Flash│Key Items Fashion: Women's Denim AW 26/27-Part II
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
Fashion trends and the growing popularity of tailored officewear styles are prompting a shift in denim fashion, highlighted by a revival of authentic jeanswear items. This comes after a phase of branching out into non-denim categories like tops and outerwear. In light of current market dynamics and tariff uncertainties, retailers should focus on classic jeanswear to maintain commercial appeal and value, as consumers look for lasting wardrobe essentials with unique and unconventional details.
Design Strategies:
The split-seam skinny: reposition the skinny jean as a fashion item and build into 2010 revival, Nu Boheme and feminine grit themes
The shrunken jacket: embrace Noughties Nostalgia to update trucker jackets, experimenting with shrunken proportions and vintage-inspired fits
The demure dress: capitalise on the return of ladylike demure dressing, focusing on fit and flare shapes with a waist focus
Split-seam Skinny
Although sales are dropping in retail, the comeback of skinny jeans is gaining momentum along with the 2010 revival.
Continue to market the skinny jean as a fashion piece within collections, distinct from core choices. The 2010 revival, along with Nu Boheme and feminine grit themes, endorses its comeback. Design mid-rise silhouettes featuring classic 5-pocket jean details. Refresh the skinny jean with slim to stove-pipe leg shapes that remain straight from the knee. Steer clear of overly tight fits or jeggings-like styles. Add intrigue by incorporating a split at the hem on the outer seam, back, or front of the leg, allowing the jeans to drape over the shoes. Embrace the new indie look of the 2010 revival by integrating the sooty, moody laundries and dark indigos highlighted in our forecast narrative, Club Kids 2.0.
The Shrunken Jacket
Noughties Nostalgia influences jacket proportions to shrink, reminiscent of the snug-fitting styles from the early 2000s.
Revamp the collection essentials trucker jacket by adopting shrunken and streamlined proportions. Opt for form-fitting designs cropped at the waist and try out bracelet-length sleeves. Tap into Noughties Nostalgia with a zippered closure and prominently turned-back cuffs, targeting the youth and young women’s markets, a crucial demographic for this style. Incorporate inclusive design elements, such as user-friendly closures, including poppers, Velcro, and zip fastenings with large ring pulls, to assist those with limited dexterity. For the womenswear and mature markets, explore feminine features, such as waisted silhouettes and peplums, drawing inspiration from historical dress references in our A/W 26/27 forecast story, Renaissance of Real. There's potential to adapt denim jackets for winter with lightweight padded liners and quilting to enhance transseasonality and value for money, as highlighted in our forecast story, Everyday Quilting. Pair with jeans, as the trend of denim on denim dressing continues to thrive.
The Demure Dress
With the comeback of ladylike silhouettes, refresh the denim dress by incorporating fit and flare designs and demure dressing styles to attract a wide range of markets.
Waist emphasis silhouettes are essential. Concentrate on drop-waist dresses in midi lengths featuring full skirts. Incorporate a rounded square neckline and long, set-in sleeves for the youth and young women’s markets. For the mature market, consider wider-cut sleeve options, such as lanterns or puffed long sleeves. Include inclusive design elements, like adjustable sleeve lengths and elasticated cuffs, to accommodate those with limb differences. Embrace styles suitable for day to night wear and multiple purposes. This is particularly important for the holiday season, offering greater versatility and value, which is a crucial consumer consideration as highlighted in our Design Priorities 25/26 report.
Source from WGSN
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