Leggings seem to have made a comeback on the runways this year. In early 2008, the House of Balenciaga presented a show where leggings in gold had a strong presence on the runway.
Style.com reports, "The familiar silhouette was reinvented on the Spring runways in cutout patterns at A.F. Vandevorst and Rodarte, and in a flurry of slashes at Meadham Kirchhoff and Rad Hourani."
Some of the designers behind this colorful catwalk extravaganza are Danielle Scutt, Viktor & Rolf, the ever-extravagant Gareth Pugh, Jasmine Di Milo, and Nina Ricci.
Wild Patterned Leggings
Bold Legwear Hits Runways for Spring
Trend Themes
1. Patterned Leggings - Opportunity for disruptive innovation lies in developing unique patterns and designs that sets a brand apart while creating a strong brand identity.
2. Athleisure Fashion - There is an opportunity to promote leggings not just as workout wear, but as a staple fashion item that can be worn in various settings such as work, school, or casual day outs.
3. Sustainable Leggings - The trend for eco-conscious fashion can be leveraged to create leggings made from sustainable materials such as recycled plastic, organic cotton, or hemp, that appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Industry - The opportunity exists for brands to redefine leggings as a statement fashion item that can be worn beyond the gym, and explore futuristic designs while keeping them affordable and accessible to the mainstream consumer.
2. Sportswear Industry - There is an opportunity to create a fusion between sportswear and fashion by combining the comfort and technical features of sportswear with the style and flair of leggings, to create a new market segment for high-performance leggings.
3. Textile Industry - The textile industry can take advantage of the trend by developing sustainable, innovative, and durable fabrics that offer both style and functionality while meeting the fashion industry's demands for fast and affordable production.