As UK and US Fashion Weeks are on there way, we thought we would have a look at some of the key trends predicted to emerge in 2018. As will all fashion trends – their genesis can be traced back to previous fashion trends, so here look at what has gone before with images from our archive, and how it relates to what’s to come….
Sequins and Sparkle
All that glitters is good. Sequins are set to be huge this summer so watch out for blinding sparkles in the sun. Evidence exists that gold sequins were being used as decoration on clothing or paraphernalia in the Indus Valley as early as 2500BC, during the Kot Diji phase. In modern fashion, sequins really came in to their own in the 1970s disco era where people wanted to stand out on the dance floor.
Portrait of Ira von Furstenberg wearing a hat, Italy / Mondadori Portfolio / Bridgeman Images
Checks
Heritage checks have been seen a lot in fashion shows and are predicted to be ubiquitous in 2018. Checks have been a staple of the clothing industry for centuries and are called many names.
The Checked Blouse, 1892 (oil on canvas), Bonnard, Pierre (1867-1947) / Musee d’Orsay, Paris, France / Bridgeman Images
Plastics
Ideal for British summers, waterproof plastic is going to big this year. Plastic was very popular in the forward thinking fashion of the 1960s and in the 1980s (think PVC).
Bustier, 1980-81 (fibreglass resin & felt), Miyake, Issey (b.1938) / National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia / Bridgeman Images
Fringing
Fringing is fun and can be seen everywhere in fashion now. Dating right back to Ancient Mesopotamia, but really came in to their own in the glamorous 1920s. Particularly fringing could be seen on “Charleston” dresses which were synonymous with the dance of the same name.
Ethel Waters (1896-1977), in a 1929 publicity still promoting her as ‘most famous of all colored musical comedy stars, who will be the guest artist of the Vitaphone Jubilee Hour.’ / Everett Collection / Bridgeman Images
Bold Colour
Colour is the new black as strong bold colours are being used more in fashion.
Korea: King Taejo of Joseon (October 11, 1335 – May 24, 1408; r.1392-1398), born Yi Seong-gye, was the founder and the first ruler of the Joseon Dynasty / Pictures from History / Bridgeman Images
Sheer
Sheer clothing has always been seen as being at the risqué end of the fashion spectrum, but it has also been used to beautiful and elegant effect.
Two-colour ‘Delphos’ dress, Mariano Fortuny (photo) (see also 622247) / Private Collection / Photo © Christie’s Images / Bridgeman Images
Ruffles
On the sillier less practical side of fashion, we have ruffles. The staple of the more flamboyant among us – ruffles have always added flair and drama to an outfit.
Blanche de Clermont-Tonnerre, c.1910 (b/w photo), French Photographer, (20th century) / Private Collection / Photo © Christie’s Images / Bridgeman Image
“Cindarella” shoes
This year is all about pretty shoes. Get inspiration from these beauties.
Embroidered shoes, c.1920-30 (silk satin embroidered with flowers & leaves), French School, (20th century) / Photo © Historic Royal Palaces/Ian Serfontein / Bridgeman Images