Trends

Summer Trend Report!
Fashion flirts with sport...

In the sporty look, women’s pants, in cotton blends or microfibres, come in the form of Capri’s, Bermuda’s, shorts or full lengths, with straight legs or boot cut and cargo pockets. Alternatively, pants are flowing with elastic materials, inspired by the fitness sector. Waistbands are made of wide-ribbed knitwear or with tunnel waist draw cords. Denims are embroidered with chain stitches, peal appliqués or rhinestones.

Polo shirts are available with short sleeves or without sleeves. Don’t be caught without piqué, flowing jerseys, made of pure cotton with a blend of elastane or fast-drying fibers in your store – these will be hot sellers.

The T-shirt is given a make-over by making use of high-quality materials and finely combined cotton. T-shirts have intricate prints with logos, numbers or blossoms as well as additional outlining embroidery or playful slogans.

Jackets are in the uniform-style. Sweaters with zippers that originate from the fitness arena are worn either with, or without a hoody, but they always have a wide band at the hems and sleeves. The sport-technology comes in the form of soft shells and water-resistant laminates, which are integrated so well that the clothing can be worn in the city

Details such as flat pleats, pintucks, contrast stitching, square buttons, piping, tassels and ties, splatter prints, and geometric patterns make this trend interesting.

Fashionable men

Men’s cuts are looser, with Bermuda’s, ¾ or long pants (worn loose, but never sloppy) being the order of the day. Pants have 5 pockets, cargos have pockets on the outside, and there are pleats or a waistband drawcord.

Clothing is made of either cotton or linen, with a blend of elastene.

Men have more to choose from than only polo shirts: long-sleeved shirts, with hidden half-belts for rolling up the sleeves, are becoming popular. Sweaters are made of fine cotton with a V-neck and bands (preppie-style) of fashionable fibers.

Jackets in waxed cotton, microfibers or laminates have an outdoor look.

All the colours

Floral patterns play an important role, but the idea is not Hawaiin-inspired shirts. The finely embroidered prints are placed at specific spots and have a clear graphic effect. Stripes bring a sporty-edge with contrasting colours – horizontal for polo shirts and T-shirts, and vertical for other shirts and pants. Argyles, as well as checkered patterns for pants, create a preppie-look. These are used with faded colours to create a casual look.

The colours to look out for are strong colours such as lime, grass-green combined with white, or blue to turquoise, azure and indigo as well as the classic marine, red and white. Fruit colours (from orange to red berry or pink) are used for beach-inspired items.

Men who are brave go for lime, grass-green and turquoise, which are used with beige or mocha.

Out of Africa

The designers also looked to Africa and other exotic locations (think Latin America, Spain, and Indonesia) in search of a trend. This trend has a blend of warm colours and motifs with a strong tropical look. It projects a warm and passionate feeling and is sure to have the wearer looking and feeling sultry.

The African influence (mocha, chocolate and sun-red) are subdued in women’s clothing, while nude colours - sand and skin tones, or mother-of-pearl - are combined with pastel colours, such as lilac, rosé and violet.

This trend is all about the details. You cannot miss the appliqués, sequins, contrasting piping, ribbon trims, handcrafted finishes, beading, fringing, different overlays of leathers, batik or wood-cut prints and other tropical-inspired prints on items of clothing. Prints are of flowers and buds, exotic plants and animals, birds, fish, butterflies, animal prints and patchwork and ethnic colours (violet, black, white, gold) are used together.

The materials are natural fabrics – denim, voiles, silky materials, chiffon, washed cotton and cotton knits, seersuckers, madras checks, tone on tone weaves and linen.

The colours are fresh and lively, with hot colours toned down with cooler hues - coral pink, yellow, greens, aqua, turquoise and royal blue are cooled by grey, beige and sandy white.

Animal skin-prints are as popular as ever – especially python and crocodile. It is combined with a safari-inspired look or exotic trend items.

The cut is narrow and follow the curves of the body – skinny trousers, waistcoats, slim skirts, draped blouson styles, soft jersey wraps and knitted tops.

Keep an eye open for asymmetric cuts, irregular edges, stitched leather, beaded button fastenings, reptile scales, stripes and mosaic patterns on fabrics such as soft suede, leather, jersey, cheesecloth, and denim. Combine patterned fabrics with plain items.

Colours for this trend are neutrals (beige, ecru, white) combined with spicy shades of yellow, orange and brown, while a splash of purple ads excitement.

Revolutionary chic

The items in this trend are uniform-like with cropped jackets, tailored outfits, wrap blouses and dresses. The fabrics of choice are satin with matt trims, printed denim, jacquard, and suede.

The colours are bold red and yellow, which are subdued by grey, blue and taupe, with gold used as accent.

Maritime look

Sailors in their stripes seem to be the inspiration for this strong summer look. Paired with other navy details, it will be seen in everything from sneakers and wedges to flip flops and high heels. Stripes can be simple or multicoloured. However, blue and white seems to be the runaway favourite for a bit of seaside glamour.

White has always been a summer colour mainstay but in 2007, expect it to hit the fashion scene with a great splash. Ladies and gents in white, from head to toe, will be a common sight. And if all that whiteness is too much for you, all you need is a small dash of contrast as relief.

And on the feet

Marine-inspired footwear will dominate the ladies summerwear ranges. The trend is made livelier by adding details such as lace, rope piping, buckles and colourful buttons.

Another big trend is that inspired by the "Chanel" style – two-tone shoes with stripes and lines, as well as pearls and sea-inspired patterns. These shoes have contrasting materials like nappa and grosgrain (coarse texture) or silk mesh.

Going back in time

Footwear looked at the 40’s and the 20’s for inspiration - wedges, printed leathers and "Marlene"-style sandals are enhanced by unusual combinations of materials, for example reptile and rubber, or nappa, canvas, raffia, patent and crocodile. The 20’s are revived with the use of cubism-, Balkan folklore- and art deco-inspired designs.

The 70’s influence bring with it graphic prints for pumps and mules – which have cuts that are precise and sharp. Contrasting items are very important to this trend – dark fabrics, from blacks to browns to greens, are used together with strong tones, such as reds and oranges. Metallic tones are used to give the shoes a more serious tone and black and white combinations lend a business-touch.

Men’s footwear takes on both a masculine and an elegant look. The footwear has a classic cut and the leathers come in black, oxblood and very dark brown.

Reaching even further back into history, designers draw inspiration from the 19th Century, which results in frills, ruches, embroidery and ribbons for women’s footwear. Also note the wide use of fabrics as new materials and decorative touches - buttons, jewels, chains, beads (amber, glass, wood or porcelain) and crochet – that are used on pumps, sandals and boots.

Colours and patterns are mixed in a fun way and pastel flower prints and embroidery remind one of days gone past. Subdued pastels dominate this trend. Soles are light and so thin, you almost cannot see them. Ribbons, rings and buckles set on the sides and material insets as well as thin straps all combine to create real eye-catching footwear.

The Men’s range for this style is influenced strongly by the sporty, yet elegant, British club and college style, where the footwear is classic, but still has a light sporty look. The lasts are thin and stretched with round forms dominating. Men’s colours are browns and beiges, as well as marine-blue and reds.

The natural look

There is also a strong sense of going back to nature. This lends to the "hand made" look, with unusual combinations of materials, volumes and details. Browns, reds and oranges dominate the women’s footwear scene, together with natural fabrics.

Designers make use of pearls, embroidery and wooden and glass beads, but the mix always culminates in a natural look. An important feature is cork and hemp-covered soles. Simplistic moccasins are the perfect accessory for a Safari-look and go well with outfits using the Spencer-jacket and Cargo’s.

Another trend, originating from the need to go back to nature, is one that inspires ethnic and exotic combinations, using printed, embroidered, cut out or branded patterns, give footwear an interesting and unusual look. Thongs have multicoloured bands made of stretched nappa leather and espadrilles have big studs, wooden soles and are covered with patterned fabrics.

Sporty look

The city-girl can look forward to wearing pumps, wedge sandals, flat or low slippers in printed nubuk, flip-flops with decorative foam soles, or athletic shoes with printed linings in the next summer season.

Those who prefer to opt for a sportier image will find the ever-popular loafers and sneakers (in printed leather with a pvc point and heel) are just as popular as the high-heeled strappy sandals.

The one item guys must have next summer is the white sporty shoe. They may be sneakers, espadrilles, loafers or trainers, and may be made of leather, canvas, etcetera, but they definitely must be white!

Wedged platforms, the big footwear fashion story this summer will still be seen across the spectrum, from casual beach styles to glam, evening pairs.

Bling-bling will be well represented with lots of embroidery, frills, feathers, sequins, studs, ribbons and laces. Unusual colour combinations provide an added dash.