https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:08:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-1115726 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 22:23:27 +0000 JAileen 1115726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's interesting to see an old thread (from before my time here) resurrected. </p> <p>All I have to add is we found a baby owl this past year! We took her to an animal rescue center where she was raised and released to the wild several months later. She is a baby Great Horned Owl. I had to hold her in my lap for about a half hour for the drive to the center. She was big but didn't weigh much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-1115696 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 21:16:57 +0000 rachylou 1115696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoy being trendy, so I'm all for leitmotifs du jour. Sometimes I'll think a nod is enough, sometimes more.</p> <p>The owl has hit mass scale. CVS pharmacy is selling glass owl x-mas decor this year. That's an interesting one for me, because the owl is almost a personal motif for me - my high school mascot, my friend who's convinced I love owls because we had our picture taken with (live) birds once and I carried the owl... and there was my owl sweater from 15 years ago. On the other hand, I'm really not that into owls. </p> <p>I see Native American patterns have been and still are going fairly strong among the young (Tilly's, Urban Outfitters, etc.).</p> <p>Sugar skulls are a motif in my hipster neighborhood in particular. Sort of a sign of the place.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-1115658 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:45:12 +0000 Mac 1115658@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm seeing more and more hedgehogs on everything from stationery to jewellery. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-262880 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:27:35 +0000 Mac 262880@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm suddenly seeing a lot of heavy-set older guys wearing red suits and white beards; must be a trend : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-194732 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:42:22 +0000 Ele 194732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>bj1111, I already do I'm a huge interior design addict as well as fashion (I know mac is the same way). If we're thinking of interior trends that may translate into fashion, I'm thinking mixing many shades of grey, chevron patterns, crochet and botanic prints. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-194726 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:34:32 +0000 bj1111 194726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>linking this and the identifying trends thread, i wonder if i should be scanning interior design blogs to see what motifs/colors are going to be on trend in clothing a year or two later. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-194663 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:33:21 +0000 Angie 194663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Light blue with brown, and light pink and brown were also VERY big in the 90's. Boringly so in fact. Does anyone else remember that? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-194601 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:44:03 +0000 Mac 194601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pale blue paired with chocolate brown was EVERYWHERE about 5 years ago. Quite a bit of baby pink with chocolate brown followed soon thereafter. What colour combos do you see everywhere, right now?</p> <p>I'm seeing purple everywhere (though maybe a bit less than last year) but not sure it's being paired mostly with one colour or another. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-179479 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 18:15:35 +0000 Mac 179479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ikat has been a major interior design theme for at least 5 years - actually has been kind of on the way out with the high end designers for the past year or two - and it's very cool to see how it's trickled down from interior design to clothing! </p> <p>I actually can't think of many other examples where trends have flowed in this direction. Really interesting! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-179374 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 06:31:35 +0000 Ariadne 179374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha! I opened this thread thinking "birds, owls, ikat..." and they've all been mentioned already. Awesome. I think I bought an ikat dress yesterday, in fact. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends/page/2#post-179301 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 02:04:50 +0000 Jonesy 179301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the birds/owls trend.</p> <p>I've seen a lot of ikat lately. Here are some examples from Macy's and Anthropologie:</p> <p><a href="http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=467703&#038;cm_mmc=Google_Feed-_-4-_-48-_-" rel="nofollow">http://www.macys.com/catalog/p.....-4-_-48-_-</a>{keyword}&amp;kw={keyword}</p> <p><a href="http://search.anthropologie.com/?q=ikat" rel="nofollow">http://search.anthropologie.com/?q=ikat</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-179254 Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:33:13 +0000 Maya 179254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How funny that this thread popped up again. One of our accounts at the place I'm working now is Audible and all of the books mentioned here are featured in at least one of our presentations.</p> <p>I wish ampersands would trend sometime soon. They are my favorite glyph. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-179226 Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:14:54 +0000 Mac 179226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ele - this recent blog post (on a stationery/ paper/ gift wrap blog) made me think of you and your "moustaches" comment:</p> <p><a href="http://soolip.blogspot.com/2010/06/font-face.html" rel="nofollow">http://soolip.blogspot.com/2010/06/font-face.html</a></p> <p>I think it's a poster? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-159149 Thu, 20 May 2010 21:05:21 +0000 Mac 159149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, also in 2008/2009 and even some lingering today, Ombre:</p> <p><a href="http://cdn.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/ombre_hair_t.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://cdn.thefrisky.com/image.....hair_t.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://blog.buffalostate.edu/fashion/merchandising/archives/ombre.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://blog.buffalostate.edu/f...../ombre.jpg</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157827 Mon, 17 May 2010 22:39:25 +0000 judy 157827@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isabel, thanks for the recommendations. I just downloaded the electronic version of Outliers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157713 Mon, 17 May 2010 16:56:36 +0000 Isabel 157713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mac, it would be such a great job : " Those purple owls you have on, I decided that would be thing this season."</p> <p>I LOVE the Tipping Point, fab, fab, and more fab. Outliers by Gladwell is also amazing.<br /> If you enjoy Gladwells work you would probably also like Freakanomics. ( Oh my, I sound like Amazon........) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157701 Mon, 17 May 2010 16:17:54 +0000 judy 157701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Debora, that's interesting that your son is assigned The Tipping Point in HS. Probably especially good for teens to notice how things get popular. I realized after I posted about it that the book is ten years old. The advent of blogs and social networking sites have so accelerated the time it takes for ideas to be known. (and sold! With one tweet Conan O'Brien sold out his tour in three hours. Not one tv, radio or paid advertisement). I also enjoyed Malcolm's book BLINK, about how we make decisions. I find his writing style is really conversational. In fact, my husband and I read them out loud to each other! The books kind of give you a new way to look at things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157606 Mon, 17 May 2010 06:30:44 +0000 Ele 157606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mac, this is a great thread. I am really interested in this stuff since my days in fashion- I considered going into trend forecasting for a while because it's pretty fascinating stuff. The Tipping Point is on my library list! </p> <p>You know which motif drives me nuts? Mustaches. It was kind of cute and quirky when they started popping up in graphic design like two years ago, but now they're everywhere, on jewelry and home stuff and especially in photography and it just perplexes me. I mean, every single wedding album I see lately features a couple holding up fake mustaches in some kind of American Gothic pose. It's truly bizarre, if you ask me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157581 Mon, 17 May 2010 03:58:12 +0000 Tanya 157581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep, I have been noticing a lot of owls too. A couple of years ago it was butterflies, and recently birds. I wouldn't complain if lady bugs became the next trend . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157578 Mon, 17 May 2010 03:55:12 +0000 Maya 157578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Steph, do a search on Modcloth for "owl" and I bet you'll get a ton of results. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157452 Sun, 16 May 2010 23:41:12 +0000 Debora 157452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mac, great topic!</p> <p>Judy, my son was assigned The Tipping Point last summer as a summer reading assignment for his 10th grade English class. I wanted to read it when he was finished, but he loaned it to a classmate who never returned it. Thanks for the reminder! I'll have to look for it in the library. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157449 Sun, 16 May 2010 23:25:17 +0000 judy 157449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great thread. It's so fascinating how particular ideas take off. Have you ever read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell? Here's a link: <a href="http://www.gladwell.com/tippingpoint/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.gladwell.com/tippingpoint/index.html</a> </p> <p>A few years ago in the laundromat I ran across an article in the local newspaper about one of those "color people" who decide the top 10 list of Pantone colors for the fashion industry. (and I think industrial design too?) She lives here in Seattle on Bainbridge Island: <a href="http://www.morealivewithcolor.com/AboutLee.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.morealivewithcolor.com/AboutLee.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157417 Sun, 16 May 2010 20:45:39 +0000 Mac 157417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Steph - I hadn't noticed that trend but now you mention it, I see that you are TOTALLY spot-on. My favourite dress at the Met Costume gala this year would probably fit into that trend: Zac Posen as worn by Coco Rocha. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thefashionpolice.net/2010/05/celebrity-style-on-trial-coco-rocha-in-zac-posen-at-met-gala.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.thefashionpolice.ne.....-gala.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157366 Sun, 16 May 2010 16:40:26 +0000 Steph 157366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have seen quite a few floral patterns/prints that look like watercolors in the past couple of years. I know last year Stella McCartney did a whole line with a watercolor theme (these shoes were part of that line, and I own them--they are my favorite shoes: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Stella-McCartney-Monet-style-pump-sandal-41-11-675-/120566411786?cmd=ViewItem&#038;pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&#038;hash=item1c1251720a" rel="nofollow">http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Stella.....1c1251720a</a>). This year I have been seeing more of it, and actually recently bought this, which has a similar feel: <a href="http://www.leifsdottir.com/dresses/elysian-silk-dress/" rel="nofollow">http://www.leifsdottir.com/dre.....ilk-dress/</a></p> <p>I haven't noticed owls, but now I'm going to be on the lookout. My mom likes owls, so I should get her something if it is popular. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157329 Sun, 16 May 2010 14:54:53 +0000 yublocka 157329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bizarrely enough, I was at Target yesterday and noticed a whole collection of different owl ornaments there. That was before even reading this thread.</p> <p>Seems like it is a worldwide phenonema!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-157265 Sun, 16 May 2010 08:41:37 +0000 Mac 157265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"I wonder if there is one for thematics ? "</p> <p>Wouldn't that be a great career? "Yes, my job is to pick out each year's global visual themes. In fact, perhaps you're familiar with my work; I was the one who declared that cherry branches would be IT for 2005..." : )</p> <p>Michelle: Hahaha. I realise my choice of words could be seen as pretentious; I just couldn't figure out quite the right word to describe what I meant. : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-156979 Sat, 15 May 2010 11:56:19 +0000 Mac 156979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MAYA!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE stories like that; thanks for sharing. Just posted it on my Facebook page. *sniff*</p> <p>Oh, I remember in about 1982, rainbows were IT. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-156894 Sat, 15 May 2010 01:19:51 +0000 Maya 156894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like the owl/bird/branch theme though. It's sweet and quirky. I'm a fan of owls. They are cute! This story always makes me smile:</p> <p><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-452482/Orphaned-owls-new-cuddly-toy-mum.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....y-mum.html</a></p> <p>Sorry, went off on a tangent there... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-156892 Sat, 15 May 2010 01:18:03 +0000 Anonymous 156892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Mac! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-leitmotifs-visual-thematic-trends#post-156887 Sat, 15 May 2010 01:11:09 +0000 Mac 156887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YES! I do see owls everywhere, too. It's funny that birds, peacock feathers and owls have all been trendy lately (at least, in some of our geographic areas); along with Avian Flu, it does seem that birdies have been on our global, collective mind.</p> <p>The sheets with the bids on them are by Dwell Studio. </p>