The world of fashion is exciting and constantly changing. The ultimate goal of the retailer to provide their customers with a winning line that will not only improve their status, but also generate maximum sales. This report will comment on the most prominent fashion trends seen in the pring and summer seasons of 2005.
Trends
This season retailers are anticipating that the retail environment may remain uncertain. If we consider the Hemline Index, which correlates the length of hemlines with business confidence, in relation to this season’s popular longer skirts we would find that consumer confidence is low. Retailers have produced fashions that they hope will boost the moods of consumers by taking them on a trip around the world, drawing influence from different continents and ethnicities.
Tropical Breeze
The first trend worth mentioning is clothing with a tropical influence. This year’s runway fashion shows featured a variety of prints including tropical flowers, geometric shapes, and animal prints. Colour is also extremely important with this trend. Imagine beautiful pinks, oranges and greens all mixed together. Retailers are reminding us that looking feminine and sporting bright colours can make us feel better!
Retailers are showcasing this trend in various ways. Flirty and fun sundresses are a presence in just about every store. Stores such as Urban Outfitters, Le Chateau and Mendocino, are all offering a version of this great look. H&M has designed a pretty and fun green and purple floral chiffon dress for $39.90 CDN.
Designer Denim
A huge trend in fashion lately that does not seem to be going away is the trend of designer denim. Now this isn’t just any denim, these jeans can run up to $400! All of the hottest celebrities such as Paris Hilton and the OC’s Micha Barton are sporting these duds that come in every style from full length, to cropped, to flared, to skinny!
Although it seems insane to pay such a high price for something so basic, the trend keeps growing and growing. Popular brands include Citizens of Humanity, Seven for all Mankind, Paper Denim Cloth, Rock and Republic (designed by Victoria Beckham), AG Adriano Goldschmied, James, Chip and Pepper, True Religion and many others. The newest brand to hit the stores is called People for Peace. These Italian denim jeans are decorated with colourful embroidery and patchwork meant to evoke images of retro tattoos. This jean retails for a whopping $338 CDN. With a trend like this that doesn’t seem to be going away, it seems as though spending is in style.
Don’t worry if you are expecting…lines such as Chip and Pepper and Rock and Republic have jumped on the maternity wear bandwagon, offering denim pieces complete with flexible waistbands for that growing tummy! So this spring save your pennies if you want to get in on this trend!
Cowboy Junkies
It’s Western fever in retail stores everywhere this spring and summer! The look is cowboy boots and hats, worn with your designer jeans. So where does one have to go to purchase these southern inspired pieces? Look no further than your local mall! American Eagle Outfitters offers a couple of cute updated versions of this season’s cowboy hat for $26.50. Now that’s a value priced trend!
Cowboy boots have been one of the hottest trends as of late for young celebrities! Style mavens like Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie sport their boots all over town with everything from jeans, to shorts and to dresses! Although many celebrities have their boots custom designed and made, this season Aldo offers their version of cowboy boots in a variety of colours such as brown, white, black and even pink for $169.99. Pair this look with an oversized tote, also from Aldo, and you are away to the races, the horse races that is!
Boho Chic
The Bohemian look is one of the hottest out there this spring and summer 2005. This look’s relaxed and casual influence seems to be the opposite of the tailored and refined looks that we were seeing in the Fall and Winter 2004 seasons. Although some say the look can make women look frumpy, it seems as though they are enjoying the freedom and comfort that this look provides. Many trends have resulted from this bohemian inspired look, which is all about texture and comfort. The skirt of the season is ruffled and loose. It can be worn short, but is most often seen long, and is often called the ‘krinkle skirt’ or the ‘peasant skirt'. This look is all over the stores this season and can be purchased virtually anywhere from Urban Behavior to Guess.
The perfect way to wear this skirt is with a pair of metallic or bejeweled flats. Flats are a key piece this season, and can be a great wardrobe staple. The hottest ones are definitely those that are embellished with stones or appliqués, such as those found at Aldo for $59 CDN.
Last but not least, to complete the look, you have to have some chunky wooden jewelry. Add a stack of wooden bangles to your arm and instantly your outfit can go from drab to fab! Big chunky necklaces are clearly the accessories of the season, and they fit right in with the bohemian trend. Aritzia and Urban Outfitters do them just right with a variety of styles ranging from $20-$40 CDN.
Tunic Fever
This spring and summer it seems like tunics are popping up just about everywhere! Seen on celebrities such as Halle Berry and Cindy Crawford, the tunic seems to be a great spring and summer wardrobe staple! Simple or brightly coloured, these tunics can be worn with everything! Zara offers a dress version of this season’s tunic for $69 CDN, in colours such as turquoise, white and green. Tunics can be worn alone, with jeans or over a bikini with a pair of flip-flops (2 for $7 CDN at Old Navy!). Now that’s a versatile look that is perfect for a spring day or a summer evening.
Bermuda Time
Is it possible to forget Old Navy’s incredibly catchy ‘Bermuda Shorts’ ad? Well, even if you can forget it Bermuda shorts are one of the hottest looks this spring and summer! Not just for the golf course anymore, these shorts are a great piece to dress up with some spicy heels or this seasons wedge sandals. They can also be worn casually, with some flip-flops. Pick up a pair at Old Navy for those on a tight budget, or shop Aritzia for a pair to be dressed up with a matching suit jacket!
Luxury Life
This season Luxury brands are hot, hot, hot! The trend towards spending top dollar has translated into many different markets. This spring and summer designer accessories are crucial. Gucci shades, Louis Vuitton handbags and Coach wallets have become a huge part of mainstream fashion. These items are status symbols, and nowadays it seems as though everyone has designer items. This could be partially due to the growth of the knockoff market. Knockoffs are not just available on the back streets of the city; they are available in your local mall as well. Some companies feel that this problem has gotten out of control. For example, Coach has a ‘knockoff hotline’ where those selling these copies can be reported. Whether yours is real or fake, the designer look is definitely a must have!
Man's World
This season for men there are a variety of hot trends! Polo shirts for men are one of the most popular items for spring and summer! Lacoste, Le Tigre and many other companies are offering their version of the Polo Shirt. Bright greens and even pinks are stylish colour choices for men this season. These polos are worn with the collar ‘popped’ (meaning collar up) under a blazer. Don’t think that designer denim is just for women, men are a big part of this trend too! As for shoes, brown is out! The newest trend is not your typical athletic shoe (popularized by celebrities like Justin Timberlake), it’s a more stylized version of the tennis shoe, complete with coloured leather and Velcro straps! These shoes are offered by a variety of companies such as Diesel and Puma.
In conclusion, it can be difficult at times to keep up with the ever-changing retail environment, as there is so much to choose from! This season the hot styles are relaxed and comfortable with accents that range from feminine flowers to chunky jewelry. With the diversity of popular styles on the market today, there is something out there for everyone, at all different prices.
