The Monthly Fashion Trend Report highlights the top growing and accelerating fashion silhouettes and print trends consumers are searching for in dresses, tops, pants and sweaters. Brand management and media company Xcel Brands compiles a trend lookbook as part of the Monthly Fashion Trend Report using multiple resources, including data from Trendalytics, a visual analytical tool, social media influencer posts and analysis of visual social media images. The result is a report that shows which fashion trends are accelerating and which are steadily growing. The data helps retailers and brands inform decision making along the supply chain in design, production, purchasing, merchandising, forecasting and planning. First, the team analyzes search patterns, looking for growth in specific areas this year compared to last year, then searches pattern growth over the prior three months. Then, the team analyzes total search volume compared to the prior month. The result is an earlier emerging trend prediction, providing information on sustained and accelerated fashion trend growth. For more data, please see the Xcel Brands x Coresight Research Monthly Fashion Trend Data Report. These are some of the trends with steady and accelerated growth. Steady Growth Trend: Square-Neck Top A steady growth trend is defined as one that is still gaining in popularity, with positive year-over-year search growth volume, growing at a steady rate. Square-neck tops are a steady growth trend as the item remains popular with consumers of all ages, offering a fresh take on the standard crewneck. Square-neck tops were one of the fastest-growing of all steady growth trends, with average weekly searches growing 100% year over year to 5,020, according to Trendalytics. [caption id="attachment_103757" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Trendalytics [/caption]   Social Media The square-neck top is popular on social media and is available in many fabrics and silhouettes pairing well with a full, romantic sleeve. [caption id="attachment_103758" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Good American/Instagram; Na-Kd/Pinterest; Lulus/Pinterest[/caption]   Price Points The square-neck top is concentrated in the contemporary market with 86% of products under $100. [caption id="attachment_103759" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Trendalytics/Xcel Brands[/caption]   Steady Growth Trend Insights: Square-Neck Top Below are key insights, by functional business unit.

• Planning: Consumer searches for square-neck tops are expected to continue at a steady rate of increase as this style incorporates interesting sleeve details, patterns and prints.
• Design: Design for 2020 in updated prints and colors, considering smaller florals and abstract prints. Design in a variety of slimming knit fabrications as well as soft wovens.
• Buying: Buy in 2020 at competitive price points, new prints and colors. Square-neck tops are saturated in the marketplace and need to stand out either in value or newness.
• Merchandising/retailers: The square-neck top attracts attention when paired with a dramatic puff sleeve, which is also this season’s biggest trend.

Accelerated Growth Trend: Puff-Sleeve Dress An accelerated growth trend is defined as a top trend that is “taking off,” based on positive year over search growth, increasing rapidly. Puff-sleeve dresses are an accelerated growth trend based on social media buzz and online search patterns over the past three months. Romantic details such as voluminous sleeves and empire waists are evolving to have a more sculpted appearance; puff sleeves are more structured and fuller and are crafted from crisp, cotton-like fabrications. Puffed sleeve dresses had a high search rate growth, an average of 13,947 searches per week, up 398% compared to last year, according to Trendalytics data. [caption id="attachment_103760" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Trendalytics [/caption]   Social Media The puff-sleeve dress is feminine, dramatic, and eye-catching. Influencers are posting photos with interesting prints, voluminous sleeves and dresses with added details including ribbons, corsetry and belts. [caption id="attachment_103761" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Carolina Herrara/Instagram; Goop.com; Aje/Instagram[/caption]   Price Points  The puff-sleeve dress is well-represented at all price points: 50% of dresses are offered under $100 and 30% of dresses are over the $250 price point. This chic trend is expected to grow, and consumers will see it as a way to stand out and elevate their wardrobe. See the Monthly Fashion Trend Data Report for more detailed information on steady growth and accelerating trends. [caption id="attachment_103762" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Trendalytics/Xcel Brands[/caption]   Accelerated Growth Trend Insights: Puff-sleeve dress Below are key insights for each functional business unit.

• Planning: High searches for puff-sleeve dresses are predicted to continue as the “classic meets romance look” is expected to remain popular, and with 50% of products priced over $101, this trend has traction.
• Design: Design for 2020 with an emphasis on comfort and longevity. Consumers are looking to invest in wardrobe staples that will go the distance. Even very specific design details such as voluminous sleeves need to have ease and everyday appeal. Design in versatile fabrications that can be dressed up or down. Consider cinched or slim fit waist to accentuate the puff sleeve.
• Buying: Buy in 2020 at all price points and channels of distribution. The puff-sleeve dress will continue to drive interest, so invest in pieces that offer quality, versatility and newness.
• Merchandising/retailers: Highlight the uniqueness of each piece, promoting design details, prints and sleeve fabrication. Emphasize this is a complete look to wear for a special occasion, date night or night out.

About Xcel Brands and Trendalytics Xcel Brands is a brand management and media company engaged in the design, production, licensing, marketing and direct-to-consumer sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, jewelry, home goods and other consumer products. Trendalytics is a trend prediction engine that analyzes consumer demand by triangulating data across social media, online searches and e-commerce product data.