Collection Review: Key

Items - Boys’ Apparel A/W

23/24
Brands lean into circular practices, focusing on responsible
fabrics and utilising deadstock to update core items.
Comfort and warmth were prioritised, with relaxed fits,
transseasonal layering and soft plush adding extra cosiness

Hannah Allan
03.03.23 - 5 minutes

Dolce & Gabbana Kids

Market analysis
Trade show newness:
Quality, responsible basics continue to be a focus for brands, with retro #Sportcore,
#NewPrep and #Utility influences spotted throughout core jersey and woven
offerings
There was a desire for cosy autumn updates and move-ons to familiar #Cabincore
and #Cottagecore themes with homely graphics, brushed plaids and plenty of plush
Brands pushed forward with circular design practices, using deadstock materials,
trims and yarns to create new investment pieces such as statement knits, patched-up
dungarees, panelled jackets and spliced jersey basics

The retail reality:

Checks continue to prove popular, with WGSN search index data showing +74% in
the UK and +73% in the US, with shirts the highest search for boys
Retailers are increasingly looking to sustainable, natural fibres and recycled fabrics:
searches for boys' recycled fleece were +48% in the UK and +19% in the US, with
cotton fleece +24% in the UK and +54% in the US. Recycled cotton was +117% in the
UK and +57% in the US.
Cargo trousers emerge as a key item thanks to continued #Y2K and utility influences,
with searches +88%

OXOX Club

1
Test or invest

Test Invest

Hello Lupo Bonnie and the Gang Hello Lupo Soft Gallery Hust & Claire

Gilet Long-sleeve polo Utility basics Comfort trouser Long-sleeve tee

2
The long-sleeve tee
For core jersey basics, introduce WGSN's Colour of the Year 2024, Apricot Crush, to sit alongside key shades of
brown and blue for a fresh, seasonal update. Oversized fits and checkerboard remain important as a relaxed
#SurfSkate aesthetic continues to influence boyswear.

Responsible colour and Updated #Checkerboard Oversized skate silhouette #Homehub #KeyColour combinations
fabric

Helps Nature The New Crann Organic Soft Gallery No Way Monday

3
The comfort trouser
Brands embrace comfort with easy-wear, adjustable waists and #Utility-inspired trouser styles. Note a continued
move away from skinny fits, with tapered, wide and balloon legs key, meanwhile plush corduroy and brushed
fabrics offer warmth and added comfort.

Corduroy #WideLegTrouser Balloon leg Relaxed cargo Soft textures

Petite Lucette Cos I Said So Pernille AO76 Letter to the World

4
Utility basics
Brands focus on responsible, #Utility-inspired basics, reflecting a continued move towards gender-inclusive fits that
are roomy, easy-to-wear and designed to last, in line with our A/W 23/24 Neat Street story.

Contrast top stitching #CargoPocket Sustainable denim Boilersuit #Goldenbrowns

Floss Baje Studio Co Label Infantium Victoria Dendezeiro

5
The long-sleeve polo
The preppy, long-sleeve polo proved popular as brands focused on good quality casualwear. Opt for responsible
fabrics in long-term shades and classic stripes, in line with our boys' A/W 23/24 Key Items report and A/W 23/24
Buyers' Briefing.

Intense Rust Deadstock pocket Classic nautical Cable knit #Spliced

My Little Cozmo Birinit Petit Mig Kokori Helps Nature

6
The gilet
Practical and comfortable, brands continue to invest in the gilet as a key transseasonal item. In line with our
Buyer's Briefing: Kids' & Tweens' Key Items A/W 23/24, look to packable styles for easy, on-the-go layering, use
recycled synthetics and choose plush and quilted patterns for a cosy touch.

Contrast pockets Plush #TheGreatOutdoors Packable Workwear inspired

Hebe Daily Brat Raquette TAION D-XEL

7
The fleece jacket
A collection essential, brands continue to evolve the plush zip jacket for A/W 23/24, with retro-sport influences, new
fabric mixes and bright colour pops on trims, graphics and contrasting panels.

Varying plush textures Fabric mix Contrast binding #Scenics Sporty #Colourblocking

Letter to the World Me & Henry The New Chapter MC2 Saint Barth AO76

8
The sweat set
Premium core basics continue to dominate, with the matching sweat set a staple for many brands. Focus on circular
design practices, sustainable natural fibres and added comfort. Long-term shades and updated perennial prints
have lasting, seasonless appeal.

Update animal print Sporty lines #SupremeComfort Premium core basics Spliced and raw-cut
deadstock

Anise & Ava Raquette Daily Brat Eshvi Noeser

9
The overshirt
Brands backed the transseasonal overshirt with #Cabincore plaid and #DeadstockDesign updates, in line with our
A/W 23/24 Kids' Buyers' Briefing and A/W 23/24 Kids' Textile Forecast.

#Cabincore Contrast panels #GetYourGreens Minimal utility Corduroy remix

My Little Cozmo Hebe The Sunday Collective Tangerine Soft Gallery

10
The dungaree
Dungarees, called out as a key item in our A/W 23/24 Baby & Toddler Buyers' Briefing, remain important thanks to
their universal appeal and versatility. Farmyard influences offer an update to #Cottagecore – look to patched-up
denim, plaid prints and durable corduroy.

#Corduroy Cabincore plaids Upcycled fabrics Contrasting trims Button down front

Naturino Ludò Favorite People MiFresa Letter to the World

11
The statement knit
Statement knitwear emerges as a key category as brands showcase playfulness and creativity through pattern,
colour and 3D elements. Add-on knits and matching #KnittedSets prove popular alongside sweaters for versatile,
#Cosy looks that have longevity and lasting resale appeal.

Playful geos Abstract intarsia #PetClub 3D elements #MatchingSet styling

Knit Planet En Fant Bayiri Andy & Evan Momohanipopo

12
1 2 3
Action points
Build on circular design practices
Utilise waste to create spliced designs, contrast
patchwork details and playful fabric remixes. Look to
how brands such as Noese (Portugal) build upcycling
into collections, giving quality deadstock fabrics a
second life
13
Focus on great quality, lasting basics
Look to retro sports influences and timeless utility styles
to update core basics. Focus on simple lines and colour-
blocked panels, along with durable, responsible fabrics
and classic silhouettes. Opt for long-term colours that
have a seasonless quality and gender-inclusive appeal
Design with comfort in mind
Explore ways to introduce added comfort, whether
through transseasonal items such as the quilted gilet
that can be layered for extra warmth, introducing
natural plush textures to the matching sweat set or
adding deep waistbands and brushed finishes to the
comfort trouser
Methodology
WGSN search index
WGSN uses a proprietary search index to identify trends and keywords on what
topics and areas people are engaging with worldwide. We capture intelligence from
millions of searches by analysing text-based data and by understanding its evolution
over time.
Index: refers to the use of a benchmark indicator as a reference to show continuous
increase of a trend vs a specific value.
Definitions
YoY: year-on-year
Percentage point (ppt): a percentage is the proportion of a set of products over a
larger set. An example is new-in trousers over new-in apparel mix. A percentage
point computes the arithmetical difference between percentages – going from 40%
to 44% is a 4ppt increase

14