Apparel And The Internet Form An Ideal Marriage Of Convenience
Popular non-fiction tells us that Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. Recent data from Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ bears out this philosophical truism. According to the Monitor, 50 percent of women claim they would prefer to spend their shopping dollars on apparel; the same number of men cite electronics as their top choice. Interestingly, more and more women are using electronics to shop online. For them, apparel shopping and the Internet are forging an ideal marriage of convenience.
The proliferation of personal digital assistants, public wi-fi connections and the maturity of the Internet as a viable shopping channel have resulted in a significant increase in the number of women who now purchase apparel online. In the first quarter of 2007, 57 percent of female respondents said they browsed the Internet for clothing, up significantly from 38 percent making the same claim a year ago.
Women on the web are doing more than just browsing. According to the Monitor, for the first quarter of 2007, 15 percent of women now say that they shop for apparel on-line; a significant increase from nine percent one year earlier. This figure is validated by retail sales data from NPD AccuPanel that indicates 10 percent of women's apparel purchases were made online in the first quarter of 2007; up from six percent in 2002.
“It only makes sense that women would embrace the Internet as a means of shopping for their apparel and that the y would become increasingly comfortable with this channel over time,” concedes Patricia Pao, founder of The Pao Principle, are tail consultancy based in New York.
“Shopping on the web is convenient, fast, easy, safe, satisfying, and as personal or as impersonal as you want the experience to be.”
Women’s increasing comfort level on the web is also due to the technical and experiential refinements of Internet shopping in general. “Women are definitely trusting and utilizing the online store as much as they are a true brick-andmortar store,” says Gili Rashal, founder of The Tip Jar, a web-based fashion resource. “Online boutiques are looking better and improving immensely as time goes on.” Improvements to most retail sites in recent years include easier navigation, enhanced imagery, swifter page-topage transitioning and an efficient check-out process and package tracking.
Having refined their formulas for physical stores and catalogs, forward-thinking retailers are going for the multi-channel hat-trick with their online shops; making the experience easy and familiar. Successful examples mimic the look and services of the real-world shopping experience. “When the customer logs on to talbots.com, she is greeted by our trademark red doors and a Talbot’s shopping bag,“ says Betsy Thompson, director of public relations for the multi-channel retailer. “These may seem like small details but they’re the kind of touches that don’t go unnoticed. We also offer online services that mirror the personalized offered in our stores, like e-chat, a store locator and Style Search, a unique search and reserve feature.”
Another brick-and-mortar service making their cyber counterparts more appealing is an easy return policy. “If a woman is unsure about a size or color, she will order multiples of a particular garment, trusting that she can either return them via the mail with pre-prepared labels, or take it directly to a brick-and-mortar store and receive a quick and easy refund with no difficulties,” Pao, the retail consultant, states. This is a key selling point since three out of four female respondents told the Monitor that they had purchased a garment and returned it a short time later.
Free or low-cost shipping also goes a long way to encourage consumers to shop online, especially considering today’s soaring gas prices. “Shopping online is much less of a hassle and even more economical than driving to the mall or getting stuck in traffic,” Rashal observes. “Browsing the web is like shopping all over town without expending the time, energy or fuel it would take to drive from one place to another.”
Free-standing fashion web sites have emerged to capitalize on women’s increased spending online and serve to attract more women to the web. Shopbop. com, a pioneer in this area, has become a trusted fashion destination for women, corralling the latest musthaves into a cyber hybrid of a glossy fashion magazine and online shopping venue.
Shopbop.com head buyer Evan Crandall explains the surge in women buying online: “It’s a huge convenience. When you shop online, you have the time to look at an item over and over. You can easily build your entire wardrobe in one sitting, or slowly build on it every week or even every day, and then, you can take advantage of our free ground shipping.”
Thompson of Talbots agrees, adding, “The web is a giant store that’s always open. It’s fast, accessible and logic-based. Point and click; it’s a cinch.” While the virtues of shopping for apparel online are plentiful, Crandall points out one distinct advantage for women: “You don't have to look at yourself under fluorescent lights.” That alone is reason enough to for most women to say “I do!” to online shopping for apparel.
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=541
Friday, August 24, 2007
FADING EXPECTATIONS
Women Embrace Carefree Fading And Denim Care
The phrase “aging gracefully” could as easily apply to a pair of beloved blue jeans as to the aging population that still finds them viable. “A well worn pair of jeans offers a vintage look, extreme comfort and a feeling that is similar to connecting with an old friend whom you haven’t seen in a while, yet you immediately fall into synch with,” says J.D. Breen, public relations director for James Jeans. “Every woman should have a pair that makes her feel this way.”
An increasing number of women apparently do feel that way; the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ reports that most women love wearing denim and, perhaps because they better understand the nature of the fabric, they don’t mind if their denim fades. Eighty-three percent of female respondents told the Monitor that they enjoy or love wearing denim, and a slightly higher number cedes that they accept denim’s natural tendency to fade after washing.
Some in the industry consider this natural fading a simplistic form of “wabi-sabi,” an intricate Japanese philosophy that reveres the beauty of natural imperfections. Scott Morrison, a pioneer in the premium denim industry and founder of Earnest Sewn, explains how this concept figured largely in the creation of his popular line of jeans. “The fabric naturally has slight flaws and the way we do the washing adds a unique beauty to our jeans; every pair is different. That is my Western understanding of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in the imperfections.”
Chad Jackson, North American marketing manager for Evisu , another premium denim label, adds, “Denim gains character through imperfect characteristics over time; jeans plus wear brings on a wabi-sabi element appreciated by the individual.”
Solomon Smeke, president of Salt Works, another denim label agrees: “Women expect that their jeans will fade eventually. They will wear them faded, but they will also be buying new ones because denim is a commodity that women have to have. It’s like a car or a cell phone; it’s a part of everyday life and living.” According to the Monitor, a typical female respondent owns seven pairs of jeans and wears them four times a week on average.
Women maintain a wardrobe of denim for a variety of purposes, considers Jennifer Scott, denim buyer for Atrium, a retail emporium recognized for its denim merchandise. “There are day jeans and going-out jeans. When it comes to day jeans, women don’t really care if the color of their denim fades, because along with that process, jeans get softer, lighter and more comfortable.”
For the going-out jeans, however, care is key. Three of four female respondents told the Monitor that they sometimes or always check garment care labels. “The right washing will prolong the life of a garment,” promises Scott. “We hold seminars every Thursday morning for our sales associates, offering education on garment care, so they can educate customers on what to expect over time.”
Women would be wise to listen to the authorities about laundering their jeans, as there are instances where they wish to preserve the color, particularly with the latest generation of darker or novelty washes in stores now. “For the past two seasons, women have really embraced color in their denim. Our bright red and bright pink jeans have contrast stitching and you do not want to lose those details to the fading that comes with the laundering process,” Jackson from Evisu says.
“We have yellow, soft pink and baby blue jeans for summer,” offers Smeke from Salt Works. “We have darker, very clean washes for fall and these are hues that customers are going to want to maintain; so taking the time for proper care is essential.”
Tips include washing denim inside out in cold water and line drying to preserve the color. Consumers are clearly listening and that is reflected in a lesser incidence of fading than in the past. According to the Monitor, 30 percent of respondents in 2007 said that they had purchased a garment that faded, down from 32 percent making the same claim in 2002. This reduction over the past five years indicates that consumers are now better educated on the importance of garment care.
When fading did actually occur, consumers were most likely to blame their laundering skills, the Monitor reports. Thirty-three percent attributed fading to the way that they washed an item of clothing, 21 percent considered the garment of inferior quality. Education and experience in garment care makes a significant difference; according to the Monitor, older consumers encountered the fewest problems with fading. Just 16 percent of respondents aged 56 and older experienced fading issues, compared with 44 percent aged 16 to 24, 33 percent aged 25 to 34 and 21 percent aged 35 to 55.
“When women buy jeans, they take the time to learn how to wash them for whatever look they desire,” affirms Colette LoVullo, owner and founder of Coco and Delilah, an online boutique with a retail location in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
As most of the experts attest, caring for denim is a careful equation of education and expectation. And when it does fade, embrace it, advises Breen from James Jeans. “There is something true blue about pair of jeans that you have made your own over time.”
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=542
The phrase “aging gracefully” could as easily apply to a pair of beloved blue jeans as to the aging population that still finds them viable. “A well worn pair of jeans offers a vintage look, extreme comfort and a feeling that is similar to connecting with an old friend whom you haven’t seen in a while, yet you immediately fall into synch with,” says J.D. Breen, public relations director for James Jeans. “Every woman should have a pair that makes her feel this way.”
An increasing number of women apparently do feel that way; the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ reports that most women love wearing denim and, perhaps because they better understand the nature of the fabric, they don’t mind if their denim fades. Eighty-three percent of female respondents told the Monitor that they enjoy or love wearing denim, and a slightly higher number cedes that they accept denim’s natural tendency to fade after washing.
Some in the industry consider this natural fading a simplistic form of “wabi-sabi,” an intricate Japanese philosophy that reveres the beauty of natural imperfections. Scott Morrison, a pioneer in the premium denim industry and founder of Earnest Sewn, explains how this concept figured largely in the creation of his popular line of jeans. “The fabric naturally has slight flaws and the way we do the washing adds a unique beauty to our jeans; every pair is different. That is my Western understanding of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in the imperfections.”
Chad Jackson, North American marketing manager for Evisu , another premium denim label, adds, “Denim gains character through imperfect characteristics over time; jeans plus wear brings on a wabi-sabi element appreciated by the individual.”
Solomon Smeke, president of Salt Works, another denim label agrees: “Women expect that their jeans will fade eventually. They will wear them faded, but they will also be buying new ones because denim is a commodity that women have to have. It’s like a car or a cell phone; it’s a part of everyday life and living.” According to the Monitor, a typical female respondent owns seven pairs of jeans and wears them four times a week on average.
Women maintain a wardrobe of denim for a variety of purposes, considers Jennifer Scott, denim buyer for Atrium, a retail emporium recognized for its denim merchandise. “There are day jeans and going-out jeans. When it comes to day jeans, women don’t really care if the color of their denim fades, because along with that process, jeans get softer, lighter and more comfortable.”
For the going-out jeans, however, care is key. Three of four female respondents told the Monitor that they sometimes or always check garment care labels. “The right washing will prolong the life of a garment,” promises Scott. “We hold seminars every Thursday morning for our sales associates, offering education on garment care, so they can educate customers on what to expect over time.”
Women would be wise to listen to the authorities about laundering their jeans, as there are instances where they wish to preserve the color, particularly with the latest generation of darker or novelty washes in stores now. “For the past two seasons, women have really embraced color in their denim. Our bright red and bright pink jeans have contrast stitching and you do not want to lose those details to the fading that comes with the laundering process,” Jackson from Evisu says.
“We have yellow, soft pink and baby blue jeans for summer,” offers Smeke from Salt Works. “We have darker, very clean washes for fall and these are hues that customers are going to want to maintain; so taking the time for proper care is essential.”
Tips include washing denim inside out in cold water and line drying to preserve the color. Consumers are clearly listening and that is reflected in a lesser incidence of fading than in the past. According to the Monitor, 30 percent of respondents in 2007 said that they had purchased a garment that faded, down from 32 percent making the same claim in 2002. This reduction over the past five years indicates that consumers are now better educated on the importance of garment care.
When fading did actually occur, consumers were most likely to blame their laundering skills, the Monitor reports. Thirty-three percent attributed fading to the way that they washed an item of clothing, 21 percent considered the garment of inferior quality. Education and experience in garment care makes a significant difference; according to the Monitor, older consumers encountered the fewest problems with fading. Just 16 percent of respondents aged 56 and older experienced fading issues, compared with 44 percent aged 16 to 24, 33 percent aged 25 to 34 and 21 percent aged 35 to 55.
“When women buy jeans, they take the time to learn how to wash them for whatever look they desire,” affirms Colette LoVullo, owner and founder of Coco and Delilah, an online boutique with a retail location in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
As most of the experts attest, caring for denim is a careful equation of education and expectation. And when it does fade, embrace it, advises Breen from James Jeans. “There is something true blue about pair of jeans that you have made your own over time.”
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=542
THE BIG BOOM THEORY
Zoomer Boomers Expand Retailing Universe
A 60-year-old mother of three in New Jersey recently gave birth to her fourth child. She’s a psychologist. And she plans to return to work within a month of her delivery date. She’s a quintessential Zoomer Boomer – a high-energy Baby Boomer intent on remaining significant.
While not all women born from 1945-1964 are planning pregnancies for their sixth decade of life, Boomers continue to redefine growing up, if not necessarily growing old. And retailers and marketers are doing more than ever to reach out to this previously neglected group.
“As Boomers age, they have no intention of fading into the woodwork,” says Mary Brown, a partner at JWT BOOM: Boomers & Beyond, a subsidiary of J. Walter Thompson. “They perceive themselves as vibrant individuals and they like their appearance to reflect this, regardless of age. They also believe in treating themselves well. This combination of factors makes for an eager shopper.”
In fact, 40 percent of female Boomers say they like or love to shop for clothes, according to Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™. And they shop for clothing 1.7 times a month. Compare that to GenXers (women aged 30-42), 45 percent of whom say they like or love to shop, and go out shopping 1.9 times a month.
In 2006 , Baby Boomers accounted for 35.3 percent of unit sales and 33.3 percent dollar sales of apparel, according to data from NPD Fashionworld’s AccuPanel. In the first three months of 2007, unit sales of apparel for this age group declined 3.3 percent but dollar sales increased 3.0 percent.
“Boomers are at the peak of their earning power and have more disposable income than other age groups,” Brown asserts. “Boomer women spend over $2 trillion per year, and they are absolutely not tied to particular brands. So, it’s very possible for retailers to win new customers and lots of business by connecting with the Boomer market.”
Although the NPD numbers show most Boomer purchases (34.6 percent) are made at the mass market level, another 30 percent of purchases come from chain and specialty stores.
Talbots, the retailer of classic styles that sells its product in stores, online and via catalog, knows proper fit is imperative for its customer.
“Having the right styles in a range of ‘real world’ sizes is key,” says Betsy Thompson, Talbots spokesperson. “These women don’t want to dress like their mothers or their daughters.” Coldwater Creek, which also has brick-andmortar stores, a Web site, and catalog business, targets professional women 35 to 60 years old.
“Once fit has been established, making sure everything looks good — and ultimately attracts compliments — is why she’ll come back to Coldwater Creek for more,” explains Georgia Shonk-Simmons, president and chief merchandising officer.
Great service is another must for the generation that invented the term “multitasker.” Talbots offers personalized assistance, as well as services like “Style by Appointment” and “Red Line Phone Service,” designed to allow for the best use of time.
Coldwater Creek is introducing a personal shopper program for time-strapped Boomers who “are staying involved in their communities, their careers, and their families,” Shonk- Simmons says.
JC Penney is using a lifestyle, rather than generational, approach to help shoppers find specific styles. For instance, the Nicole by Nicole Miller line was introduced two years ago as apparel for the Baby Boomer generation. Now, it falls within JC Penney’s modern lifestyle category.
“We divide our merchandise into four categories: traditional, conservative, modern and trendy,” says Nicole Falagrady, spokesperson. “Defining the style preference of each customer group ensures that we have clear assortments and focused brand offerings.”
JC Penney may have repositioned the Nicole line, but there have been a couple of noteworthy exits from the Boomer retail scene: Gymboree’s Janeville and Gap’s Forth & Towne. Brown says neither shuttering is a reflection of the demographic. Rather, Forth & Towne’s closing is a reflection of Gap Inc.’s companywide difficulties over the past several years. Meanwhile, Gymboree returned focus to its core competencies — products for children.
Of note, neither Forth & Towne nor Janeville offered online shopping. Big mistake, Brown says. “We recently completed a study that found 74 percent of Boomer women shop online and 87 percent conduct product research online before making an offline purchase.”
Another thing to keep in mind: denim. Monitor stats show Boomers own 6.3 pairs of jeans, compared to 6.8 pairs owned by GenXers and 8.7 pairs by the 16 to 29 year old Gen Y crowd.
Talbots’ Thompson says since so many Boomer women grew up in denim, anything related to it has casual appeal, be it a denim blazer, flirty skirt or ballet flats.
Coldwater Creeks’ Shonk-Simmons says denim is “maturing beautifully,” with plenty of options: embroidered crops, stretch fabrics, a waist that’s not too high or low, and the new “Shape Me Jean,” designed with “real world” body types in mind. Boomer power is in their numbers, providing plenty of opportunity for brands and retailers.
“Boomers want to feel appreciated and understood as a customer,” Brown says. “We all want to look good.”
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=543
A 60-year-old mother of three in New Jersey recently gave birth to her fourth child. She’s a psychologist. And she plans to return to work within a month of her delivery date. She’s a quintessential Zoomer Boomer – a high-energy Baby Boomer intent on remaining significant.
While not all women born from 1945-1964 are planning pregnancies for their sixth decade of life, Boomers continue to redefine growing up, if not necessarily growing old. And retailers and marketers are doing more than ever to reach out to this previously neglected group.
“As Boomers age, they have no intention of fading into the woodwork,” says Mary Brown, a partner at JWT BOOM: Boomers & Beyond, a subsidiary of J. Walter Thompson. “They perceive themselves as vibrant individuals and they like their appearance to reflect this, regardless of age. They also believe in treating themselves well. This combination of factors makes for an eager shopper.”
In fact, 40 percent of female Boomers say they like or love to shop for clothes, according to Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™. And they shop for clothing 1.7 times a month. Compare that to GenXers (women aged 30-42), 45 percent of whom say they like or love to shop, and go out shopping 1.9 times a month.
In 2006 , Baby Boomers accounted for 35.3 percent of unit sales and 33.3 percent dollar sales of apparel, according to data from NPD Fashionworld’s AccuPanel. In the first three months of 2007, unit sales of apparel for this age group declined 3.3 percent but dollar sales increased 3.0 percent.
“Boomers are at the peak of their earning power and have more disposable income than other age groups,” Brown asserts. “Boomer women spend over $2 trillion per year, and they are absolutely not tied to particular brands. So, it’s very possible for retailers to win new customers and lots of business by connecting with the Boomer market.”
Although the NPD numbers show most Boomer purchases (34.6 percent) are made at the mass market level, another 30 percent of purchases come from chain and specialty stores.
Talbots, the retailer of classic styles that sells its product in stores, online and via catalog, knows proper fit is imperative for its customer.
“Having the right styles in a range of ‘real world’ sizes is key,” says Betsy Thompson, Talbots spokesperson. “These women don’t want to dress like their mothers or their daughters.” Coldwater Creek, which also has brick-andmortar stores, a Web site, and catalog business, targets professional women 35 to 60 years old.
“Once fit has been established, making sure everything looks good — and ultimately attracts compliments — is why she’ll come back to Coldwater Creek for more,” explains Georgia Shonk-Simmons, president and chief merchandising officer.
Great service is another must for the generation that invented the term “multitasker.” Talbots offers personalized assistance, as well as services like “Style by Appointment” and “Red Line Phone Service,” designed to allow for the best use of time.
Coldwater Creek is introducing a personal shopper program for time-strapped Boomers who “are staying involved in their communities, their careers, and their families,” Shonk- Simmons says.
JC Penney is using a lifestyle, rather than generational, approach to help shoppers find specific styles. For instance, the Nicole by Nicole Miller line was introduced two years ago as apparel for the Baby Boomer generation. Now, it falls within JC Penney’s modern lifestyle category.
“We divide our merchandise into four categories: traditional, conservative, modern and trendy,” says Nicole Falagrady, spokesperson. “Defining the style preference of each customer group ensures that we have clear assortments and focused brand offerings.”
JC Penney may have repositioned the Nicole line, but there have been a couple of noteworthy exits from the Boomer retail scene: Gymboree’s Janeville and Gap’s Forth & Towne. Brown says neither shuttering is a reflection of the demographic. Rather, Forth & Towne’s closing is a reflection of Gap Inc.’s companywide difficulties over the past several years. Meanwhile, Gymboree returned focus to its core competencies — products for children.
Of note, neither Forth & Towne nor Janeville offered online shopping. Big mistake, Brown says. “We recently completed a study that found 74 percent of Boomer women shop online and 87 percent conduct product research online before making an offline purchase.”
Another thing to keep in mind: denim. Monitor stats show Boomers own 6.3 pairs of jeans, compared to 6.8 pairs owned by GenXers and 8.7 pairs by the 16 to 29 year old Gen Y crowd.
Talbots’ Thompson says since so many Boomer women grew up in denim, anything related to it has casual appeal, be it a denim blazer, flirty skirt or ballet flats.
Coldwater Creeks’ Shonk-Simmons says denim is “maturing beautifully,” with plenty of options: embroidered crops, stretch fabrics, a waist that’s not too high or low, and the new “Shape Me Jean,” designed with “real world” body types in mind. Boomer power is in their numbers, providing plenty of opportunity for brands and retailers.
“Boomers want to feel appreciated and understood as a customer,” Brown says. “We all want to look good.”
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=543
THE LONG HOT LOOK FOR SUMMER
Long Shorts And Natural Fibers Enhance Summer Apparel
Last week marked the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and the unofficial start of the shorts season. This irony plays out in the longer length shorts are taking this summer. Owing to the influence of men’s wear on women’s apparel and a natural seasonal preference for breathable fabrics, expect to see mid-length shorts of natural fibers like cotton on the street, in the gym and even the office.
“We have always carried shorts, as they are extremely popular with our customers, and this season is certainly no exception,” says Lauren Cooke, public relations manager with retailer J. Jill. “This summer, it’s all about the Bermuda cut, or the longer length in shorts.”
Louise Wannier, chief executive officer of MyShape, an online apparel retailer that matches clothing to a woman’s measurements, body shape and preferences, agrees. “The longer short works for just about every woman and every shape.” She confides, “In terms of shopping, summer has just started for women and longer shorts are doing really well."
The adaptability of long shorts to multiple body shapes is echoed by Tracy Wilkinson, founder of Mon Petit Oiseau, a West Coast based independent label. “I think the longer short covers all body types.” Wilkinson adds, “This summer is a great time to wear a short; there is something for everyone.”
The variety and adaptability of this season’s long shorts may gain traction among female consumers, many of whom express frustration when shopping for apparel; 56 percent of female respondents told the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ that they encountered difficulty finding clothing that flattered their shapes.
“It comes down to creating a balance between the top and bottom; pick the cut of the garment to best provide proportion for your shape,” fit expert Wannier explains. “Keeping body proportion in mind is more important than any other aspect of dressing.”
Eva Brune, a trend analyst with forecasting firm Fashion Snoops, concedes that the long short trend for women has its genesis in men’s wear but offers a decidedly feminine silhouette. “You have the Bermuda, which is a wider cut, a cuffed men’s wearinspired short and an above-the-knee pedal pusher that wears just like a pencil skirt.”
The variety of silhouettes and fabrications create multiple wearing opportunities for long shorts. “The longer short is a really nice way to dress for the summer and it offers a great alternative to the skirt,” says Julie Chaiken, chief executive officer and founder of Chaiken, a ready-to-wear collection sold at Nordstrom’s and Bloomingdales. “Think of it as a new, crisp way to approach summer dressing.”
Editor Sabrina Yeung, of the virtual fashion community Stylehive, envisions long shorts as even ideal for the workplace. “We’re seeing more office appropriate long shorts with tailored materials and fit; just pair them with a blousy top and good accessories and it can look really polished.” Yeung adds, “To add even more of a business look, add a fitted blazer.”
“The short is definitely giving new options to suiting,” adds Brune, the analyst. “Depending on your taste and end use, you can pair it with a jacket and wear it as a suit to work, particularly in more creative environments.”
To keep the short-andjacket look professional, solids are clearly preferable to prints. “Offering the longer short in a basic color gives it more utility so that women can wear it more places,” says Chaiken, the designer. She notes that the most popular colors in her collection are black, khaki and chocolate.
“Fabric considerations are important, too,” says J. Jill’s Cooke. “We offer Bermudas in cotton, linen and denim and they all easily afford that transition from day to night.” Breathable fabric choices are key to summer comfort and also resonate with today’s female consumers; over 55 percent of women told the Monitor they would pay more for garments made of natural fibers such as cotton.
The longer short trend also extends to the gym, observes Rupa Mehta, founder of Nalini Method, an exercise studio on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. “All of my clients wear longer and looser shorts to work out and, because my classes are low impact, they just change from sneakers to sandals and go on to the next activity, like lunch, shopping or work.” This versatility speaks directly to the twothirds of women who told the Monitor that they prefer to get dressed just once for all the activities they pursue throughout the day.
For those wondering how long a long short should be, J. Jill’s Cooke advises to look to the knee. “It depends on your interpretation, but for the most part, mid-leg is the divide,” she shares. “In terms of the short, we offer three cuts above the knee, with 14, 12 and 11 inch inseams; although the longest, at 14 inches, appears to be the sweet spot for the Bermuda short right now. That’s generally just half an inch above the knee.”
Although the longest day of the year is a recent memory, the long shorts of summer will be prevalent through to the fall. Their versatility in form, function and fabrication will make short work of fashion decisions for what is shaping up to be a long, hot summer.
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=545
Last week marked the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and the unofficial start of the shorts season. This irony plays out in the longer length shorts are taking this summer. Owing to the influence of men’s wear on women’s apparel and a natural seasonal preference for breathable fabrics, expect to see mid-length shorts of natural fibers like cotton on the street, in the gym and even the office.
“We have always carried shorts, as they are extremely popular with our customers, and this season is certainly no exception,” says Lauren Cooke, public relations manager with retailer J. Jill. “This summer, it’s all about the Bermuda cut, or the longer length in shorts.”
Louise Wannier, chief executive officer of MyShape, an online apparel retailer that matches clothing to a woman’s measurements, body shape and preferences, agrees. “The longer short works for just about every woman and every shape.” She confides, “In terms of shopping, summer has just started for women and longer shorts are doing really well."
The adaptability of long shorts to multiple body shapes is echoed by Tracy Wilkinson, founder of Mon Petit Oiseau, a West Coast based independent label. “I think the longer short covers all body types.” Wilkinson adds, “This summer is a great time to wear a short; there is something for everyone.”
The variety and adaptability of this season’s long shorts may gain traction among female consumers, many of whom express frustration when shopping for apparel; 56 percent of female respondents told the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ that they encountered difficulty finding clothing that flattered their shapes.
“It comes down to creating a balance between the top and bottom; pick the cut of the garment to best provide proportion for your shape,” fit expert Wannier explains. “Keeping body proportion in mind is more important than any other aspect of dressing.”
Eva Brune, a trend analyst with forecasting firm Fashion Snoops, concedes that the long short trend for women has its genesis in men’s wear but offers a decidedly feminine silhouette. “You have the Bermuda, which is a wider cut, a cuffed men’s wearinspired short and an above-the-knee pedal pusher that wears just like a pencil skirt.”
The variety of silhouettes and fabrications create multiple wearing opportunities for long shorts. “The longer short is a really nice way to dress for the summer and it offers a great alternative to the skirt,” says Julie Chaiken, chief executive officer and founder of Chaiken, a ready-to-wear collection sold at Nordstrom’s and Bloomingdales. “Think of it as a new, crisp way to approach summer dressing.”
Editor Sabrina Yeung, of the virtual fashion community Stylehive, envisions long shorts as even ideal for the workplace. “We’re seeing more office appropriate long shorts with tailored materials and fit; just pair them with a blousy top and good accessories and it can look really polished.” Yeung adds, “To add even more of a business look, add a fitted blazer.”
“The short is definitely giving new options to suiting,” adds Brune, the analyst. “Depending on your taste and end use, you can pair it with a jacket and wear it as a suit to work, particularly in more creative environments.”
To keep the short-andjacket look professional, solids are clearly preferable to prints. “Offering the longer short in a basic color gives it more utility so that women can wear it more places,” says Chaiken, the designer. She notes that the most popular colors in her collection are black, khaki and chocolate.
“Fabric considerations are important, too,” says J. Jill’s Cooke. “We offer Bermudas in cotton, linen and denim and they all easily afford that transition from day to night.” Breathable fabric choices are key to summer comfort and also resonate with today’s female consumers; over 55 percent of women told the Monitor they would pay more for garments made of natural fibers such as cotton.
The longer short trend also extends to the gym, observes Rupa Mehta, founder of Nalini Method, an exercise studio on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. “All of my clients wear longer and looser shorts to work out and, because my classes are low impact, they just change from sneakers to sandals and go on to the next activity, like lunch, shopping or work.” This versatility speaks directly to the twothirds of women who told the Monitor that they prefer to get dressed just once for all the activities they pursue throughout the day.
For those wondering how long a long short should be, J. Jill’s Cooke advises to look to the knee. “It depends on your interpretation, but for the most part, mid-leg is the divide,” she shares. “In terms of the short, we offer three cuts above the knee, with 14, 12 and 11 inch inseams; although the longest, at 14 inches, appears to be the sweet spot for the Bermuda short right now. That’s generally just half an inch above the knee.”
Although the longest day of the year is a recent memory, the long shorts of summer will be prevalent through to the fall. Their versatility in form, function and fabrication will make short work of fashion decisions for what is shaping up to be a long, hot summer.
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=545
WHAT LIES BENEATH
Cotton, Color And Cut Add Clarity To Intimates Preferences
Does anyone wear foundation garments any more? What about bras and panties? Of course they do, but those terms reflect an outmoded mode of intimate apparel thinking. Today’s offerings, and the way that women are shopping for them is all new.
“Fresh new basics are really driving our business right now,” affirms Cynthia M. Kelly, president of Hanro USA, a luxury intimate apparel brand.
“Today’s customers are younger in their thinking and seeking more modern looks in their bras and panties.”
These modern looks translate to newer cuts that wear well underneath today’s apparel and offer cleaner, nearly seamless silhouettes. “Today’s ready-towear market impacts the way that women are shopping for their bras and panties; you have strapless bras for tube tops, and racer backs for deeply cut sleeveless shirts and tank tops. Women want their bras to offer complete opacity under today’s well fitting garments,” offers Maureen Stabnau, senior vice president of merchandising for Bare Necessities, an online intimate apparel store.
Not only is there increased breadth in merchandise, but today’s intimates are also serving a greater audience, Stabnau continues. “The top selling bras now come in sizes for the fuller busted woman, who used to make do with the best supportive bra she had, whether that meant her straps showed or not.”
What you don’t see is ultimately what defines a good undergarment, particularly in the warmer months, considers Michael Kleinman, president of Fresh Pair, an internet-based business selling various intimate apparel brands. “The summer season is all about different solutions in bras and panties; women want undergarments that are not visible but still flatter their figures. One of the easiest solutions on top is a convertible bra, so you can move the straps around and, on the bottom, thongs and boy shorts are popular cuts that are almost cut to fit for wear with today’s clothes.”
Most women trust what experience has taught them about buying undergarments. According to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™, three in five female respondents aged 18-35 prefer cotton above all other fibers in their underwear and half of the same demographic prefers cotton for their bras.
“There’s a very loyal customer who wants only 100 percent cotton in her undergarments,” observes Stabnau. “They relate cotton to comfort and they don’t want a synthetic close to their skin for that reason.”
According to the NPD Fashionworld’s AccuPanel, the majority of panties (57.5 percent) purchased by women aged 18 to 35 were 100 percent cotton; compared with previous years, these same women are buying more all-cotton panties on both a dollar and unit basis.
While comfortable, cotton also boasts a functional element, says Kleinman, the retailer. “High end cotton undergarments have wicking abilities and that is particularly important in terms of moisture management.”
“Yes, intimate apparel is all about functionality and comfort, and we find that the Soma Intimates customer wants a fabric that will give her support and longevity, but also a wonderful hand-feel,” adds Lexi Funk, brand director for the company. “All our garments feel exquisite and luxurious, but are ideally functional for everyday use.”
Care is critical to the longevity of all apparel, and most women have learned hard lessons about consulting the care labels. Of the 50 percent of women who told the Monitor that they experienced apparel shrinkage, 40 percent levied blame on the laundering process. This ratio may explain why nearly 70 percent of women told the Monitor that consult garment care instructions to better understand the care involved with their apparel.
Perhaps the newest and most relevant aspect of underwear shopping is not what women are buying, but how they are buying it. The success of online retailers like Bare Necessities and Fresh Pair demonstrates that women have a confidence in their intimate apparel purchases and need not make them in the proverbial flesh.
“Convenience is a motivating factor and women like shopping online for their undergarments as it is simple, they can do it from home, find out if the garment is available in their colors and sizes with real-time messaging and make their purchase,” Stabnau from Bare Necessities asserts.
It’s particularly easy if a woman already knows what she wants and has a favorite brand, adds Kleinman from Fresh Pair. “Our typical customer buys multiples and if she has a brand she trusts, she not only replenishes the styles she already has, but orders new ones.”
Women are definitely more comfortable with using the internet for fashion research and purchasing. Fifty-seven percent of female respondents in the first quarter of 2007 told the Monitor that they browsed the internet for apparel, up from 38 percent in the same quarter a year earlier.
“Online sales are one of the fastest growing areas,” affirms Kelly from Hanro. “The customer is really responding to online product as we are learning from our retail partners.”
It appears that a wider assortment, enhanced offerings, increased functionality and 24/7 access to products go a long way in building a foundation for the modern consumer looking to line her underwear drawers.
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=546
Does anyone wear foundation garments any more? What about bras and panties? Of course they do, but those terms reflect an outmoded mode of intimate apparel thinking. Today’s offerings, and the way that women are shopping for them is all new.
“Fresh new basics are really driving our business right now,” affirms Cynthia M. Kelly, president of Hanro USA, a luxury intimate apparel brand.
“Today’s customers are younger in their thinking and seeking more modern looks in their bras and panties.”
These modern looks translate to newer cuts that wear well underneath today’s apparel and offer cleaner, nearly seamless silhouettes. “Today’s ready-towear market impacts the way that women are shopping for their bras and panties; you have strapless bras for tube tops, and racer backs for deeply cut sleeveless shirts and tank tops. Women want their bras to offer complete opacity under today’s well fitting garments,” offers Maureen Stabnau, senior vice president of merchandising for Bare Necessities, an online intimate apparel store.
Not only is there increased breadth in merchandise, but today’s intimates are also serving a greater audience, Stabnau continues. “The top selling bras now come in sizes for the fuller busted woman, who used to make do with the best supportive bra she had, whether that meant her straps showed or not.”
What you don’t see is ultimately what defines a good undergarment, particularly in the warmer months, considers Michael Kleinman, president of Fresh Pair, an internet-based business selling various intimate apparel brands. “The summer season is all about different solutions in bras and panties; women want undergarments that are not visible but still flatter their figures. One of the easiest solutions on top is a convertible bra, so you can move the straps around and, on the bottom, thongs and boy shorts are popular cuts that are almost cut to fit for wear with today’s clothes.”
Most women trust what experience has taught them about buying undergarments. According to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™, three in five female respondents aged 18-35 prefer cotton above all other fibers in their underwear and half of the same demographic prefers cotton for their bras.
“There’s a very loyal customer who wants only 100 percent cotton in her undergarments,” observes Stabnau. “They relate cotton to comfort and they don’t want a synthetic close to their skin for that reason.”
According to the NPD Fashionworld’s AccuPanel, the majority of panties (57.5 percent) purchased by women aged 18 to 35 were 100 percent cotton; compared with previous years, these same women are buying more all-cotton panties on both a dollar and unit basis.
While comfortable, cotton also boasts a functional element, says Kleinman, the retailer. “High end cotton undergarments have wicking abilities and that is particularly important in terms of moisture management.”
“Yes, intimate apparel is all about functionality and comfort, and we find that the Soma Intimates customer wants a fabric that will give her support and longevity, but also a wonderful hand-feel,” adds Lexi Funk, brand director for the company. “All our garments feel exquisite and luxurious, but are ideally functional for everyday use.”
Care is critical to the longevity of all apparel, and most women have learned hard lessons about consulting the care labels. Of the 50 percent of women who told the Monitor that they experienced apparel shrinkage, 40 percent levied blame on the laundering process. This ratio may explain why nearly 70 percent of women told the Monitor that consult garment care instructions to better understand the care involved with their apparel.
Perhaps the newest and most relevant aspect of underwear shopping is not what women are buying, but how they are buying it. The success of online retailers like Bare Necessities and Fresh Pair demonstrates that women have a confidence in their intimate apparel purchases and need not make them in the proverbial flesh.
“Convenience is a motivating factor and women like shopping online for their undergarments as it is simple, they can do it from home, find out if the garment is available in their colors and sizes with real-time messaging and make their purchase,” Stabnau from Bare Necessities asserts.
It’s particularly easy if a woman already knows what she wants and has a favorite brand, adds Kleinman from Fresh Pair. “Our typical customer buys multiples and if she has a brand she trusts, she not only replenishes the styles she already has, but orders new ones.”
Women are definitely more comfortable with using the internet for fashion research and purchasing. Fifty-seven percent of female respondents in the first quarter of 2007 told the Monitor that they browsed the internet for apparel, up from 38 percent in the same quarter a year earlier.
“Online sales are one of the fastest growing areas,” affirms Kelly from Hanro. “The customer is really responding to online product as we are learning from our retail partners.”
It appears that a wider assortment, enhanced offerings, increased functionality and 24/7 access to products go a long way in building a foundation for the modern consumer looking to line her underwear drawers.
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=546
THE YIN AND THE YANG OF THE WASH AND DRY
Apparel Wisdom Differs Between Genders
In Asian philosophy, harmony is achieved through a carefully calibrated balance of the yin (“the dark or feminine”) and the yang (“the light or masculine”). Where the two genders are concerned, doing the laundry and selecting apparel is less about spiritual harmony and more about balancing expectations.
“Using a play on the words, I actually think separating the lights from the darks goes a long way to promote household harmony when doing the laundry,” muses Patricia Pao, founder of The Pao Principle, a retail consultancy. “Laundry, much like life, is all about balance.”
Also like life, laundry concerns managing expectations; in this case about how apparel will perform. For example, according to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™, male respondents anticipate a pair of black cotton pants will last 18 washes before fading; females cite 13 washes.
“Men have different expectations about their clothing than women do,” observes Toni Mancuso, a spokesperson for Love Dry Cleaners in Bay Shore, New York. “Men are harder on their clothing, yet they expect more from it. Women tend to be slightly more realistic.”
The more realistic comprehension of apparel by women is likely due to their greater knowledge and experience with laundering. One in five male respondents says that he is still learning about proper laundry care via trial and error; only one in ten females admits that she is still educating herself. Furthermore, when laundering, males are less likely to consistently consult garment care instructions (30 percent) than their female counterparts (45 percent).
“I don’t think it comes as a surprise that women are the more careful launderers and pay closer attention to the instructions,” considers Melissa Bastos, manager of market research in supply chain planning at Cotton Incorporated. “Some of that may be a function of greater practice; on average, women launder three times a week while men average twice a week.”
Bastos also points to the habits of the different genders in the apparel purchasing process, which may help to establish gender-specific expectations about a garment’s wear and care. Half of female respondents say they usually or always consult the fiber label; a lesser two in five male respondents made the same claim. It would behoove men to be more diligent in their label checking, since men were more likely to be upset to discover that a garment they presumed to be made of cotton was not. Three in five male respondents claimed that they would be somewhat to very upset; a lesser one in two female respondents declared she would be disturbed.
But, according to Jen Scott, denim buyer for Atrium, a popular boutique in downtown Manhattan, men are taking a greater interest in what their apparel is made of. “There’s no doubt that men are becoming more conscious of what they are buying, what fibers what fibers they want in their wardrobes; and I see that every day on the selling floor,” she shares. “As another example, my fiancée insists that all of his shirts be cotton. Recently, he was pretty upset when he discovered a shirt he had just bought wasn’t made of 100 percent cotton.”
Scott’s fiancée is not alone. With wardrobes full of khakis, jeans, dress shirts and polos, men own more cotton clothing than women. According to NPD FashionWorld’s Accupanel, cotton’s share of men’s apparel purchases on a weight basis is 86 percent, exceeding the also high 69 percent share of cotton for women’s apparel.
While men may own more cotton, women own shopping in general; and this, says Scott is one reason men and women have differing expectations about apparel. “We shop more than men, and we tend to see some of our items as more disposable. Women rotate out garments and turn them over faster, anxious to try the next new item.” Data from the Monitor supports Scott’s observations; the average female respondent spends 102 minutes shopping for apparel per month; the average male respondent spends 68 minutes. While shopping was once considered a nice leisurely weekend afternoon for many, Saturday and Sunday are emerging as key laundry days for both genders.
While the majority of respondents do laundry more than one day a week, 50 percent of men and women include one day out of the weekend for completing their laundering needs.
“Men and women are so busy during the week, it’s only natural that they do laundry on the weekends,” observes Nancy Fendler, a spokesperson for Ex Officio, a line of travel clothing. Fendler expands the yin and yang aspect of laundering to a Zen ritual. “Personally, I find laundering therapeutic. You are sorting, following instructions, touching warm, soft clothes, folding them and finally, putting everything in its place.”
For men, shopping and laundering are necessary evils; chores that must be done. Women, on the other hand, perceive these tasks as quasi-therapeutic rituals that must be practiced to be perfected. It does not take a Zen master to see that experience is the best teacher; especially where apparel selection and care are concerned.
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=548
In Asian philosophy, harmony is achieved through a carefully calibrated balance of the yin (“the dark or feminine”) and the yang (“the light or masculine”). Where the two genders are concerned, doing the laundry and selecting apparel is less about spiritual harmony and more about balancing expectations.
“Using a play on the words, I actually think separating the lights from the darks goes a long way to promote household harmony when doing the laundry,” muses Patricia Pao, founder of The Pao Principle, a retail consultancy. “Laundry, much like life, is all about balance.”
Also like life, laundry concerns managing expectations; in this case about how apparel will perform. For example, according to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™, male respondents anticipate a pair of black cotton pants will last 18 washes before fading; females cite 13 washes.
“Men have different expectations about their clothing than women do,” observes Toni Mancuso, a spokesperson for Love Dry Cleaners in Bay Shore, New York. “Men are harder on their clothing, yet they expect more from it. Women tend to be slightly more realistic.”
The more realistic comprehension of apparel by women is likely due to their greater knowledge and experience with laundering. One in five male respondents says that he is still learning about proper laundry care via trial and error; only one in ten females admits that she is still educating herself. Furthermore, when laundering, males are less likely to consistently consult garment care instructions (30 percent) than their female counterparts (45 percent).
“I don’t think it comes as a surprise that women are the more careful launderers and pay closer attention to the instructions,” considers Melissa Bastos, manager of market research in supply chain planning at Cotton Incorporated. “Some of that may be a function of greater practice; on average, women launder three times a week while men average twice a week.”
Bastos also points to the habits of the different genders in the apparel purchasing process, which may help to establish gender-specific expectations about a garment’s wear and care. Half of female respondents say they usually or always consult the fiber label; a lesser two in five male respondents made the same claim. It would behoove men to be more diligent in their label checking, since men were more likely to be upset to discover that a garment they presumed to be made of cotton was not. Three in five male respondents claimed that they would be somewhat to very upset; a lesser one in two female respondents declared she would be disturbed.
But, according to Jen Scott, denim buyer for Atrium, a popular boutique in downtown Manhattan, men are taking a greater interest in what their apparel is made of. “There’s no doubt that men are becoming more conscious of what they are buying, what fibers what fibers they want in their wardrobes; and I see that every day on the selling floor,” she shares. “As another example, my fiancée insists that all of his shirts be cotton. Recently, he was pretty upset when he discovered a shirt he had just bought wasn’t made of 100 percent cotton.”
Scott’s fiancée is not alone. With wardrobes full of khakis, jeans, dress shirts and polos, men own more cotton clothing than women. According to NPD FashionWorld’s Accupanel, cotton’s share of men’s apparel purchases on a weight basis is 86 percent, exceeding the also high 69 percent share of cotton for women’s apparel.
While men may own more cotton, women own shopping in general; and this, says Scott is one reason men and women have differing expectations about apparel. “We shop more than men, and we tend to see some of our items as more disposable. Women rotate out garments and turn them over faster, anxious to try the next new item.” Data from the Monitor supports Scott’s observations; the average female respondent spends 102 minutes shopping for apparel per month; the average male respondent spends 68 minutes. While shopping was once considered a nice leisurely weekend afternoon for many, Saturday and Sunday are emerging as key laundry days for both genders.
While the majority of respondents do laundry more than one day a week, 50 percent of men and women include one day out of the weekend for completing their laundering needs.
“Men and women are so busy during the week, it’s only natural that they do laundry on the weekends,” observes Nancy Fendler, a spokesperson for Ex Officio, a line of travel clothing. Fendler expands the yin and yang aspect of laundering to a Zen ritual. “Personally, I find laundering therapeutic. You are sorting, following instructions, touching warm, soft clothes, folding them and finally, putting everything in its place.”
For men, shopping and laundering are necessary evils; chores that must be done. Women, on the other hand, perceive these tasks as quasi-therapeutic rituals that must be practiced to be perfected. It does not take a Zen master to see that experience is the best teacher; especially where apparel selection and care are concerned.
This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women’s wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.
http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=548
Shady, Outkast, Snoop See Apparel Sales Decline
Despite a strong sales increase in past years, the urban apparel sector is experiencing a drop in sales; forcing major department stores to stop carrying previously profitable brands.
Federated Department Stores Inc., which runs the Macy's and Bloomingdale's chains, is concerned after being hit with a double-digit decline instead of the double-digit boost experienced in recent years. In the last year, the demand for baggy jeans and throwback jerseys has fallen in favor of classic styles.
The Fubu brand, which sky-rocketed to the top of urban clothing with LL Cool J's endorsement has failed to keep up with the new trends. The company's sales have reportedly shrunk three quarters since 2001. After promising beginnings, other lines such as Outkast Clothing, Eminem's Shady Limited and the Snoop Dogg Collection have also plummeted in sales.
According to Marshall Cohen, of NPD Group's market research firm, total sales of urban lines, including footwear and accessories, are expected to sit at $2 billion. Urban lines registered an 18% growth in 2003.
In the last decade, urban fashion lines helmed by Hiphop icons such as P. Diddy, Jay-Z and Russell Simmons blew past more traditional men's lines such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Nautica. Since then, successful Rap artists have made it a trend to launch their own clothing lines. Meanwhile, women's apparel followed suit with Kimora Lee Simmons' Baby Phat and Eve's Fetish leading the way.
While brands like Akademiks, Enyce and Azzure have been dropped by department stores, others like Sean John, Ecko and Rocawear's Ryan Kenny, which features Italian cotton button-up shirts and cashmere blazers, continue to thrive. In hope to slow down the chute, department stores have been stocking up on smaller brands like Ben Sherman, Buffalo and Mavi. Meanwhile, upon getting dropped, several apparel companies including Phat Fashions are now introducing lines with polo shirts, blazers, and cotton sweaters. Federated and Bloomingdale's wouldn't comment for this story.
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/6504/1
Federated Department Stores Inc., which runs the Macy's and Bloomingdale's chains, is concerned after being hit with a double-digit decline instead of the double-digit boost experienced in recent years. In the last year, the demand for baggy jeans and throwback jerseys has fallen in favor of classic styles.
The Fubu brand, which sky-rocketed to the top of urban clothing with LL Cool J's endorsement has failed to keep up with the new trends. The company's sales have reportedly shrunk three quarters since 2001. After promising beginnings, other lines such as Outkast Clothing, Eminem's Shady Limited and the Snoop Dogg Collection have also plummeted in sales.
According to Marshall Cohen, of NPD Group's market research firm, total sales of urban lines, including footwear and accessories, are expected to sit at $2 billion. Urban lines registered an 18% growth in 2003.
In the last decade, urban fashion lines helmed by Hiphop icons such as P. Diddy, Jay-Z and Russell Simmons blew past more traditional men's lines such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Nautica. Since then, successful Rap artists have made it a trend to launch their own clothing lines. Meanwhile, women's apparel followed suit with Kimora Lee Simmons' Baby Phat and Eve's Fetish leading the way.
While brands like Akademiks, Enyce and Azzure have been dropped by department stores, others like Sean John, Ecko and Rocawear's Ryan Kenny, which features Italian cotton button-up shirts and cashmere blazers, continue to thrive. In hope to slow down the chute, department stores have been stocking up on smaller brands like Ben Sherman, Buffalo and Mavi. Meanwhile, upon getting dropped, several apparel companies including Phat Fashions are now introducing lines with polo shirts, blazers, and cotton sweaters. Federated and Bloomingdale's wouldn't comment for this story.
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/6504/1
What Under Armour and Trojan Know About Gender-Specific Marketing
I spy a shifting perspective. A few traditionally male-oriented brands are connecting with the women's market in clever ways, and it is worth taking note of their approaches.
Take, for instance, the Under Armour and Trojan brands, which have launched recent ad campaigns that take a different tack.
In both cases, the brands have dialed into the specifics of the humor, tone, message, and design they know to be effective for their current, typically male market—but they have developed approaches that invite women into their conversation.
Under Armour launched an ad campaign for its women's sports apparel line that uses the tried-and-true, more hardcore masculine athlete approach—but with women as main characters.
In a June 18, Ad Age article Jeremy Mullman writes that an earlier Under Armour effort focused on the women's market included "bright lighting and sunny guitar riffs" that stood in stark contrast to the "darker, more intense football creative, which usually ended with an athlete screaming, 'We must protect this house.'" Turns out, women wanted the same thing, and that's why the brand is using the more masculine approach this time around.
Trojan's freshly launched television ad campaign, developed by Kaplan Thaler Group, centers on pigs (yes—the ugly, pinkish farm kind) with cell phones... who magically transform into "hot" guys when they think to buy a condom prior to a sexual encounter. The campaign is called "Evolve."
While there is broadcast network-related controversy over the effort's focus on preventing pregnancy rather than sexually transmitted diseases (a separate issue, obviously), what struck me was that the campaign is focused on inspiring sexually active young men and women (18-34) to be more responsible when in the moment. The humor and approach are decidedly more masculine, but I expect this campaign to resonate with everyone in that ad-savvy core market.
What you see right away is that these efforts reach women (not all women everywhere, but those most likely to be customers) not by "girlifying" their marketing messages but by maintaining their perhaps more authentic masculine approach. Though remaining focused on their core customer, brands that have a male-leaning perspective but connect in this way with women do not unnecessarily exclude due to gender-specificity, as plenty of female-focused brands often do.
In both the Under Armour and Trojan cases, the brands may have taken a risk in using a more "masculine" approach while still targeting women. On the other hand, women who come across the ads could well see them as refreshingly realistic.
Nothing need be dumbed-down, flowered-up, or diluted. Indeed, women can be amazingly hardcore athletes who want to "protect this house," and so can they also respond to a very particular type of humor with regard to condom usage, for instance.
http://www.marketingprofs.com/7/gender-specific-marketing-learned.asp
Take, for instance, the Under Armour and Trojan brands, which have launched recent ad campaigns that take a different tack.
In both cases, the brands have dialed into the specifics of the humor, tone, message, and design they know to be effective for their current, typically male market—but they have developed approaches that invite women into their conversation.
Under Armour launched an ad campaign for its women's sports apparel line that uses the tried-and-true, more hardcore masculine athlete approach—but with women as main characters.
In a June 18, Ad Age article Jeremy Mullman writes that an earlier Under Armour effort focused on the women's market included "bright lighting and sunny guitar riffs" that stood in stark contrast to the "darker, more intense football creative, which usually ended with an athlete screaming, 'We must protect this house.'" Turns out, women wanted the same thing, and that's why the brand is using the more masculine approach this time around.
Trojan's freshly launched television ad campaign, developed by Kaplan Thaler Group, centers on pigs (yes—the ugly, pinkish farm kind) with cell phones... who magically transform into "hot" guys when they think to buy a condom prior to a sexual encounter. The campaign is called "Evolve."
While there is broadcast network-related controversy over the effort's focus on preventing pregnancy rather than sexually transmitted diseases (a separate issue, obviously), what struck me was that the campaign is focused on inspiring sexually active young men and women (18-34) to be more responsible when in the moment. The humor and approach are decidedly more masculine, but I expect this campaign to resonate with everyone in that ad-savvy core market.
What you see right away is that these efforts reach women (not all women everywhere, but those most likely to be customers) not by "girlifying" their marketing messages but by maintaining their perhaps more authentic masculine approach. Though remaining focused on their core customer, brands that have a male-leaning perspective but connect in this way with women do not unnecessarily exclude due to gender-specificity, as plenty of female-focused brands often do.
In both the Under Armour and Trojan cases, the brands may have taken a risk in using a more "masculine" approach while still targeting women. On the other hand, women who come across the ads could well see them as refreshingly realistic.
Nothing need be dumbed-down, flowered-up, or diluted. Indeed, women can be amazingly hardcore athletes who want to "protect this house," and so can they also respond to a very particular type of humor with regard to condom usage, for instance.
http://www.marketingprofs.com/7/gender-specific-marketing-learned.asp
The Standards of Formal Wear
Formal wear is a fashion term that describes a specific type of clothing. In England it is referred to as Formal Dress. Formal wear is clothing that is worn to formal events such as weddings, debutant balls, cotillions, and higher government functions such as state dinners. Formal wear in the United States sets the standards by which other countries go by. Often, a country with lesser stature does not have a formal dress code. They observe the United States and our formal dress code is adapted. When dignitaries from other countries visit, they often don the full dress of their country. A dashiki and a sari are prime examples of formal wear.
Unlike every part of the fashion conscious communities, the styles of formal apparel get their titles from men's garments instead of women's. There are standards that rule over men's formal dress. These are very closely adhered to at events that the public will view. They are also the dress formal wear at high school proms, formal dances and the entertainment business awards shows.
For those who are not in higher office or royalty, formal wear can be rated by dress codes. These dress codes were established in the nineteen hundreds when North American set the world standard. Since world war ll, the standard for formal wear have changed. They have become more relaxed and less rigid.
Although experts in the fashion industry still use the dress code etiquette of the past, especially for weddings, Formal and semi formal wear has changed. Fashion consultants use contemporary names to define formal or semi formal wear.
A white tie event is now considered to be a very formal affair, and a black tie event is just formal. This has been reversed from past events where black tie was considered to be very formal.
Advisors that are more modern, allow for black ties to be worn at formal events and alternatives at any other type of occasion. It has become common to use the terms "white or black tie" to differentiate these types of dress codes from the relative "formal" or "semiformal" labels.
It can all be very confusing, and depends on the type of fashion advisor that is consulted. In the United Kingdom, formal wear is very important. There are several categories that formal wear fall into.
For men's formal wear, it is as follows: Court dress - This is worn by court and government official. It has not changed in its design over the centuries. The jacket is high collared with buttons and has golden embroidery on the cuffs and chest. The jacket also has long tails. The pants are called breeches, and they have braiding piped in gold on both sides. A three-side hat with ostrich leathers on the top.
White tie for dinners and small gatherings. This is the most formal dress code there is in the United Kingdom. When there is a state dinner for government officials, it is usually white tie.
Black tie this is a dress code where formal attire is necessary, but not to the extent of white tie event. A black tie event requires that a dinner jacket be worn. Black tie can be worn at any type of function.
Morning dress is for breakfasts and brunches. Morning dress is a particular category of men's formal dress. Other than court dress, it is the most formal type of clothing worn. Despite the name, it may be worn at any time before 5 PM.
Morning dress consists of:
A morning coatA vest which may be single- or double-breastedA pair of formal pants, worn with suspendersA double-cuffed shirtA stiff white collarA tie Black formal shoes
The coat is usually black, in which case the trousers will almost always be gray pin striped. The waistcoat was for many years always gray. In today's society, colored and patterned waistcoats are sometimes worn, but these are really only considered suitable for weddings. The pants have no cuffs, and are pleated. The suspenders are used to prevent the waistband from showing.
Lounge suit (Business suit)A lounge suit is a business suit that usually consists of; A coat or jacket and a pair of pants.
A suit is worn with a shirt with a collar and a tie. In some countries, a hat is worn to complete the outfit. Men generally wear suits, but women also wear them. Mostly for business.
For women's formal wear, it is as follows:
Ball gown Worn for royal balls and cotillions this is as formal as its gets. The rules of etiquette state that a ball gown must be worn when it is specified on the invitation. A ball gown a floor length skirted dress. It is made of the finest material such as silk and satin, and trimmed in the most delicate materials such as pearls, sequins, and embroidery. Most ball gowns are off the shoulder with a decollete neckline. They are often worn with a stole or shawl. They are accessorized with jewelry and elbow length gloves.
When there are functions that heads of state attend, the symbol of the country is worn by the women. A tiara bearing the state symbol is worn, it is an indication that the woman is married.
Evening gown - describes elements of women's formal dress. Cocktail dress worn at afternoon gatherings or dress formal affairs. A gown will always correspond to men's formal wear for white tie and black tie events.
Ball gowns have changed very little in the past hundred years; they have an elegance that has withstood the tests of time. Although all formal wear is basically described in the same fashion, in both the English and American culture. There are subtle differences between English and American fashion. Although both have elegance, the English have a more rigid routine when it comes too formal wear. It is a prestigious affair when it comes to formal wear.
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/02/the-standards-of-formal-wear.html
Unlike every part of the fashion conscious communities, the styles of formal apparel get their titles from men's garments instead of women's. There are standards that rule over men's formal dress. These are very closely adhered to at events that the public will view. They are also the dress formal wear at high school proms, formal dances and the entertainment business awards shows.
For those who are not in higher office or royalty, formal wear can be rated by dress codes. These dress codes were established in the nineteen hundreds when North American set the world standard. Since world war ll, the standard for formal wear have changed. They have become more relaxed and less rigid.
Although experts in the fashion industry still use the dress code etiquette of the past, especially for weddings, Formal and semi formal wear has changed. Fashion consultants use contemporary names to define formal or semi formal wear.
A white tie event is now considered to be a very formal affair, and a black tie event is just formal. This has been reversed from past events where black tie was considered to be very formal.
Advisors that are more modern, allow for black ties to be worn at formal events and alternatives at any other type of occasion. It has become common to use the terms "white or black tie" to differentiate these types of dress codes from the relative "formal" or "semiformal" labels.
It can all be very confusing, and depends on the type of fashion advisor that is consulted. In the United Kingdom, formal wear is very important. There are several categories that formal wear fall into.
For men's formal wear, it is as follows: Court dress - This is worn by court and government official. It has not changed in its design over the centuries. The jacket is high collared with buttons and has golden embroidery on the cuffs and chest. The jacket also has long tails. The pants are called breeches, and they have braiding piped in gold on both sides. A three-side hat with ostrich leathers on the top.
White tie for dinners and small gatherings. This is the most formal dress code there is in the United Kingdom. When there is a state dinner for government officials, it is usually white tie.
Black tie this is a dress code where formal attire is necessary, but not to the extent of white tie event. A black tie event requires that a dinner jacket be worn. Black tie can be worn at any type of function.
Morning dress is for breakfasts and brunches. Morning dress is a particular category of men's formal dress. Other than court dress, it is the most formal type of clothing worn. Despite the name, it may be worn at any time before 5 PM.
Morning dress consists of:
A morning coatA vest which may be single- or double-breastedA pair of formal pants, worn with suspendersA double-cuffed shirtA stiff white collarA tie Black formal shoes
The coat is usually black, in which case the trousers will almost always be gray pin striped. The waistcoat was for many years always gray. In today's society, colored and patterned waistcoats are sometimes worn, but these are really only considered suitable for weddings. The pants have no cuffs, and are pleated. The suspenders are used to prevent the waistband from showing.
Lounge suit (Business suit)A lounge suit is a business suit that usually consists of; A coat or jacket and a pair of pants.
A suit is worn with a shirt with a collar and a tie. In some countries, a hat is worn to complete the outfit. Men generally wear suits, but women also wear them. Mostly for business.
For women's formal wear, it is as follows:
Ball gown Worn for royal balls and cotillions this is as formal as its gets. The rules of etiquette state that a ball gown must be worn when it is specified on the invitation. A ball gown a floor length skirted dress. It is made of the finest material such as silk and satin, and trimmed in the most delicate materials such as pearls, sequins, and embroidery. Most ball gowns are off the shoulder with a decollete neckline. They are often worn with a stole or shawl. They are accessorized with jewelry and elbow length gloves.
When there are functions that heads of state attend, the symbol of the country is worn by the women. A tiara bearing the state symbol is worn, it is an indication that the woman is married.
Evening gown - describes elements of women's formal dress. Cocktail dress worn at afternoon gatherings or dress formal affairs. A gown will always correspond to men's formal wear for white tie and black tie events.
Ball gowns have changed very little in the past hundred years; they have an elegance that has withstood the tests of time. Although all formal wear is basically described in the same fashion, in both the English and American culture. There are subtle differences between English and American fashion. Although both have elegance, the English have a more rigid routine when it comes too formal wear. It is a prestigious affair when it comes to formal wear.
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/02/the-standards-of-formal-wear.html
What Do Women Look For In A Swimwear?
Visit any swimwear shop for that matter and you will find a myriad of choices to select from one piece suits, to two piece bikinis, tankinis and even thong swimwear. Irregardless of the fact that some women live far away from the beach, you will definitely find a pair of swimwear suits that have been hiding in the closet in case any beach getaway will come up. Women nowadays are getting more and more meticulous when it comes to their beach wear. Everybody wants to look their sexy best to catch the attention of onlookers and cute guys. Still there are other concerns like ultraviolet protection as well as top quality which are expected considering the high cost of some of these suits.
I suppose the requirement that tops the list for most women would be how the suit would flatter their body type. They would go for bikinis or swimwear that would enhance their figure to attract attention and get men's jaws to drop as they pass by. They want them to be in the style and design that makes them looks sexy as well as feel sexy.
Other considerations would include the color and print design. Usually they would prefer vibrant colors or shades that would go well with their complexion. While others would want them in plain or solid colors there are those who enjoy floral prints or other printed design to give their swimwear a unique look.
Aside from the design and the color, they would also consider the type of fabric or textile used. They would prefer those that are soft on their skin and bodies but offer support especially in the bosom area. Types that do not easily stretch or sag would be preferred as well. Suits that quickly dry - are also a popular choice as well as those in a material that do not easily fade as caused by the chlorine from the pool or the salt from the ocean.
Another important consideration of women is if they could mix and match the bikini with the existing ones they have. As most women wouldn't want to be seen in the same bikini over and over again, they prefer to be able to mix and match them with other swimwear to create a variety of outfits which can save them money.
I guess what's most important is you feel great in your swimwear and you create your own fashion statement.
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/27/what-do-women-look-for-in-a-swimwear-.html
I suppose the requirement that tops the list for most women would be how the suit would flatter their body type. They would go for bikinis or swimwear that would enhance their figure to attract attention and get men's jaws to drop as they pass by. They want them to be in the style and design that makes them looks sexy as well as feel sexy.
Other considerations would include the color and print design. Usually they would prefer vibrant colors or shades that would go well with their complexion. While others would want them in plain or solid colors there are those who enjoy floral prints or other printed design to give their swimwear a unique look.
Aside from the design and the color, they would also consider the type of fabric or textile used. They would prefer those that are soft on their skin and bodies but offer support especially in the bosom area. Types that do not easily stretch or sag would be preferred as well. Suits that quickly dry - are also a popular choice as well as those in a material that do not easily fade as caused by the chlorine from the pool or the salt from the ocean.
Another important consideration of women is if they could mix and match the bikini with the existing ones they have. As most women wouldn't want to be seen in the same bikini over and over again, they prefer to be able to mix and match them with other swimwear to create a variety of outfits which can save them money.
I guess what's most important is you feel great in your swimwear and you create your own fashion statement.
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/27/what-do-women-look-for-in-a-swimwear-.html
Gear Up With Black Indian Dress Which Never Goes Out Of Fashion
The color "black" is synonymous with elegance, beauty, and grace and classy. Right from school and college farewells to big award nights, both girls as well as celebrities love to wear something in black. Black Indian suits and sarees look gorgeous when worn in the evening. It seems this color has left everybody absolutely spell bound. Nevertheless our Indian women add more charm to their outfits by wearing proper accessories. Thus a black Indian dress never fails to attract.
A black Indian dress like saree with a well-fitted, deep blouse and a diamond pendant with matching earrings make a woman look debonair. Often our Bollywood stars are spotted in such kinds of Indian outfits. Even the masses quite appreciate a decked up women. In our day-to-day life also, many ladies and young girls prefer to wear a black Indian dress for a nice evening. This color apart from making one look gorgeous is preferred by women of every age. And the most important part is that the black Indian dress can make a lady look slim and sexy.
Even a well-designed Indian dress like kurta in black with a chudidar or patiala gives a fresh look. For any kind of a function, one can is sure that with color black, there will be no looking black. People will surely appreciate you and your apparel. The best part about this color is that it is not season specific because in every possible season, the charm of wearing black dress doesn't die that easily.
Our Indian market despite of having a wide range of colors like pink, red, yellow, blue etc, we still-hunt for designs in black. In other words, it can be said that an Indian dress in black is the safest option. If you are going out wearing this color, people are destined to bestow you with compliments. Surprisingly, the color black has captured our hearts since time immemorial.
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/30/gear-up-with-black-indian-dress-which-never-goes-out-of-fashion.html
A black Indian dress like saree with a well-fitted, deep blouse and a diamond pendant with matching earrings make a woman look debonair. Often our Bollywood stars are spotted in such kinds of Indian outfits. Even the masses quite appreciate a decked up women. In our day-to-day life also, many ladies and young girls prefer to wear a black Indian dress for a nice evening. This color apart from making one look gorgeous is preferred by women of every age. And the most important part is that the black Indian dress can make a lady look slim and sexy.
Even a well-designed Indian dress like kurta in black with a chudidar or patiala gives a fresh look. For any kind of a function, one can is sure that with color black, there will be no looking black. People will surely appreciate you and your apparel. The best part about this color is that it is not season specific because in every possible season, the charm of wearing black dress doesn't die that easily.
Our Indian market despite of having a wide range of colors like pink, red, yellow, blue etc, we still-hunt for designs in black. In other words, it can be said that an Indian dress in black is the safest option. If you are going out wearing this color, people are destined to bestow you with compliments. Surprisingly, the color black has captured our hearts since time immemorial.
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/30/gear-up-with-black-indian-dress-which-never-goes-out-of-fashion.html
Funny Tee Shirts are the Ultimate in Self-Expression
It was Mark Twain who said, "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." That saying still rings true, as our society has developed into one that uses apparel as a way to convey one's social status. Simply flip through the pages of a woman's fashion magazine to read breathless coverage of the fashion statements being made on the couture runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. Listen to a gaggle of high school girls decrying the must-have fashion accessory of last season as "so last year." Even men aren't immune to the whims of the fashionistas - particularly those fashion moguls who were once (or still are) hip hop moguls.
If both men and women use apparel to convey social status, they also use it as a means of self-expression. The fictitious fashion editor in "The Devil Wears Prada" always accessorized with a white Hermes scarf. Donald Trump is known for his colorful neckties. And Woody Harrelson is known for wearing hemp.
Beginning in the 1960s, T-shirts became a means of self-expression. Back then, plain white T-shirts transformed into tie-dye works of art proclaiming the rise of "flower power" and urging, "Make love, not war." Soon, messages began appearing on T-shirts using silk screening or screen printing. Bands began selling branded T-shirts to their fans at concerts, and young people began wearing band T-shirts as a symbol of their personal identities.
For the past few decades, graphic tees have also been used as promotional and branding tools. Whether the word "Gap" is emblazoned across the front of a T-shirt or a depiction of a favorite Disney character adorns the wearer, the T-shirt has become a means of marketing a product or brand.
This branding may have begun at the corporate level, but soon became personal. From the humble beginnings of tie dye and peace symbols, T-shirts have evolved into a lasting trend of people wearing their beliefs, philosophies, and senses of humor on what are termed "graphic tees." Graphic tees can range from funny T shirts and joke shirts to party shirts and even rude shirts. Indeed, graphic tees are standard issue for college kids, those who want to speak their minds, and those who consider themselves outcasts. During times of political controversy, funny tee shirts take the place of (or are an adjunct to) bumper stickers. The boldness and bravado of the wearer is evident for all to see.
Some people think that graphic tees fall into the category of "rude clothes," while others consider them a form of free speech. Indeed, instead of wearing your heart on your sleeve, you can wear your political beliefs, spiritual beliefs, sense of humor, or sense of outrage emblazoned upon your chest.
There's no doubt that funny tee shirts, joke shirts, party shirts, and even rude shirts are the ultimate form of self-expression. It seems like, once again, Mark Twain got it right!
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/48/funny-tee-shirts-are-the-ultimate-in-self-expression.html
If both men and women use apparel to convey social status, they also use it as a means of self-expression. The fictitious fashion editor in "The Devil Wears Prada" always accessorized with a white Hermes scarf. Donald Trump is known for his colorful neckties. And Woody Harrelson is known for wearing hemp.
Beginning in the 1960s, T-shirts became a means of self-expression. Back then, plain white T-shirts transformed into tie-dye works of art proclaiming the rise of "flower power" and urging, "Make love, not war." Soon, messages began appearing on T-shirts using silk screening or screen printing. Bands began selling branded T-shirts to their fans at concerts, and young people began wearing band T-shirts as a symbol of their personal identities.
For the past few decades, graphic tees have also been used as promotional and branding tools. Whether the word "Gap" is emblazoned across the front of a T-shirt or a depiction of a favorite Disney character adorns the wearer, the T-shirt has become a means of marketing a product or brand.
This branding may have begun at the corporate level, but soon became personal. From the humble beginnings of tie dye and peace symbols, T-shirts have evolved into a lasting trend of people wearing their beliefs, philosophies, and senses of humor on what are termed "graphic tees." Graphic tees can range from funny T shirts and joke shirts to party shirts and even rude shirts. Indeed, graphic tees are standard issue for college kids, those who want to speak their minds, and those who consider themselves outcasts. During times of political controversy, funny tee shirts take the place of (or are an adjunct to) bumper stickers. The boldness and bravado of the wearer is evident for all to see.
Some people think that graphic tees fall into the category of "rude clothes," while others consider them a form of free speech. Indeed, instead of wearing your heart on your sleeve, you can wear your political beliefs, spiritual beliefs, sense of humor, or sense of outrage emblazoned upon your chest.
There's no doubt that funny tee shirts, joke shirts, party shirts, and even rude shirts are the ultimate form of self-expression. It seems like, once again, Mark Twain got it right!
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/48/funny-tee-shirts-are-the-ultimate-in-self-expression.html
Clothing as Self-Expression: Funny Tee Shirts are the Rage
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." So said Mark Twain, and that saying still rings true, as our society has developed into one that uses apparel as a way to convey one's social status. Simply flip through the pages of a woman's fashion magazine to read breathless coverage of the fashion statements being made on the couture runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. Listen to a gaggle of high school girls decrying the must-have fashion accessory of last season as "so last year." Even men aren't immune to the whims of the fashionistas - particularly those fashion moguls who were once (or still are) hip hop moguls.
If both men and women use apparel to convey social status, they also use it as a means of self-expression. The fictitious fashion editor in "The Devil Wears Prada" always accessorized with a white Hermes scarf. Donald Trump is known for his colorful neckties. And Woody Harrelson is known for wearing hemp.
Beginning in the 1960s, T-shirts became a means of self-expression. Back then, plain white T-shirts transformed into tie-dye works of art proclaiming the rise of "flower power" and urging, "Make love, not war." Soon, messages began appearing on T-shirts using silk screening or screen printing. Bands began selling branded T-shirts to their fans at concerts, and young people began wearing band T-shirts as a symbol of their personal identities.
For the past few decades, graphic tees have also been used as promotional and branding tools. Whether the word "Gap" is emblazoned across the front of a T-shirt or a depiction of a favorite Disney character adorns the wearer, the T-shirt has become a means of marketing a product or brand.
This branding may have begun at the corporate level, but soon became personal. From the humble beginnings of tie dye and peace symbols, T-shirts have evolved into a lasting trend of people wearing their beliefs, philosophies, and senses of humor on what are termed "graphic tees." Graphic tees can range from funny T shirts and joke shirts to party shirts and even rude shirts. Indeed, graphic tees are standard issue for college kids, those who want to speak their minds, and those who consider themselves outcasts. During times of political controversy, funny tee shirts take the place of (or are an adjunct to) bumper stickers. The boldness and bravado of the wearer is evident for all to see.
Some people think that graphic tees fall into the category of "rude clothes," while others consider them a form of free speech. Indeed, instead of wearing your heart on your sleeve, you can wear your political beliefs, spiritual beliefs, sense of humor, or sense of outrage emblazoned upon your chest.
There's no doubt that funny tee shirts, joke shirts, party shirts, and even rude shirts are the ultimate form of self-expression. It seems like, once again, Mark Twain got it right!
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/34/clothing-as-self-expression-funny-tee-shirts-are-the-rage.html
If both men and women use apparel to convey social status, they also use it as a means of self-expression. The fictitious fashion editor in "The Devil Wears Prada" always accessorized with a white Hermes scarf. Donald Trump is known for his colorful neckties. And Woody Harrelson is known for wearing hemp.
Beginning in the 1960s, T-shirts became a means of self-expression. Back then, plain white T-shirts transformed into tie-dye works of art proclaiming the rise of "flower power" and urging, "Make love, not war." Soon, messages began appearing on T-shirts using silk screening or screen printing. Bands began selling branded T-shirts to their fans at concerts, and young people began wearing band T-shirts as a symbol of their personal identities.
For the past few decades, graphic tees have also been used as promotional and branding tools. Whether the word "Gap" is emblazoned across the front of a T-shirt or a depiction of a favorite Disney character adorns the wearer, the T-shirt has become a means of marketing a product or brand.
This branding may have begun at the corporate level, but soon became personal. From the humble beginnings of tie dye and peace symbols, T-shirts have evolved into a lasting trend of people wearing their beliefs, philosophies, and senses of humor on what are termed "graphic tees." Graphic tees can range from funny T shirts and joke shirts to party shirts and even rude shirts. Indeed, graphic tees are standard issue for college kids, those who want to speak their minds, and those who consider themselves outcasts. During times of political controversy, funny tee shirts take the place of (or are an adjunct to) bumper stickers. The boldness and bravado of the wearer is evident for all to see.
Some people think that graphic tees fall into the category of "rude clothes," while others consider them a form of free speech. Indeed, instead of wearing your heart on your sleeve, you can wear your political beliefs, spiritual beliefs, sense of humor, or sense of outrage emblazoned upon your chest.
There's no doubt that funny tee shirts, joke shirts, party shirts, and even rude shirts are the ultimate form of self-expression. It seems like, once again, Mark Twain got it right!
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/34/clothing-as-self-expression-funny-tee-shirts-are-the-rage.html
What To Look For In An NCAA Jersey
Buying sports clothing has definitely become a very appealing market for most teenagers and young adults. Statistical reports show that nearly 70% of teenager's clothing are geared towards sports. In fact, the popularity of a certain sports apparel is increased if it is being worn or endorsed by their favorite sports celebrities.
The trend today for most teenagers is to have that widely held jacket, cap, or that well-known sports jersey and wear it whenever he goes out with his friends or goes to school.
With the growing trend in this industry, more and more manufacturers are trying to come up with fashionable sports apparel that will provide not just comfortable shield against environmental stressors but also improve one's overall appearance.
With that in mind the popular sports association in the United States, the National Collegiate Athletic Association or NCAA, has decided to produce specially designed jerseys to meet the demands of the consumers.
An expert in the field of sports organization and handling of different sports events, NCAA knows how important it is to maintain the spirit of sports enthusiasm reflected on their NCAA jerseys. In this way, the energy that binds people together to root for their favorite team in a particular sport is extended even if the game is over. Just by wearing NCAA jerseys, people are ensured that the sports spirit will remain in their mind, body, and heart.
NCAA jerseys, just like the other sports jerseys, are representations of those shirts being worn by the team members of a particular sport. Jerseys bear the name of the team member's name and team number as well as the team's company sponsor or the team's logo.
When buying NCAA jerseys, there are certain factors and tips that you must consider before you go out and purchase one. Here is how:
1. The right type of apparel
NCAA jerseys do not have to look good on everybody. Hence, even if a certain NCAA jersey looked good on your friend, it does not necessarily follow that it will look good on you. Therefore, it is best that you try to consider the style or the type of apparel that you will wear and see if it will look good on you before you try buying the item.
Comfort may be one of the top priorities when buying NCAA jerseys, but it is likewise important to know if that jersey will bring out the best in you. Besides, if you are trying to flaunt your specially designed NCAA jersey, then, you must really have to look good with it.
2. Authenticity
The popularity of NCAA jerseys is rooted on the fact that the qualities of the materials used are superior. Hence, it is best to always go for the authenticity of the material. Do not just believe on the claims of different vendors saying that their NCAA jersey is authentic.
In most cases, serial numbers or holograms are the primary basis of authenticity.
3. Autographed
NCAA jerseys are further popularized by the fact that most of them bear the signature of their favorite sports celebrity. Hence, it is best to consider the authenticity of the signature such as ensuring it is autographed or hand signed and not just a copy of the actual signature.
4. The type of material used
It is best to always buy NCAA jersey that provides optimum comfort. Experts highly recommend comfortable sports apparel especially those that are made up of cotton. This material has been proven to be effective in providing coziness and durability. NCAA jerseys should not just look good on you but should also promote comfort by allowing air to pass through in and out of your body, thereby, promoting optimal breathability.
5. Distributor
You can buy NCAA jerseys directly from the NCAA itself. However, there are some companies that were endowed with the right to exclusively distribute NCAA jerseys. It is best to verify the background of the company first if they are duly recognized and authorized by the NCAA to sell or distribute their sports jerseys.
Indeed, buying NCAA jerseys may seem like buying an ordinary clothing. However, if you really know the value of the item, you will know that it is extremely important to keep these things in mind so that there will be no effort or money lost.
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/87/what-to-look-for-in-an-ncaa-jersey.html
The trend today for most teenagers is to have that widely held jacket, cap, or that well-known sports jersey and wear it whenever he goes out with his friends or goes to school.
With the growing trend in this industry, more and more manufacturers are trying to come up with fashionable sports apparel that will provide not just comfortable shield against environmental stressors but also improve one's overall appearance.
With that in mind the popular sports association in the United States, the National Collegiate Athletic Association or NCAA, has decided to produce specially designed jerseys to meet the demands of the consumers.
An expert in the field of sports organization and handling of different sports events, NCAA knows how important it is to maintain the spirit of sports enthusiasm reflected on their NCAA jerseys. In this way, the energy that binds people together to root for their favorite team in a particular sport is extended even if the game is over. Just by wearing NCAA jerseys, people are ensured that the sports spirit will remain in their mind, body, and heart.
NCAA jerseys, just like the other sports jerseys, are representations of those shirts being worn by the team members of a particular sport. Jerseys bear the name of the team member's name and team number as well as the team's company sponsor or the team's logo.
When buying NCAA jerseys, there are certain factors and tips that you must consider before you go out and purchase one. Here is how:
1. The right type of apparel
NCAA jerseys do not have to look good on everybody. Hence, even if a certain NCAA jersey looked good on your friend, it does not necessarily follow that it will look good on you. Therefore, it is best that you try to consider the style or the type of apparel that you will wear and see if it will look good on you before you try buying the item.
Comfort may be one of the top priorities when buying NCAA jerseys, but it is likewise important to know if that jersey will bring out the best in you. Besides, if you are trying to flaunt your specially designed NCAA jersey, then, you must really have to look good with it.
2. Authenticity
The popularity of NCAA jerseys is rooted on the fact that the qualities of the materials used are superior. Hence, it is best to always go for the authenticity of the material. Do not just believe on the claims of different vendors saying that their NCAA jersey is authentic.
In most cases, serial numbers or holograms are the primary basis of authenticity.
3. Autographed
NCAA jerseys are further popularized by the fact that most of them bear the signature of their favorite sports celebrity. Hence, it is best to consider the authenticity of the signature such as ensuring it is autographed or hand signed and not just a copy of the actual signature.
4. The type of material used
It is best to always buy NCAA jersey that provides optimum comfort. Experts highly recommend comfortable sports apparel especially those that are made up of cotton. This material has been proven to be effective in providing coziness and durability. NCAA jerseys should not just look good on you but should also promote comfort by allowing air to pass through in and out of your body, thereby, promoting optimal breathability.
5. Distributor
You can buy NCAA jerseys directly from the NCAA itself. However, there are some companies that were endowed with the right to exclusively distribute NCAA jerseys. It is best to verify the background of the company first if they are duly recognized and authorized by the NCAA to sell or distribute their sports jerseys.
Indeed, buying NCAA jerseys may seem like buying an ordinary clothing. However, if you really know the value of the item, you will know that it is extremely important to keep these things in mind so that there will be no effort or money lost.
http://www.sellusedclothing.com/article/87/what-to-look-for-in-an-ncaa-jersey.html
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