Clothing store trends follow the famous designers … after a
Clothing store trends follow the famous designers … after a fashion
If you follow the major fashion shows to see what’s showing up on the runways of Paris, New York and Milan, you know that the big name designers create spectacular fashions which are, unfortunately, what most of us would not consider street wear. While the lovely lady, modeling such a designer’s dream on a beach in some delightful paradise resort, surely looks fetching, most of us don’t ordinarily have an occasion, the courage, or charisma to wear such a fashion. This is usually due to radical cuts, fabrics and accessories that only look good at an Inaugural ball or in Vogue(R)!
However, the clothes you and I do wear, represent the trends by the big designer names in fashion. As soon as the new season’s favored colors, textures, cuts and accessories are announced on the runways, clothing manufacturers are recreating these fashions in a toned down version that is better suited to the average woman, both in looks and affordability. The buyer for the clothing store is the person who chooses which manufacturer’s takeoffs with which to stock the store.
Clothing store trends are largely determined by that store’s buyer. There’s also a trickle down effect, from the famous designers to the tastes of consumers on a regional basis. In order to succeed, the buyer must have a good pulse on their customer’s taste, the local economy and trendy accessories especially popular in that community. Within a given town or city, most of the clothing store trends are mirrored in all the major department stores.
For example, Southern California is generally temperate year round, fashions tend to be more casual and geared to warmer weather. Sandals and open toed shoes still sell well in winter. In New York City, you’ll find more sophisticated, formal fashions to be the norm. Anticipating the clothing store trends for the area, the buyer must also take into account environmentally sensitive issues. In freezing, sub zero winter climates, such as Minnesota, wearing a fur coat is simply a matter of survival well, more or less. On the other hand, almost everyone in California would shun this warm, but animal fur coat!
Teen consumers have a big voice in clothing store trends, especially in items like shoes, jewelry and accessories. The clothing store buyer must make sure those items that are hot, are in stock. Teen’s taste in both fashion clothing and accessories tends to change more quickly, while women’s taste is more stable, building their wardrobes around the current season’s clothing trends.
Age is also a consideration when the buyer determines the clothing store trends that are likely to sell well in that area. Teens don’t usually want to spend as much money on a single piece of clothing, because they might replace everything next season. Women are more likely to add a few quality pieces each season and to buy items that they can coordinate with other garments for a year.
Clothing store trends evolve from haute couture right down to Main Street. You can be sure the store’s buyer has your satisfaction in mind. After all, if he or she does the job right, that store will be the most popular in town. Don’t you have a favorite store? Sure, and that’s why.
