Today I went up to Oxford Street to see what types of high street clothing was being sold and if there where any recurring trends in the shops. From looking in Top Shop, H&M, New Look, Primark, Jane Norman, River Island and TkMaxx I could see that there where lots of floral designs on dresses, skirts, tops and bikinis being sold. All the summer wear is out and there are lots of bright coloured clothes on the market. Long maxi dresses are being sold again this summer as well as jump suits. There are lots of tasselled items including cardigans and bags. Also crop tops which tie at either the front or both sides of the top are being sold in all of the main chain stores. Denim jackets, waistcoats, brightly coloured raincoats, capes and blazers are being sold in most of the high street shops. The summer clothing being sold is similar to last year’s but there are a few new trends as well.
From looking on the internet some key trends are outlined for summer 2011. These are: 70's glamour, biking clothing, punk fashion, 60's ladylike, festival fashion and stripes. The 70's glamour comprises long high waisted trousers, elegant dresses, smart blouses, high platforms, hot pants and jump suits. Biker fashion consists of biker jackets of any colour but especially shiny silver, zipped and buckled sleeves, quilting, leather pants and motor cycle leather pants. Punk fashion involves wearing studs, heavy boots and safety pins. The 60's ladylike trend takes the form of housewife fashion with below the knee pleated skirts and long dresses. Festival fashion includes; fruity and floral prints, lose fitting croquet and hanging fringes. Stripes are in this summer and bold, brightly coloured stripes can be seen on all types of clothing, particularly long dresses.
From looking in the Sunday Times Style magazine and at the Telegraph fashion sections, the same trends can be found. For example, the long maxi dresses and denim day dresses, blazers, tropical and animal prints on tie up blouses, stripes, long pleated skirts, flared trousers, feathered jackets, short suits, floral print and lace. The interesting question is who sets the trends is it the public demand, the journalists, the designers or the retailers? In my opinion it is the designer who sets the original trend with their creation which is then copied by the high street retailers and the trend either succeeds or fails depending on the public demand.
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