Trend Tracking

1. Research some current trends in teen fashion and culture.

2. List 5 trends that you can find and post them with pictures on your blog. 

Backpacks and sneakers (unisex)


Leather Jackets (unisex- targeted at women this season)

Skinny Jeans (women and unisex)

Leg Warmers (Women)



Dr. Martens (unisex)



3. Who is the target audience, and how is the product  specifically tailored to them? 
_Backpacks and sneakers: Mostly students - in high school and in university/college - and your typical kid on the street. The bright colours and intricate and unique designs are eye catching and can express ones individuality; which in high school is what most students need.
_Leather Jackets: The typical leather jacket- a staple to most closets and fashion lovers- is a fashion trend that has been brought back every season with a different twist to it. This year for 2012-2013 Fall and Winter, it's trendy to have a deep red and wine coloured leather jacket, leather dress, leather pants, leather bag- not all at once of coarse- but this year the leather dress has returned on runways all around the world. That's been targeted at a wider audience, more adult women in that trend as it's been on the runways and in various fashion weeks on an international scale.
_Skinny Jeans: Where would we be today without them? To the relief of many the trend of boys in colourful skinny denim has faded with the past year and now that trend is mainly kept alive by girls in highschool and early adulthood. Your typical skinny jean is still a hot trend with women of all ages and is mixing with patterned denim coloured denim as well as your typical trouser for those who don't like denim. The sexy fit and ways of customizing the product are what catches others eyes, the colours, the washes, the ability to wear them either dressed up or dressed down (formal or casual) and who wears them. All aspects are what have kept this trend alive.
_Leg Warmers: This is a new trend for 2012-2013 but a trend that is breaking through DIY websites and various clothing catalogs. The new twist this year is wearing them with the other trend, knee high boots, over wither a pair of skinny jeans or leggings with a large sweater over top. This trend is still catching on but what is making it so popular is the avalibility of it, the comfort level and the warmth- as well as the fact that it looks great with a sweater dress for the winter and fall months.
_Dr. Martens: The brand and the boot that have made such an impact on highschool students and hipsters everywhere. The comfort, colours, prints and comfort level all make this shoe so popular- as well as the brand name attached to it.

4. Have you bought a product because it was trendy, why did it appeal to you? 
Recently I bought a pair of Dr. Martens, (from an online outlet store - 6pm.com - that sells trendy brands for a fraction of the price) and adore them. They're a higher platform heel which I absolutely love and much to my surprise the cushoning inside and the foot pad is comfortable to walk in for hours on end; after an 8 hour shopping day with my friend, I wasn't feeling the strain on my foot like a normal pair of heels would cause.
On the opposite side of the scale, a fashion trend I did fall victim for was a backpack at Urban Outfitters for $55. I bought it because it looked spectacular but after one day using it for school and straining my back, I returned it for a refund and bought my trusty MEC backpack -that cost me $40- that has lasted for 2 years now- and at a much better price too.