Skate and Street WearTrade Show Trends

Current trends spotted at trade shows last year have emerged into the current style for skate wear design and influences.

Men: Olive and Tan palettes, Sturdy Canvas, Preppy Wovens, Nautical (lightweight jackets, red, white, and blue colors, horizontal stripes), Utility Stamping (tag on the outside branding), Overprinted graphics, 90's pop culture influences, Photo manipulation, Plaid, Bright colors.

Women's: Floral Patterns, Geometric Patterns, Ethnic Influences, Thin cotton for summer, Demure Hemlines, Preppy schoolgirl touch, Bold Statements.

Future trends spotted at trade shows for the upcoming A/W 11/12 season is clearly showing trends that are evolving and adapting into new styles based off of current and past times. Some trends are here to stay such as plaid, but new styles and themes especially for womens wear should cause some excitement. Both men and womens wear looks to vintage America for inspiration. From decades such as the 50's and 90's. But instead of bright 90's themes, inspiration is pulled from preppier styles of the 90's. College/varsity blues heavily influences both men and womens wear. Women's wear takes on new cuts, very long styles for jackets and dresses. Girls clothing also takes on a stronger durable style. The typical work wear theme for men continues into this season with subtle changes. Some of the popular current trends for both men and women, such as bright colors seem to appear in the A/W 11/12 season. But a new twist on colors is also spotted, bright colors are now evolving into faded brights, a vintage style.

Fortunately more new was introduced than old, which I think is a very fresh direction. Skate and street wear is meant to be durable, and durability is a huge theme for both men and women. I also think owning durable yet fashionable clothes is an investment for your wardrobe and a comfortable factor for the owner. I feel the same palettes, patterns, and layering trends have been dragging on for about 5 years now, its time to switch it up!

Spotted trends for both men and women for the A/w 11/12 go as follows.

Men: Earthier tones, Bright colors are more focused towards outerwear, Toned down 80's, Bright graphics updated into asymmetrical prints, Hunter/camouflage prints for jackets, Heathered textures on jackets, Work wear/vintage out doors continues, Rusty colors, Snow friendly denim, Varsity jacket, key item for street wear, Embellished backpacks

Women's: Longer cuts for jackets, skirts, and dresses, Rusty colors, Cape cut, Embellished backpacks, Larger selection of styles for jackets (feminine, bright colors, genres), Over-sized layering, Pleat front continues, Prep college influences continue, Nordic prints

Graphics: Experimental Photography, Animal inspiration is still heavy, Attitude Expression, Rude Humor, Vintage America, Skulls are still present, Optical graphics is a large trend (liner expressions), Art and science infused,More print techniques are being explored (rubberized gloss prints)