Holiday Insights 2022: The 12 Trends of Christmas | EDITED

A less-than-merry Christmas is on the horizon as the cost of living crisis and decade-high inflation sets to dampen customers’ festive spirit.

According to NRF, holiday sales are expected to grow between 6% to 8%, a departure from last year’s record 13.5% increase.

To help your business succeed during this challenging period, our Analyst team has rounded up the top trends retailers have backed. Call it a sanity checker for your holiday assortments so you know what should be front and center for Christmas campaigns.

Read on for the 12 festive trends shaping menswear, womenswear, childrenswear and homeware, and reach out for a free demo to see our data in action.

Menswear Festive Trends

1. Winter-Themed Sweaters

Novelty sweaters made up the highest assortment within tops, growing from just 19 new options in 2021 to 99 this year. Penguins are the favored character, with retailers landing their own designs versus licensing, which saw minimal investment. Other wintery motifs including snowmen and snowflakes were noted at Marks & Spencer and boohooMAN.

2. Fair Isle

A smarter alternative for the holiday season, new Fair Isle options grew 144% YoY. Its appeal offers consumers an investment piece with longevity outside of Christmas versus novelty holiday-specific products, given that consumers will be watching their spending this year. Styles include patterns or mock necks in placement prints for a subtler look. All 12 of John Lewis’ new jumpers are Fair Isle designs and the pattern in socks grew in assortment, making up 27% of styles versus 18% last year.

3. Matching Family PJs

Sleepwear has seen new styles climb 244% YoY, with options landing earlier this fall. In 2021, just one option dropped in August versus ten this year. September saw 43 arrivals in 2022 versus ten in 2021 and is currently tracking as the peak month of intake. Family pajamas have also seen options grow from four to 17 this fall, with investment from Marks & Spencer, Tu at Sainsbury’s and New Look.

boohooMAN, Gap & Old Navy

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Womenswear Festive Trends

4. Casual Tees

Unsurprisingly, sweaters make up the vast majority of newness, accounting for 44% of all tops. However, casual T-shirt styles make up a significant 25%, providing a lower-priced option for consumers looking for a festive refresh at $37.18/£17.57 vs. $80.75/£49.05. Popular graphics included Christmassy puns, tongue-in-cheek slogans and nostalgic characters such as The Grinch and Buddy the Elf.

5. Bathrobes

Pajama sets saw the strongest backing within festive sleepwear ranges, accounting for 65% of arrivals. Meanwhile, bathrobes have the least investment, with just 2%, highlighting an opportunity for retailers looking to diversify their assortment and address the growing demand for warm and cozy attire.

6. Hair Accessories

Within accessories, hair accessories are the top-invested style, holding 35% of new season products. Drilling down further, playful headbands and hair clips are the most popular sub-styles.

In The Style at Zalando, Jim Jam The Label at Silk Fred & Forever 21 

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Childrenswear Festive Trends

7. Preppy Influences

Subtle references to the Prep School narrative can give festive tops staying power beyond December. Varsity typefaces, contrast raglan sleeves and athletic stripes were most common, as seen at Janie & Jack, Boden and Marks & Spencer.

8. Warm Weather Accessories

Retailers held off dropping stocking filler-style jewelry, with arrivals down 88% YoY. Practical hats and warm weather accessories dominated the initial festive newness, with classic Fair Isle patterns building a traditional aesthetic. Snoods were a new investment for FW22 at Boden, providing a more streamlined alternative to the inconvenience of long scarves for young energetic customers.

9. Holiday Dresses

Red maintained its position as the top stocked color for dress arrivals YoY, however, its successor changed from 2021’s blue to sugary pink. Tactility reared its head as a key selling point, manifesting in tufted fabrics like corduroy and velvet. Dress and tights bundles can give frugal shoppers a more economical way to buy outfits, while also allowing retailers to benefit from a greater overall basket spend.

In The Style at Zalando, Tu at Sainsbury’s & Boden 

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