The outerwear market sees consumers expecting more payoff with less material
Implications - As new clothing materials emerge, giving designers more efficient and warmer tools to work with, consumers are looking to wear winter gear that sacrifices extra bulk without giving up comfort. Transforming winter gear into something easier to both pack and wear, this shift speaks to heightened aesthetic demands that consumers are putting on function-focused fashion.
Trend Themes
1. Lightweight Winter Gear - Designers are creating new, warm and efficient clothing materials that allow winter gear to be more easy-pack and provide greater comfort.
2. Packable and Performance Enhancing Capacities - Consumers demand for clothing that is both functional and stylish. Designers are creating outerwear that marries style and performance while being lightweight and packable.
3. Innovative Yet Practical Fillings - Filling materials are being created to improve the fluffy look and warmth of jackets. There's a push to create fillings that make the jackets anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and water repellent.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Apparel - Fashion designers will benefit from incorporating new clothing materials into their designs that are not only lightweight and warm, but also provide greater comfort to consumers.
2. Sports and Outdoor - The sports and outdoor industries can tap into the trend of consumers demanding for clothing that is both stylish and functional to create products that cater to this demand.
3. Textile Production and Innovation - Textile leaders should develop innovative materials that enhance the performance and utility aspects of outerwear, improving protection to the user while maintaining a lightweight design.
