Top fashion trends driving the industry in 2022
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Inclusive intimates
The success of the period pant across all market levels has highlighted the opportunity to provide garments that deliver on wearable wellbeing, tackling the challenges women face at different times of life. This is bringing inclusion to the forefront of the intimates and underwear category by responding to the challenges of plus size, modest wear, pregnancy, menopause, and older age with performance-based garments that harness fiber innovation to supercharge design solutions for their needs.
Canada-based Thigh Society’s sweat-wicking, soft, lightweight, and breathable slip shorts help to reduce the discomfort of thigh chafing, and can be worn under clothes for comfort. Adidas Terrex’s active base layers are designed especially for women, with special fit and body-mapped ‘sweat zone’ placements. US-based Elastique Athletics uses MicroPerle beading on the inside of its leggings to aid lymphatic drainage.
All this product innovation is aimed at targeting the pain points for women and making them feel more comfortable and confident in their underwear at all times.
Bast fibers
Bast fibers, farmed regeneratively, will rise in importance as the fashion industry looks to diversify away from cotton. The bast fiber group, which includes flax (linen), hemp, ramie, and jute, support regenerative agricultural practices that can help the soil sequester carbon.
Pure linen, being a biodegradable natural fiber, needs a fifth of the fertilizer required for cotton, less water to grow, and draws carbon into the soil, making it a much-lower-impact crop. Linen, as the best-known bast fiber, is already growing in popularity in the fashion industry due to its natural performance and eco-friendly associations. It is also cooling, moisture-wicking, absorbent, breathable, and durable, with inherent antibacterial, moth- and stain-resistant properties.
Along with linen, hemp is big news in denim circles, while jute is expected to make an impact in footwear and accessories.