It seems as though every few months, there is a new clothing trend that takes hold, as consumers venture out to stock up on products that feature the latest fad. Recent research has revealed that the next style expected to become popular is ‘steampunk’ – a sub-genre of clothing, technology and other accessories that were worn during Victorian society.

According to a study by IBM, which tracked demographics, social media posts and a variety of other elements, the steampunk trend is steadily gaining traction and clothing retailers need to be prepared to accommodate customer who are searching for this style. In 2010, there was a 296 percent year-over-year increase in online discussions about the trend. Younger generations are more interested in the style, as the research revealed that 63 percent of web conversations about steampunk are created by individuals under 30 years old.

The trend is gaining momentum, as Business News Daily reports that at a recent National Retail Federation conference, retail professionals learned all about the steampunk style and how it is set to go mainstream within the industry this year. By carrying merchandise that falls under the category, companies could see boosts in revenue and consumer satisfaction as the trend takes hold and becomes more widespread.