Posted on 10/07/2004 3:27:41 AM PDT by BigWaveBetty
I'm praying retailers are dead wrong. Wasn't a fan of the poncho in the 70's and my heart hasn't grown any love for them in 2004.
Please excuse the insult if you like them but they do nothing for me. And I've never seen a poncho that says, I'm the one, we'll look gorgeous together, buy me! Plus those annoying little fringes inevitably drag in the onion dip when I'm at a party trying to get a little nosh.
Hey! You got onion dip on my fringies! Well you got poncho fringies in my onion dip! *We pause to ponder the possibilities...*
The hostess and I let out a simultaneous Nahhhhhhh! Nothing good ever comes from combining poncho fringies and onion dip. However, the dog, trying to nip at the onion scented fringies did become my best friend.
Now from the experts on ponchos:
Apparel retailers across the country have been begging for something new, a fresh look that every woman doesn't already have in her closet.
This summer they got one: the poncho.
Crocheted with airy holes, off-the-shoulder or down to the knee, the '70s-era accessory has made a big-time comeback and is a hot product for clothing retailers headed into the fall shopping season.
Teenagers are wearing ponchos. So are their mothers and grandmothers. There aren't many fashion trends that can claim such reach.
Adding to the poncho's appeal, it disguises less-than-buff arms and comes in a friendly one-size-fits-all.
"Women got tired of everything being so body-conscious and bare," explains David Wolfe, creative director with the Doneger Group, a consulting firm that advises retailers on fashion trends.
Retailers from top to bottom have embraced the once utilitarian cover-up. At the low-end, Wal-Mart has them displayed front and center in refurbished apparel departments. At the high end, Neiman Marcus is showing a striped cashmere poncho in brown, black and gray for $245.
In between, Marshall Field's is offering a black open-knit poncho for $29.99, while Target is featuring a cheap-chic, flower-adorned pink version for $12.99.
The women's apparel industry certainly could use a boost. Sales of women's clothing fell 6 percent in 2003, the third consecutive year of declines, a reflection of the recession, lower-priced foreign imports and a lack of hot items.
Sales of women's clothing were flat through the first half of 2004, but they could jump 4.5 percent by year-end, predicts Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst with NPD Group. If so, it would be the best showing in five years. Continue the Poncho Pitching
Here are some examples, some good, some bad, some just plain ugly.
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Never was there a more perfect illustration of Hollywood's "blame America" sickness.
All the atrocities he describes are being committed by the evil bastards who are beheading and blowing up innocent civilians. But Penn's twisted mind finds a way to blame America.
I really try to understand how someone can be so convoluted. Is this the same mental illness we see in the "blame the victim" people who say battered wives bring on their own beatings by inciting their husband's tempers? I just don't get it.
Have you noticed that story of the computer disc captured in Iraq with all the American schools information story is all over, even broadcast news? I can't believe they didn't try to bury it.
Now, a mom who just heard/read that story before watching the debate and she sees that our president is determined to rid the world of these murderers.
Then she watches Kerry equivocating on security. Who do you suppose she'll vote for? :-)
The weather is so nice I have to get out and enjoy it.... See y'all later!
Sean also looked like he was utterly stoned throughout his Iraq visit, so his memories of the trip may be a bit vague.
OH FANTASTIC NEWS ON HOWARD!!!
I believe in hair color, plastic surgery (in moderation) and anything else that will keep me looking younger. Shoot, women show age more than men so we have to use all of Kerry's tactics to look good! Now, where's my personal manicurist? She was supposed to be here at noon!
If you guys go to England, can you give us a running travelog? I've been all over the world but never to England. I would love to see it, particularly since they are our allies and I'd be happy to spend my hard earned dollars with them.
Scotland, too, is on my list.
Don't know how I ended up finding it on amazon. I just kept searching, searching...
I'll leave the shoe search up to our resident shoe expert, HLL.
You'll be representing all of us at the Ball, so live it up!
That has to be the best line of the night, BWB, you little cutie!
OOOhh.... Did you get that gorgeous tuxedo in black? I thought that was stunning!!! You will look just awesome in that IG. It's very sexy and classy. Which ball(s) will you be attending? I think you will have to be our reporterette on the scene so should we take up a collection to get you a digital camera so that you can post to The Guild as events unfold?
A professional manicurist would have heart failure if they looked at my nails this week.
Driving stakes with a post hole pounder has a way of destroying any resemblence to well tended nails.
ahem! I bought both colors in different sizes. One of them will fit, for sure.
I have a digital camera, but I don't know how to work it. When I had my surgery 3 years ago, I decided it was a grand time to learn to use it. I got as far as charging the battery.
HLL is much younger than me and her feet are far healthier than mine. I doubt any shoes she would recommend for me would be suitable for me to wear for an extended period of time.
I will wait until the dresses arrive, see which one fits, and then start searching for appropriate shoes.
Ha! you've raced ahead of me in digital competence.
Get a crash course in taking the pics, and then let the kids figger out how to post them upon your return.
Don't hold your breath waiting on a Thank You note from Mr.IG. He will NEVER know that I purchased 2 dresses, because I didn't put them on his card. I will pay out of my own little checking account.
What he doesn't know, doesn't hurt him. Ignorance is Bliss,,,, don't cha know?
If things ever slow down enough, I will try to get a crash course.
Lod - was hoping you Longhorns could stop those Sooners on that field goal - actually, not bad getting out w/just a field goal. It feels weird to yell for Texas, but I think I should given the game's against OK. So today, I am a Longhorn (God, it hurts to say that!)
my nails are also shot. So far today I have been mowing, weed pulling, moving flower beds, rocks etc.
guess I need a extra long poncho to cover my hands!
back to work!
I've been doing errands and listening in the truck - sounds like UT's defense is doing all that they can.
Evidently, OU's great freshman running back was coming here, until last year's debacle in Dallas.
I'm very glad not to care about sports any longer - what a time saver.
Cheers, K.
J, d*mmit! Those Sooners are now ahead 12 to zip w/ 4 minutes and change left and I'm not a happy camper. tu needs an offense. You guys must get an offensive coach. Tomorrow. (of course, OU has a terrific team so maybe I'm being too picky but shoot, J, I expect tu to be the best, second only to my Aggies -- who will give you the game of your life over Thanksgiving!!!)
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