Women's skinny jean: A/W 14/15 commercial update

By Katy Rutherford & Sue Barrett, WGSN, 24 October 2013

Slashed and damaged, contemporary motocross styling and blocked details - from patched repair tocontrast thigh-seaming - are key updates for the season's must-have skinny.

Tripp NYC autumn/winter 2013/14

WGSN ANALYSIS

"The ripped skinnybecomes this season'smust-have. Watch outfor destroyed slashingand patchwork, ascurrent grungy lookscontinue into nextautumn""Biker themescontinue to filterthrough to denimwear,and work well acrossall market levels, withreinforced kneepanels, leather insertsand feature zipsemphasising themotorcross theme.Consider heavyembellishment andstudding applicationsfor party seasondrops""Coated leather looksare set to continue,bringing a toughenedstyle to skinny jeans inblacks and greys.Metallic finishes willtake patterns - inparticular animal prints- in a glamorousdirection and shouldbe watched as wemove towards theparty season""Customisedpatchwork continues toplay an important role,fuelled by recentcatwalk jeans. Watchfor the trend escalatinginto contrast fabricpanelling and legseaming"

Sara MaggioniSenior Editor, What's inStore, WGSN

©WGSN 2013

Damage

Punk-inspired slashed and frayed denim details are seen in black stretch denim, for this autumn's must-have skinny jean. Play with linear slicing for extreme looks, and worn knee damage for a more naturallook.

Patched repair

A continuing important denim detail, as explored in our A/W 14/15 key details report, patchwork adds aplayful repaired look to both blue and black denim. Contrast denim patches and punk-inspired plaid arekey fabrics, while raw edges and hand-stitched details add a hand-mended effect.

Levi's Red Tab autumn/winter 2013/14 R13 autumn/winter 2013/14 Tripp NYC autumn/winter 2013/14

Saint Laurent autumn/winter 2013/14 R13 autumn/winter 2013/14 The Locals street shot, Paris August2013

Current/Elliott autumn/winter 2013/14

©WGSN 2013

Leg blocking

Borrowed from contemporary biker jean styles and graphic-blocked details, knee panels and thigh seamsremain a key commercial detail. For dressed-up denim, incorporate metallic touches, while matt/shinetextures create a luxe-utility feel, with subtly-contrasting leg seaming.

Each x Other autumn/winter 2013/14

Vanessa Jackman street shot, New York FashionWeek, October 2013

Tripp NYC autumn/winter 2013/14

Junya Watanabe autumn/winter 2013/14

MiH Jeans autumn/winter 2013/14

Patchwork jeans by Vinti Andrews

©WGSN 2013

Contrast blocking

The commercially-strong trend for clean-blocked patchwork continues, with contrasting fabric andtextures seen at waistbands, pockets and yoke details, as well as horizontal seam splicing and tonalindigo panels.

Foil detail jeans by Acne Textile Elizabeth and Jamesautumn/winter 2013/14

Dakota Collective aumn/winter 2013/14 Free People autumn/winter 2013/14

Surface to Air autumn/winter 2013/14 R13 autumn/winter 2013/14 Avelon autumn/winter 2013/14 R13 autumn/winter 2013/14

One Teaspoon autumn/winter 2013/14 3.1 Phillip Lim autumn/winter 2013/14 Free People autumn/winter 2013/14 Diesel Black Gold pre-summer 2014

©WGSN 2013

Sprayed ombré

New ombré laundry creates a soft colour-blocked update. Subtle sprayed pigments look the newest withblack-on-indigo and vice-versa, as well as partial bleach-dips for tonal blocked effects.

Placement pattern

The freshest patterns are seen in disrupted placements, with a side-seam focus for autumn. Florals havea sprayed-on look with exposed side seams and waistbands left free from print, while pieced designsincorporate side panel details for cut-and-paste looks.

Knee embellishment

New embellished knee details reflect the hot spring/summer 2014 catwalk trend for heavily decoratedcouture denim. Update biker-inspired knee patches with jewel encrusted and studded details, and

Lee x Other Shop collaboration MM6 autumn/winter 2013/14 Each x Other autumn/winter 2013/14

Joes Jeans autumn/winter 2013/14 Mother autumn/winter 2013/14 Indigo printed jeans by Free People Current/Elliott autumn/winter 2013/14

©WGSN 2013

incorporate gold chains within rips for a luxe-grunge effect.

Embellished tuxedo

Last summer's embroidered tuxedo detail takes on a luxe edge for the party season, with embellishedside stripes incorporating metallic embroideries, beading and sequins.

Motocross styling

As seen in our A/W 14/15 key items report,the motocross jean remains one of the season's key players.Seen in black sateen-stretch denim, as well as stretch-waxed and leather-look coatings, with modernbiker detailing including patches, seamed knee panels and the all-important zip pocket.

Joes Jeans autumn/winter 2013/14 Tommy Ton street shot Saint Laurent autumn/winter 2013/14 WGSN street shot, London FashionWeek, September 2013

Each x Other autumn/winter 2013/14 Free People autumn/winter 2013/14 Free People autumn/winter 2013/14 Each x Other autumn/winter 2013/14

©WGSN 2013

Hem focus

Ankle zip and lace-up details add subtle biker references to a sprayed-on silhouette. Incorporate acentre-front or commercial side zip ankle detail, or play with elongated zips, embellished edges and lace-up calf details for statement effects.

3.1 Phillip Lim autumn/winter 2013/14 3.1 Phillip Lim autumn/winter 2013/14 Rag & Bone autumn/winter 2013/14 Nasty Gal autumn/winter 2013/14

Current/Elliot autumn/winter 2013/14 Diamond detail zip jeans by Paige Denim Rag & Bone autumn/winter 2013/14 3.1 Phillip Lim autumn/winter 2013/14

Mother autumn/winter 2013/14 Rag & Bone autumn/winter 2013/14 Karl Lagerfeld autumn/winter 2013/14 Chloé autumn/winter 2013/14

©WGSN 2013

Kick hem

For a directional-fit update, a subtle kick-flare hem elevates the skinny for a premium cropped look. Workin smart sateen stretch and black leather coatings.

Utility styling

The commercial success of the biker jean is set to continue, with front-thigh patch pockets providing anessential utility update.

Leather

Leather-look coating remains one of the key finishes for commercial skinny jeans, as seen on the recentspring/summer 2014 catwalks. The black leather skinny has become a core perennial item, withauthentic-looks and a buttery-soft feel, while red leather emerges as a seasonal alternative.

3.1 Phillip Lim autumn/winter 2013/14 Proenza Schouler autumn/winter2013/14

The Row autumn/winter 2013/14 Kick-flare hem pants by Carin Wester

3.1 Phillip Lim autumn/winter 2013/14 Current/Elliott autumn/winter 2013/14 Diesel Black Gold pre-summer 2014 3.1 Phillip Lim autumn/winter 2013/14

©WGSN 2013

Animal pattern

Pattern remains a key trend for autumn, as premium coatings and luxe textures continue. Wet-looksnakeskin, plush flocked patterns and metallic prints are perfect updates for the party season, whileabstract all-overs offer a fresh take on simple repeat-printed leopard and snakeskin patterns.

Citizens of Humanity autumn/winter2013/14

Freja x Mother autumn/winter 2013/14 Hope autumn/winter 2013/14 Helmut Lang autumn/winter 2013/14

Joes Jeans autumn/winter 2013/14 Diesel autumn/winter 2013/14 Wrangler autumn/winter 2013/14 T by Alexander Wang autumn/winter2013/14

©WGSN 2013

Lerock autumn/winter 2013/14

Kenzo autumn/winter 2013/14

7 For All Mankind autumn/winter 2013/14

IRO autumn/winter 2013/14

Current/Elliott autumn/winter 2013/14

Wood Wood autumn/winter 2013/14

©WGSN 2013