Fortune magazine lists scarves, fashion sneakers (this means Lacoste and Michael Kors branded kicks), see-through clothes, industrial fabrics, and retail based spots to "hang out" as 5 hot fashion trends for 2008. Is this writer kidding? Clearly she didn't do her research! Last fall I spoke to several trend forecasters from the Doneger group as well as looking at research done by market and trend forecaster, Faith Popcorn for a piece I did in Forbes.com. This is what I came up with:
1) Menswear goes neon: That's right kids (ehem, men) you are going to see neon dominate everything from suits to over coats and shoes. If wearing a bright pink jacket is too much to handle, try rockin' a pair of green neon socks with a navy or grey suit.
2) Channel your inner Sid Vicious: If you work in an investment bank, then you definitely can't go too extreme with this trend either but wearing grommets on your shoes (like the Mad Mary Louboutin heel) is perfectly acceptible.
3) Stealth wealth is in: David Wolfe, creative director of the Doneger Group as well as [Faith] Popcorn agree lifestyles of the rich and famous are going to be embraced even more in 2008. What happens if you don't have $20,000 to drop on a fur coat? Fake it 'till you make it by purchasing faux.
4) It's not "industrial fabrics" silly, it's eco-friendly fabrics!!: Designers have been using fabrics made of plastic, rubber or recycled aluminum for decades. What's really hot right now are environmentally friendly fabrics made of organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or recycled polyester.
5) It's all about Beijing, baby: News flash- Beijing will be hosting the 2008 Olympics. Since this is a major global event, fashion will of course reflect it.