With trend services like WGSN costing a whopping $25k / year (!!!), it’s hard to keep up with forecasting in the fashion industry (especially if you’re a freelance fashion designer).
So how do you stay relevant and inspired? Well, I’m just one person and I don’t claim to have all the answers. My go to resource, like a lot of you, is Pinterest, but I know there’s a lot more out there.
So in February 2024, I reached out to all 20,437 of my email subscribers and LinkedIn followers and asked:
“What are the best free (or cheap) trend-forecasting websites/services/apps for fashion?”
I’ve curated the feedback I got from hundreds of fashion designers around the world, and even quoted a handful of you (because you worded it way better than I could have).(Also, listen to my podcast interview with a former WGSN trend forecaster, Wendy Bendoni.)
First, one of my favorite submissions from Sharon, who’s teaching us how to spot trends:
“I used to work for a trend prediction agency and they taught me to look at changes in lifestyles, ‘the zeitgeist’ how people live, work, travel and political changes (for example how red came on trend after a period of public demonstrations and political unrest – the colour of action and possibly anger). Looking at these shifts in lifestyle, then gathering images to create a moodboard reflecting that lifestyle, which then starts to develop a colour palette. That’s how (some) trends start – certainly in Europe and seen at Premier Vision etc – but might take 2 years to filter down to the high street… so I keep one eye on micro trends and what’s developing, while all the time looking at the most commercial elements to maximize profits.” – Sharon, Former Trend Forecaster
Next, a few insightful places to find trends from other fashion designers:
- “I find trend inspo in various sources – as Paul Smith said ‘inspiration is everywhere if you look hard enough’. Instinct is possibly the best resource. If you are into what you do, then you inherently have a ‘good eye’ and develop natural trend awareness” – Sharon…again! She was full of a lot of ideas!
- “Frankly, I think to forecast the future, it’s better to define the future . . . Drive it, create it… don’t follow it.” – Robin
- “Trends are… just in the air. If you are sensitive for this stuff, you will always find out where the way of fashion will be going next.” – Eirini
- “I also write in the Google search bar things like ‘I hate skinny jeans’ and see how many times it has been searched for, to see anti-trend feelings – how big they are. I studied sociology in the University, where I had a marketing class and I try to use that as ‘a read between the lines/numbers’ tool.” – Emiliya
- “Zara… now hear me out! This is because they work so close to season that I have noticed they follow WGSN trends for the next season (So if WGSN are showing trends for AW2019 and it’s only just the launch of SS2018, then there will be some key pieces that match the WGSN predictions) so this is good for brands to keep an eye on whom that are not fast fashion.” – Cressida
- “I generally look up what younger people are wearing, what young artists draw, memes (they are a good gauge of what people are talking about). Sometimes, I get color inspiration from the exact opposite of what is trending as long term trends can lead to fatigue of that specific style and a search for something that is the exact opposite. I look at what material providers are selling and reading the news can help you understand the mood and see where it leads. Inflation means that people are looking for cheaper alternatives, thrifting means that reusing fabric or older styles are back and so on. Looking for what is necessary nowadays is a way we can create things that can stand out without having to create a vacuum.” – Andrea López, Fashion and Graphic designer
- “When you know what to look out for, social media is great! More specifically Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok (best for quick micro trends). Pinterest is my ultimate favorite and has NEVER steered me wrong.”
“Having knowledge of the market you’re researching for (leading brands (big and small), leading influencers (people who genuinely generate new ideas, not just people with big numbers), and understanding how the platform’s algorithms work (for example, Pinterest shows related content to a picture you like which helps you discover either new designers you haven’t heard of yet or good reference photos of designs from the past that are similar to future trends.” – Amani Congleton, Fashion Designer & 3D Textile Artist
And now, here is a list of specific resources and tips to predict trends (in no particular order) created by all of YOU – hundreds of fashion designers around the world.
- Pinterest
- “When you follow the correct people it’s easy to see a trend. I also watch a lot of fashion shows on the internet. After those [shows,] I collect on Pinterest items that have the same feeling.” – Marieke
- “Some angel somewhere is uploading trend reports [to Pinterest] including bodies, patterns, and print ideas. I mean EVERYTHING! It’s crazy how easy it is to get the scoop on upcoming trends as well as past reports by typing in say ‘Spring 20XX Activewear Trends’. I promise you your heart will skip beats!” – Dani
- “Pinterest has “Trends” and “Pinterest Predicts” if you have a Pinterest Business account. Trends are updated daily by search demand and Pinterest Predicts release yearly trends based on their own analytics and research.” – Kirsten Currie, Material Developer & Intimates Designer
- “I mainly use Pinterest as a [search] machine like Google. I am searching for something like “summer 2024 color trends in fashion” etc and then I go from there.” – Nikoletta Kourtaki, Fashion Designer
- Instagram
- “I find that Instagram and other social media is your best friend. I typically search broad fashion related hashtags to see what’s out in the world and what people are wearing.” – Sydney
- “These days it’s mostly Instagram and Pinterest. The algorithms seem to always reflect the current trends if you sign up to follow. I used to be obsessed with blogs in the 2010s (I’m so old) but those bloggers have grown up and focus more on insta now. I love Olivia Palermo, Chiara Ferragni, Sai da Silva, Alyssa Coscarelli, Betty Autier, and Jeanne Damas. With that group I usually feel like I’m on top of what’s going on in the market.”
- “I love how you can save Instagram posts and organize them!” – Heather
- Tiktok
- Youtube
- “I use YouTube and watch all the fashion shows every season.” – Nusha Blaszczyk
Online Shopping Platforms:
Online Trend Resources / Publications:
- Patternbank Trend Reports
- Patterntag
- Pattern Curator
- Trend Zoom
- Trend Suite by Tiffany Hill Studio
- Fashion Snoops
- “Fashion Snoops had given me a great rate as a freelancer. $7500 for the year. Still pricey but it was cheaper than WGSN. What would be cool is to pull a group of freelancers together and get a group /company rate with x amount of users.” – Sarah S., Design Consultant and Trend Forecaster
(Yes, I realize, $7500/year is not free or even cheap. But I included this one because it might be an option for some freelancers, and is definitely less than WGSN!)
- “Fashion Snoops had given me a great rate as a freelancer. $7500 for the year. Still pricey but it was cheaper than WGSN. What would be cool is to pull a group of freelancers together and get a group /company rate with x amount of users.” – Sarah S., Design Consultant and Trend Forecaster
- START by WGSN
- “I know WGSN has a new service called START that’s intended for freelancers and smaller brands. Not sure of the pricing but it might be worth looking into.” – Mónica R., Fashion Designer
- “I subscribe to START by WGSN for $59/mo. It has some major tech glitches at times, but is great for seeing trade show images and catching the major seasonal trends. The sketch library is awesome, also.”
- Textile Design Lab
- “I get periodic access to WGSN through a subscription to Textile Design Lab – might be helpful for those who work or are interested in pattern design (and much cheaper than a WGSN subscription even if not!)” – Kat Smith, Freelance Creative & Technical Apparel Designer
- Trendstop
- F-Trend
- FashionWeekOnline
- Appletizer
- Fashion Network
- “The Fashion Network is a great daily read and has more of a global perspective.”
- Fashion United
- ModaCable
- Tagwalk
- “Tagwalk, the biggest fashion search engine, is [a] smart and amazing trend platform that helps with research!” – Anna Keo, Fashion Designer
- The Future Fabrics Group
- Unique Style Platform
- Bradley Quinn (author)
- WWD
- Who What Wear
- Wear Next
- LeBook
- Hypebeast
- Highsnobiety
- GQ
- BoF
- Vogue Runway App
- “Runway Recaps from the Vogue Runway App is my favorite fashion-phile resource. The critical review tab is entertaining and a great recap. You can see common threads at the runway level fairly clearly – rarely is anyone doing anything drastically different these days.”
- ISPO Textrends
- Milano Unica
- Premiere Vision
- Peclers
- PopFashion Trends
- The Print School
- Trend Watching
- Linea Pelle Show
- Drapers
- Viewzines
- Be Global Fashion Network
- Interior Design Trends
- HGTV (articles like this)
- Lark and Linen (articles like this)
- Houzz (articles like this)
- The Lux Pad
- House Beautiful
- Dering Hall
- Sherwin Williams
- Eclectic Trends
“A brilliant tool that helps you find images based on color. It’s a great way to find inspo pics if you’re working backwards to create a moodboard based on a color palette.” – Heidi (me!)
- Fashion magazines
- “Vogue or Bazaar runway report magazines every season for a line-up of every show from every designer from every major city fashion week.” – Sydney
- “Not every library offers this but I subscribe to multiple fashion magazines around the world through the Libby app using my library cards. LA Public Library has the best selection! Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Hello! Fashion, Figaro, Bazaar, W… and I also like Flow, Spaces, VegOut, Feel Free, Wired—Sign up for your local library card and also look up what other libraries you can connect to for free.” – Aileen Holmes, Apparel + Textile Graphic Designer
- Trend books
- “Companies selling trend books will send you snippets of periodicals you register interest in so this is always worth doing.” – Kay
- Music videos
- “If they are really trendy, you will recognize all the colours and fashion and other things, which are just ‘up to date’.” – Gerhard
- Movies / music / art galleries / concerts or festivals / drag queens
- Fashion brand websites / lookbooks
- “Many of the best fashion designers came out of the world of architecture and I get some of my best ideas from architects and their publications (e.g., Architectural Digest) . . . plus, they are really good people to network with . . . and many trends in architecture (e.g., eco-friendliness) work hand-in-hand with the priorities for customers.” – Robin
- Trade shows (Learn about the top fashion trade shows in this article!)
- Street style in high fashion cities (Google “street style blog [city name]”)
- Visiting physical stores of luxury brands and their websites.
- Lifestyle blogs in your category
- Runway shows / catwalks (available online / YouTube)
- “The international terminal at the airport. At baggage claim you see all kinds of looks.” – Sally
- Go for a walk in an artsy neighborhood
- Pay attention to “how kids put things together” – Sharon
- Travel to style cities like London, New York, Tokyo, Copenhagen
- Brick and mortar stores / window shopping
- Get on mailing lists of boutiques in your niche
- “Sewing patterns: Vogue, Butterick, McCall’s, Simplicity, Marfy, Lutterloh, Burda.” – Kathy
- Vintage clothing
No matter where you get your fashion trend forecasting inspiration, there is no right or wrong place to look. YOU as the designer have the eye.
This list will get you started, but by no means is it the end all be all. Do your fashion trend research in a way that works best for you, and have the confidence that you’re coming up with the right ideas.
