Fashion Trend Alert

Fashiontribes.com

Posted:  January 23, 2008

Here are five other influential trends to keep an eye on for 2008:

LUXURY THAT WHISPERS 

"I expect women to add a luxurious touch to their personal style, like a luxurious fabric; things that feel a little richer, nicer in an eclectic way," explains Irma Zandl, president of trend forecaster The Zandl Group. "In a slowing economy, the haves will look for less ostentatious design in which the quality is on the inside, but not as visible on the outside," agrees Drew Neisser, chief executive officer of Renegade Marketing. "In other words, it's time to hide the fur. Turn the coat inside out so you know you've got fur, but the world doesn't. Burberry is among the high-end brands that might do well, since their signature plaid is often on the inside. Prada bags that don't say Prada is another example. High-style, lower-cost brands like H&M and Uniqlo will continue to do well."

According to Popcorn, another label to watch for is Muji, the Japanese word for unbranded, and other similar whisper brands.