[MinuteGal]

I disagree with your disagreement, LOL. The fashion market is NOT dictated by the consumer.

You may not know it, but the day of the smaller women's wearing apparel stores (non-chain) has almost disappeared. The owner/buyers of these little shops were always more sensitive to womens' needs and wants in ready-to-wear.

When we ladies walk into a chain or a department store, what you sees on the racks is what you gets. You buy from their selections, or go naked. They never take customer surveys. They don't care. They work on volume.

If we women had control over what's sold in ladies wear, skirts would hang straight, seams and hems would be fuller, bathing suits and lingerie would have more support for the mature woman, sizing would be more uniform, more slacks and pants suits lengths would be proportioned, shoes wouldn't scuff up after two wearings....and on and on.

No, even with purchasing power, the average housewife or working woman has little say-so in the clothes sent to our local stores from the ga-ga designers and sweat shop sewing-center moguls in New York and China.

I'm fortunate to have a Dillard's nearby, where quality, style and selection is still excellent, but too many ladies are stuck with facing racks of uninspiring, yucky or teeny-bopper clothes whenever it's time for new threads.

Leni

[johnny7]

You're arguing which comes first... the chicken or the egg. Popularity dictates everytime.

[samiam1972]

You are so right!!

The main problem I have is I am not quite petite but regular clothes are definitely too long. The few times I do head for the petite department I always cringe at what is there. I guess they think only little old ladies are petite. I enjoy younger fashion but don't have the hips for it...or I guess I should say, have too much hip action. I love the way J. Jill clothes fit, unfortunately, I don't have a J. Jill budget!! Even their sale racks are kind of pricey. *sigh* ;-)

[Smokin' Joe]

The fashion market is NOT dictated by the consumer. You may not know it, but the day of the smaller women's wearing apparel stores (non-chain) has almost disappeared. The owner/buyers of these little shops were always more sensitive to womens' needs and wants in ready-to-wear. When we ladies walk into a chain or a department store, what you sees on the racks is what you gets. You buy from their selections, or go naked. They never take customer surveys. They don't care. They work on volume.

You are describing the effect WalMart had on our town. Now the ladies in town are down to a few bridal shops and their (Walmart's)clothes racks or very expensive boutiques.

Thankfully, there are still a couple of surviving farm supply stores where a guy can get a real shirt, but if I want to buy a suit (rarely wear them) I have to go elsewhere, and that is at least 120 miles away.

[Polybius]

The fashion market is NOT dictated by the consumer.

It is dictated by gay men which is why runway models look like 13 year old boys.