Prints and prints: Five trends to watch out for

A total of 125 brands exhibited at the second edition of the Just Around the Corner (JATC) show in Manchester, which took place on August 2-3. Participating brands were divided into zones dedicated to their respective segments, including a new section, ‘The Edit’, aimed at brands targeting a more mature women’s wear demographic.

While the clothing trends of each brand and collection for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2023 season were different and often clashing with each other, there were consistent and distinct elements that could be seen across all participants. FashionUnited rounds up some of the most striking trends at JATC Manchester below.

Fluorescent shades

Many brands played with color this season, mixing and matching different color schemes in a dynamic palette of prints and silhouettes. One color trend, however, stood out from the crowd: fluorescent colors. This was mainly used in color blocking and contrasting tones in numerous collections. A popular color within the trend was hot pink, a shade that may fit with the ongoing upsurge in the ‘Barbiecore’ aesthetic associated with the upcoming ‘Barbie’ film. Pictures from the set of the film, in which Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling play Barbie and Ken, had taken over social media last month. Womenswear spearheaded the fluorescent color trend, but bright colors were also seen in a handful of accessory collections, including holdalls and socks.

Graphic t-shirts

Many streetwear brands represented at the fair provided the simple t-shirt with meaningful graphics, such as skulls or animal motifs. While Ed Hardy stuck to his signature designs in fresh new forms, other brands opted for simpler prints or typography without sacrificing an eye-catching image. Contrary to the streetwear brands, some womenswear labels also jumped on the trend, opting instead for graphic tees with doodles or artistic brushstrokes, adding a more ‘feminine’ touch to the look. Many menswear labels, on the other hand, embraced the trend with memorable quotes and college-inspired formats for a selection of their t-shirts.

Strong flowers

Two floral looks have been dominant across womenswear brands: flowing, brushstroke-like prints and graphic floral motifs. However, the latter caught on and appeared in a variety of brands, emphasizing this style as a statement look for the coming season. This trend was based almost exclusively on block colors, mostly in light tones. A common factor was the placement of the graphic flowers on a solid color background, which allowed the individual flower shapes to stand out. The design was particularly popular with brands targeting a more mature clientele. It gave the collections a certain playfulness and complemented the consistent color themes.

Organic and neutral tones

Going against the fluorescent color trend, many brands have instead opted to prioritize neutral colors throughout their collections. This was particularly noticeable with exhibitors in the ‘Sustainable’ zone of the event, which focused primarily on outerwear and outdoor lifestyle brands, and in the mature customer zone, ‘The Edit’. In this space, the brands embraced organic neutrals such as earth tones, beige and raw denim, offering an understated yet unique offering that contrasted with the bolder color collections. Many of these brands also focused on raw materials, experimental silhouettes and a refreshing sense of casual wear.

Geometric prints

Geometric prints formed another part of women’s fashion that was easily recognizable in the wide variety of collections. The prints varied from Aztec-like shapes to flowing ’70s-inspired looks to illusionistic designs, all bringing great diversity to the offering. Many of these designs also used striking and contrasting color schemes that complemented the collections as a whole, adding some variety to monotonous lines and connecting them together. Despite being inspired by commonly used geometric patterns, many of the prints on display offered a modern twist on designs for either a younger or older audience.

This article was previously published on FashionUnited.uk. Translation and editing: Barbara Russ

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