Wouldn’t it be nice to see the future and be able to tell where consumer products, style, and technology are headed? Or maybe you’d want to check out how the environment is doing and how far we’ve come to save mother earth. 

These themes noted above have all been emphasized during the pandemic since it was a period of time that left us in limbo or a state of flux, wondering which step we should take next. Thanks to trend forecasting firm WGSN, they’re beginning to shed light on trends in consumer behavior and product development for 2022.

WGSN’s unique methodology allows us to get ahead of next year’s top trends, from transportation to food, beauty, and textiles; they give us a solid glimpse of the future. In terms of style and clothing, the company is projecting that one main theme for fashion in 2022 is comfort.

We should expect to see plushier and more tufted apparel within at-home clothing and loungewear. The company noted in a press release that the crafting boom had seen an “explosion of tufted textures,” which is a technique generally used in “quilting or upholstery” where fabric is secured to some sort of backing by either pulling threads through at regular intervals or attaching buttons.

They say the comfort trend relates to the unique, expressive design statements that Millenials and Gen X consumers are searching for. They also noted how this technique is imitated by designer fashion houses too. Names like Acne Studios, Akris, and Balmain have all added cushy and comforting characteristics to their Spring/Summer 2022 collections.

We also see an advancement in terms of what materials are used. Although we’ve used cotton for years, and it’s been our go-to material for comfortable products, WGSN expects bast fiber crops to run the fashion industry. These bast fiber crops include flax, linen, hemp, and jute, promoting renewable agricultural practices that purify the soil and capture carbon.

Since jeans are primarily made of cotton, WGSN expects denim to be the first category to use bast fiber crops. Even in 2021, we’ve seen companies like Unspun, Pangaia, Madewell, Levi’s, and AG introduce hemp or expand their use of fiber into their jean collections.

WGSN also reports seeing designers implement climate control technology into everyday apparel. These products will focus on athletes. It would help them maintain comfortable body temperatures when exercising with help from the many innovative brands designing products to reduce body heat. So, it’s safe to say that 2022 will be the most comfortable year yet.