Hot in 2009

WE may be facing economic gloom but that won't stop trends coming and going. What can we expect to be wearing, eating and doing in the year to come?

Travel

All this talk of recession is enough to prompt a bout of escapism, so which destinations might we visit in 2009? TripAdvisor's list of hotspots for the coming year includes Budoni in Sardinia, Agia Galini in Crete, Petra in Jordan, Torre del Mar in Spain and Ardmore, Northern Ireland. Lonely Planet has this year produced Best in Travel 2009 (15.99, Lonely Planet), and emerging destinations include the white beaches of the Bay of Fires, Tasmania; the Languedoc region of France and Svalbard, Norway – "the only place in Europe where polar bears roam."

Meanwhile, the way in which we organise our holidays continues to evolve. "One of the biggest buzzwords in the travel industry for 2009 is going to be 'dynamic packaging'," says Chris Wayne Wills, general manager of the Roxburghe Hotel. As seen on websites such as Expedia.co.uk, he says it's a move away from the traditional online flight, hotel and car hire deals, putting the emphasis on creating a tailor-made package for each individual customer. "It can include all elements of the travel/holiday experience," he says, "from currency, airport parking and attraction tickets to room upgrades, gifts on arrival and reservations at the latest, exclusive restaurant."

On the home front, Debbie Taylor, managing director of the Old Course Hotel and chair of the British Hospitality Association Scotland Committee, says that the weakness of the pound against the euro and against the dollar, along with fuel supplements on airlines, means the domestic market should be buoyant. "People are diversifying," she says. "We put some initiatives in place for the family market last year, and they have been very successful. We have our Luxury Kids programme, with their own check-in, a treasure hunt around their holiday resort and teddies at turn down."

Taylor says spa treatments, a top-class restaurant and the provision of outdoor activities all help to attract visitors. "Value for money becomes important," she says. "It's about the value of the experience and being made to feel special."

Other Scottish hoteliers share this opinion. Nic Wood, co-owner and director of The Rutland says: "We need to set Scotland apart from the competition and give our visitors an absolutely first-class level of service. Those extra-special touches and quality produce in everything from the range of wines on offer to the toiletries found in hotel rooms all make a difference."

Bruce Robertson, general manager of Dakota Hotel Eurocentral, suggests that people really do want a holiday tailored exactly to their needs.

"We're finding that people are seeking out total packages and are looking for flexible, bespoke offerings – combining food and beverage as well as ancillary services such as meetings," he says. "The increasing work and time pressures will mean more and more guests want to ensure everything is catered for, right down to the smallest detail, so they have nothing to worry about."

Gardening

If there's one industry that doesn't feel quite so blue during an economic downturn, it's gardening. Past experience suggests that, when times are hard, we treat our outdoor space as something of a sanctuary. Data from the Horticultural Trades Association shows that sales of plants went up in 2008, a trend the HTA expects to continue. "These positive signs will be backed by the clear determination among Britain's 20 million gardeners to be green, spend more time in their garden, use more seeds and edible plants, buy local and support good local businesses," says HTA director general, David Gwyther. "In the last recession in the early Nineties, our industry remained resilient, as customers took refuge in their gardens."

Jenny Hendy, author of Easy-care Garden (6.99, Dorling Kindersley), adds: "Because people won't be going abroad so much, they might well be doing more to make their gardens as comfortable as they can. The trend is towards Mediterranean gardens. And people might look to their gardens as a real stress reliever and create more contemplative plots – Japanese gardens are very serene and tranquil."

Hendy sees a contemporary version of cottage gardening returning, replacing minimalism with a jumble of flowers and vegetables and herbs all growing together, creating a sense of "the good old days". Then there's the trend for growing your own fruit and veg. "People who've never grown a vegetable in their life will be dabbling on the patio," she says.

At Dobbies garden centres, plant buyer Neil Cummings confirms this trend, saying he's seen huge rises in purchases of vegetable seed, plants, herbs, fruit trees and soft fruits. "Gardens are getting smaller, and people are thinking of growing veg in containers or strawberries in a hanging basket, or espalier fruit trees that can be grown up against the wall," he says. There are so many more opportunities and kids can be involved and encouraged to think about fresh food."

Health

It seems the state of our finances MAY well be influencing the state of our health in 2009. But while stress levels could soar, efforts to stay healthy such as regular exercise and balanced diets means it's not all bad news. "Prevention is absolutely what people are going to be looking at," says Dr Lyndsey Myskow, of Edinburgh private GP practice Medicalternative. "If someone runs their own business, for example, then it'll cost them an awful lot more to be off work than to just have a check-up." Dr Myskow suggests this will lead to individuals taking better care of themselves, having regular health checks so that if anything untoward does turn up, it can be promptly treated. "If you work hard then you do need to have some sort of means of stress busting," she adds. "Exercise is good and also, more specifically, meditation and yoga are particularly good for stressed individuals."

Louisa Johnston, director of Tonic Health, agrees with this assessment, pointing out that having an intensive series of treatments to deal with injuries is likely to be more expensive than taking a regular yoga class and having a maintenance treatment every few months."On the nutrition side, we're seeing a movement towards getting back to basics, buying core ingredients and cooking like our mothers did," she adds.

Many health trends in the UK originate in the US, and Elizabeth Carroll, founder of Phyback Health, says the herbal remedy Aloe vera is set to become as big here as it is in America. "Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years in several different cultures as a therapy for a variety of different conditions and there is a wealth of anecdotal evidence proving its effectiveness." It can be used in skincare to help soothe sensitive skin or as a drink, to aid digestion. Meanwhile trends for 2009 predicted by the American College of Sports Medicine include core training, strength training, Pilates and using a stability ball.

Back in the UK, Louisa Johnston says she's noticed a lot of exercise classes aimed at pregnant women and new mums, such as baby massage and yoga, something she expects to continue to grow in 2009. "Midwives, the National Childbirth Trust and mums are starting to understand the benefits of yoga for pregnancy," she says. Meanwhile, Jamie Chalmers, head therapist at One Spa, says spa experiences are no longer just about pampering. "Clients are looking to make changes to improve their overall health and well-being," he says. "It's a matter of making lifestyle choices on nutrition and exercise programmes, and seeking the relaxation and renewal benefits of spa treatments."

Beauty

The role of lipstick as an economic indicator might sound like nonsense, but it's a subject that both beauty brands and economists have commented on. The theory is that during wartime or periods of economic hardship, lipstick sales go up, as it's seen as an affordable morale booster. But what else can we expect from beauty brands in 2009? "Next year will be all about survival of the fittest in the beauty industry," says Nica Lewis, head consultant of marketing research company Mintel Beauty Innovation. "Consumers are going to demand real value for money as well as visible results, and they will stick to the select number of brands they can truly trust."

Mailin Haddow (www.mvmakeup.co.uk) says that updating your make-up is an easy way of staying on trend without having to buy a whole new wardrobe. Looking back at the spring/summer catwalk shows, she says:"A gorgeous, bronzed look was prominent from a few different designers – either with strong, sculpted, angular shading, or with softer accents, with neutral colours on face, cheeks and eyes, using brown, honey and coffee tones." She also points to the vibrant colours and 1980s influences in fashion, saying make-up will be going bold and bright next year. "Look out for the spring launch of the new Nars eyeshadow in Grenadines, an exotic matte red to be really fashion forward," she suggests.

David Brittain, head of beauty for John Lewis, agrees: "The biggest trend for next season is bright colours. Even Bobbi Brown, the queen of natural make-up, is introducing Bobbi Brights to give a pop of brightly coloured eye shadows this season. In addition, we've seen a lot of bright lipsticks in fuchsia, raspberry and orange."

As for skin, Mailin Haddow says that it's all about that look we dream of: beautiful, fresh-faced, youthful skin. "Skin looks flawless but not obviously made up," she says. "Next year, make-up is going to be much more focused on the cosmetics that are also good for the skin, with more and more natural, organic and mineral ranges emerging and extending."

Fashion

If more than half a dozen designers show it on the catwalk, it must be a trend. So what are the fashion bandwagons we should be jumping on in 2009? You could say "no" to the credit crunch and buy something in gold (as seen at Ralph Lauren, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton and lots more shows). Tribal styles were also popular for a more back-to-nature look, while lots of big names, including Lanvin, Nicole Farhi, Karl Lagerfeld and Gucci, went for asymmetric style, making a single-shouldered dress a must-have. As for 1980s retro style, you either love it or hate it, but you may have to look out an old primary-coloured jumpsuit and pop in some shoulder-pads if you want to be "in" in 2009.

If 1980s power dressing isn't your thing, don't worry, as the feminine look is also back. "Womens' collections for next season carry forward the image of femininity in control that was so strong on the winter catwalks," says Kevin Stewart, stylist at Harvey Nichols. "Soft, pastel shades mixed with delicate, sheer fabrics skim the body, hinting at what is beneath. Layered fabrics such as chiffon and organdie maintain the delicate feel, but keep the overall look practical." Another decade that's coming to the fore is the 1940s – designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Chlo have both shown collections heavily influenced by summer holidays on the continent, while Gucci has Hawaiian prints made popular in the 1940s.

Expect all of these looks to diffuse down to the high street. Lorraine Majdi, womenswear advisor at John Lewis, says that its spring/summer collection taps into the demand for more versatile clothing that offers good value. "The collection will feature spring trends and colours in warmer fabrics. Such clothing allows for you to invest in some great key pieces for winter that will still be on-trend and suitable to wear right the way through spring."

As for menswear, Kevin Stewart says that suiting is still key for next season, but with a much more relaxed form of tailoring. "Nudes and soft natural shades, with shots of intense colour used as finishing details, dominate the catwalks," he says. If you've got the nerve, you might want to follow the trend shown in the Costume National show, a sort of Bowie meets Miami Vice, with white leather and shiny T-shirts.

Otherwise, what about trying a spot of tie-dye? "Print is also an important aspect of menswear for summer," says Stewart. "Contrasting shades and a refined, sophisticated version of tie-dye were shown with body-conscious T-shirts in the Alexander McQueen show."

Interiors

"With the continuing effects of the credit crisis, there will be a definite move towards "nesting" in your existing property and making the most of what you already have," says Patricia Renson, interior design consultant at The Harbour Studio (www.theharbourstudio.com). Renson predicts that people will be looking to buy furniture that lasts and which has a classic, timeless theme, rather than being disposable or too trend-driven. And to help create a cosy feel, she says we'll be using plants and flowers and photographs to personalise our homes. "Granny's antique chairs and sofas will be recovered in funky fabrics," she says. "The home will again become the focus and mainstay of life rather than an investment tool."

At Ikea, UK interior design manager Mikael Berryman says: "I recently had to make a selection of products to watch out for in 2009 and colour played a big part. Among those I picked were the fabulous pink Ektorp chaise longue, the bright yellow Trollsta sideboard and the colourful Applad kitchen accent doors." He recommends textiles and accessories such as cushions and throws as an economical way to lift a room.

The ever-important focus on caring for the environment can be seen making its way into interior design. "As an incorrigible gardener, all the natural influences that go into this season's hot trends are very close to my heart," says John Lewis design manager, Mockie Harrison. "Watch out for ripples as a key look. You will see it in textiles and decorative accessories. I love the colours in our palette, particularly the gorgeous neutrals lifted by small shots of flame red, and the pretty green combinations."

The trend for buying investment pieces could be good news for Scotland's craftspeople. "We do predict that people are going to want to look at purchasing one-off pieces that are more individual and have more of a history or personality attached to them, rather than having big blow-outs every Saturday afternoon," says Emma Walker, chief executive of Craftscotland. Whether you're looking for furniture, glassware, textiles or ceramics, Walker says: "There's a huge breadth of talent in Scotland, from makers who are in the early stages of their careers to people who're known on the world stage. In terms of price range, there really is something for everyone."

Food

No-one's predicting a passion for exotic ingredients from far-flung places this year – the focus looks set to be on local produce and making our money go further. "With high-end supermarket chains like Waitrose introducing a range of cheaper cuts such as pig's cheeks, trotters and brisket, a growing trend is emerging for more creative takes on traditional dishes, using different cuts of meat," says Tom Kitchin, chef proprietor of The Kitchin. "Food is all about enjoyment and surprising yourself with something new and as people try to cut back on shopping bills, they will be looking at ways to avoid waste. I think we will see people become more creative in the kitchen, making the most of ingredients they have."

Albert Roux OBE and Matre Cuisinier de France, has recently announced his plans to open his first restaurant in Scotland. In April 2009, the chef will take over the kitchens of Rocpool Reserve, Inverness. He says: "Some trends never go out of fashion. In 2009 people will be worrying about their wallets and their waistlines. What has this got to do with food? Well, everything!" Roux says that his philosophy is to use the finest, locally-sourced ingredients, and in 2009, he envisages food trends focusing on "rustic fare" which is both healthy, heartwarming and kind to the wallet. "Scotland's larder offers an abundance of the finest and healthiest ingredients in the world," he says. "There's no requirement for expensive, foreign ingredients when everything we need is on our doorstep."

Tony Singh, head chef and co-founder of Oloroso says that although people will remain committed to supporting local suppliers, cost will be increasingly important. "Shopping more sensibly and buying more seasonal and unpackaged food is one way we can help reduce Scotland's carbon footprint and save money in a climate where every penny counts," he says. Continuing the ethical theme, Roy Brett, executive chef at Dakota, says: "In my opinion we are going to have a surge in popularity of sustainable fish such as pike, oily fish like mackerel, sardines and herring. We can only have what the sea is going to give us, so we need to respect nature and the seasons and rethink our attitude to fish, before it is too late and we have left nature depleted." He recommends that people look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) logo, showing restaurants and retailers are buying certified sustainable fish and shellfish.

Paul Hart, head chef at the award-winning Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa highlights some interesting trends for the year ahead. He says that the scientific side of cooking, or "molecular gastronomy" is becoming more popular, as pioneered by chefs like Heston Blumenthal. He agrees that organic and local produce are increasingly in demand, and says he has plans to set up a garden where he'll be able to grow unusual heritage vegetable varieties. He also thinks there will be a movement towards rediscovering wild ingredients.

And what will we wash this fine food down with? Max Schaeflein, food and beverage manager at Kinnaird Hotel, Restaurant & Sporting Estate in Perthshire says: "The British palate is evolving. People are choosing more aromatic grape varieties as well as more intense grapes like German Rieslings which are enjoying a revival."

Are you ready to tuck into a nice plate of tripe? Got your wellies by the door as you contemplate digging up the patio and planting potatoes instead? Predicting trends for the year ahead is usually a lighthearted affair, but for 2009, phrases such as "credit crunch" and " recession" have been cropping up as the country's experts gaze into their crystal balls to tell us how we'll be living in the year ahead.

But it's not all doom and gloom – this forecast of hard times will simply make us more choosy about how we spend our money. Holiday providers best offer a high-quality experience if they want our business this year, whether at home or in predicted hotspots such as Tasmania and Svalbard. We'll be making our homes cosy and investing in furniture that's made to last. We'll stay healthy with Pilates classes and cheer ourselves up with 1980s fashion. Even so, don't be surprised if, by the end of the year, you're tucking into a nice offal casserole with home-grown veg on the side.