Seasonal Trend Analysis for Sport/Outdoor

February 2020

Must-have Sport & Outdoor trends for Autumn/Winter 2021/22

“From Clean Performance to Modular Function and 3D Forms, here are the hottest new trends that will drive innovation”.

As the industry continues to gather pace and trends blur into an almost constant stream of newness, it becomes increasingly important to decipher the hits from the fads. The LTP team sit down with forecaster Chantell Fenton to discuss the key drivers and must-have trends expected to shape the sport/outdoor industry for Autumn/Winter 2021/22.

LTP will debut the complete seasonal trend forecast alongside a series of Value Added Partnership services at this years Performance Days in April 2020 and on the LTP roadshows. The forecast will feature the must-have trends and insights designed to drive product innovation and future-proof your business.

The result of hundreds of hours of research, drawn from a myriad of sources and validated by multiple data points, here are 3 key trends from this series:

Clean Performance

With changing legislation and shifting consumer expectations, climate urgency will evolve far beyond a buzzword to become a key issue and purchasing driver. Consumers will begin to demand more from sustainable ranges, leave-no-trace and chemical-free performance will be an imperative. Aim to end the concept of waste entirely. Draw inspiration from the Adidas by Stella McCartney Infinite Hoodie created using Evrnu's NuCycl fibres. Create technical performance-wear from discarded clothing as single-life textiles become a thing of the past and the industry goes waste-free. Eliminate toxic dyes from the production process by using natural dyes or embracing the natural colour of the yarn as seen at The True Colour collab by Adidas and Byborre. Designer Rosie Broadhead goes one step further by adding bacteria rather than chemicals to fibre which reduces body odour when activated by sweat.

Clean Performance Trend Board, image source    www.chantellfenton.com
Clean Performance Trend Board, image source WWW.CHANTELLFENTON.COM

Modular Function

As consumers look to buy-less-but-better demand intensifies for adaptable activewear and products that offer multiple end-uses. Louis Vuitton’s creative director, Virgil Abloh, coined the term “Accessomorphosis” meaning the transformation of an accessory into a garment, effectively evolving its functional form. Introduce buildable apparel and hybrid designs with removable and detachable elements. Outer layers that transform into backpacks or offer reversible styling are ideal for urban commuters. Although longevity in design is key, also consider end of life. Aim to design for disassembly, panelled constructions can easily be repaired, replaced or recycled after-use.

Modular Function Trend Board, image source    www.chantellfenton.com
Modular Function Trend Board, image source WWW.CHANTELLFENTON.COM

3D Forms

A more thoughtful approach to materials and form results in a stronger focus on 3D surfaces and architectural structure. Materials are engineered into abstract forms using innovative baffle designs or pin tucks to create super-tactile surfaces. Embossed and debossed fabrics become the new norm for core-not-basic ranges. Draw inspiration from directional brand Patronace's new textile printing technology which turns two-dimensional fabrics into three-dimensional surfaces. The effect can be used on almost any fabric from leather to light-reflecting textiles. Another option is to invest in hyper-customisation by 3D printing embellishment onto garments.

3D Forms Trend Board, image source    www.chantellfenton.com
3D Forms Trend Board, image source WWW.CHANTELLFENTON.COM

How to get the complete Autumn/Winter 2021/22 sport/outdoor forecast

Existing customers and partners can contact CCO Alex Ingildsen ([email protected]) for their exclusive copy of the Autumn/Winter 2021/22 sport/outdoor forecast. Produced seasonally by trend expert Chantell Fenton.

About Chantell Fenton

Chantell is an experienced performance sportswear designer and trend forecaster, with a passion for wellness, technology and function-first design. Chantell has an in-depth knowledge of how to spot and translate the must-have trends and macro shifts for the sports and outdoor industry. For a more in-depth look at her portfolio visit WWW.CHANTELLFENTON.COM or get in touch at: [email protected]