Merchandisers use sales to get customers to come into their stores. I just went to a department store sale and was very disappointed. The free coffee and cookies were a nice touch (I didn’t eat them), as were the couches next to the coffee. But I was there to buy clothes for a trip and stayed on task.
What did I find? I found rack after rack of dirndl skirts, t-shirts, blouses, and shoes decorated with sequins. Clothing with sequins is hard to launder, let alone iron. The wild colors didn’t appeal to me, either. Clearly, I wasn’t up to date on fashion trends.
I’m not the only woman who thinks the latest fashions are “over the top.” Fashion designers are missing a marketing opportunity when they neglect middle-aged women and seniors. I urge all fashion designers, where ever you may be, to think of women like me.
THINK ABOUT LAUNDRY. Dry cleaning costs are going through the roof and, after I’ve had a garment cleaned three times, I’ve paid for it again. I’m not the only woman looking for washable clothes. Friends are refusing to buy clothes that have to be dry cleaned, with the exception of rayon, which can be washed in cold water.
THINK ABOUT COLOR. Lime green may be in these days, but if I wear this color I look like I need a blood transfusion. Orange doesn’t look any better on me. Besides, who wants to look like walking fruit? Years ago, navy blue was my travel color choice, but this color has almost disappeared.
THINK ABOUT SCALE. Many women don’t look good in clothes that are printed with huge flowers, animals, or repeat designs. Large prints like these are out of scale for our height and weight. Please think about pattern scale when you’re designing clothes for women.
THINK ABOUT BASICS. I don’t want a dirndl skirt that makes me look like an escapee from an ethnic dance troupe. Admittedly, my fashion choices are influenced by the fact that I live in the Midwest. Midwesterners are practical and, while we like to look fashionable, we buy clothes that last for several seasons. We also buy clothes we can layer in case the weather changes.
THINK ABOUT ACCESSORIES. Retailers like Chico’s and Coldwater Creek have gotten the back to basics message. These stores carry travel knits in black, brown, blue and other colors, with accessories to match. It’s one stop shopping. The coordinated skirts, tops, and slacks are ideal for travel and home.
When I ask designers to get back to basics am I asking too much? I don’t think so. Basic designs will result in more customers. Basic designs are adaptable and you can dress them up or down. Dear designer, please get back to clothing basics!
Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson
http://www.harriethodgson.com
Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years and is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists. Her 24th book, “Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief,” written with Lois Krahn, MD is available from http://www.amazon.com A five-star review of the book is posted on Amazon. You’ll find another review on the American Hospice Foundation under the “School Corner” heading.
Tags: clothing design, fashion, womenFashion is one of those things that move very fast and usually the only ones that can keep up are the ones creating them. Keeping your clothes in fashion is difficult and very expensive however there are a few fashions that never go out of style and those are what we want to cover.
If you wear clothes then you want them to look good. All people clean their clothes by washing them but not enough people like to iron their clothes. Have wrinkle free shirts and pants will never go out of style. Even those in the know about fashion will be able to over look a wrinkle free out of style article of clothing but nobody can overlook a wrinkled shirt no matter how fashionable it is. If you own an iron, use it. If you have no iron you had better get one soon.
A good smile never goes out of style no matter how the trends change. Keep your teeth clean by brushing them and flossing regularly. If your breath smells like a sewer then nobody of the opposite sex will get close enough to you to even notice the brand of your newest shirt. If you have to choose between a fashionable shirt and flossing, choose flossing every time.
Keep yourself in shape at all times. A simple and fast workout can do wonders for your body and make the clothing you wear look that much better. The fact is that the trendy clothes designers do not model their clothes on people with big beer bellies so they will not fit you if you have one. Whether you wear fancy clothes or not a trim physique will always keep you in the peak of fashion even if you shirt does not. A person will happily overlook an out of date pair of pants for a person that has a great looking body.
Many people spend a ton of money on fancy and expensive shoes but do very little to maintain the look of them. One small scuff can take a trendy and attractive looking shoe and turn it into a fashion nightmare instantly. If you have the desire to look good enough so that you buy expensive shoes then go ahead and run some polish over them. A well maintained pair of shoes with no fashion appeal whatsoever can easily look better than a pair of expensive shoes that is scuffed up and filthy. If you have never seen a can of shoe polish then go ask your dad what it is and how to use it. There is no need for a military spit shine on your shoes and boots but heck they should be a uniform color not tie died and ugly looking.
Looking in fashion is not only about the clothes you wear but how you take care of them and yourself and consider a custom order wristband. Go ahead and pay a bit more attention to how you present yourself in what you have instead of spending your last dime on clothes that will be out of fashion in a week.
Get more information about buying a custom
order wristband.
Some may think that vintage fashion is just a fancy way of saying second-hand or pre-loved. In the past dressing in cast-offs or hand-me-downs was usually done out of economic necessity and not by choice.
People who wear vintage fashion nowadays know that it is more than outdated clothes found in thrift shops. Vintage is serious fashion. Garments from the 1940s & 1950s are categorized as ‘classic’, while clothing from the 1960s & 1970s are considered ‘retro’.
So why has vintage become so popular?
Wearing vintage is stylish. It’s in vogue!
At the same time it is so trendy, it is mainstream.
Adding vintage pieces gives your wardrobe pizzazz.
With vintage you buy what you love, what appeals to you, creating your own distinctive style.
The level of quality for cost is impossible to get in new clothing.
It’s a source for one-of-a-kind clothes. One less thing to worry about in the world, as it’s not likely anyone else will have the exact same outfit.
Can’t afford designer clothes. There’s always vintage - which is where most designers get their inspiration anyway.
It has exceptional quality and tailoring. You can find pieces with gorgeous details including amazing hand-stitchery, buttons, trims and other lovely embellishments.
Shopping for vintage is thrilling. You never know what you will find.
Vintage can be beautiful and elegant or fun and quirky.
Made from quality fabrics with first-rate workmanship, vintage pieces have stood the test of time.
It’s very collectible. Vintage clothing is an investment. Keep it in good condition and it will always go up in value.
Karen Richards grew up surrounded by collections of all kinds. She inherited her love of anything with a history from her parents who have collected and dealt in antiques for over half a century. Her passion is vintage fashions and catalogues. She owns The Cats Meow- Classics in Vintage Clothing and Accessories a great place to find that one of a kind quality garment - gently used, vintage, vintage inspired and designer clothing. Visit her online at http://www.catsmeowclassics.com.
Tags: classic, clothing, fashion trends, retro, vintage clothes, vintage fashion, wardrobe