WGSN, the global authority on change, uses expert trend forecasting combined with data science to help retailers get ahead of the latest consumer fashion trends.
Faire, the leading online wholesale marketplace connecting 600,000 independent retailers with 85,000 brands, has partnered with global forecasting agency WGSN for the second time this year to spotlight key consumer fashion trends to help guide independent brands and retailers globally via a Spring/Summer ‘23 Women’s Trend Toolkit. Today, Faire is home to millions of products in the apparel category from over 12,000 apparel and footwear brands.
Following the success of Faire and WGSN’s first trend report, Big Ideas in Womenswear, this new comprehensive guide will outline Spring/Summer 2023 trends across silhouettes, colors, details, and patterns within womenswear and footwear. Now available, this guide is the first of two toolkits, with the second outlining Fall/Winter 2023 consumer trends launching this Fall.
“The shadow effects of the pandemic are still very much in play, with consumers looking for brighter days ahead,” said Danny Kim, Senior Consultant at WGSN. “Looking to the past for inspiration, Spring/Summer 2023 will be focused on creating emotional connections with consumers and exploring fashion trends that make them feel nostalgic.”
The Faire x WGSN Trend Toolkit features five key trends for Spring/Summer 2023:
- Reclaimed Romance
- In response to the popularity of Bridgerton and trends based on signature pieces, silhouettes, and looks from the UK's Regency era, #coquettecore emerged as a reinterpreted hyperfeminine look. A blend of European historical references and contemporary trends, the look exudes innocence with soft pastels. Play up the romantic and fantasy elements of this trend to set the mood for nostalgia, escapism and fantasy.
Key insight: Gathering and ruching saw a significant increase across new apparel in retail – more than 66% in the UK and 54% in the US.
- In response to the popularity of Bridgerton and trends based on signature pieces, silhouettes, and looks from the UK's Regency era, #coquettecore emerged as a reinterpreted hyperfeminine look. A blend of European historical references and contemporary trends, the look exudes innocence with soft pastels. Play up the romantic and fantasy elements of this trend to set the mood for nostalgia, escapism and fantasy.
- Sunset Desert
- Inspired by the desert landscapes, the aesthetic combines natural materials and crafted details as key elements. An extension of the ‘Rooted in Nature’ trend, the obsession with nature has no sign of a slowdown. Natural textures will continue to inspire patterns and textiles, providing a universal direction that could resonate globally and across all markets and age groups.
Key insight: Searches for dusky orange tones increased year-over-year – seeing over 27% growth in the UK and 28% in the US.
- Inspired by the desert landscapes, the aesthetic combines natural materials and crafted details as key elements. An extension of the ‘Rooted in Nature’ trend, the obsession with nature has no sign of a slowdown. Natural textures will continue to inspire patterns and textiles, providing a universal direction that could resonate globally and across all markets and age groups.
- Crafted Bohemia
- The astonishing growth of interest in resale and vintage is impacting a new aesthetic narrative, and boho, in its true, free-spirited way, is expected to make a comeback. This trend is essentially a new way of doing maximalism via a more earthy, nature-loving, and craft-driven lens.
Key insight: Searches for ‘crochet top’ increased year-over-year by 60% in both Germany and the US, while searches for ‘veste patchwork femme’ increased 150% year-over-year in France.
- The astonishing growth of interest in resale and vintage is impacting a new aesthetic narrative, and boho, in its true, free-spirited way, is expected to make a comeback. This trend is essentially a new way of doing maximalism via a more earthy, nature-loving, and craft-driven lens.
- New Prep
- With comfort and activewear continuing to play a fundamental role in fashion, this trend merges classic, sartorial style with sporty, and functional elements that tap into the aesthetics of tennis. Think performance-inspired brights, accessories designed for on-the-go lifestyles, and versatile silhouettes with a minimalist feel.
Key insight: The tennis apparel market in the US is expected to grow by $94.7 million from 2022-2025, while searches for 'tennis footwear’ increased by more than 70% year-over-year in France.
- With comfort and activewear continuing to play a fundamental role in fashion, this trend merges classic, sartorial style with sporty, and functional elements that tap into the aesthetics of tennis. Think performance-inspired brights, accessories designed for on-the-go lifestyles, and versatile silhouettes with a minimalist feel.
- New Workleisure
- The lines that divided work, leisure, and the pleasure of gathering together have been largely erased due to the shift to hybrid lifestyles. This new synergy between casual and business will deliver adaptable layering pieces for the transition from work to home, while still remaining appropriate for virtual meetings.
Key insight: Searches for ‘suits and tailoring’ are the second fastest-growing searches year-over-year – more than 29% in the UK, 43% in the US, and 60% in France. Additionally, 92 million Americans say they prefer to work remotely at least part of the time.
- The lines that divided work, leisure, and the pleasure of gathering together have been largely erased due to the shift to hybrid lifestyles. This new synergy between casual and business will deliver adaptable layering pieces for the transition from work to home, while still remaining appropriate for virtual meetings.
Register for Faire Fashion Week
During Faire Fashion Week, on September 22, Faire and WGSN will host an Instagram Live discussion on @faire_wholesale where industry experts will answer trend questions ahead of Spring/Summer 2023. This conversation will be focused on informing the Faire fashion community on what products and trends will be successful so they can capitalize on the benefits of securing the best up-and-coming styles at discounted pricing funded by Faire during Faire Fashion Week.
“Equipping the Faire community with the necessary tools to plan ahead for future consumer-buying seasons has always been a priority for us,” said Lauren Cooks Levitan, Chief Financial Officer at Faire. “We’re excited to continue our partnership with WGSN as these trends, insights, and their expertise in the industry have been instrumental in providing reliable fashion forecasting that allows independent brands and retailers to meet consumer lifestyle shifts and meticulously prepare for the buying season.”
Faire Fashion Week is taking place September 18–24, 2022, during which brands on Faire can offer new and existing buyers up to 20% off preorders, funded by Faire. At our last Faire Fashion Week, event attendees saved nearly $2 million through Faire-funded discounts, while retailers purchased 340,000 products from the preorder marketplace. Faire Fashion Week is free for Faire retailers and brands. To sell at this year’s event, customers simply need to register here and list their preorder styles for seasons ahead.
Learn more about the key trends to be aware of in womenswear and footwear by downloading the Faire xWGSN Women’s Spring/Summer 2023 Trend Toolkit here.
About Faire
Faire is transforming the wholesale experience for entrepreneurs everywhere in order to enable small businesses to compete against competitors a million times their size. The Faire platform connects the world’s best independent brands with local retailers, helping to create an unstoppable global community of small business owners.
About WGSN
WGSN is the global authority on consumer, lifestyle and product design trends, helping brands around the world create the right products at the right time for tomorrow’s consumer. WGSN's trusted consumer and design forecasts power outstanding product design, enabling our customers to create a better future. Our services cover consumer insights, beauty, consumer tech, fashion, interiors, lifestyle, food and drink forecasting, data analytics and expert advisory. WGSN is an Ascential company. Visit wgsn.com