INVISTA, owner of the LYCRA® brand, together with trend forecasting agency Stijlinstituut Amsterdam, present their trend predictions for legwear for 2018 brought to life through a capsule range of garments featuring cutting- edge technology and sympathetic to consumer and global trends (8 key trends were presented).
Jane Gwyther, Hosiery Marketing Manager for INVISTA, reported a number of initiatives that the company had brought forward and was continuing to introduce to the hosiery and sock market. After a fairly steady first 6 months in 2017, she reported that growth was slowing down with the very uncertain background of the British economy, dealing with withdrawal from the EU. Ladies’ hosiery continues to decline (£275million -3% over the previous year) whereas ladies’ socks rose to £180million +6% and men’s socks to £326million +2%. And although Gwyther mentioned that fashion hosiery was seeing something of a revival the real growth story for producers and retailers were socks. A move hastened on by further casualization of dressing and indeed the casualization of the shoe market.
SHEER LUCK – Uncomplicated and minimalist, stripped back to create a contemporary feeling of calm. Plays of texture and transparency highlight skin beauty offering comfort and enhanced freedom with LYCRA® 3D technology with a uniform and softer, smoother touch on the leg. A look that is better than bare.
SELF IMPROVEMENT – With sportswear influencing fashion, so activewear inspired apparel becomes everyday wear. Not just enhanced performance but enhanced compression and comfort for daily use and taking advantage of colour blocking, striking black and blue making a statement with the added benefit of LYCRA® FREEFIT® technology ensuring less slip down and rollover at the waistband.
COMFORT SEEKERS – Performance with the use of LYCRA® Soft Comfort technology ensures superior fit and comfort but stretches freely to accommodate movement for women constantly on the go or active fuller figured women. Retro styles combined with intense colour blends both the trends of the past with a nod to the 1970s.
PERFECT HUE – Black is the number one choice – easy to wear, slimming and chic. And the ‘perfect’ black is achievable with vibrant tights with LYCRA® Black technology – a black that pure, intense, deep and durable. On its own or as a base for flashes and pops of colour, legs get the royal treatment with styles that are fun and functional with Thermolite® to keep wearers warm and dry and LYCRA® LEG CARE technology with graduated compression to assist tired legs.
MAKE IT MINE – Consumer created or customised legwear will be a key influence and although not economically feasible, its influence is seen with designers crafting folk and abstract patterns, decorative patterns, tattoos or body painting. Even skintones are achieved with the use of LYCRA® LIVING LIGHTS technology which can offer more saturated fashion colours – fast-moving fashion.
CONSIDERATE CONSUMER – The future is already here with a consumer who views ethical concerns and product development as necessary to any purchase. They are not so concerned with fast fashion but look for longer lasting aesthetics and more timeless products. This is ‘slow’ fashion, relaxed and at ease, recycled sources are a plus and made possible with the use of COOLMAX® EcoMade technology. Lasting performance + clear conscience = happy & considerate consumers.
FLEX DENIM – This is the latest in ‘comfort casuals’ – comfort, performance and forward fashion looks with a focus on form-fitting but non-restricting materials. Seamless denim leggings and knitted indigo feature multi directional stretch with the help of LYCRA® HYBRID technology – comfortable as track suit bottoms, fashionable as jeans and as versatile as hosiery.
SERIOUS SPORTS – As sports influences encroach on fashion, mixing and diluting, there is still room for those who are serious sports men and women. This is hard core performance with appeal to a more dedicated demographic. LYCRA® ENERGIZETM with graduated compression supports muscles and improves blood circulation. Graphic patterns map the leg’s anatomy and outline with socks offering insulation without bulk and is offered for those who wish not just to participate but to compete.
