Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Wearable
Politics
Brands, artists and organizations imbue apparel with powerful charged messages.
3.9
Trend score
Trend
What is the Wearable Politics trend?
Wearable Politics: While politically themed apparel isn't anything new, it's been showing up more frequently in places one previously might not have expected. Given the visibility of politics from all angle in the social media age, it's not much of a surprise that brands, artists and organizations alike have felt the need to share their views. Not only has this increased the variety of apparel of this nature and the availability of it, but it illustrates how a dialogue between consumers and brands has grown more personal.
Trend themes
Themes within the Wearable Politics trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Political Apparel
Political-themed apparel is getting more prominent and diverse as brands, artists, and organizations are imbuing apparel with powerful messages; possible disruptive innovation opportunities include innovative designs and messaging strategies, partnership with charities as well as political campaigns.
02
Socially Conscious Streetwear
Vintage-inspired streetwear infused with social messages are gaining popularity, providing not only a fashion statement, but also empowering consumers to make a statement by wearing it; possible disruptive innovation opportunities include incorporating sustainable materials and techniques, creating more meaningful designs and messaging, and exploring influencer partnerships and social media marketing.
03
Utilizing Viral Content
Political social media content beyond the regular political ads, such as viral tweets or statements, are being used by creative forces, like designers and music artists, to create broad and niche, but relevant, merchandise that capture a specific sentiment and market; possible disruptive innovation opportunities include identifying unique visual and messaging that resonates, partnering with content creators to respond to complex social issues.
Industry implications
What the Wearable Politics trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Fashion and Apparel
Political and socially conscious apparel are becoming more mainstream and diverse, focusing on issue-advocacy design and messaging.
For
Charity and Causes
Partnership with charities and political campaigns that advocate for a cause can enable brand and organization to deliver meaningful messages while strengthening their reputation.
For
Social Media and Influencer Marketing
Political content on social media is becoming popular marketing tool for fashion and apparel brands, allowing for unique and subversive campaigns with the help of social media influencers and viral content creators.
Workshop question
Does your company vocalize a stance on any political issues? If so, what are the advantages and disadvantages therein? Ask the same questions if you are not vocal.
Trend signals
Trend signals for Wearable Politics
Trend score 3.9 out of 10, from popularity 44%, activity 66%, freshness 8%.
Popularity44%
Activity66%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Evidence
Examples of the Wearable Politics trend
8 featured examples from Jun 9 to Nov 4, 2016CategoryFashion
Political Statement Streetwear
Head of State's 'Cruel Hands' Collection Combats Societal Problems
Fashion industry can explore the potential of vintage-inspired streetwear with political messaging.
CategoryPop Culture
Politically Charged Apparel
'Ev Bravado' Makes a Statement with Its 'Make America Suck Again' Line
The fashion industry has the opportunity to develop bold and provocative collections that tap into political and social issues.
CategoryPop Culture
Referendum-Themed Apparel
Daniel W. Fletcher's Spring/Summer Collection Draws from Brexit Events
There is an opportunity to combine fashion with political activism to create designs that reflect political views and promote social change.
CategoryFashion
Political Pride Collections
The 'Make America Gay Again' T-Shirts Celebrate Pride Month
The apparel industry can capitalize on Pride Month by releasing inclusive and socially-conscious collections.
CategorySocial Good
Political Chain Store T-Shirts
These Political T-Shirts Make a Statement Against Donald Trump
Apparel retailers can take advantage of the trend by offering a range of political t-shirts that cater to different ideologies.
CategoryFashion
Political Peace T-Shirts
The New Noah Collection Has Graphics That Read "Why Cant We Be Friends?"
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new ways to incorporate graphics and thought-provoking messages in fashion apparel.
CategoryPop Culture
Charitable Political T-Shirts
Pusha T's New Shirts Support Hillary and Feature Her Viral Tweet
The fashion industry can capitalize on the demand for political activism merchandise by collaborating with influencers and designers to create unique and stylish products.
CategorySocial Good
Patriotic Pride Hats
These Hats Parody Trump's Campaign Slogan and Support the LGBTQ Community
The fashion industry has an opportunity to embrace political satire and social causes through the creation of parody merchandise.
