FASHIONALLY - FASHIONALLY Designer Notes: Fall 1718 Menswear Macro Theme

FASHIONALLY Designer Notes:
Fall 1718 Menswear Macro Theme
Minimalist Utility

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2017.01.23

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Utility themes have become a cornerstone of the menswear market over the preceding seasons. Now the challenge for designers is to put a new twist on functional wardrobe staples, integrating technical elements and urban athletic inspirations to create fresh consumer excitement.

Today, we invite Trendstop’s team of experts to bring us a key theme that will be impacting the menswear market for Fall 2017. You will be inspired by the 4 essential elements of the trend that can enhance your next collection.

Minimalist Utility

As utilitarian themes continue to dominate the menswear market, functional fashion evolves in a new minimalist inspired direction. A feeling of precision and refined understatement underscores the new Minimalist_Utility trend, blurring the lines between formal and casualwear. Clean-cut silhouettes and pared back styling elevates utility looks to sartorial status while maintaining cargo roots through an earthy yet sophisticated palette.

Trend takeaway: Utility themes remain a core component for the menswear consumer.

Louis Vuitton FW1617

Minimalist Utility - Colour and Print

The seasonal palette is strengthened by deep earth tones and rich core shades with cooling neutrals and icy pales creating a clean and wintry feel. Considered print placements harmonise the trend’s utility and minimalist aesthetics with screen printing techniques and stark monochrome typography referencing industrial aspects. Military origins are also reworked as classic camou patterns incorporate textural qualities and unexpected tribal influences.

Trend takeaway: Core colors and classic prints are contemporized by fresh urban industrial influences.

Minimalist Utility - Surface and Materials

A focus on sartorial tech enhances the material qualities of the utilitarian mood. Technical fabrics feature insulated and waterproof properties that fuse practicality with performance. Traditional knits are contemporised through updated cable patterns, defined ribbing and close woven stretch jerseys. Waxed finish cottons and dry handles introduce a rustic textural element to functional fabrications.

Trend takeaway: Performance innovations offer the consumer a contemporary take on traditional fabrications.

Le Feuillet FW16 Lookbook

Minimalist Utility - Apparel and Accessories

A blend of casual meets formal styling offers a sartorial take on utility dressing. Classic menswear staples are reinvented for the modern minimalist with layered constructions and hardware detailing. Directional footwear designs mix heavy duty worker aesthetic with athleisure elements for a clean-lined urban appeal while hybridised accessories in durable yet premium finishes offer a fresh take on multipurpose properties.

Trend takeaway: Softened minimalism brings a new modernity to loungewear inspired pieces.

Trendstop is a trend forecasting agency and consultancy with the finger on the pulse and an eye firmly to the future. With Trendstop’s trend forecasts, designers have the fundamental tools to build a collection that is not just conceptual, but carries the right elements to attract buyers’ attention and make a new label commercially viable.

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