How Space Travel and Politics Will Shape Fashion in 2020 – Sourcing Journal

In fashion, the year 2020 not only represents the deadline for Greenpeaces Detox campaign to eliminate hazardous chemicals from clothing production, it will also be a year that brings global politics and space exploration to the runway, according to Lyst.

In the Year in Fashion 2019 report, the global fashion search platform peered into its crystal ball to identify five cultural trends that will influence fashion in 2020.

Heres a look at the next year in fashion.

Similar to Y2K, the year 2020 has been a source of inspiration for sci-fi storytellers for decades. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that fashion is feeling futuristic vibes too. Holographic fabrics, outerwear that mimics the look of space suits and otherworldy styling are among the trends Lyst has identified as trends to watch for Spring/Summer 2020.

S/S 2020 Louis Vuitton

Expect the fashion trend to lift off, Lyst said, when testing of SpaceXs reusable rocket and new human-crewed spacecrafts begin testing in 2020.

If you think the past three years of trade wars and Brexit have been turbulent for fashion, just wait until the 2020 U.S. presidential election cycle is in full swing. A turbulent political year, Lyst said, creates cultural tensions that affect consumer mindsets worldwide.

What those tensions will be is unknown, but now that cause fashion and fashion bearing political messages have become de rigueur on the runway and on high streets across the globe, expect to see designers voice their opinions on everything from equality to climate change.

With the upcoming U.S. elections, we predict to see even more political fashion statements from politicians, brands and retailers in 2020, Lyst said.

Every Olympics shines a spotlight on the host city, but what Sochi, Vancouver and even Athens lacked in style, Tokyo will more than make up for it. At least 600,000 overseas spectators are expected to visit Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic games, meaning they will have firsthand exposure to the citys unique style subcultures.

Tokyo street style

With all eyes on Japan 2020, prepare to be inspired by bold Harajuku street style and cult Japanese labels, Lyst said, naming Sacai, Undercover, Visvim and Neighborhood as among some of the most covetable names. Searches for Japanese brands, Lyst said, increased 8 percent this year.

The days of Jacquemus Le Chiquito bag, the 4.25-inch handbag that went from being meme fashion to becoming a coveted It item, may be numbered.

Jacquemus Le Chiquito bag was the It bag of 2019.

Following several seasons that saw handbag sizes shrink by 40 percent, Lyst predicts fashion will swing back to oversized handbags. Specifically, the supersized shopper from the early 00s. Lyst named soft leather styles by brands like Little Liffner and The Row as bags to watch.

While 2019 saw designers like Pyer Moss and Molly Goddard break out from flying under the radar, and heritage brands like Bottega Veneta enjoy a revival, a new class of brands is poised to emerge.

Based on fast-growing search terms over the past six months, Lyst suggests that 2020 will be a big year for ultra-feminine labels from Copenhagen like Rotate Birger Christensen, which has the party dress down pat, and Cecilie Bahnsen, a purveyor of peasant and baby doll dresses.

S/S 2020 Cecilie Bahnsen

Brands with a streetwear element factor in, too. Italian streetwear brand GCDS, minimalist label ALYX and Marine Serre, which got a stamp of approval by Beyonce this year when she wore the designers crescent top, leggings and boots to a basketball game, are picking up momentum, Lyst reported.

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How Space Travel and Politics Will Shape Fashion in 2020 - Sourcing Journal