SYDNEY: "Cyber surf" is one of the four key looks that will hit stores in spring/summer 2010/11, trend forecasters have revealed.
Speaking at an industry seminar in Sydney on Thursday (November 19), WGSN senior fashion editor Sue Evans revealed the key messages for the season will be boudoir, escapism, cyber surf and the uniform.
Describing the new cyber surf look as "edgy sportswear meets the future", Evans said dresses with a second skin fit and cut out sections will be a highlight of the look. Trims such as plastic, coloured scuba-style zips and piping will also be featured, along with digital cyber blue prints. Cycle-style shorts will also be key to the look, Evans said.
The romance look was predicted to be a little less show stopping, characterised instead by a return to more "fragile" pieces and silhouettes. Handkerchief hems, floral prints, crochet knits, ruffles and tiers will all be key components, Evans said. Flesh tones, romantic pinks, vapour greys and chalky pales are predicted to be among the dominant colours, along with transparent fabrics and designs using underwear as outerwear.
Moving on to escapism, Evans said the trend will be charactered by loose, draped fabrics and longer-proportioned garments. Toga dresses, elongated tunic shirts and the maxi dress will be strong features of the look. The key fabric will be loose fitting jersey, and trims will focus on paisley around the neckline as well as fringing, Evans said.
The uniform look had proven successful in recent seasons and will continue on into spring/summer 2010/11, drawing on utility and military-style garments, Evans revealed. Khaki will be a key colour for the season, she added.
Evans said all four trends will be characterised by an absence of strong shoulders and complicated accessories, noting that fetish style designs that have featured in recent footwear will be out of favour. Square shapes, hard buckles and other metallic trims will be scrapped in favour of soft, full leather bags and shoes with a clog influence.
Evans also revealed WGSN's predictions for the top ten pieces for spring/summer 2010/11, namely the military jacket; the silky tee; the men's baseball jacket; contour panel pants; the scuba dress; men's knitted polos; square cut crop tops; the slip dress; men's knee length tailored shorts; and close fitting cycling shorts.
For more on the latest WGSN seminar, pick up a copy of Ragtrader's December 4 issue.