It is a constant struggle that many women (and men) have all year round and finally we can get some answers. When is the right time of the year to wear linen?
It is one of the nicest, yet complicated fabrics in the wholesale fashion apparel world. The biggest factor to decide when it’s right for you to wear linen is the climate in your area. Linen is a fabulous fabric to have in your closet, unfortunately it can and will wrinkle easily. So it is a big no-no to wear linen in humidity. So for all of you in the Midwest and south who want to wear it in the heart of summer, it may be a no go. However, linen can be worn through out Arizona, California and New Mexico year round due to the low humidity in these areas.
A good tip to keep in mind when buying and wearing linen is that solids usually look the best. Wearing printed linen may look too busy and take away from the beauty of the piece you’re wearing.
While traveling with linen there are some major points to keep in mind. Linen will wrinkle so you need to pack your clothes with care. To keep linen as wrinkle free as possible stuff each arm and leg hole with tissue paper and cover each piece with a plastic dry cleaner bag. The linen items should be the last items to be in your suitcase, that way they will have less time to wrinkle.
Caring for your linens at home or on vacation can be done very easily. The easiest way to go about it is to bring it to the dry cleaners or have your concierge do it for you. Yes, it may cost you a little but it will keep your clothes lasting. Some of your linen pieces might have care instructions that actually allow you to wash them at home, so check the label before you make your purchase.
Fashion Spot LA catalogs are constantly offering amazing linen pieces in rompers, tunics and rollover wait pants in wholesale clothing for boutique items. Keep a nice selection of linen in your wholesale fashion boutique to satisfy any woman (or mans) needs.
Tags: Wholesale Clothing for Boutiques, Wholesale Fashion Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Boutique
If you lived through the 80’s, you are probably familiar with the term “preppy”, which usually referred to an Izod-shirt wearing crew of crisply attired, self-centered young men and women with a more conservative approach to dressing. Instead of sporting some of the faddish contemporary wholesale apparel like leg warmers, Chinese jackets and Sassoon jeans, the preppy crowd always looked “prepared” for success in pressed chinos and pastel-colored oxford shirts. Think Buffy and Biff in their Volvo convertible and you will get the picture.
A lot has changed since the 80’s. Instead of munching on Pop Rocks and listening bands like Culture Club and the Knack, today’s preps are more tuned into political and social issues. They’re just as competitive in academic and social circles too. And while they represent the lion’s share of spending on junior fashion apparel, they are less flamboyant than their peers. This group is extremely brand-conscious, hence their obsession with the recognizable moose and birds stitched onto their favorite clothing, but they stick to these labels because they are more widely acceptable as the “right” ones.
Unlike the “preppies” of previous generations, preps are not superficial; they are simply more conservative with their choice of colors and patterns. You will rarely see a prep wear black in their everyday clothing. They tend to choose contemporary apparel in shades of navy, pea green, maroon, cream and grey. Partly inspired by the luxury generation, preps are motivated by the appearance of wealth. Try buying a teenage prep a top from a department store that looks exactly like their favorite brand-name clothing and you will find yourself in line to return it a few days later.
Wholesale fashion apparel buyers know that to attract a wealthy “prep” audience, they must look for well-fitting brand name clothing in stripes and solids. Despite any claims they make to the contrary, preps care very much about their reputation, and any deviance from the junior clothing apparel labels approved by their crowd will make them feel like an outsider.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Contemporary Wholesale Apparel, Junior Fashion Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Apparel
The concept of “urban tribal” in the fashion world differs dramatically from its meaning in the modern vernacular. According to one urban dictionary, the term refers to the self-absorption of “city people”, who are more interested in getting ahead than they are in being polite, compassionate citizens, thus their ensuing relapse into primitive behaviors. But before you shun any fashion designer touted for their “urban tribal-inspired” collections, take a look at the latest contemporary wholesale clothing by Cynthia Rowley.
Wholesale fashion apparel buyers will be lining up for Rowley’s color-blocked jackets and motocross-inspired puffer coats, neck puffers and gloves, which are clearly a continuation of the urban tribal aesthetic seen last year in collections by Balenciaga. Models at Cynthia Rowley’s recent Gotham Hall show were trumped up with brightly colored hair weaves, as they sashayed down the catwalks in mini-dresses that were reminiscent of an intergalactic storm. Adding to the tribal beat were the Caribbean Island sounds of the modern dance band Preacher and the Knife, an ideal backdrop for Rowley’s parade of marled lace and silk tops with rainbow-colored fringe.
In a nod to her high-end customer’s demand for less glitz, Rowley got creative with feathers in this collection, with entries including a feather-covered cocktail dress and a feather-trimmed hood on one of her puffer jackets.
As wholesale juniors clothing buyers will certainly attest, Cynthia Rowley lets her personality come through in her pop-culture inspired collections. Look for her contemporary apparel to play an important role in fall fashions later this year.
Tags: Contemporary Wholesale Clothing, Wholesale Fashion Apparel, Wholesale Juniors Clothing
As the opening ceremonies began in Vancouver last week, I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone else noticed the contemporary apparel worn by each country’s Olympic competitors. As each team paraded into the winter wonderland of the BC Arena, one would expect to see a full range of puffy down jackets and Nordic sweaters, but what surprised me was how many trendy junior fashion ensembles were on display.
Like any other internationally televised event, it wouldn’t surprise me if some designers hurried off to create their own Olympic-inspired contemporary apparel. But I couldn’t help but chuckle at the predictable red Bermuda shorts worn by the Bermuda team, or ponder what inspired the colorful 70’s style psychedelic pants worn by the Azerbaijan team.
Anyone looking for one of those adorable reindeer caps worn by the U.S. athletes should look no further than Ralph Lauren, who was the official outfitter of the U.S. team.
Italy’s team entered the arena wearing crisp, tailored jackets, exuding a purely Italian aesthetic, and Austria’s selection of blue and purple blazers was a hit, but neither was as exciting as the small Republic of Estonia.
For being one of the least-populated countries in the EU, Estonia scored points wearing their wintry white jackets with a subtle blue snowflake pattern, along with furry ear-flapped hats.
Surprisingly, the Greek team’s white and blue track suits not so well received, leaving some commentators wondering if they were shooting for the “Smurf” look this year.
Clearly, as any Olympic hopeful knows, they can’t all be winners. However, it will be interesting to see what kind of sportswear will be inspired by the 2010 Olympics, and which teams will influence wholesale fashion apparel buyers such as Fashion Spot LA later this year.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Trendy Junior Fashion, Wholesale Fashion Apparel
Over the past several years, trade shows and expos have evolved to make them more accessible to people around the world. While less personal and a lot less fun than a trip to Paris or Milan, they offer many of the same benefits as traditional shows without the travel expenses. It may have taken a bit longer for the fashion world to catch on, but with so many travel budgets being cut, wholesale fashion clothing buyers are starting to like the idea of “virtual fashion shows.”
One successful venture, the Forward Global Trade Show, is an interactive web site that allows fashion designers to show their products to women’s and junior apparel buyers in a revolutionary new way. By hosting a two-day event on their site, Forward Global allows for unparalleled networking opportunities between designers and wholesale boutique clothing buyers, making it easier than ever for fashion houses to showcase new contemporary apparel trends to buyers around the world.
Thanks to virtual shows like these, consumers will no longer need to wait two seasons to see the clothing at runway shows begin appearing in stores. This meets the immediate needs of a changing market, and allows women’s fashion apparel buyers to stay on top of emerging trends and “buy them while they’re hot.”
Just like a normal trade show, Forward Global allows up to 300 vendors to exhibit their collections in an online virtual environment that mimics an actual fashion trade show. Wholesale fashion apparel buyers from around the globe can register to attend the show, where they can watch runway shows on video, network with other attendees, and place orders on vendors’ web-stands. Women’s and junior apparel buyers such as Fashion Spot LA are expecting this trend to continue in 2010 and change the way designers go to market with their collections.
Tags: Junior Apparel, Wholesale Boutique Clothing, Wholesale Fashion Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Clothing
Teens have a surprising amount of buying power when it comes to fashion, even during the recession. As a result, junior apparel buyers are still placing decent sized orders for the holiday season. Perhaps it is because the price of entry into the trendy junior fashion market is still so low, but what really keeps it going is the pressure teens are under to keep up with what their friends are wearing. After all, no teenage girl wants to stand out in a crowd.
With so much of their inspiration coming from television, movies and magazines, it doesn’t sound difficult to predict the next trend, but it may be trickier than you think. Teenagers are still balancing their need to be different with their need to fit in, but they also want to be trendsetters themselves. This can be impossible to accomplish unless you do a lot of shopping and a lot of buying.
Let’s take a look at some junior fashion apparel trends and what makes them each unique.
* EMO: Also known as “emotional” style is the most extreme form of teen fashion at the moment. Girls are often shocked when one of their friends “goes Emo”. Similar to the punk trends of the eighties, Emo is all about extremes. Bright colors balanced with jet black, Zelda hairdos, pencil thin jeans with a studded belt, facial piercings and of course, black kohl eyeliner.
* Gothic, or “Goth” as it is more commonly known, is more about black than anything else. Slick black hair, black eye makeup, black nails, chunky heels and metal details are everywhere in a Goth group. Add some fishnets, a short skirt, Doc Martens and some face whitener and you’re good to go.
* Hip-Hop is a style that speaks of the streets. Even suburban teens are attracted to trendy junior fashions like baggy pants, t-shirts and body hugging “Flashdance” tanks. And don’t forget the cap. Hip-Hop can be more loosely interpreted than some other styles, and its definitely less predictable than Goth or Emo.
Other styles, like Bohemian, Prep and Jock are less individualistic and more label-conscious; definitely for people who want to fit in with the crowd. While less exciting for the wholesale fashion apparel buyer, such as Fashion Spot LA, these groups account for the vast majority of teens.
Tags: Junior Apparel Buyers, Junior Fashion Apparel, Trendy Junior Fashion, Wholesale Fashion Apparel
For contemporary apparel buyers lucky enough to score a ticket to the Milan fashion shows this fall, the Max Mara show was a real highlight. Already known for their stunning collections of couturier coats, the latest Mara creations are sensational in shape, style and fabric. Whisper thin models sashayed down the Mara runway, all decked out and bejeweled, but nothing stole the show more than his 17 stylish top coats.
While some designers rely on their name and dose of drama to make their shows a success, Max Mara could have done it on the strength of his designs alone. Every fabric and texture was represented too, from alpaca to tweed, camel’s hair to cashmere. Saturated colors were everywhere, like the deep red evening coat with rosettes on the collar.
The coats are beautifully shaped, with defined waistlines, A-lines and barrel-shaped styles evoking a tasteful blend of nostalgia and modernity. Max Mara is also offering a supple pair of opera-length gloves to go along with his three-quarter length sleeve coats. For wholesale fashion apparel buyers, the coats will only be available in five of the label’s US stores, but expect demand to expand the availability over time. If these coats are any inspiration to next season’s outerwear collections, a whole line of imitators will be competing for space in wholesale clothing apparel showrooms such as Fashion Spot LA.
Max Mara’s chief designer, Laura Lusuardi can be very proud of the attention this new line has received in Milan. One of the distinguishing characteristics of this collection was the hand-finished silk linings, each completely done in Max Mara’s factories. While this may not seem extraordinary to some, it is quite a bit more expensive to do this in-house, which is a testament to the financial health of the company.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Wholesale Clothing Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Apparel
Only Prada can take what the rest of the world considers tacky and make it work in a new collection. Case in point: Prada’s recent spring show in Milan. The inspiration? Sketchy references to crumbling Italian hotels with checkered floors, seaside postcards, clear plastics and raw edges, all blended together in a unique twist that only Prada could pull off successfully.
Even the runway itself was crafted to evoke the saturated tones of a seaside hotel, with a classical façade running the length of the runway. Then came the models sporting fly-away cropped jackets worn over long white tees with Bermudas. A mélange of clear plastic platform sandals, floral mini-shifts, floaty halter tops and souvenir postcard scenes printed on jackets gave a playful new perspective to Prada’s collection without losing the proper couturier look.
For wholesale fashion apparel buyers, the show was a refreshing twist on well established fabrics and styles, and may provide junior fashion apparel buyers’ new fodder for how they merchandise their collections this spring. If nothing else, it may precipitate orders of clear plastic footwear from wholesale fashion buyers looking to cash in on the Prada look.
Trendy junior fashions for spring 2010 may include grey florals and blue-hued postcard scenes, as well as layered spring looks that incorporate Bermudas with platform sandals. Also, look for a return of the halter top, paired with jangly chandelier-style beads. The look is raw and edgy, yet feminine; tacky and superfluous yet grounded. Overall, for junior clothing wholesale buyers, such as Fashion Spot LA, Prada has done it again!
Tags: Junior Apparel, Junior Clothing Wholesale, Junior Fashion Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Apparel
Now that the Paris shows have started, contemporary apparel buyers are making predictions about what will be the most enduring trend for 2010. Some of the lesser known designers often come up with the most compelling presentations at these shows, with an eye on attracting buyers to their wholesale fashion apparel sales after the show. It is also a time for junior apparel buyers to find some exciting new ideas to start showing in stores.
A few of the designers that caught my eye this year included Eyola Victorian-inspired dresses, the black and white sculptural presentation by Agonovich, Rochas by Marco Zanini’s French sportswear and the “White Collection” by Osman Yousefzada.
One of the undercurrents that seemed to run through almost every Milan and Paris showing is a simpler, less glitzy, more accessible approach to contemporary apparel. It is as if the economic crisis has forced designers to take a long hard look at their clients’ personal outlook, and started seeing their designs through the eyes of wholesale clothing apparel buyers too. The result is a relaxed and simple design sense with an emphasis on texture and layered fabrics.
In his crisp “White Collection”, Osman Yousefzada used simple structured silhouettes in a singular palette of white, with gold accents, drawing attention to textures of silk, cheesecloth and suede in various shades of white. In his classic minimalistic style, Yousefzada applied a more futuristic feel to his spring collection with kimono shapes and abstract dip-dyed edges.
Marco Zanini offered an unhurried, sportswear approach to his Rochas collection, featuring beautifully cut liquid silk dresses falling just below the knee with layered skirts and vivid florals. Colors like mulberry, lemongrass and pistachio turned up in tiny colorful blazers, paired with tap pants and classic accessories.
When it’s time to buy wholesale boutique clothing for spring 2010, look for these fanciful yet wearable silhouettes to start showing in wholesale boutique clothing store Fashion Spot LA.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Wholesale Boutique Clothing, Wholesale Clothing Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Clothing
In addition to advising contemporary apparel buyers on the season’s hottest colors, the Pantone Fashion Color Report (compiled by the Pantone Color Institute) also provides wholesale fashion clothing buyers with another valuable resource. The “must-haves” list for spring gives buyers a birds-eye view of spring fashion trends that will become wardrobe essentials for next season. While some of these fashions may be modified for junior clothing apparel lines, or toned-down to meet more conservative tastes, Pantone’s report should give you a glimpse at which runway fashions will be in highest demand.
Here are a few of my favorite selections from this spring’s list of “must-haves” and which designer suggested each item:
* A “voluminous” mini skirt (Andy & Debb)
* Batik print lounge pants in blue and white, paired with a navy embellished tunic (Adrienne Vittadini)
* A hip blazer, or a denim vest, paired with shorts – expected to be a hot trendy junior fashion – paired with multi-strand necklaces and platform sandals (Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons)
* A deep purple jumpsuit (or any other color in the top five), paired with funky, ornamental jewels (Catherine Malandrino)
* A double-faced plaid chambray boyfriend shirt (Charlotte Ronson)
* A tie-front leather jacket, preferably in tan (Erin Fetherston)
* Long, micro-striped tube dresses in a mixture of bright sun-drenched colors and neutrals (Nanette Lapore)
* An impeccably tailored lightweight tweed coat with delicate floral embroidery, in shades of cream, pink and pale gold (Pamella Roland by Pamella DeVos)
* A mint-green sleeveless suede trench dress, with a waterfall cascade collar (Cythia Steffe)
The list goes on and on, and each suggestion can be interpreted for a variety of price ranges and sizes, but you get the picture. As I write this, I am imagining wholesale fashion apparel buyers including Fashion Spot LA are poring over this invaluable list to determine which items will translate into junior apparel, women’s contemporary apparel, or the next big trend. It should be a very interesting spring season.
Tags: Contemporary Apparel, Junior Clothing Apparel, Trendy Junior Fashion, Wholesale Fashion Apparel, Wholesale Fashion Clothing