Trend forecasting company WGSN predicts that comfort clothing, magenta pink and bast fibers will be important in 2022
Another year is upon us, the third of this apocalyptic decade. While the upheavals of the past 24 months have proven the futility of making predictions of all kinds, soothsayers at trend forecasting firm WGSN have come forward with a list of what they predict will be the biggest. fashion trends for 2022 and beyond. The mood is optimistic, even if things are still moving. Sustainability and green awareness, brightness and positivity, trans-seasonality and inclusiveness are propelling many of the fashion changes we’re likely to see. And Phoebe Philo is launching her own label this year – just one reason to be happy. Here, we break down the top trends for 2022.
Comfort is the key
Slides, mules, and slippers aren’t going anywhere except that we can soon expect them to incorporate foot-recovery technology into their design. Even though the post-containment dressing required heels, apparently all we really want is comfort after a run or a night of dancing. WGSN identifies brands such as Hoka with its line of recovery shoes Ora and Terrelique with its recycled plastic foot massage zipper as the ones to know in this emerging field – which marries the eternal trend of wellness with what we wear. actually every day.
Savage x Fenty has already revolutionized the way we think about lingerie, and comfort and inclusiveness have become the key words in this evolving market. 2022 is expected to be all about ‘wearable wellness’, with underwear and underwear designed for women at all stages of life, prioritizing comfort and helping to relieve pain. WGSN notes that Adidas Terrex and Elastique Athletics are already leading the way here.
The new color on the block
After two years of cool hues – Neo Mint (2020) and AI Acqua (2021) – 2022 is expected to be defined, in terms of color, by the saturated magenta orchid flower. According to WGSN, as we adjust the post-pandemic, “the bright and uplifting colors will have a strong appeal, prompting optimism and vigor.” Fashion insiders will have already noticed the color on the Fall / Winter 2021 catwalks of Chanel and Dries Van Noten, and all those who have binged Squid game will recognize it as the color of the guards’ uniforms. “Orchid flower has an intense, hyper-real and energizing quality that stands out both in real life and in digital environments,” says Jenny Clark, Color Manager at WGSN. “We selected this upbeat magenta in particular because its hue and chroma level embodied the trans-seasonal and inclusiveness of the genre and had broad and enduring appeal.” Look for shades from the Fendi x Skims collaboration, S / S22 collections from Alberta Ferretti to MSGM, and Pre-Fall 22 collections, including Versace and Oscar de la Renta.
Eco-responsible fabrics
Bast fibers – i.e. flax, hemp, ramie and jute – are expected to be a big novelty in the coming year, praised for their biodegradability and much lower environmental impact than traditional cotton. . The denim industry is said to be one of the biggest polluters in fashion, so it’s high time to switch to more sustainable fibers like these.
“It’s important to understand that it is still early days for hemp and for the denim industry,” says Lorna Hall, director of fashion intelligence at WGSN. “Big brands strive to create long-term, certifiable supply chains that ensure it is treated legally and correctly to enable them to increase the environmental benefits that its natural potential promises for the future.” Kontoor Brands, owners of Wrangler and Lee, are already building this important wok, building a local hemp supply chain in the United States that will ultimately reduce their carbon footprint – an added bonus on top of the profile. already more sustainable hemp. Other brands incorporating hemp into their products include Levi’s and Tommy Hilfiger. “We’re starting to see it mostly manifested in men’s products, but we expect it to catch on in the market,” Hall said.
Elsewhere, brands are responding to consumers’ desire for sustainability with a set of solutions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of our clothing, whether it is a bio-based dye processed from black algae waste or carbon impact labeling on clothing.
Athleisure for the beach
Finally, athleisure is evolving to include “rash vests”, admittedly less coveted, items generally worn by surfers. According to WGSN, these will be “your new beach, swimming and outdoor essentials.” As Covid-19 forces us to be outdoors more than ever before, brands are associating the growing appetite for sports and outerwear with streamlined, performance-oriented items that protect from the sun and also take pride in allure. And with the increasingly wild weather fluctuations over the past year, improved UV protection and warmer performance layers in our clothing are surely a must.
