Trends to watch: what is in store for winter 2018?

Fringe

Featured in many western trends, fringes are all about outlining and enhancing each movement with a flutter, adding dynamism to a look. They can be found on ready-to-wear clothing (jackets, coats or shirts), but remains particularly popular on accessories worn to spice up an outfit. For retailers needing a short-term buying investment, go for bags with fringes; they are easy to wear and can add style to a more classical dress look, and ideal for upselling with other pieces being purchased.

Headwear

The most stylish and the most trendy headwear is featured in all the fashion shows this year. Whether it be a cap from embroidered cloth or wool with a sailor look, a felt hat or Fedora, a bonnet or even a beret, everything is possible this winter. At Dior, after Maria Grazia put a beret at the front of the ready-to-wear stage for Autumn–Winter 2017-2018, it has undergone a revival. The milliner Stephen Jones confirms it: “The beret is the T-shirt of the headwear”. Buyers should look for the one made in France by the fashion house Laulhère, whose history and know-how is worth checking out.

The equestrian look

Whilst Hermès is the fashion house that flies the equestrian flag high, the riding look can also be seen with numerous brands this winter. Also at Dior, the 2019 Cruise Collection teamed up with the Great Stables of Chantilly Chateau for a show with an equestrian metaphor married with French tradition with South American aesthetics. It marked the return of jodhpurs, horsemen’s riding boots, cloaks and lovely tanned hides. The horse saddle blanket has even been reinvented as a skirt (Derek Lam) or short jacket (Hermès). Accessories featuring this theme include wide belts, long gloves and large leather bags.