What are the best ways to identify emerging fashion trends?

Sometimes designers just "feel" upcoming trends, but it's not some kind of super power; if you have knowledge of fashion history, fashion cycles and changes caused by current political and social issues and balance (or lack of it), you will sense the changes in general climate and what those changes can bring to the industry and how it will affect overall trends. If you're working for a small, niche brand, the impact of shifts in trends can be less influential, but in long term, that shift will impact the brand, so you need to "listen" what's going on. Personally, I can foresee the next trend flux by observing and (sometimes subconsciously) analysing the world around us, not relying on social media as the main source of information.

Social media is flooded with fashion inspiration, but it's essential to discern meaningful trends. To spot emerging fashion, shift your focus from influencers to accounts that capture genuine street style. Accounts like Streetstyle London (@streetstyle_london) and Parisiens in Paris (@parisiensinparis) excel at this. In the fashion world, researchers scour these accounts for fresh ideas, drawing inspiration from everyday people's style choices, which eventually make their way into collections. This process sometimes creates the illusion that a brand started a trend, when it was already thriving on the streets. The key is to become a savvy observer who appreciates street style's subtleties.

Get out and about. In nature, to experience art and culture, to talk to people and to notice your surroundings. Keeping your finger on the pulse of the current zeitgeist can help show you the way to what’s next. Fashion, like culture, is full of patterns and is cyclical to a degree. Understanding people is a superpower for many reasons, one of which is pinpointing all kinds of trends, including fashion and mood.

Get out there! shop the stores see what people are wearing shop full line department stores, shop off price - shop everywhere, and observe what people are wearing - get out into the world! “Fashion has to be worn, otherwise it doesn’t exist.” - Carolina Herrera

The best way to identify fashion trends I found. Do your homework! I would sit on the left bank in Paris for many hours a day taking notes on french young ladies on what there wearing.It was spring1981 in Paris an I noticed over a week of watching that the ladies were wearing Pant suits. OK thats part of the answer,however the business man in me said. I'm going to put the pant suit idea in DRESS DEPT. all over the country and compete with Sportswear Dept.The real lesson in merchandising is, NEVER FORGET YOUR IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY.

Relying on the insights from reputable trend forecasting agencies, such as ESP Trendlab, is a strategic approach for accurately identifying emerging macro, color and fashion trends while freeing up time to focus on design, creativity, and business strategy. For over four decades, ESP Trendlab has gathered a global network of trend experts and partners to offer a diverse selection of carefully curated products and services designed to enhance brands' in-house research and expertise.

In my view, unless you're professionally immersed in the fashion industry to the extent of justifying the expense of trend-spotting platforms, the most effective way to stay informed about emerging practices is by identifying voices within your niche that align with your sensibilities. After all, while Pantone may declare a certain color as the year's trend, it's entirely acceptable to hold a divergent perspective. Remaining informed is valuable, but blindly conforming to a trend opinion isn't a genuine expression of fashion; it's merely acquiescing to a prepackaged trend designed to drive sales. Fashion is about individuality and personal expression, not succumbing to what's imposed.

Social media expecially Instagram. I follow different fashion brands, stylists, writers and other people in the industry. With this am able to read, see and give an opinion or ask a question on the same. Also by looking at different galas like met gala and the Oscars who we get to see the latest what's trending and what we expect to see in the future. In my own country I have a certain market segment and what I do is do research and before we transact I interact with the client to understand what he or she wants so that I can meet a need and they can also get value for their money. This is done through what I can offer and collaboration with other people in the industry.

Researching online platforms is essential for gathering information, staying updated, and making informed decisions. The internet offers a vast array of platforms, from search engines and social media networks to academic databases and market research websites. These platforms provide access to data, news, scholarly articles, user reviews, and more. Efficient utilization of online resources can empower individuals and businesses with valuable insights, knowledge, and solutions across various domains.

Attending trade shows can give you some insight but in general they are too close to market and are more for buyers and retailers to put in orders for the coming season. At that point its a bit too late to jump on trends but can be a good way to see what brands have predicted is going on now.

Social media platforms, particularly Linkedin, Instagram and Pinterest, have become vital tools for identifying emerging fashion trends. These platforms allow users to follow fashion influencers, designers, and brands, providing an instant and immersive experience of the fashion world.

Trade shows are a great platform to spot the latest emerging trends. A lot of the exhibitors have done their research prior to bringing their product to market. You can also indentify key brands or companies to watch out for if their booth is busy. Trade shows allow you to engage with key people to do informal research whether with exhibitors or attendees.

Shows and events are a great way to identify the emerging trends and also serve as a platform for collaboration. Innovative and creative minds pertaining to the industry can discuss and share their take on the trend and sometimes this could lead to the birth of a new trend or an idea which was lacking in the ongoing trend.

As a Professional fit model I would shop in Europe and bring back photos and items I loved to present to the designers. For many years companies didn’t have the budget to send the designers… also Covid was a factor.

Fashion is highly influenced by how we live and what we are experiencing/ going through. Note pandemic life resulted in Athleisure, cozy, casual because we were all home. As soon as we could get out we had dopamine dressing as people were tired of feeling dreary on sweats, and opted for bright exciting colours, now we are adjusting to a new normal and recalibrating and basics and classic style are on trend at the moment.

This is where travel and being in the right circles, clubs and events starts to make trends that scale across borders more obvious

Growing up in Brazil, fashion was a burst of colors and minimal attire, perfectly in sync with our sunny lifestyle. But life took me on a journey to Turkey, where the fashion landscape was markedly different. This shift opened my eyes to the profound influence of culture on fashion. It made me realize that what we wear isn't just a matter of personal choice; it's a canvas upon which our surroundings, social circles, and beliefs paint their strokes. In the end, fashion is more than what you wear; it's a testament to your adaptability, your willingness to embrace change and your appreciation for the beauty of different cultures. It's an ever-evolving journey, an art form where you are both the artist and the masterpiece.

Growing up amid the vivid cultural tapestry of Kisumu, Kenya, vibrant African prints and rich textures coloured my fashion lens, each garment narrating stories of heritage and community. Moving to London introduced me to a contrasting, subdued fashion palette and a differently expressive sartorial language influenced by the city's cooler climate and historical nuances. My journey intertwines these diverse aesthetics, merging the bold, graphic Kenyan styles with London's understated elegance. This blend becomes a dialogue of my multicultural identity, each outfit a chapter that honours my roots and my present while navigating the evolving landscapes of personal and collective fashion experiences.

Trends tend to be incredibly regional. Understanding the demographics of the region and the customer base you are targeting is key. One of the main factors overlooked when analyzing trends is culture and politics. Movies, pop culture, and significant cultural events drive trends. Anything from World Cup to blockbuster movies or even a meteor shower are significant. Politics is also another over looked area of significance that drives consumer's spending habits. When consumer's are spending trends tend to skew toward overly ostentatious designs, and when economies head toward recession consumers tend to spend on basics and more functional purchases.

Discovering your unique style isn't a matter of blindly following influencers' recommendations. It's a journey that involves delving deep into your roots, understanding your sources of admiration, and deciphering what truly appeals to you. Ask yourself, "Why do I resonate with this person's style? Is it the vibrant colors they wear, or perhaps their unwavering authenticity?" Fashion is a powerful tool for self-confidence. When you feel genuinely connected to what you're wearing, it becomes a source of empowerment. It's an armor that shields you from self-doubt and propels you with self-assurance. So, remember, there's an incredible strength in embracing your unique style and letting it shine through every ensemble you create.

Start with a good foundation - know what styles suit your body type because not all trending styles may suit you. Understand "fashion rules" such as the "rule of thirds" (what clothing proportions are most flattering) or how to mix and wear prints. Once you have a good understanding of what works for your body type, you can build on it and experiment with your own style confidently.

One of the most effective ways to identify emerging trends (that the article did not mention), is investigating past history, both long-term and short-term. Analyzing the differences/similarities in previous forecasts (short-term) and how the target market actually reacted. This will give you a guide on how to steer clear of one trend or dive deeper on another. Or even explore contrasting trends like: mini skirts followed by maxi's. Furthermore, in order to make increasingly accurate trend predictions it helps to also understand the historical (long-term) political, societal, cultural and economical landscape - knowing where the trends have been (10-20 years back) can be a good indication on how the trends may unfold in the future.

All these sources mentioned above are useful. however, a fashion designer needs some soft skills to extract trends from all these sources mentioned in the text. Some of these skills are analytical skills, fashion sense, communication skills, creativity, flexibility, and detail-oriented. Besides daily observation of these sources, designers should focus on their personal development.

For the current styles, you must connect with the youth and not only observe them but openly engage with them to get deeper psychological needs which one can reflect in trends if you are a creative designer or provide insights to team on what will resonate with the young audience as they are what will shape the future next. Rather than just repeating decades, merge it with the current psychographics and bingo, you might hit a cultural and timeless piece.

Ample of Ways to consider, top 4 are: ✔️Identify the major events across the world, as it straight away impacts the fashion trends ✔️Resourceful websites, which shares the trends predictions ✔️Upcoming Garment | Fashion Export Exhibitions (global level) ✔️Follow few International Influencers a million plus followers, they get the sneak peak of new collection to publish to their audience before hand.

Another helpful tool would be ai that can help retailers and designers to make better decisions. Ai can help with trend forecasting and finding best answers.