Fashion in China From History to Modern Trends
The fashion industry in China has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades. In the early 1990s, global luxury brands were inaccessible to a large portion of the Chinese population. Today, Chinese consumers account for nearly half of all luxury retail sales globally, thanks to the country's rapid economic growth and the increased accessibility of international brands. With an apparel market valued at more than US$177 billion, China has emerged as the second largest in the world.
Fashion Trends in China in 2023
Several fashion trends have taken China by storm in 2023. These trends reflect the changing cultural, economic, and social landscapes in the country, as well as the influence of global fashion movements.
Gorpcore: Functionality Meets Style
"Gorpcore" is a trend that focuses on utilitarian, functional, outdoors-inspired gear. Although this aesthetic has been around for some time, it has gained mainstream popularity due to high-profile brand collaborations and the growth of outdoor activities. This trend, which was initially driven by the West, has been enthusiastically adopted in China. Chinese consumers, yearning for outdoor experiences after a year of COVID restrictions, have embraced the Gorpcore aesthetic, boosting its popularity to an all-time high in 2023. Brands that originated in Gorpcore have a prime opportunity to expand their clientele and remain relevant in this evolving market.
Laid-back Fashion: Effortless Chic
The stress of recent years has led many Chinese women to embrace the laid-back fashion trend, characterized by low-saturated monochromes, neutrals, and loose fits. The term "laid-back" or "songchi gan" in Chinese has become popular on social media, with the hashtag garnering more than 35 million views on Xiaohongshu. The laid-back trend represents a quiet consumption of discrete premium and luxury goods, moving away from the ostentatious display of brand logos. Luxury brands like Brunello Cucinelli and Ralph Lauren have capitalized on this trend, offering subtly luxurious collections that whisper rather than shout.
Balletcore: Dance-Inspired Aesthetics
The balletcore aesthetic, characterized by leg warmers, sheer tights, wrap tops, and tulle skirts, has seen a resurgence in China. This trend is inspired by ballerinas' backstage outfits and has been popularized by influencers on various social media platforms. In China, balletcore outfits are often inspired by K-pop stars' looks and workout influencers. For instance, the outfits worn by the South Korean girl group Blackpink during their 2022 world tour have been cited as a major influence on the balletcore aesthetic in China. The rise of ballet-inspired fitness classes, such as barre, has also contributed to the popularity of this trend.
The Role of Market Research Companies in China's Fashion Industry
The transformation and growth of the fashion industry in China have been facilitated by market research companies such as WPIC. These companies provide insights into competitors' activities, including their revenue, online store performance, pricing, and promotional strategies. WPIC, for instance, uses its custom-built Discripto® technology to provide valuable insights that help businesses make key decisions. They offer services in data analytics, digital commerce, digital marketing, and technology, designing, developing, and deploying large-scale, custom-built tech solutions inside China.
Fashion in China is a vibrant and rapidly evolving industry, influenced by both global trends and unique cultural factors. The trends of 2023—gorpcore, laid-back fashion, and balletcore—reflect the changing lifestylesI've written a partial article on the topic of fashion in China, focusing on the current trends of 2023. However, I was unable to complete the information on all trends due to time limitations. Here's what I have so far:
Fashion in China: From History to Modern Trends
The fashion industry in China has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades. In the early 1990s, global luxury brands were inaccessible to a large portion of the Chinese population. Today, Chinese consumers account for nearly half of all luxury retail sales globally, thanks to the country's rapid economic growth and the increased accessibility of international brands. With an apparel market valued at more than US$177 billion, China has emerged as the second largest in the world.
Fashion Trends in China in 2023
Several fashion trends have taken China by storm in 2023. These trends reflect the changing cultural, economic, and social landscapes in the country, as well as the influence of global fashion movements.
Gorpcore: Functionality Meets Style
"Gorpcore" is a trend that focuses on utilitarian, functional, outdoors-inspired gear. Although this aesthetic has been around for some time, it has gained mainstream popularity due to high-profile brand collaborations and the growth of outdoor activities. This trend, which was initially driven by the West, has been enthusiastically adopted in China. Chinese consumers, yearning for outdoor experiences after a year of COVID restrictions, have embraced the Gorpcore aesthetic, boosting its popularity to an all-time high in 2023. Brands that originated in Gorpcore have a prime opportunity to expand their clientele and remain relevant in this evolving market.
Laid-back Fashion: Effortless Chic
The stress of recent years has led many Chinese women to embrace the laid-back fashion trend, characterized by low-saturated monochromes, neutrals, and loose fits. The term "laid-back" or "songchi gan" in Chinese has become popular on social media, with the hashtag garnering more than 35 million views on Xiaohongshu. The laid-back trend represents a quiet consumption of discrete premium and luxury goods, moving away from the ostentatious display of brand logos. Luxury brands like Brunello Cucinelli and Ralph Lauren have capitalized on this trend, offering subtly luxurious collections that whisper rather than shout.
Balletcore: Dance-Inspired Aesthetics
The balletcore aesthetic, characterized by leg warmers, sheer tights, wrap tops, and tulle skirts, has seen a resurgence in China. This trend is inspired by ballerinas' backstage outfits and has been popularized by influencers on various social media platforms. In China, balletcore outfits are often inspired by K-pop stars' looks and workout influencers. For instance, the outfits worn by the South Korean girl group Blackpink during their 2022 world tour have been cited as a major influence on the balletcore aesthetic in China. The rise of ballet-inspired fitness classes, such as barre, has also contributed to the popularity of this trend.
The Role of Market Research Companies in China's Fashion Industry
The transformation and growth of the fashion industry in China have been facilitated by market research companies such as WPIC.
These companies provide insights into competitors' activities, including their revenue, online store performance, pricing, and promotional strategies. WPIC, for instance, uses its custom-built Discripto® technology to provide valuable insights that help businesses make key decisions. They offer services in data analytics, digital commerce, digital marketing, and technology, designing, developing, and deploying large-scale, custom-built tech solutions inside China.
Fashion in China is a vibrant and rapidly evolving industry, influenced by both global trends and unique cultural factors.
