TREND WATCH: UPDATING CLASSICS
NEW YORK — The hot looks for fall and holiday — knitwear, bold colors and pulled-together, head-to-toe ensembles — represent an evolution of trends with an updated twist, according to retailers and vendors.
At Limited Inc., a big theme will focus on feminine looks accentuated with a touch of masculinity, such as sheer blouses with a tweed-inspired herringbone print, said a company spokesman.
“Details borrowed from boys, but clothes for women are big,” he said. “And embellishment is strong particularly in denim and T’s.”
Embellishment, from a stitched detail on a sweater to an embroidered top, seems to be the necessary lure to grab the consumer’s attention in such a trying market.
“It’s the hardware, the special trim detail, the wonderful little buckle treatment,” said Jackwyn Nemerov, president of Jones Apparel Group, which includes the moderate brands Jones Wear and Evan Picone, in addition to McNaughton Apparel. “What we have seen with all the challenges with the spring and summer season is that the consumer is definitely reacting to what is exciting and fresh and what she doesn’t have in her closet. Because it can’t be about more stuff.”
Another concentration at Jones will be a focus on texture, such as houndstooth, herringbone and interesting weaves, Nemerov said.
“Even in our base pants program, we went from being a flatweave flannel to a herringbone weave — it’s the subtle changes like that we think will motivate her to buy in the third and fourth quarters,” Nemerov added.