# Performance Couture Performance brands offer stylistic sock selections for discerning consumers. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Feb 11, 2016 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/performance-couture ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.8/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Performance Couture trend? **Performance Couture:** In an effort to premiumize their offerings, many performance brands are opting for a high-art, designer aesthetic. Often through creative collaborations and co-branding tactics, these offerings suggest that fitness culture has become a prominent form of personal branding that consumers wish to emphasize. Style is no longer predicated on taste alone, but encompasses a wide range of consumer interests. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Oct 21, 2015 to Feb 5, 2016 - Published: Feb 11, 2016 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Performance Couture trend ### Performance Couture Performance brands are premiumizing their offerings through creative collaborations and designer aesthetics in an effort to tap into the fitness culture that has become a prominent form of personal branding. ### Fashionable Compression Socks Fitness accessory retailers are now specializing in fashionable compression socks and fusing style and function to appeal not just to runners, but also to the fashion-conscious fitness enthusiasts. ### Athletic Sock Collections Athletic sock collections are becoming more commonplace with brands opting to fuse performance with design as well as unique collaborations to offer a wide selection of athletic sock styles to consumers. ## What the Performance Couture trend means for industry ### For Sportswear Sportswear brands can tap into the trend of fusing performance with designer aesthetics to engage more with fitness culture and tap into personal branding. ### For Athletic Accessories Athletic accessories retailers can create a loyal customer base by specializing in fashionable accessories that fuse style and function. ### For Footwear Athletic and fashion footwear brands can now extend their offerings to include performance socks that prioritize comfort and performance while also catering to fashionable aesthetics. ## Workshop question What other elements of your consumer's lifestyle could your brand play in? How would you make your branding stand out in those categories? ## Trend signals for Performance Couture Trend score 2.8 out of 10, from popularity 32%, activity 45%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 32% - Activity: 45% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Performance Couture trend 5 featured examples from Oct 21, 2015 to Feb 5, 2016. - [Graffiti-Inspired Socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graffiti-socks): These Unique Socks Feature Graffiti Artist Andre's Street Art Characters (Category: Fashion) Implication: Incorporating street art into fashion collections. - [Fashionable Compression Socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fashionable-compression-socks): Run Mummy Run's Fitness Accessories Fuse Style With Function (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fashion retailers can tap into the growing market of fashionable compression socks by offering stylish and functional options. - [Fashionable Sport Hosiery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/race-socks): The 1000 Mile Race Socks Inhibit Blisters, Injury and More (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The footwear industry can explore opportunities to integrate performance-enhancing features into their products, similar to the 1000 Mile Race Socks. - [Athletic Sock Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athletic-sock): The NBA and Stance Hoops Joined Forces for a New Sock Collection (Category: Fashion) Implication: Continuing to push the boundaries of athletic wear and develop gear that enhances performance and comfort on the court or field. - [Squiggly Sport Socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athletic-socks): The Will Bryant x Athletic Socks Feature a Black and White Squiggle Pattern (Category: Fashion) Implication: Disruption opportunity for sports apparel companies to expand their product offerings with creative and visually appealing athletic socks. ## Recent trend clusters - [Scaled Restraint](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/small-luxury-watches) (Fashion) - [Sneaker Theater](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sneaker-theater) (Fashion) - [Ritual Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ritual-systems) (Fashion) - [Athletic Styling](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/athletic-styling) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Paisley-Shelled Collector Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-shelled-collector-sneakers) - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Deluxe Beauty Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-and-prestige) - [Modular Winter Wardrobes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moose-knuckles-fallwinter-2026) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)