Leica Corporation, a global leader in developing innovative fiber and technology solutions for the clothing industry, recently collaborated with trend agency StijlinstiuutAmsterdam to release a trend forecast for the 23/24 autumn and winter socks trend.

This season, designers draw inspiration from nature and traditional craftsmanship, and combine them with science and technology. The research results indicate that consumers are increasingly valuing functional advantages, including product quality, functionality, and sustainability. In terms of emotional appeal, the desire for fresh impulses, vitality, and positivity is emerging.

Based on this, four key themes were jointly identified, aiming to provide inspiration for the new generation of sock users and meet their potential needs for comfort and functionality of sock products.

Trend 1: Artificial

As the opposite of the digital world, primitive patterns and designs evoke the simple and rugged beauty exhibited by prehistoric humans walking on this land. The design inspiration comes from prehistoric natural patterns and textures, combined with practical functions to provide durable sock solutions. Adopting LYCRASOFT COMFORT technology, cotton socks are provided with all-day comfort, easy to wear, and stability without displacement.

Reality Enhancement - Combining technology with nature, utilizing high-performance materials and high-tech survival aids to achieve deeper connections and experiences. Apply LYCRA APAPTIV fiber to provide comfort and stable support for socks.

Trend 2: Empower

An ancient tradition of using skin as a canvas - human body art is the ultimate personal expression, a way of expressing self actualization, body ownership, and personal growth. The transparent design with tattoo effect and 3D elasticity dominates this shape. LYCRAFUSIONTM technology provides long-lasting anti detachment performance for stockings.

Trend 3: Reconnfigured

Focusing on the desire of the new generation to tell their own stories, combined with the influence rooted in their memory, history, music, or travel, we use collage and combination techniques to design socks that meet the needs and activities of the wearer, providing support for their daily journey. COOLMAXEcoMade technology is made from 100% recycled resources after consumption, which helps keep wearers cool and dry regardless of their requirements for socks.

Recycling, upgrading, and reusing - Designers are finding ways to inject new vitality into old fashion products by using techniques such as layered embroidery, dyeing, painting, repair, cutting, and collage to keep them in circulation for a longer time. LYCRAXTRA LIFETM fibers help resist fiber damage that shortens the lifespan of socks, providing long-lasting comfort, fit, and shaping function.

Trend 4: Hybridised

Digital Indigenous people are interested in both real and virtual clothing. They spend most of their time living in the digital community and will be the first generation of future humans to envision fashion surpassing the body. LYCRA FUSIONTM technology makes stockings more durable, providing long-lasting comfort, fit, and shaping.

A rising fashion subculture - using digital tools to reconstruct real-world outfits, which are then uploaded to blockchain or modeled by real people to inspire wearers and designers. The progressive pressure socks designed with LYCRA ADAPTIV fiber are easy to put on and off, injecting vitality into the legs.

For over 20 years, our sock trend forecasting has been inspiring and supporting customers, making it an excellent case for customers to enjoy value-added services when collaborating with Leica, "said Sybile Bald, Director of Socks Market Strategy at Leica, In the post pandemic era, we live half of our time in the real world and the other half in the digital community. Technology and creativity are the key to defining a new identity. This year's prediction focuses on how this trend enables fashion socks to express individuality, making brands more diverse and imaginative“.