Tropical prints
Bold tropical prints weren’t just hinted at during the pre-collections, they got strong support in the menswear shows at Dolce & Gabbana, Vivienne Westwood and Topman. For fall, deep tropicals on dark grounds are arriving into stores now from Erdem and Gucci. We expect Spring 2017’s tropicals will stay moody and arrive rendered in unexpected colors.
Fancy Footwear
With nearly 6,000 pairs arriving in the U.S. for womenswear, Summer 2016 was all about metallic footwear – be it sneakers, sandals or mules. Moving into fall, velvet and printed styles are coming through strong. Retailers should be seeking out a way to keep the momentum up on unusual footwear fabrics. Even better if they’re paired with a slipper shape or an unusual heel. Count on designers who show patent whites, iridescent finishes and unexpected texture to do well.
Pleats
With over 13,000 ruffle and frilled items currently on the U.S. market, it’s safe to say the trend is now at full saturation. Fifty-seven percent of those products are retailing in the mass or value markets, so luxury demand will ease off next season. Instead designers should be looking to create surface interest with intricate pleats, which carry some of the same feminine air, but are less flamboyant. Pleats worked into slip dresses will be a double win.