styles include, “the straight-cut hem” which takes a more tailored approach to the sweatpants with a slightly slimmer, straight-legged, fit and open-hem cuff that is key to this style. The pants are produced with a heavier weighted fabric for a more structured but still effortlessly relaxed fit. A popular bolder approach to the innovated sweat pant is “statement prints.” Graphics, animal prints, camouflage, and tonal prints fill the runways. This style is a focal point in streetwear as it is still classically styled with minimal details. The “Dropped-crotch” has been an recurring trend and has been reinvented season after season with an minimal but high fashion attitude. The style encompasses an exaggerated skinny leg and dropped center front seam for an relaxed update reminiscent of the famed “hammer pant.” Other styles include, the original “classic fit” updated with contrasted stitching and metal or leather accents for a high-relaxed appeal. “Classic slim” includes a slim leg with an tapered angle ideal for trainers, made with a middle to heavy weighted fabric.
Street Style
The sweat pant has transitioned from an athletic piece to a everyday fully-functional statement piece for a classic and contemporary, relaxed look. The pants have been paired with boots or trainers for a minimal yet put-together approach.
October 18th, 2013
The Biker Jacket Biker jackets have become a staple jacket trend for the fall. Designers have found ways to innovate designs and keep the classic piece fresh, modern and new. Originating from the music subcultures, punk, Goth, and metal head, the biker jacket hit mainstream fashion in the 1960’s and 70’s. The style has warped into a essential jacket trend with numerous variations and distinct details. Today the silhouette remains classic with added styles such as the waisted-peplum and the biker bomber hybrid. The jacket features slightly longer line shapes with minimal details and multiple zip fastenings, accompanied with the classic asymmetrical silhouette.
Several updates to the jacket include a new take on the aviator style, with short biker style shapes or an androgynous oversized silhouette. Sheepskin lining had been incorporated for a strong update, while tones are kept muted for a fashionable update. Fabric inserts have been incorporated for added panels of texture, colors, patterns and prints. Embellished fabrics add drama and wools panels are used for a contemporary update. The “Waisted-Peplum” has become a favorite as it extenuates the figure while still remaining edgy, hard, and structured. The jacket features belted and zip details as it gathers at the waist with cutting and pleating.
Street Style The “multiple zips” jacket features an multiple fastenings and zips crating an huge impactful statement, with oversized zips and high shine silver hardware. Lastly the “biker-bomber hybrid” incorporates both iconic styles into one piece which creates a refreshing approach to the classic pieces. The style features the classic and sometimes asymmetrical lapel with mixed textures and woven fabrics. Biker fastenings and elastic at the hems bring the look together.
October 24th, 2013
Denim shirt Denim shirts have sky-rocketed in the past couple years as a major trend as designers have revived the popular clothing item season after season, introducing new designs and concepts. All over pattern and color blocking has been a popular accent to the classic piece. A “retro-resort� take has emerged as prints have been incorporated, such as Hawaiian florals and 50’s inspired conversational prints take a commercial approach. Due effects, such as bleached techniques and ombre take a festive approach as a distressed camo look adds drama. Contrasting details are an important detail with soft contrast to mismatched patterns and prints for a bolder statement.
New varieties include, patchwork as designers and brands play with paneling and blocking tonal blues and prints for an youthful direction. Subtle and easy, the “contrast pocket� detail adds a hint of character as patterns and solids are mixed with soft contrasting colors. Contrasting sleeves take a bit more of a dramatic approach as mixed and mismatched colors and patters are incorporated with bold, color blocking, and leather-coating looks. The overhead denim shirt delivers a transitional resort appeal as it s lighter using linens and tonal colors for a contemporary utilitarian look. The retro resort shirt fuels the pattern trend as lightweight denim is flushed with florals and resort looks. Soft classic stripes are revisited as designer and brands use soft dye effects and linear patterns for a multidirectional perspective.
Street Style Other denim shirt trends include, mini-repeat patterns, traditionally small polka dots or allover micro-geometric patterns. Bandana inspired paisley prints takes a mid-level market lead for high-end retailers. Indigo, mismatched paneling, and floral designs are leading details for this style. Bleached and dip-dyed shirts mirror a laundry finish for a distressed, high contrast look. Denim shirts have went from a classic western garment to an everyday casual staple that enables versatility, as it adds a relaxed appeal to a dressier outfit or concludes an casual look with boots, shoes, or trainers for a sporty twist.
October 31st, 2013
Maxi shirt dress The maxi shirtdress is a popular play on the androgynous movement in womenswear. The shirtdress is a relaxed, easy, yet minimal piece, which adds versatility to any women’s wardrobe. The exaggerated proportions lengthen the body, as it ranges from below the knee to full maxi length. The chest is kept wide for a relaxed boyfriend appeal. This piece is an ideal canvas for patterns and prints including, plaids, wide and thin stripes, patchwork, and color-blocking. Waist tie, utility pockets, and scalloped hems add to the silhouette, while remaining simple.
Women have been spotted wearing the emerging trend with boots, strappy heels, clogs and a classic yet casual Chuck Taylor Converse. There’s no doubt that this piece can be transitioned from day to night as minimalism and comfort is key. The shirt dress is an easy-to-wear garment as it can be paired with a sheer printed stocking for added character or a fun legging for a bolder statement.
Street Style With the pieces versatility, the shirt dress gives the stylish women an unlimited amount of options by creating dozens of looks by a quick change of accessories, like jewelry and belts, to shoes and handbags.
November 6th, 2013
Sources • WGSN