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 past 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: Paperbag pants 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. Paperbag pants are a steady growth trend as the pant remains popular and relevant with consumers if it has new fabrics, colors and details. Paperbag pants were one of the fastest-growing of all steady growth trends, with one of the highest rates of average weekly searches, at 7,317, growing 52% year over year, according to Trendalytics. [caption id="attachment_101939" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Trendalytics [/caption]   Social Media The paperbag pant is popular on social media and is available in many fabrics and silhouettes that easily transition from day to evening. [caption id="attachment_101940" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: ASOS Pinterest/Who What Wear Pinterest/Alice and Olivia/Bloomingdales.com[/caption]   Price points The paperbag pant is concentrated in the contemporary market, with 59% of products under $100. [caption id="attachment_101941" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Trendalytics/Xcel Brands[/caption]   Steady Growth Trend Insights: Paperbag Pants Below are key insights, by functional business unit.

• Planning: Consumer searches for paperbag pants are expected to continue to trend upward and demand will remain high as this will become a wardrobe basic. 
• Design: Design for holiday 2020 in sophisticated neutrals with utility details; the value is in the details, such as oversized pockets, self-belts, horn buttons and top stitching.
• Buying: Buy in 2020 as a versatile basic. Enticing and fresh details will differentiate this as a must-have item. Silhouettes should emphasize comfort and be dressed up or down.
• Merchandising/retailers: The paperbag pant will continue to trend post-holidays with seasonal fabrics such as corduroy and velvet.

Accelerated Growth Trend: Belted blazer An accelerated growth trend is defined as a top trend that is “taking off,” based on positive year-over-year search growth, increasing rapidly. Belted blazers are an accelerated growth trend based on social media buzz and online search patterns over the past three months. The belted blazer offers a feminine and modern take on a tailored staple, the blazer. The belt instantly accentuates the feminine form by defining the waistline. Belted blazers has seen strong growth in search rates, with an average of 1,376 searches per week, up 145% compared to last year, according to Trendalytics data. [caption id="attachment_101942" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Trendalytics [/caption]   Social Media Retailers and influencers have picked up on the belted blazer trend and are posting photos with blazers as separates, the belted blazer as a suit, and even worn as a dress—styled with thigh-high boots. [caption id="attachment_101943" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Who What Wear Pinterest/Sohu.com [/caption]   Price Points  The belted blazer is no stranger to the higher-end market, with 75% of products over the $250 price point and 43% of all products offered at full price. This chic trend is expected to grow, and consumers are likely to see it as a way to elevate their wardrobe. See the Monthly Fashion Trend Data Report for more detailed information on steady growth and accelerating trends. [caption id="attachment_101944" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Trendalytics/Xcel Brands[/caption]   Accelerated Growth Trend Insights: Belted blazers Below are key insights for each functional business unit.

• Planning: High searches for belted blazers are predicted to continue as the tailored look is expected to remain in demand, with over 43% of products offered at full price and more than 75% of items priced over $250. This trend has staying power.
• Design: Design for holiday 2020 using classic menswear fabrics such as wool blends and offer in solids and prints, including small checks and plaids. Consider shoulder details and full sleeves to add a modern touch to an otherwise classic jacket. Also consider an oversized fit for a more versatile laying piece that can be an indoor topper or jacket.
• Buying: Buy for holiday 2020 at all price points. The belted blazer is likely to be a season must-have and has the potential to cross over from a casual indoor topper, to jacket to wear-to-work staple.
• Merchandising/retailers: Market as the season must-have item and highlight its versatility by pairing as a separate, worn as a matching set, or, for the uninhibited, even worn solo.

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.