A new year brings a new season of Fashion Weeks around the world. While most collections for the spring-summer 2017 season have been already unveiled, in 2017 we will see the collections for the autumn-winter 2017-18 season and for the spring-summer 2018 season. Fashion Weeks happen all over the world and AC is happy to discover events that are not so popular, but the main four ones (London, New York, Paris and Milan) are still the main pillars of trends.

Today trends are more and more understood in a different light than recently. If up until recently a trend meant an item or a color that was worn by everyone (for example a pink crop top in womenswear), today a trend is seen more as a direction in which the aesthetic of fashion is going – it is the visual symbolic concept of the current state of the world. This does not mean that the old type of trend does not exist anymore, but it is less relevant, as the wide spread of the fashion industry makes everything to be “in” all the time.

 

There are many trend forecasting agencies and specialists around the world. Each season, they provide their customers with information on what they have concluded are the directions in which fashion will go for the next seasons. These forecasts are generally the result of both a scientific analysis and the forecaster’s gut instinct.

 

Here are some men’s fashion trends that we believe will take off in 2017, as the autumn-winter 2017-18 and spring-summer 2018 collections will be revealed.

 

 

Concepts

As far as concepts are concerned, we think that in the 2017-2018 fashion season we will see a lot of athletic clothes walk down the runways. “Sporty” is going to be a strong buzzword, as sportswear will mix with casual clothes and even with formal pieces. Basically, it’s all going to be about dynamism and flexibility – movement will be a major key word. As we will see later, this will also define the fabric choices.

We are also going to see the concept of slow fashion continue to develop. While some brands will remain true to the original meaning of slow fashion, some brands will try to deliver slow fashion fast, which can result in a decrease of attention or in a roughness-based aesthetic: many hemp and other plant-based basic pieces such as t-shirts will be shown in 2017.

In terms of luxury, we will see an interesting phenomenon: there will be a growing contrast between affordable luxury and elite-level luxury brands. In other words, Balmain might make a new collaboration with an affordable chain, but owning top-level clothing is most likely to be more unattainable than it has been in recent years. The luxury market is likely to go steady, as it is usually not very much affected by other cultural trends, even though it will continue to see an increase in customers in Asian countries such as China, India or Russia.

 

 

Colors and prints

As far as colors and prints are concerned, we won’t see much of those this year. Dark and muted colors will be the main way designers will probably go with neutrals being the most seen colors in menswear this year. Brown, black, gray, beige, khaki and other similar colors will make the main color palette of 2017.

While we will obviously see some color and prints, they won’t be as wild and shiny (not much neon or yellow) as they were a few seasons ago.

When it comes to prints, we are looking at many simple patterns and quite abstract prints. Clothes featuring clear images, such as the Dolce and Gabbana pieces we’ve seen a few seasons ago won’t make it much to the runway this year.

 

 

Fabrics

In terms of fabrics, we are definitely going to be looking at two main areas: one, the sporty zone, with stretchy neoprene and other sporty fabrics in the spotlight and two, a zone covering fabrics with depth of field if you will. Corduroy, knits and many similar fabrics are most likely to grace the runways of 2017. Moreover, we will see lots of embroidery and other applique techniques that will add volume to clothes. Cashmere and wool are also on the horizon.

In terms of fabrics, there will be a look back at the 1970s with many handmade-looking pieces in sight, which goes hand in hand with the colors we mentioned, which will be very earth-based.

 

 

Pieces

Besides the classic menswear pieces, consisting of suits, overcoats, t-shirts and jackets, we think we will see a lot of big items, but that will be curvy and soft. In this sense, while a few seasons ago there were a lot of oversized jackets sent down the runways of the world, this season we are expecting to see many items that resemble ponchos or interpretations of overalls. Basically, many blanket-style items in sight.

In terms of accessories, we’re expecting many bulky shoes (not many sandals or slippers), sunglasses and our magic globe is showing some hats down the horizon.

 

 

Fashion is a field that does not change extremely rapidly under normal conditions, but change is what ultimately drives it.

Activewear, slow fashion and the 1970s along with large and curvy pieces could be the words that will shape the next seasons of fashion, but designers and fashion houses have the ultimate words to say.

Now that we’ve announced our forecast, we can let the Fashion Weeks roll in!

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

Fashion Forward: Keywords of 2016. Where to next?

What were the most-searched for fashion questions in 2016? And how Attire Club had the answers

P.S. We want to hear from you! What do you think is the next big thing in fashion? Which Fashion Week event do you prefer? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!