Marc by Marc Jacobs

The new year may have just begun, but retailers are already thinking about their buys for fall—and trend forecasters are way ahead of them. Some of WSAToday.com’s favorite fashion predictors have provided us with their insights into fall’s most important styles. From bold color to ready-to-wear to silhouettes and visual merchandising, these connoisseurs cover everything buyers need to know to prepare for next year.

Below, is an excerpt from an article that first appeared in the January 2008 issue of WSAToday magazine.

Anne Valerie Hash

Ellen Campuzano, editor of fashionFACTSfolio.com: Although high heels will continue to be important, Campuzano says the season will experience a resurgence of flats. “The key item for fall, despite all the high heels shifting toward more feminine and skinnier looks with a geometric element, will be the flat. This trend is going beyond the ballerina. In terms of boots, we’ll see them on a flat heel construction. I see fewer wedges, but there will still be some platforms, especially hidden ones.”

Music players like iPods my be next fall's must-have accessory.

Kathleen Gasperini, founding partner and senior vice president of Label Networks: For the 13- to 25-year-old market, trends are determined more by the actual consumer than the runway. “Youth culture is more influenced by what they believe and what their friends are talking about [than external sources].” Looking toward 2009, she sees one significant overall trend. “If you look at what’s going on in Japan now, the movement toward big overall prints and large logos is definitely declining, going toward a cleaner look. Maybe in the next year it’s going to be a part of the youth landscape in fashion, especially in streetwear. [The trend will be] cleaner with a slightly higher end look. Big prints and bright colors aren’t what it’ll be; [rather it’ll be] more classic, modern, traditional looking.”

Chanel

Sara Petitt, professor at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York: In fall ’08, the role of shoes in an ensemble will become more significant. “Shoes are making more of a statement; they’re becoming more important as part of the costume. With dressy things, they’re wearing black stockings, cocktail dresses with feathers and shoes that are white or gray with big straps.” Petitt also thinks boots will have a place in every woman’s closet next fall. “I think the big trend is the short boot and oxfords with contrasting heels. We’ll see them with very short skirts and sequin tops. The clothes are more tailored, which is why the oxford ties in; the look is more tailored, [there will be] more tuxedo-type suits. I think the short boot is taking over the high, long boot.”

Tod Schulman, president of Pantone: For fall/winter ’08/’09, color forecasting firm Pantone says one important shade consumers will see rejuvenated is white. “One of the questions we think is going to be important is: How do you keep white alive? As opposed to being a blue, optical kind of white, we see a neutral feeling for the color. Whites that will be more prevalent for winter are yellow-white, pink-white and whites that are a little gray as well as whites with yellow, pink and gray undertones.”

Louis Vuitton

Nathalie Fausty, trend consultant for PromoStyl: Comfort, menswear and orange will be all the rage for fall according to Fausty. “Orange is a key color for the season. It will translate as an accent in make-up and handbags as well as on shoes. Warm orange is perfect for footwear. It won’t be seen all over the shoe, but rather as piping or detail. Orange for me is the introduction of neon again, the counter-reaction to the green movement.” A deep aubergine wine will also be a significant fashion shade for the season.

Los Angeles-based Kitson showcases Superman merchandise in its store windows to promote the movie's release.

Sharon Leicham, creator of merchandisingHUB.com and author of Merchandising Your Way To Success: Carrying a hot selection of fall’s latest styles is only one step on the road to success. Retailers also need to merchandise their product in an appealing way that will catch the eyes of customers. “I think the use of color in stores, fixtures and window displays is really important. I’m seeing a lot of orange, bright green and bright blue. People are afraid that using bright colors will detract, but instead it attracts the eye.”

Want more tips? Check out the January ’08 issue of WSAToday.

  More Expert Opinion Articles