Crochet Designs with Exceptional Breathability
Weaving Designs Crafted from Leather and Rattan
Related Search Volume Surges by Over 1,000%
"Popularity Expected to Continue into Fall"
As the sweltering heatwave continues day after day, products made with loose knitting and excellent breathability have taken over the fashion market. In particular, crochet and weaving items?designs that evoke a retro, hand-knitted feel, or are crafted by interlacing leather or rattan?are enjoying explosive popularity among the MZ generation. Mesh-patterned crochet apparel such as knits, cardigans, and hats, as well as woven bags with rattan designs, are being paired together to create a cool and refreshing look.
According to fashion platform Zigzag on July 26, search volume for "crochet beanie" from July 1 to 14 surged by 1,372% year-on-year, while transaction volume increased by 484%. Searches for "crochet cardigan" rose by 115%, and transaction volume grew by 249%. Related keywords such as "knot blouse" saw search volume rise by 160%, while "twist t-shirt" search and transaction volumes increased by 121% and 395%, respectively.
Crochet-related products are also attracting significant attention on competing platforms. During the same period, on Ably, transaction volume for products containing the keyword "crochet" skyrocketed by 1,424% compared to the previous year. "Crochet cardigan" transaction volume increased by 680%, while "crochet knit" transaction and search volumes rose by 277% and 144%, respectively. On Musinsa, "crochet" searches grew by 35% year-on-year, and on W Concept, sales of crochet-related knits and cardigans increased by 12%.
In the accessories category, tightly woven "weaving" designs are gaining popularity. On Zigzag, during the same period, searches for "weaving bag" jumped by 677% and transaction volume increased more than tenfold. Searches for "weaving belt" rose by 337%, and transaction volume grew by 103%. Searches and transaction volume for "weaving sandals" increased by 89% and 21%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
On Ably, searches for "weaving bag" rose by 925% year-on-year, and transaction volume increased by 607%. Related products such as "fisherman sandals," which feature thick interlaced straps for a cool look, also saw a 33% increase in searches. On Musinsa, sales related to "weaving bag" surged by 1,964% year-on-year, while on W Concept, sales increased by 15%.
An industry insider commented, "With the ongoing heatwave, there has been a sharp increase in demand for lightweight and breathable products," adding, "Crochet and weaving items, which were once considered resort-only pieces, are now naturally blending into everyday life and weekend outings."
The popularity of crochet and weaving designs is expected to continue into the fall. Another industry insider explained, "Woven designs are gaining attention because they can be used in both summer and fall. While open-weave, sleeveless, and short-sleeved items with larger holes have been popular in summer, cardigans and long-sleeved t-shirts with tighter weaves are expected to gain popularity in the fall."
Meanwhile, in the fashion industry, cooling apparel suitable for hot weather is also enjoying strong popularity. Hyungji Global Castelbajac increased supply of products made from cooling fabrics by 20% year-on-year, as these items continue to receive positive responses. Kolon FnC's flagship summer product, the "Work Aero Vest," which maximizes cooling features, has achieved a sales rate of 82%, while the "Forpe Aero Fast" has reached a sales rate of 94%, making them highly sought-after as summer workwear.
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