Impressions - March 2018 - 21

Comfort and feel
are priorities for
female customers.

"Younger consumers
have had a really
interesting effect on
womenswear. Adult
women are no longer
afraid to have fun
with fashion."
- Jennifer Oleksik,

LAT Apparel

garment. This year, the market will see an even
bigger impact on the migration of wearable
technology into apparel - anywhere from
Hydro-charged colors and performance-tech
materials, to mesh and neoprene as the
vanguards of fabrics. It was a year that saw
body-hugging styles vanishing, to be replaced
with looks suitable to all women, no matter
their shapes or lifestyles.
"Fit will always be a major aspect of the
apparel industry," Moore says. "It's just how
the fit is affected by the trends we see in the
fabrications, and the details and aesthetics
that drive the shape of a garment. For 2018,
as we see more need for this effortless lifestyle
to push forward, we will see more relaxed,
voluminous layering garments."
To help cater to a more active lifestyle,
brands are placing a premium on versatility.
This means a tee that can be decorated for a
sports team or rock concert, or joggers that
can take wearers from a morning run to lunch
with the girls.
Fit again will be at the forefront of apparel design for today's active woman. "Women
are more aware of their shapes and curves,
and have come to embrace their bodies," says
Jennifer Oleksik, design and merchandising
manager, LAT Apparel. "As these strides continue across our female population, women's
apparel will have to continue to address these
needs and wants from their consumers."
Oleksik says that's why versatility and fabric
choices are so important in women's apparel. "Everyone has their own style and wants
to be able to feel great about what they are
buying and wearing," she says. "If a piece can
transition from day to night, a consumer is
more likely to make the investment. Versatility also is what has allowed the athleisure

trend to grow and evolve. Style mixed with
comfort is the key to versatility in apparel."
One thing is certain in 2018 for not only
womenswear, but also all apparel categories:
The athleisure movement isn't going anywhere
anytime soon. These easy-to-wear items will
be seen in off-the-shoulder styles and with
cutouts, which will continue to transition into
different materials, silhouettes and fabrics to
give women opportunities to have sexy style
without much effort.
"Inspiration from menswear is looking
like it will trend heavily into 2018," Oleksik
says. "The body-hugging, bodysuit trend is
still holding strong, but we are noticing that
body-hugging basics are now being paired with
oversized military jackets, dusters, palazzo
pants, athletic pants and hoodies."

Look and Feel
Successfully selecting looks that today's women

will like centers on picking styles that lend
themselves to decoration, fit comfortably and
are well constructed. Apparel lines must not
only be wearable and durable, but also soft.
For example, tri-blend tees made of a polyester/cotton/rayon blend are preferred when it
comes to comfort. In the tee category, garmentdyed options with vintage colors also are in
demand. As part of the hybrid-construction
and wearable-technology trends, quilted
surfaces, neoprene and mesh are top fabric choices.
This year's looks will mirror last year's styles,
with diverse necklines, shoulder-revealing
styles and technical features evolving. More
back details also will join the mix.
"Younger consumers have had a really
interesting effect on womenswear," Oleksik
says. "Adult women are no longer afraid to
have fun with fashion. They are shopping at
the same places as the younger consumers
and these styles are now available in a full
MARCH 2018

P.21

Impressions - March 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - March 2018