It's impossible to see into the future, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try. As we embark upon a new year, here are some of the design, food, travel, sports, technology and fashion trends that experts say will define 2016.
Fashion trends:
Vogue predicts that 2016 “will be a year that celebrates individuality,” including “strong statement lips and daring short cuts.”
The magazine says Lupita Nyong’o’s metallic blue lips on the Star Wars red carpet in London and Charlize Theron’s Mad Max buzz-cut helped launch these up-and-coming trends.
Wearable tech:
Personal drones were big tech story in 2015, but 2016 could be the year “wearable technologies” finally take off, according to analysts Carmi Levi and Erin Bury.
Levy told CTV News Channel that smartwatches haven’t become mainstream yet because they “can’t do anything that our smartphone doesn’t already do.” But 2016, could be the year the industry finds “that unique use that no other device can fulfill.”
Erin Bury, meanwhile, said that “the thing that will make watches the absolute killer, must-have consumer device of 2016 is independence -- making sure you can use it without your smartphone and that it offers something unique your smartphone can’t.”
She says Fitbit is an example. It was the most downloaded app in Apple's store on Christmas.
From left, Basis Peak, Adidas Fit Smart, Fitbit Charge, Sony SmartBand and Jawbone Move fitness trackers are shown in New York. (AP/Bebeto Matthews)
Paint colours:
Dulux says the 2016 “colour of the year” is Bear Run, which it describes on its website as an “ethereal blue that exudes calm and peacefulness, reflecting our increasing mindfulness about the importance of promoting life balance, and reducing mental and physical clutter.”
Sherwin-Williams, meanwhile, says Alabaster (a grey-tone) will be popular, because “at a time of interconnected commotion and overstimulation, Alabaster offers a sense of personal solace and revival to weary minds.”
Benjamin Moore, on the other hand, says Simply White will define 2016. “Surrender to the complexity of white,” it suggests.
From left: Bear Run'by Dulux, Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore's Simply White
Travel destination:
Canada AM contributor Loren Christie says that 2016 will be the year of sticking close to home.
One reason for not going far is the 72-cent loonie, which is making travel to the U.S. more expensive than exploring Canada.
On top of that, Christie says the warm start to winter has had people “resisting the temptation” to book trips to sunny climates.
Meanwhile, some people are spooked about travelling to Europe, after the recent terror attacks on Paris, France, he says.
For those planning to go far anyway, Christie says Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will be top of mind, due to the Summer Olympic Games.
The beaches of Ipanema, left, and Copacabana, right, in Rio de Janeiro, are shown on Oct. 9, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Edible ingredient:
Christine Couvelier, a Victoria-based culinary trendologist, told The Canadian Press that her ingredient to watch in 2016 is toast. Among the toast combinations she’s seen are pickled anchovies and tomato toast and toast with bone marrow.
Couvelier also thinks “crispy, caramelized, colourful and flavourful vegetables” will have a big year.
Donna Dooher, president and CEO of Restaurants Canada, adds that squash is going to go “gangbusters” in 2016. “There's so many varieties,” she said. “It's easy to grow here in Canada.”
