As seasons change from summer to fall, the fashion retailers in the US are also changing their merchandise and window displays to welcome the first breeze of the coming winter. In dark and cozy colours, the palette of the season is traditional with deep maroons, mustards and earthy shades of browns taking the forefront. The fabrics are warmer, with knits playing a major role in fashion this year. The textures they impart are far from simple, and coarser than normal. The silhouettes are flowy and visibly vary between the statures of a strong working woman to the free spirited style of a nomadic female. The love for white and black has become eternal, with a few new trends adding fun to the season. While the stores in the US are busy displaying a tranquil face for the autumn/winter of 2014, the Fashion Team of Apparel Online took an international visit to put together a visual experience of what’s selling in the US…
The pleasant palettes for the summer floral prints have considerably shifted to a strong trend of dark florals. Big flowers that are mixed with leaves and other garden elements are made into patterns in dark colours. Although not at all gloomy, they are fresh and blooming only in deeper colours of navy, profound reds, dark greens, and black and whites. Not only in tops, but also spread all across dresses and in beautifully laid floral trousers and leggings, these dark flower prints can be easily spotted in stores like Talbots, Halogen, Nordstrom and Free People.
Opposite to the florals are the even more famous geometric tribal prints that are practically present with all fashion retailers across the states. Emerging from the strong influence of Indian-American tribes, the authentic Native American patterns and symbols are easily recognizable even from a fair distance. In strong gypsy colours, the prints are mostly two-coloured with a darker base of black, dark browns or deep blue and patterns printed on top in brighter shades of maroon, red, mustard, dirty yellows and simply black and white yet again. While brands like Anthropologie are knitting the trend in ethereal presentations in loose and asymmetric outerwear, the fast fashion retailers like Forever 21 are also selling T-shirts with dream catcher graphics and a more vibrant version of tribal colour stories.
Sportswear and activewear is the most promising product category for brands, no matter which target market they were made to serve too. From every single retailer such as Gap to Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, and banana republic, activewear clothing is an altogether dedicated section today. Be it the carefully cut sport bras for the synthetic shorts, yoga and hiking track pants, these lines shout loud of this ever so growing consumer lifestyle and are creatively designed to add a fashion element to every such merchandise.
A vital observation also comes from the fact that brands are indeed playing it safe by stocking clothing for all seasons. With the weather acting unpredictable for the past few years, it’s hard for manufacturers to gauge consumer preferences which are proving to be equally dynamic. The overall merchandise can be easily termed as season-less, becoming a mix of summer and winter styles that can be layered to form an entire ensemble. Therefore, even though it’s time for fall, the retail shelves are still selling chiffon and mesh tops, thin knitted dresses and simple jersey T-shirts and tops. A silhouette that has effortlessly moved into the upcoming fall season is the full jumpsuit which is getting hotter and better day by day. Brands like Bebe, Express, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and H&M are bringing out innumerable styles in jumpsuits which are hard to resist for customers all over.
There is also a tremendous inflow of lace this year, which is seen to continue as layering pieces in the fall as well. In laced dresses with matching linings, fine laced tops with decorative mesh neck and shoulder yokes, and lace skirts as well, the trend is still not ready to expire. Stylists are referring these pieces to be styled under denim jackets, and warm outerwear for a feminine fashion style which is definitely running strong on the runways as well.
Introducing the most important silhouette of this Fall, the fashion racks can’t get enough of the front open capes with asymmetric hemlines. Featuring the knit trend in its maximum capacity, these capes are completely knitted in coarser and denser variations. They are raw and unique in appeal with an underlining nomadic vibe running through the entire style. Most outstanding in tribal knitted patterns, the product is playing its charm in the new and fresh collections of retailers like Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Lucky brand and Forever 21.
The classic leopard print has also made a strong comeback in its original form of a black and brown colour palette. As shades of brown and the obvious black are all running powerful for fall, so is the print owing to its conventional appeal. It’s hard to name a brand which does not have the trend in one form or the other, but to name a few it’s available in Express for women, Bebe, Sejour, St. John and Talbots.
Last but not the least, there is always a quirky vibe in fashion that keeps it fun, no matter how cold and overcasted it gets. Adding to the perkiness of this moment are some raging trends like Lego inspired prints and accessories that are young and colourful in every respect. The snoopy dog has proudly emerged as a fashion icon, taking a stylish space on sweatshirts and sweaters. T-shirts with Parisian macaroons in faded pastel colours are available with brands like Urban Outfitters, and the globe-trotter theme is not far behind with map prints taking over dresses and shirts in the stores of Anthropologie.
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