Libra
Last year, I went to my first Kentucky Derby party in Manhattan. Like most themed parties, the main requirement was that we come dressed in Southern charm (ascots, hats, sundresses, etc).
Preparing for my first Derby party was simple when it came to finding the right hat, dress, shoes and accessories to wear. My second year has not been so simple. You would think that the right hat would be the hardest thing to find. Not this year. My perfect dress has been hard to come by this season. Why?
Take a look around at the style of dresses in the stores right now. Everything is very mod and 60s inspired. There is nothing "sundress" or "springlike" about the latest dress trends this season. No flowers or springlike colors. What we're looking at in stores is black and white prints, safari prints, geometric prints, and fall-like colors. Even the basic black dress (which is a staple item for any woman, especially in New York City) is not just a basic black dress. Everything has some sort of a mod twist to it.
I have hit the major department stores in search of that perfect dress. From Lord & Taylor on 5th Avenue to the largest department store in the world (Macy's at 34th Street in Manhattan), I have not been able to find a sundress in this city.
Since I really needed some sort of a dress to wear to this party, I spent a total of five hours in search of my Derby dress. My first trip to Lord & Taylor ended up in two designer shirts from Calvin Klein and Michael Kors and no dress. Every dress I saw was mod, not flowery. Did I miss the spring collection somehow?
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Re: Derby Day: Got The Hat, But Not A Dress In Sight To Wear
By Michelle Kenneth, May 2, 2008 at 06:28I agree. Every spring, there's that tested and true thing that sells...flowers and spring-like colors. I've seen some yellows out there, but even the oranges are muted and very fall-like. If they want to introduce new looks into the market, they should have the new looks alongside the tested and true looks. Add a little bit of springlike colors and flowers to the sheer fabrics. There can be a happy medium.
In all honesty, what gets me shopping in the spring are those springy/summery looks. Every woman I know wants to shop when they see those colors and flowery prints. When it's all muted, and depressing, that really reflects the mood of how we're all feeling, especially in this economy. Flowers and colors always brighten people's moods. We should have those things on the market.
NYC is the fashion mecca of the world (beyond Paris). They should know a thing or two about market trends. It's about what the consumer wants in the end, not necessarily what the designer wants. It's the consumer that keeps the designer in business. This is a two-way relationship, not one-way.
Re: Derby Day: Got The Hat, But Not A Dress In Sight To Wear
By Robyn Stubbs, May 1, 2008 at 14:39This reminds of shopping for my wedding dress... I found myself in a sea of strapless A-line dresses (beautiful, but not what I was looking for) and ending up designing my own and getting it made! I understand fashion trends, but why can't shops provide a little something different alongside the "new it thing"?