The new reflective fabric trends for the spring-summer season 2017, which have just been shown at the Performance Days in Munich, are likely to inspire sports and fashion brands alike: there has never been such a great deal of fashionable optics for sport. The materials of the future are becoming lighter, more flexible and softer. They promise to wear comfort, which is long since also interested the classic fashion customers. "37.4 percent of the visitors agree to the fashion sector," says Stefanie Sakharov of the Performance Days, summarizing the visitor structure of the last event at the end of April. This is a considerable share for a trade fair, which has explicitly devoted itself to the functional substances. And what trends does the industry see?
More patterns, more structure, more prints
"The functional substances show a completely different picture compared to the last seasons," explains Fabrics expert Ulrike in her trend presentation. "Patterns, structures, prints and 3-dimensional fabrics are getting stronger and stronger." The change goes through the entire range, from the light knit for Base layer to the weatherproof 3-layer reflective material for jackets and trousers. Structured surfaces are achieved by new knitting and weaving methods or appear on the backs of the fabrics where they are e.g. as small 3-dimensional triangles or ovals. They give the fabric not only a futuristic look; they also serve as a spacer to the skin and thus ensure more wear comfort. Jacquards also give the fabrics new structures and patterns, as well as quilted or embossed materials, where several layers of fabric - for example by ultrasound - are fused together.
Prints had hardly played a role in the sport in the last few years, but the Cleary look was one of them. This could change, at least the fabric manufacturers will in the future rely on decorative surfaces and present flower prints, basics and geometric patterns.
In general, the trend towards particularly complex backs continues. For example, transparent jacketed fabrics are printed on the reverse side, the patterns also glimmering on the front side. Innovative reflective prints are also presented. They not only serve the safety aspect, but also deliver completely new optics through newly developed colors. Highlight is, for example, a fabric that combines prints that only partially reflect and show a completely different pattern at night than at day.
Just not clean: The performance fabric trends for summer 2017
Functionality becomes the USP
With the functions of the fabrics, the trend continues towards lighter, softer, and nevertheless hard-wearing materials. Even 3-layer materials for waterproof jackets have lost their stiffness and show a pleasantly soft feel. Elasticity is becoming the standard. Even substances, which were once developed as compressive substances, enter the regular sports and fashion collections due to their good wearing and jumping properties. Christian Weather from Agencies: "We are selling our polyamide stretch from the sports collection to pure fashion customers. They are always looking for beautiful materials for comfortable reflective pants and jackets. "
