Posted September 20, 2017

 

By Cindy McNaull

 

Wool favorites are on the verge of reinvention. The reliable fabric consumers know and love is making an evolutionary shift in combination with denims, flannels, knits, suiting materials and more.

 

With the added strength of nylon plus the authentic look and feel of wool, these blends are becoming even more inclusive. By reimagining this classic fabric, consumers can have a modernized look while maintaining that cozy feel they’ve known all along.

 

Now, let’s take a look at three trends that are driving the development of endurance-inspired wools, so consumers know what to look for in their upcoming wardrobe.

 

TREND #1: Today’s traditionalist

 

Something special | adaptable polish | lightweight function | hidden performance

 

Reflecting an important shift in global dress codes, today's traditionalist is seeking a balanced luxury – make an imaginative statement while remaining smartly sophisticated.

 

Fashion for the urbane professional must be something special – providing expressive charm as well as hidden performance and lightweight function for a fully modular, multi-use wardrobe. As consumers are on the move, they need garments that can seamlessly transition from the office to the weekend, while offering exceptional attention to detail.

 

And now they can. From work to play, durable nylon and wool blend performance fabrics will help take consumers where they need to go in style. Adaptable and sleek, endurance wools are a genuine value for today’s cosmopolitan and creative market influencers.

 

TREND #2: Adventure foundation

 

Timeless classics | durable basics

 

Inspired by a renewed interest in advanced classics, we see a shift in back-to-better staples defining a wardrobe where heritage meets innovation and authenticity shines.

 

To make the most out of every adventure, today’s explorers rely on strong, functional pieces that deliver when it counts – wools that will function and inspire confidence, whether it’s logging miles on the road, navigating the backcountry or doing the heavy lifting at work. And while maintaining a practical yet fashionable look can sometimes be hard, it doesn’t have to be.

 

With engineered functionality, travel-ready wool fabrics offer the comfort and aesthetics of familiarity with the durability of nylon, helping battle the unexpected barriers that come with the toughest journeys. Wool fabrics with water repellent finishing, two and four-way stretch, rip-stop durability and soft-brushed facing are among engineered performance qualities that help make this possible.
 

TREND #3: Urban Impact

 

Style-conscious | extraordinary pieces for everyday living

 

Urban impact prioritizes design-driven function, integrating refined endurance with hyper-connected mobility.

 

Innovation must fit seamlessly into active lifestyles, smoothing the transition from work to the street while maintaining a fashion commuter-meets-fitness sensibility. Now we live in a world where active can look good and feel good at the same time. From daily tasks to nightly play, consumers can get to where they need to go in functional, comfortable style. Intentionally personalized design is tailored to the demands of busy city dwellers with a sleek and technical aesthetic packed with utility.

 

Versatile garments are in demand. Activewear fabrics, denims and knits combined with classic wool properties bring long-lasting durability and everyday functionality to today’s lifestyles. Whether that’s hopping on a bike headed to work, going out for a night on the town, or even setting out on the next global adventure … durable, versatile and reliable fabrics are at the core of life’s voyage and these latest generation endurance wools powered packed with enhanced abrasion and tear resistance are the ideal solution.

 

To learn more about the latest performance fabrics, including our collection of CORDURA® Combat Wools™ designed to inspire, visit www.cordura.com.

 

Cindy McNaull serves as global CORDURA® brand and marketing director for INVISTA.

Special to eTextileCommunications

Durable, stylish and sleek: Wools getting an upgrade