On Matching and Mixing Your Wardrobe
The downturn in the economic system has made us rethink our fashion statements. been well pointed out that the downturn in the economy has to a great extent impacted the fashion industry. Although downturns in the economy are nothing new, this current recession we’re in is going to have a long-term effect on what we think of fashion. We are living in a very practical period now. Before these practical days we’re now living in, we revelled in the frivolity of fashion – nothing was overpriced or too excessive – you could only be accused of being too boring. Now though the fashion labels and fashion catwalks are receiving a bad press. And now that everyone’s mindful of globalization, even bargain-priced fashion brands are receiving bad publicity for utilizing sweatshops to manufacture their items! Is it that everyone has become so incredibly difficult to please?
First off, fashion isn’t dead. In point of fact, looking on the internet there is ample competition between online fashion retail merchants (e.g. searching for wholesale pashminas and shawls) – a sign there is still strong demand and supply. It’s the old way we saw that is dying – of being dictated to by the established labels. Fashion has always looked at the public rather than the other way around, and today many matters are stopping us buying from big brands. For a start, young people are now much more aware of globalisation, and showing off your fashion labels makes you look egotistical and thoughtless in many peer groups nowadays. Second, it’s the economy, stupid! Fashion has forever been a luxury, not a necessity. In an economic downturn, non-essential items are the first to be left on the store shelves. Finally, individuals express themselves a lot more individually these days – groups of friends are a lot more tightly knit, the days of millions watching the same TV show are over, and fashion needs that sort of herd-like thinking to trade in numbers.
So what does this mean for fashion brands? Like ever, they need to change to exist – create a greater range of clothing lines to cater to more niches of the marketplace. If you’re a small shop offering unique clothing at a decent price, you have a strong business model in spite of the dreary economic days we are in. Nowadays, people are shuffling their styles, purchasing from marketplaces and more personal, affordable fashion stores.
