Although black remains the dominant colour for shoulder bags, travellers are looking for more colour variety. Bright colours such as green, yellow, orange and red are well received by consumers in major markets. Youngsters today, especially in the US, are less prone to formal attire at work - business suits, ties, formal gowns, etc. The phenomenal spread of relaxed office dress codes has also boosted the demand for casual shoes that are versatile - a pair of shoes that can take them from business to social occasion. While casual styling remains the dominant trend, there is a recent swing back to dressier details.
Consumers demand younger styling and frequent changes in designs.
For men, shoes with more refined toe shapes and heavier soles will become popular. Prospects of Key Markets Overall, Hong Kong's exports of leather consumer goods are expected to post healthy gains in 2000, led by revived demand in major markets, particularly the US, and subsidence of the adverse impact due to the Asian financial crisis. However, longer-term factors, including intensified competition from suppliers from overseas and on the mainland and the trend of direct shipments from the mainland, will continue to stave export growth. After two sluggish years in sales, the US market for leather consumer goods has rebounded since the start of 2000. Sales of upmarket leather shoes are also gaining momentum, driven by the buoyant consumer market and active promotional campaigns.