Kids fashion trends at Pitti Bimbo 88 are mainly an extension of the bubbling under feelings from last year. Today I’m showing my pick from the exhibition stands with catwalk shots to follow later.
I saw lots of plaids, many more tweed coats and jackets, quilted velvet and in general an explosion of colour compared to what is usually a forest of woodland shades! One of the most striking shades is yellow ochre which has replaced the cleaner lighter yellow of the spring collections.
Navy, red and white was also a safe but popular colour combination.
The graphic lettering trend has moved away from slogans and following in the adult fashion world’s trend comes supersized as giant logo’s now especially on scarves, padded jackets and other accessories. MSGM has a cool collection in sports active styling with this.
Animal print continues as ever with the master of leopard in kidswear, Roberto Cavalli even showing multicoloured bears and other animals in his display. Some of the more forward thinking designers were using snakeskin prints too, especially lovely at Lamantine Paris.
Shapes are still full and voluminous, bib dresses and jumpsuits are everywhere, bomber jackets are rife for boys in metallics as well as more sober shades. Dresses are longer in length in girlswear with plenty of decorative elements. Textures and mad mixes of texture are very important such as the novel mix of leopard print and faux shearling for a bomber jacket at American Outfitters.
Most brands these days are happy to find a successful identity and then stick with it for repeating seasons, it keeps the buyers happy but it does mean finding defining fashion trends has become harder and trends last over 5 years or more.
One of the benefits of fashion trends moving more slowly these days though could be said to be sustainability. In kidswear though this is more of a concern in manufacturing as children will grow and there’s not much to be done about that!
However slower changing trend styles mean garments have a longer life span and can be handed down or re-sold in a circular economy without the new owner losing credibility and could encourage buying better quality garments in the first place as the secondhand value could well increase.
One new start up in the UK for selling pre-loved children’s designer fashion has been launched by Shoshana Kazab, called Kidswear Collective the site has some fabulous designer names and past season collections. Supplied by Yummy Mummy’s and Influencers the aim is to enter the circular economy, with buyers selling on in turn items they have purchased on the site.