Fashion Trend of the Year 2016 New Utility at the Fall/Winter 2016-17 Trade Shows

Back in December, Trendstop revealed New Utility as its Fashion Trend of the Year 2016. Characterised by a clean, contemporary take on utility aesthetics, this inspirational trend direction combines fashion with function to produce forward looks that are both practical and well-designed. Having first identified New Utility in early 2014 using their global trend innovator analysis, the Trendstop team can now validate the trend using directional examples from leading trade shows around the world. With New Utility set to influence fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle products throughout the 2016 year, in this feature FashionUnited readers can discover how the trend is emerging in womenswear, menswear and kidswear collections for the Fall/Winter 2016-17 season.

Feminine Utility

Functional fashion is revisited with a feminine twist in women's ready-to-wear, as US designers experiment with luxe aesthetics. Military jackets coloured in olive green stand out with tactile material mix panels, as durable boots with supple suede panels are elevated on chunky heels. Ruching also enhances femininity on casual caps.

Technical Utility

In menswear, technical materials and performance-inspired designs update utility looks. Nylon qualities with a sheen finish are key, applied to must-haves like casual camou print jackets, practical multi-strap duffle bags and padded panel boots. This was a key trend at the Berlin Fall 2016 trade shows.

Utility Grunge

Utility-inspired kidswear evolves with a touch of grunge for fall, creating versatile styles for the mini rebel. Denim is shaped into all-in-ones, while muted camou prints surface on slip-ons shoes. Textural surfaces add interest to casual shapes, such as quilted jersey bombers.

Exclusive Offer

FashionUnited readers can get a free copy of Trendstop's complete Fall/Winter 2015-16 Paris Trade Show Overview, containing essential trends emerging in women's fashion from leading trade events Who's Next, Capsule, WOMAN, Premiere Classe and Tranoi. Simply click the banner to receive your complimentary report.

Trendstop.com is one of the world's leading trend forecasting agencies for fashion and creative professionals, renowned for its insightful trend analysis and forecasts. Clients include H&M, Primark, Forever21, Zalando, Geox, Evisu, Hugo Boss, L'Oreal and MTV.

Images courtesy of Trendstop.com: SuperDuper, Alexa Stark, ATELJE 71, Creative Recreation, Soulive, Nixon, Picnik, Atlanta Mocassin, Tumble 'n Dry all Fall/Winter 2016-17.