Want to get an idea of what’s in once the ball drops at the strike of midnight?
Forbes posted a mini list of the Top 5 Fashion Trends for 2008, put together by forecasting firm Tobe — one of the industry’s most closely-watched forecasts.
Published in Forbes by Suzanne Kapner, here is what to look for in 2008..
The Scarf
Never mind handbags and shoes. Scarves are the next must-have accessory.
Fashion house Balenciaga featured models draped in them during its fall 2007 fashion show. Hermes just unveiled a smaller and less expensive ($280 compared to $325) version of its traditional printed square. At American Apparel, $15 jersey scarves are among the top-selling items, aided by an in-store video that shows shoppers how to tie, wrap and drape to their hearts’ content.
The scarves above are by Hermes. Price around $325. More @ Hermes.com
Fashion sneakers
Nike and Adidas have been making hip kicks for years, but mainstream fashion brands from Lacoste to Michael Kors are now selling sneakers as casual footwear - and trying to claim a share of the $15 billion market.
Michael Kors has a faux python metallic ($109) sneaker. Creative Recreation, started by two former Vans executives, sells sneakers in zebra stripes and a kaleidoscope of colors. At Generic Many, the sneakers are made from Italian leather and sell for $200. “These are sneakers you could wear with at T-shirt and jeans or $3,000 suit,” said Brandon Day, a Generic Man founder.
The footwear above is by Creative Reaction. Price around $100. More @ KarmaLoop
See-through Clothes
Nearly naked looks were the talk of the recent runway shows and now they are coming to a store near you. Raincoats, shirts, and blouses made from sheer fabrics such as organza, chiffon and georgette are expected to be a big look for spring. Designers such as Jil Sander, Marc Jacobs and Narciso Rodriguez led the way, but keep an eye out for these so-called “weight watcher” fabrics at trendy stores like H&M and Zara.
The images above are from the Spring 2008 Runway. First three images are Jil Sanders, the fourth is Marc Jacobs
Industrial fabrics
High-tech fabrics, such as those with anti-microbial or rubberized properties, are increasingly finding their way onto the runways. Burberry is selling a trench coat made from rubberized materials originally developed for scuba diving. Two hundred dollar T-shirts by a company called Established 1887 are embedded with silver chips that have antimicrobial properties to repel stains and odors. As an added benefit, these fabrics are harder to knock off and so help designers differentiate their clothes from a sea of imitation.
The jackets above can be found @ Burberry.com
Tomorrow’s hangouts
No longer is it enough to stock the latest shirts, dresses and handbags. Up and coming retailers are adding lounges, nail salons and bookshops to their stores in the hopes of luring customers and getting them to stay longer.
Metropark, a City of Industry, Calif.-based chain with 18 stores nationwide, aims to be part club part street boutique. DJs spin records at its stores, which sell hip fashions, off-beat art work and music. SoHo boutique Lounge also has a DJ booth as well as a spa. Deegie’s Carma, the brainchild of a former Nordstrom executive, is set to open its first store in Kansas City in March. In addition to racks of trendy, teen worthy clothing, there will be a lounge as well as a hair and nail salon.
- Jennifer
December 16th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Love the sheer -idea. not completely nude though. also the scarves I love.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Yuck these are horrible trends! what were they thinking
December 17th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Jennifer I saw what you posted in the bag forum… I also am with in with the sheer, not with the extreme “See Through”.
December 23rd, 2007 at 10:37 pm
marc jacobs’ creation is a little more subtle maybe it’s the color and it’s a little more classier not too reveiling but just reveiling enough