Fashion Forward: How to Forecast Trends and Stay Ahead of the Curve

In fashion, timing is everything. Knowing what’s next—not just what’s now—can make the difference between products that fly off the shelves and pieces that collect dust. Whether you're a seasoned buyer or an emerging brand, understanding how to forecast trends is a key to staying relevant, competitive, and profitable.
At WWIN and The Men’s Edit, we’re all about empowering our community to buy smarter and design better. Here’s how to sharpen your trend-spotting skills and plan ahead for upcoming seasons with confidence.
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Accurate trend forecasting helps you:
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Stay aligned with consumer expectations
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Minimize risk on inventory investments
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Increase sell-through rates
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Strengthen your brand’s authority and positioning
For buyers, it’s about bringing in the right product at the right time. For exhibitors, it’s about designing collections that speak to what customers will want tomorrow—not just what they’re buying today.
🔍 5 Ways to Predict the Next Big Thing
- Tap Into Seasonal Color Forecasts
Pantone, WGSN, and other global trend authorities regularly release color reports that influence everything from apparel to accessories. These palettes aren’t just artistic choices—they’re data-driven predictions based on culture, emotion, and psychology.
Pro Tip: Use these forecasts as a foundation for your buying or design strategy. When WWIN/TME rolls around, pay attention to which colors are being repeated across collections—they're usually strong indicators of where the market is heading.
- Watch the Runways—Then Watch the Streets
Runway shows (from Paris to New York) set the creative tone. But what really sticks is what makes it to the streets, social feeds, and storefronts. Monitor both high fashion and street style to understand what’s being adopted by real consumers.
Tools to use:
- Vogue Runway for show recaps
- Pinterest Predicts
- TikTok style trends
- WWIN’s trend showcases for ready-to-retail interpretations
- Listen to the Consumer Pulse
Trend forecasting isn’t just visual—it’s behavioral. Are consumers leaning into sustainability? Seeking comfort? Craving nostalgia?
Track insights from:
- Google Trends
- Retail analytics tools
- Social media conversations
- Customer feedback in-store and online
The more you know about what drives your customer, the more you can anticipate their needs.
- Explore WWIN/TME’s Trend-Forward Displays
Each season, WWIN and The Men’s Edit bring trends to life through curated showcases, installations, and product groupings designed to help buyers make connections between what’s trending and what’s sellable.
Our shows make it easier to identify emerging categories—like elevated loungewear, gender-fluid fashion, or resortwear with a twist—by spotlighting standout items in context.
- Connect with Your Community
One of the most underrated forecasting tools? Your peers. Conversations on the WWIN/TME show floor—whether it’s a casual chat over coffee or a conversation with a favorite brand—often surface patterns that no trend report can predict.
Don’t underestimate the power of shared insight and lived experience when it comes to spotting what’s next.
🛍️ From Trends to Buys: The WWIN/TME Advantage
Because WWIN and TME are held at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas—on one easy-to-shop floor and co-located with Las Vegas Apparel—buyers can cross-reference trends across women’s and men’s, contemporary and classic, accessories and apparel.
That means more informed, trend-conscious buying decisions in one convenient trip.
Staying ahead of the curve doesn’t require a crystal ball—just the right tools, sources, and experiences.
At WWIN/TME, you’ll find trend insights woven into every part of the show, from booth displays to curated lounges. And by following Behind the Seams, our official blog, you’ll stay inspired and informed long after the show ends.
📌 Bookmark Behind the Seams for your go-to industry intel.