Magic Trade Show Highlights
Athletic-Inspired Looks: Sources were the most upbeat about athletic-inspired looks that continue to gain traction with the masses. Reinvented sweatshirts for men and women were key items and shown in new boxy shapes and interesting fabrics, such as mesh, quilted cotton or suede. Camo was a key athletic print showing up in accessories, such as Fossil Inc. men’s bags, and was also featured by various brands for teens and contemporary apparel. Sporty bomber jackets were expected to be a hot silhouette for fall outerwear, and vendors were enthusiastic about traction they are seeing with the reinvented sweat pant, which is being offered in soft draped styles with banded bottoms. We were especially impressed with versions offered by V.F. Corp.'s Splendid brand. Sources said women are wearing these bottoms with various takes on the sneaker or dressing the look up with heels.
Other trends included bohemian or artisanal looks -- trends that we expect to benefit Urban Outfitters Inc.’s Free People and Anthropologie divisions. Fall sweaters were very textured and nubby, and outerwear was luxurious with many vendors showcasing leather and fur details or faux versions. For teens, cropped tops, pop-art prints, and edgier street-inspired looks were also highlighted for fall.
Handbags: Handbag vendors noted that color will still be important for handbags this spring and into fall, but hardware is becoming less of a focal point, replaced with softer looks or intricate details, such as laser-cut leather. Silhouettes were similar to those we’ve seen the past year, but some manufacturers said spring 2015 should have updated silhouettes with more geometric shapes for the accessories category in general.
Denim: Skinny denim continued to be the main silhouette for women and teens, and for fall, there were more street-inspired looks with distressed and acid-wash-type finishes being a focal point for teens, along with overalls. We believe most of the teen retailers, including Aeropostale Inc., American Eagle Outfitters Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and Urban Outfitters, can address these looks for teens this fall. In the contemporary space, buyers and vendors said denim has become less of a focal point as women seek out softer trouser-type pants or update their look with athletic-inspired bottoms. Contemporary denim manufacturers, such as DL 1961 Premium Denim Inc., AG Jeans and Paige Denim, continued to offer dark clean washes but were trying to appeal to women who are drawn to the comfort factor of athletic-inspired looks by offering softer, almost suede-like fabrics, as well as silky draped bottoms. Some styles even mimicked trousers, such as jeans offered with tuxedo-style trim. Distressed and bleached styles were also expected to be top fall picks.
