It has presented new ideas for companies and brands in the apparel industry.

In an era of openness and diversity, the only constant is change.

At present, China’s apparel industry stands at a new crossroads. Under the emerging market dynamics, how to meet consumers’ diverse needs and forge deeper connections with them has become a key consideration for apparel companies and brands.

Only by facing the present can we gain insight into the future. Recently, iResearch Consulting released its report, “Seven Major Trends in the Apparel Industry,” which highlights several emerging directions: capsule collections that refresh and expand product lines through co‑branded collaborations; adaptive apparel designed for people with disabilities yet wearable by able-bodied consumers; mountain‑and‑outdoor styles that have evolved from niche trends into mainstream favorites; plant‑based, biodegradable vegan leather; virtual clothing that helps brands forge closer connections with consumers; pet apparel that combines functionality with parent–child needs; and national‑style fashion—centered on Chinese cultural heritage—that is set to become a defining trend in the years ahead. These insights offer fresh perspectives for apparel companies and brands.

Capsule Collection

Today, capsule collections have gone beyond their original focus on concentrated, classic aesthetics, expanding into a richer array of content. The brand leverages these collections as a marketing strategy during specific seasons or holidays, while also using distinct themes—such as fabrics—to convey its fashion ethos.

In addition, the brand has been frequently testing the waters in expanding both its consumer base and product categories by launching capsule collections in collaboration with fashion IPs. As Xu Yang, General Manager of Arc’teryx Greater China, put it, Arc’teryx remains relatively niche, and partnering with Palace and Jil Sander+ is intended to increase the brand’s visibility among a broader audience.

Adaptive clothing

During the 2021 “Double 11” shopping festival, the China Disabled Persons’ Welfare Foundation and the China Disabled Persons’ Cause News and Publicity Promotion Association—both affiliated with the China Disabled Persons’ Federation—joined forces with seven major sports brands to launch the “One Shoe Initiative.” Offering single shoes at half the price of a pair, the initiative provides accessible footwear to people with disabilities, bringing greater visibility to this large community’s niche needs and emotional aspirations.

Manufacturers, distribution channels, and research institutions are also jointly driving the development of adaptive apparel: traditional clothing brands are launching product lines and sub‑brands, making adjustments to product details; specialized adaptive‑apparel brands are introducing more targeted wheelchair‑specific collections, as well as accessory and utility lines beyond footwear and apparel; meanwhile, the Barrier-Free Research Center at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology has organized the “Extraordinary Beauty” competition and unveiled a range of adaptive garments.

Mountain/Outdoor Style

Affected by the pandemic, camping—offering both a chance to connect with nature and the ability to maintain safe social distancing—has emerged as a new outdoor activity.

Data shows that in 2021, Xiaohongshu hosted more than 310,000 posts related to camping, and search volume for “camping” on the platform surged 428% year over year in the first half of the year. The growing popularity of camping has fueled a rise in retail sales of related footwear, apparel, and outdoor gear, with clothing and shoes accounting for over 50% of total outdoor‑goods revenue.

In line with this trend, luxury brands have been rolling out camping‑inspired apparel or incorporating camping motifs into their collections. As the shift moves from backcountry hiking to glamping, the “pay-to‑play” and sharing‑driven nature of the experience has become increasingly pronounced. Meanwhile, café concepts and lifestyle boutiques centered on glamping are helping to mainstream the mountain‑style way of life.

Vegan leather

According to data from Tianyancha, China currently has over 48,000 fur‑related enterprises. From 2017 to 2019, the number of such enterprises that were deregistered exceeded 4,000 each year for three consecutive years.

As consumers’ environmental awareness grows, they are increasingly wary of synthetic leather. Leather alternatives made from plant fibers—such as apple, pineapple, and cactus—and cell‑cultured materials like mycelium leather have already emerged.

“Mushroom leather” is regarded as one of the most promising vegan leather materials. It can be produced without any animal involvement, with mycelium—grown into a fibrous structure—mimicking the texture and appearance of animal leather. Its advantages include environmental sustainability; however, it remains partially non‑biodegradable and is currently limited in production scale.

Virtual clothing

In recent years, as 3D and AR technologies have continued to mature, the “metaverse” has repeatedly captured public attention, prompting numerous e-commerce platforms and apparel brands to launch virtual fitting-room features and digital clothing.

AR virtual try‑on is available via a mobile app or an in‑store smart mirror. Online try‑ons can be shared on social media, catering to consumers’ desire to share their experiences. Some luxury brands have already introduced paid virtual‑try‑on services.

Luxury brands and major fashion groups are launching virtual apparel through cross‑industry collaborations with gaming, along with a host of interactive features—such as emoji packs, wallpapers, custom audio, personalized sneaker design, and the ability to shoot and share short videos.

Conducting marketing campaigns in the virtual world is the primary approach, followed by collaborating with virtual idols or independently creating virtual personas. As of January 2022, China had more than 288,000 companies involved in “virtual humans” and “digital humans.”

Pet clothing

As companions, children, or family members to their owners, pets are increasingly driving higher annual spending per animal. Data show that from 2018 to 2020, the number of pet dogs and cats in urban China continued to rise. In terms of spending composition, the share allocated to pet food declined, while expenditures on veterinary care and pet supplies—including apparel—increased.

Pet apparel is expanding from a focus on functionality to greater diversity. Matching styles for humans and their pets have become the primary design trend in the pet‑clothing market, while functional items such as raincoats and incontinence pants consistently rank among the top sellers in e‑commerce pet‑wear categories—raincoats, in particular, account for a significantly larger share than other types of pet clothing.

In contrast to the markets already well‑established by international luxury brands, domestic brands are seizing opportunities in niche segments, entering through angles such as hanfu, co‑branded apparel for humans and pets, and protective gear.

National-trend fashion

Today, Generation Z has emerged as a key pillar of the consumer market. No longer blindly chasing international luxury brands, they are embracing, using, and proudly showcasing domestic products—making “guochao” (national trend) a new everyday lifestyle for young Chinese consumers.

Data show that most consumers repurchase “guochao” products, driven primarily by Chinese‑style aesthetics and patriotic sentiment, with the “trendy” appeal playing an even stronger role. This suggests that product design and quality are the key areas where guochao apparel must focus going forward.

It is foreseeable that, bolstered by the seven major market trends, the pace of innovation among apparel companies and brands will continue to accelerate, delivering a more diverse and enriched shopping experience for consumers.