Taking Spring Trends from Runway to Every Day

Cotton Incorporated Trend Forecaster Shares This Season's Inspirations

For spring trends this season, Cotton Incorporated Trend Forecaster Lauren Deatherage says to expect the unexpected.

"From prints to denim and even florals, this season's trends for womenswear and menswear are bright, sophisticated, and detailed," Deatherage says. In womenswear, landscape prints are feminine yet edgy, while in menswear, double cloth fabrics that reveal a contrasting pattern or texture on the inside of the garment are a unique twist in knits.

"Prints are so sophisticated, and landscape prints are the latest evolution this season," says Lauren. "Whether in jackets to dresses and even t-shirts, there are so many eye-catching possibilities."

"In denim, everyone is always looking for the next big thing, and this season it's all about dyeing techniques," Deatherage says. "Shibori is an ancient Japanese method of dyeing that's similar in some ways to what we call tie-dye, and we're seeing some of these effects on denim. It's a fun trend for spring, and a great way to add a punch of color to your wardrobe. For men, colored denim will pop this season too."

Skinny jeans, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down in womenswear, get a pop of pattern with this technique.

"Florals also get turned up this season in womenswear, with a more impressionist take," Deatherage says. "And of course they are perfect for springtime. For menswear, shorts get a little more sophisticated; think dark seersucker for a slightly edgier look."

The following is Cotton Incorporated's Spring/Summer 2012 Trend Forecast:

• Beautiful landscape and conversational prints in full bleeds
• Futuristic Bohemian
• Underwater/Aquatic Influences
• Impressionist florals, especially on printed bottoms/pants

• Shibori and oukari dying techniques (traditional Japanese dying techniques)
• Traditional Japanese florals in indigo (nice alternative to Hawaiian florals which are always popular in Spring/Summer)

• fabric blocks of sheer areas in a silhouette (shoulders, panels of a long skirt, sleeves)
• also a fun way to layer a pop color underneath

• chunky sweaters, novelty yarns for spring/summer
• often times in a more open construction to be appropriate for the warmer weather
• large loops, thick yarns, bead chain inspired knits, even nylon wrapped cotton yarns to provide a fun/metallic look for cotton sweaters

• Big volume pants made a statement on the runway
• looked for ankle cropped styles to make ‘all that fabric' more manageable
• pleats through the hip can also provide volume in a less dramatic way
• harem style pants in layers of lightweight cotton or cotton lace

• dinner jacket style vest (great for layering over flirty dresses)
• sleeveless woven dress shirt

• Shorts are a big part of men's S/S wardrobe:
• A more casual look – speckled knit shorts with details like oversized pockets, fabric blocking or raw hems
• A bit more sophisticated – seersucker in dark tones and printed shorts in varying sized stripes or ikat/ethnic prints; pair these shorts with a rolled up woven or even a cotton blazer

• Updated in primary shades like bright red, yellow, green or updated blue tones like sky blue and cornflower

• Summer weight sweater knits (chunky novelty yarns or a metallic finish with nylon wrapped cotton yarns) Also hoodies are back but in fun knit constructions (patterns) or double cloth fabrics revealing a contrasting pattern or texture on the inside of the garment.
• -Lightweight cotton outerwear gets a "weighted" appearance from blotch printing and overdyeing effects in darkened colors – perfect to pair with those bold colored jeans and shorts

Cotton Incorporated, funded by U.S. growers of upland cotton and importers of cotton and cotton textile products, is the research and marketing company representing upland cotton. The Program is designed and operated to improve the demand for and profitability of cotton.