Holiday Vibes Filters Across Men’s and Women’s Fashion – Sourcing Journal

Rising flights and hotel costs aren’t the only signs that consumers are in vacation mode.

In addition to occasional wear, beachwear abounds in the Resort 2022 and Spring/Summer 2022 men’s collections, with several brands putting a “psychedelic, funky twist” on signature beachwear, according to data-driven fashion trend forecasting firm Heuritech.

However, designer dress goals varied with some channeling Tulum’s breezy bohemian vibe with linens and knits and others embracing the retro Hawaiian coolness of patterned shirts and bright colors. Meanwhile, pastel colors for men and women signify a brighter and optimistic outlook for fashion as a whole.

A universally-loved theme gives retailers plenty to work with. Here, Heuritech provides an overview of the most promising holiday-inspired fashion trends to know for 2022.

Crochet

From Casablanca yellow scalloped edge sets to bra tops by Ambush, designers are exploring the look and feel of DIY knitting.

“Knitwear has been a big trend in fashion for over a year, and knitwear has been leading the way as a trendy knitted textile in recent times, with major brands and independent designers alike integrating textiles into their collections,” reports Heuritech.

Linen

There are no fabrics that sum up “holiday fashion” as well as linens. “This is not only desirable because of its practicality in heat but also because of its growing reputation as a sustainable material,” said Heuritech.

Although linen is prevalent in summer collections today, its popularity is expected to grow as the sustainability movement continues to gain momentum. Women’s main items are tops and beach dresses, although labels like Lemaire also feature natural fabrics as an option for work wear. Heuritech said retailers can expect this trend to soon reach additional segments, including mainstream dressers.

The look of linen for men is a little different. Compared to the “strong beach connotation” for women’s clothing, Heuritech describes men’s linen as safari minimalist. This fabric takes a desert hue to outfits like the Hed Mayner tunic top and casual blazer embellished with epaulettes from Yohji Yamaoto.

Bleached denim

Bleached denim is made for the beach. A light, faded wash makes an impression in the women’s collection from Y/Project and Alessandra Rich. In addition to being used for jeans, Heuritech saw improvements in silhouettes such as bleached denim miniskirts and shorts.

However, the trend is more popular in men’s collections. With influential brands such as Isabel Marant, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga adopting this wash for all their denim, the intrigue in bleached denim signifies a “large-scale push from darker colors,” adds Heuritech. Expect to see bleached denim jeans worn by mainstream and trendy consumers.

pastel colors

Pastels, Heuritech says, are the “classic color” for the 2022 holiday theme. Since pastels are the same color, they can be easily blended and paired together, resulting in colorful looks that are fun for both men and women. While shorts and tops are the most common way womenswear designers present pastels, men are “big fans” of showing pastels in the form of suits.

While yellow, blue, pink and green are present, pastel purple, a color similar to WGSN’s key color for 2023, digital lavender, is the most popular color trend. The colors, which Heuritech notes as complementing other “sand and sea colors,” are often made in the form of a relaxed beach and paired with beaded jewelry.

Printed Button-Down Shirt

Months of wearing T-shirts and sweating gave way to button-down shirts—especially printed versions. “The loose collar and distinctive relaxed collar make it the perfect outfit for summer,” Heuritech says of this outfit.

The short-sleeved button-up shirt is seen in men’s collections by Bluemarble, White Mountaineering and Lemaire, with floral and abstract prints being the most used. Cotton is the primary fabrication, but Heuritech sees some variation in mesh and velvet.

Long-sleeved versions are more popular in women’s collections from brands like Rhude and Nanushka.

Diffusion Dye

Button-down shirts are a popular canvas for diffusion dyes—a new and softer take on traditional dyes. “Incidentally, this also fits into the popular pastel trend,” says Heuritech.

The subtle color transitions of this coloring technique match the laid-back beach feel seen in the MSGM and Oamc collections. While Casablanca makes a strong case for diffusion-colored chiffon dresses, Heuritech cites shorts and pants as the most popular piece of clothing in women’s clothing. Trousers and tops are a favorite way to apply dye to men’s clothing.

Shorts

Shorts have become shorter for men. “Inspired by sportswear with elastic waistbands and airy silhouettes, shorts are present throughout the menswear show,” reports Heuritech.

The leg-laying silhouette is also the canvas for other holiday-friendly trends such as pastel purples (as seen in the Sean Suen collection) and knitting (as seen in the Wales Bonner collection).

Ribbed variations dominate women’s collections. “The handcrafted nature of the knitted shorts makes it the perfect inclusion for a carefree holiday fashion trend with sustainability, slow fashion and natural textiles at the heart of this look,” says Heuritech.