Key Trends for Spring/Summer 2016 from the Berlin Trade Shows

As the Spring/Summer 2016 tradeshow season continues, focus has now shifted from Paris to Germany, where capital city Berlin recently hosted a number of leading fashion trade shows. From Bread & Butter to Bright, Premium and Seek, each event showcased the latest collections from a diverse array of influential brands from around the world, spanning both emerging labels and established names. As ever, the Trendstop experts were at hand to witness all the trade show action as it happened, and have analysed each show to pinpoint every emerging new S/S16 trend. These trends are predicted to influence men's and women's styles going into S/S16, from summery ethnic inspirations and fresh denim looks to innovative takes on contemporary city designs. This week, FashionUnited readers can discover three essential trade show trends that stood out at Berlin this season.

A key trend for summer menswear, seaside-ready styles are given a fresh twist with ethnic-inspired aesthetics. Formal board shorts incorporate scratchy repeat patterns in washed-out shades, while loafers and lace-ups are merged with espadrilles for a city-to-shore appeal. Blocking updates dapper straw hats with contrasting colours and prints.

In womenswear, modern city styles are subverted with unexpected design details, creating cosmopolitan looks with a quirky edge. Tailored blazers demonstrate a play on detailing with unusual pocket placements and seams, as leather slip-ons take a sportive direction with cut-outs, tonal blocking and a sandwich sole. Meanwhile, clocks look new with metal textures and embossed numerals.

Elsewhere in women's fashion, we see denim pieces evolve for summer with clean cuts, bold blue washes and a touch of nautical inspiration. Cropped jackets emerge as a must-have staple, as flat sandals incorporate wide denim panels for straps. The trend also offers a new texture for bucket bags, complete with tan rope drawstrings.

Exclusive Offer

FashionUnited readers can get a free copy of Trendstop's complete Spring/Summer 2015 Women's Bread & Butter Trade Show Report, containing top trends and brands to watch, along with exclusive editor's pick products. Simply click the banner to get your complimentary report.

Trendstop.com is one of the world's leading trend forecasting agencies for fashion and creative professionals, renowned for its insightful trend analysis and forecasts. Clients include H&M, Primark, Forever21, Zalando, Geox, Evisu, Hugo Boss, L'Oreal and MTV.

Images courtesy of Trendstop.com: FRENN, Farwell, ALAN, Marie Raz, Eureka, Alchemist, 2NDDAY, Del Rio London, Mi Pac, all Spring/Summer 2016.