Hip Fashion Consumer Insights

Trend - Retailers and brands are embracing dupe culture as consumers seek affordable alternatives to luxury across beauty and fashion; driving demand for products that mirror high-end aesthetics, formulations, and design—from makeup to apparel—at more accessible price points.

Insight - Gen Z and Millennials are redefining consumption by treating frugality as empowerment, using dupes to balance aspiration with financial caution. In uncertain economic conditions, they still seek self-expression and small luxuries without the risk of overspending. As such, dupe-driven shopping can enable experimentation and flexibility, letting consumers engage with high-end aesthetics while maintaining control over budgets.

Trend - Classic ballet attire is being translated into everyday fashion through soft materials like tulle, satin and knitwear. Used in apparel and footwear such as ballet-like sneakers and wrap tops, the style delivers comfort and versatility while emphasizing femininity and expressive personal style.

Insight - There is a growing cultural shift toward slower, more intentional fashion choices as consumers seek alternatives to fast, hyper-cyclical trends. As such, Gen Z and Millennial shoppers are increasingly drawn to aesthetics that convey visual refinement or subtle sophistication. For brands, aligning with this preference may create opportunities to offer collections that resonate emotionally with consumers while meeting a demand for versatile, aesthetically cohesive wardrobe staples.

Trend - Brands are investing in marketing initiatives that feature well-known actors, musicians, or influencers to promote their denim products. Unlike traditional ads, these campaigns leverage the celebrity’s image and cultural influence to make the denim feel aspirational, trendy, and culturally relevant.

Insight - Denim has always carried weight as a symbol of Americana: rebellion, grit, individuality, and timeless cool. Today, the tension is whether brands can use celebrity campaigns to reframe that legacy in a way that feels authentic and culturally resonant. Rather than relying on conventional advertising, brands are increasingly using the platforms, talents, and personas of their famous partners to reshape the narrative around denim, allowing it to resonate with contemporary audiences while honoring its iconic roots.

Trend - As digital advertising faces increased challenges from privacy regulations and algorithm changes, brands are pivoting to strategic partnerships and influencer collaborations that create more authentic paths to customer acquisition. These partnerships often involve performance-based compensation models that tie directly to sales results.

Insight - Contemporary consumers are increasingly skeptical of traditional advertising, creating a demand for more genuine brand messaging that aligns with their values and comes from trusted voices. This shift has prompted brands to seek out strategic partnerships that feel more authentic while still driving measurable results. The evolution from simple product placement to true collaborative content creates deeper engagement and helps brands overcome rising customer acquisition costs in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Trend - Brands across textile industries have begun using mycelium as a basis for vegan leathers. These leathers are nearly indistinguishable from animal leather, and are more sustainable. Mushroom leather products can be marketed without backlash from eco-conscious consumers and organizations.

Insight - The two main reasons why customers are hesitant to purchase products made from animal leather are the ethics of animal cruelty and unsustainability, as leathermaking produces carbon emissions. However, leather has become a staple in handbags, jackets, and more, as it is weather-resistant and fashionable. While vegan leathers have been around for a while, brands have yet to perfectly replicate the quality of genuine leather, placing pressure on brands to continue trying new materials.

Trend - While auto brands have certainly engaged in informing the design of objects and clothing in the past, they are increasingly donating various auto parts to clothing collaborations. With an emphasis on sustainability, these lines include discarded materials such as airbags, fabric, and more.

Insight - The emphasis that contemporary consumers are placing on sustainability is understandably increasing as more and more individuals feel a strong responsibility to counter the advance of climate change and often experience a sense of guilt about their lifestyle choices. Combined with a desire for uniqueness, which informs consumer confidence and allows them to feel special, many are looking for more creative repurposing of goods, with a focus on materials that are often overlooked.

Trend - As SPF protection becomes more important to the average consumer, brands that offer products like clothing and outdoor gear are increasingly highlighting the sun protection that their products provide.

Insight - Consumers have been focusing more on preventative health, and one change that's been particularly significant in recent years is avoiding the sun, or protecting oneself from it. Sun protection is now a priority for consumers as they understand its impact on both their health and physical appearance, and they're turning to brands that will help them stay protected.

Trend - Brands are collaborating with companies that specialize in outdoor clothing and gear in order to broaden their customer base. Everything from K-pop camping gear collaborations to home furnishing chains offering adventure-friendly products and decor can now be found in this space.

Insight - Outdoor adventuring has become more popular in North America as people still remain relatively restricted when it comes to travel-based leisure. More consumers are turning to recreational hobbies like hiking and camping as an alternative, and brands unrelated to this space are jumping in on the trend as a result.

Trend - Brands in luxury fashion are increasingly experimenting with latex, which is giving an edge to their bespoke collections. The popularity of the material can be traced to its association with rebellion, deviance, and fetish, as well as to the sustainability in harvesting natural latex.

Insight - Millennial and Gen Z consumers have always placed a strong emphasis on their appearances and a big reason for that is their continuous presence and dependence on social media platforms. As a result, many are on the lookout for aesthetic-forward pieces and experiences that can help them feel not only more confident in their self-expression but also more interesting in the eyes of their peers and followers.

Trend - Brands in the fashion and jewelry industries are enhancing the designs of their products with safety features that are seamlessly integrated into the design. This, in turn, enables consumers to protect themselves in dangerous situations.

Insight - Contemporary consumers living in urban environments often feel unsafe and at-risk when outdoors, especially if they find themselves in an unfamiliar neighborhood or when walking home alone at night. Fearing the worst, many are creating a demand for accessible products and services that will help them feel less vulnerable in the city, allowing them to feel safer and more confident, instead.