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How to Discover Fashion Trends First : A Guide for Ecommerce Managers and Brands

Nathalie Gabriel

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September 27, 2024

Discover Fashion Trends Before Anyone Else

Staying ahead of trends is crucial for e-commerce managers and brands aiming to remain relevant and engage customers effectively. Social media moves rapidly, with new styles and preferences emerging constantly. To stay competitive, you need to be one of the first to identify these trends before they become mainstream.

Here’s how e-commerce brands can spot trends early and act on them before they gain traction, with a special focus on the upcoming winter trends.

Leveraging AI for Trend Discovery

One of the most effective ways to stay ahead is by adopting advanced AI systems that scan and analyse social media content and leading fashion websites. AI-driven tools like Selectika’s AI platform utilise auto-tagging and visual recognition to help brands identify the hottest fabrics, colours, and styles in real-time. These systems process vast amounts of data, spotting emerging themes before they become mainstream, allowing your brand to pivot quickly and align with consumer demand.

For instance, Selectika’s AI tool, which monitors fashion influencers’ posts on Instagram, and fashion websites like Vouge detect patterns in outfits, fabrics, or colours that are being worn repeatedly. This enables you to update your inventory or marketing strategies swiftly and be among the first to offer what’s trending.

Winter Fashion Trends to Watch Out For in 2024

With the winter season approaching, several specific trends are already showing promise. Selectika’s AI platform detected early buzz around these styles. Here are the key winter trends for this year:

  1. Leopard Prints: This timeless pattern is making a strong comeback. From coats to accessories, leopard prints are dominating fashion runways and beginning to appear in the social feeds of trendsetters. Brands offering a selection of items featuring this print are likely to attract fashion-forward customers.
  2. Tweeds and Herringbones: These classic fabrics have never gone out of style, but they’re particularly popular this season. Tweeds and herringbones are being modernised in structured blazers, oversized coats, and even accessories. Expect these textures to continue trending across social media throughout the winter months.
  3. Argyle Patterns: A key staple of vintage aesthetics, argyle is now being seen in knitwear and even street-style combinations. Influencers are bringing this pattern back in playful, modern ways, making it a must-watch trend for brands in winter fashion.
  4. Jeans – Barrel Pants: The jeans silhouette that’s making waves this winter is the barrel pant. This style is characterised by a loose, tapered leg and slightly cropped hem, offering a modern twist on classic denim. Early adopters are pairing these pants with oversized knitwear, boots, and statement accessories, making them a versatile piece for the colder months.

Actionable Steps for Ecommerce Brands

To maximise your brand’s exposure and capitalise on these trends, here’s what e-commerce managers can do:

  1. Invest in AI Tools: Use AI systems like Selectika’s AI platform to scan social media and fashion websites for emerging patterns, fabric preferences, and trending keywords. Auto-tagging and visual AI can identify these trends faster than human analysts, giving you a competitive advantage.
  2. Create Targeted Marketing Campaigns: Once a trend is detected, quickly create content and promotions around the trend. Use the popularity of leopard prints, tweeds, or barrel pants to your advantage by highlighting these styles in your email marketing, social media posts, and ads.
  3. Collaborate with Influencers: Since influencers are often the first to adopt new trends, consider partnering with those who specialise in fashion. Sending them early samples of your products featuring these trending styles could lead to organic promotion and rapid visibility for your brand.
  4. Stock Up Smartly: Don’t wait until a trend is mainstream to update your inventory. Act early on data-driven insights to ensure you have adequate stock of the winter’s hottest items before your competitors catch on.

Selectika’s Fashion AI Platform

Discovering trends before they explode on social media gives your e-commerce brand a crucial advantage. By incorporating AI tools like Selectika’s, which analyse real-time data from across the digital landscape, you can stay ahead of the competition and offer the latest styles before anyone else. With the upcoming winter trends, such as leopard prints, tweeds, herringbones, argyle patterns, and barrel pants, being first to market with these looks can help your brand stand out and drive significant customer engagement and sales.