OCR Text |
Show Avoiding Passing Trends ; Lean Toward the Classic This has led women to lean more toward traditional or "classic" women's wear, where the lines change very little from season to season and the quality is unsurpassed. Something women have been asking for for years but until this season haven't been satisfied. Femininity has crept into the traditional market and the blend of a tailored crisp look with a feminine toach 1 ;v ' , I ;69AAm9&yAA The fashion conscience woman of today seems to be a different kind of consumer than the woman of even five to 10 years ago. The market has been influenced by a number of significant factors. These factors include the changing lifestyles of women, the limited purchasing power in the present economic times and the trend toward "investment clothing" which is the art of buying clothing that will not only endure years of wear, but will remain in style for many years, not just a season. In other words - understanding quality and craftsmanship when purchasing. Women have started to educate themselves them-selves where quality is concerned and the smart buyer will not let herself be influenced in-fluenced by passing trends, or succumb to impulse buying, but instead researches different lines for fit, fabric, versatility or wearings and then the "bottom-line" price. To really estimate the value of a certain garment, a woman should divide the price of the garment by the number of wearings it will receive. For example, a $10 blouse on sale isn't really a bargain it it is only worn one or two times before it starts to lose its appeal, shape, or comes undone at the seams. Whereas a $40 blouse can be a real bargain when worn over 30 to 40 times in the space of a year. The first blouse had a $5 to $10 price per wearing, and the second one, maybe only $1 .or less in the long run. That is investment buying. Few consumers can afford to make costly mistakes, so an understanding of qualitly is vital in today's clothing market. with either tucks, edged in crocheted lace, or high-necks with back buttoned closures and puffy-gathered sleeves. No skimpiness or cuts have been made in the quality or beauty of the fabric or details. You can count on the traditional market's quality, as usual. Sweaters are soft and invite you to squeeze the beauty of the fine wool. Many sport small hearts knitted in the design, or contrasting colors of yarn in simple designs. Some have ruffled edges at the neck or sleeve in a classic cardigan with small pearl buttons to add that final touch of flair. Designers heard the women's cries and answered them, without taking any reductions in the quality of the materials used. Colors Boring? Not this year. Kelly Green, bright reds, soft pinks, periwinkle blue, many beautiful and unusual colors are breaking loose from the earth tones to either accent previously purchased items or spice up those items presently available. Something fun in a jacket has also surfaced. It's called a boiled-wool jacket. The yarns are actually boiled before the manufacturer produces them. They are soft and the wool is a little longer-haired and the colors brilliant. Bright-red, kelly green, winter white. The lines are simple and the style classic. No collar, tiny round silver buttons adorn the front opening and the jacket is trimmed in a tighter women edge of bound wool. This jacket is available in a short, waist length or a slightly longer mid-length. A fun addition to a basically traditional wardrobe. war-drobe. Ctmt. on page 7 - WHEN SHOPPING, women today are more 'value' aware with an eye to fit, fabric price and will it last more than one season. Many women, upon hearing the word "traditional" tune-out and associate it with looking too masculine or boring. These women need to take a second look at traditional lines. Something interesting has happened to the market this fall. mixes together beautifully. The start man-tailored blazer with button-down shirt and windsor-tied knot is taking a back seat to the shorter, more curved and fitted jackets,worn with blouses with such details as small or floppy-bowed shirts Cont. from page 3 -Passing Trends Yes, women's cries have been heard, and the long-awaited arrival of feminine flair has infiltrated the traditional tailored market. The designers have successfully combined these flavors and created a whole new feeling of being put-together on a professional basis or in a casual setting without feeling mass produced, boring or unoriginal. A woman now has numerous choices in design, color and line and now can be an individual with her own choice of flair and originality and still appear professional and well-coordinated. Fall of '82 in traditional- circles does give you a choice. Now the dilemna; just to decide upon which color, or maybe how many of each? Photos and Information Provided by Donna Hemps buyer for the Gatsby |