California Apparel News

If you thought the 1970s were here to stay for a while in the fashion lineup, you’d be wrong.

The 1980s are already nudging their way onto the runways for Spring/Summer 2016, said Jaclyn Jones, the womenswear editor for WGSN, the British trend-forecasting firm with offices in London, Hong Kong, New York and São Paulo, Brazil.

“I think the ’70s are making their way for the ’80s to develop,” said Jones, who has been cruising the major Las Vegas trade shows and frequenting press previews to glean ideas about what will be popular for the upcoming season.

“Some designers may still create ’70s looks. However, we are expecting the shift to move to ’80s styles, which will begin to hit retail in Spring/Summer 2016 and will really infiltrate in Spring/Summer 2017.”

Jones labeled this ’80s trend “Culture Club.” It has a definite Grace Jones vibe with geometric designs and interesting graphics. “Neon is going to be coming back,” Jones noted. “There will be this glow-in-the-dark typography.”

There are metallic fabrics with polished glamour that have the look and feel of the digital age.

This Spring and Summer, the trend for dress and skirt lengths is to fall everywhere except at the knee. Popular silhouettes will be mini, midi and maxi lengths. “Maxis are always popular for summer,” Jones said.

In a trend called “Modern Masters,” Jones sees a focus on craftsmanship and attention to detail with intricate stitching and rich fabrics. “I think there will be more playing with architectural volume,” Jones said. There will be more pleating, smocking and adoption of tailoring in a unique way. Silhouettes will be drawn from Greece, Rome and the Dutch masters.

A definite Latin vibe is taking shape on the catwalks, too. A WGSN team recently traveled to Cuba as well as a team from womenswear label Madewell, scouting out prints, colors and silhouettes. “This trend will be seen in bold colors,” Jones said, with tropical florals and palm-pattern prints. Big ruffles will be part of the vivid statement as well as off-the-shoulder designs.

The athleisure trend has jumped off the charts and will continue to do so. But for Spring/Summer 2016, designers are injecting relaxed looks of more tailored clothing in a trend called “Leisure Luxe.” Think slouchy pants with wide legs and elastic waists in lightweight fabric such as linen and brushed silk that can be worn with sneakers, sandals, oversized tunics and tank tops that button up.

Denim is making a big comeback with the flare jeans, Jones said, and is gaining traction. “I think this trend started more at the younger end of the market with juniors, who are willing to take risks, and now it is starting to trickle up to the older customer with more streamlined fabric and more raw denim,” Jones said. “The older customer wants a cleaner look, but the younger customer wants more distressing in her denim. … I think the cropped flare is the one to watch and the cropped wide leg with a higher-rise waist—more of the mom jeans and more of a focus on indigo.”

A softer color palette and feminine fabrics mark the “Graceful Edge” trend, which relies on vintage heirlooms and fabrics for its influence. Layered lace, precise pleats and sheer materials add delicate details in washed-out tones. Prints will look like they came from your grandmother’s attic.

The color scheme for Spring/Summer 2016 will trend toward warmer tones—such as orange, coral, red, peach and amber—but there will indigo and bright blues making an appearance on the color stage, too, Jones said.