Continuing the Trend of Highly Active and Practical Short Padding
Increasing Use of New Materials Instead of Animal-Based Fabrics
As the onset of severe cold is forecasted, more people are preparing winter padding jackets. The fashion industry is also responding to the market by continuously launching new products with the keywords ‘short padding’ and ‘eco-friendly.’
According to the fashion industry on the 7th, The North Face recently released the ‘2023 Short Padding Collection,’ featuring glossy materials and cropped designs. The representative product, the ‘Women’s Novelty Nuptse Down Jacket,’ is characterized by a tone-on-tone color blocking design that uses subtle glossy materials and varying tones within the same color. It also uses ethically certified down (RDS) goose down filling and thin, lightweight outer fabric to enhance both warmth and lightness. A North Face official explained, “We have diversified our short padding offerings to satisfy more tastes and sensibilities while maintaining the brand’s iconic style, in line with the annually changing trends and increasingly segmented consumer needs.”
Besides The North Face, outdoor brands are competing to launch short padding products. Nepa introduced the reversible short down jacket ‘Switch Down,’ which can be worn in two different styles according to preference, and F&F’s Discovery Expedition released the ‘Bella Tube Women’s Lightweight Short Padding’ with a semi-overfit design. Additionally, sports brands Reebok and Adidas launched ‘Pump Padding’ and ‘My Shelter,’ respectively, featuring singer Lee Hyori and model Jung Ho-yeon as their models.
The continued popularity of short padding this year is attributed to its practicality. Compared to long padding, short padding is evaluated to offer relatively diverse fits depending on length and design. It allows free movement, making it advantageous for activity and creating a casual atmosphere. A Nepa official said, “Recently, as practicality has emerged as an important value in fashion, products that combine practicality, fashionability, and the inherent functionality of outdoor wear are gaining popularity.”
As ‘value consumption’ is recognized as a standard of consumption beyond a temporary trend, the eco-friendly padding trend is also expected to continue. Galleria Department Store is operating a pop-up store for the Italian fashion brand ‘Save The Duck’ at its Seoul luxury hall until the 19th. Launched in 2012, Save The Duck, true to its name meaning ‘saving ducks,’ excludes animal-derived materials and uses its self-developed new material ‘Plumtech’ as the main filling in all padding products instead of animal feathers.
A Hanwha Galleria official said, “Interest in sustainable fashion brands is steadily increasing,” adding, “Save The Duck aligns with the recent eco-friendly fashion trend through its concern for animal welfare and use of recycled materials.”
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