Fashion the perfect pick-me-up, say experts

Reuters via Yahoo ^ | September 13, 2005

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fashion isn't as frivolous as it may seem in these troubled times, experts say. In fact, the gentle, comforting colors showing up in the newest collections may be just what we need.

The colors in clothes for next spring, being paraded down the runways in nearly 200 fashion shows this week in New York, are soft and muted. Nothing is terribly bright, nor is anything terribly dark, note industry experts and insiders.

"I think spring is trying to be cheerful in a low-key way," said David Wolfe, creative director of The Doneger Group, a fashion and merchandising company.

Consumers are struggling with concerns over the world's woes since the attacks of September 11, 2001, including the war in Iraq, fears of terrorism, the Asian tsunami and, now, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the experts note.

"As a society, we're doomed to living with depressing news," Wolfe said. "But we can take a little happy pill when we go shopping. A little color makes us feel better."

The colors are homey and soothing, said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Designers are calling purple plum, while green is thyme, pink is blush, yellow is buttercup and blue is cornflower.

Then there's clove and espresso and earth and ginger and raffia and pecan -- all of which are some sort of brown.

So homey are some looks that designer Carolina Herrera trotted out a "coffee bean" bikini with "radish detail," and Betsey Johnson showed a "mint chocolate" -- pale green and brown -- baby doll dress.

NURTURING QUALITIES

Then there's the popular French vanilla, which is half yellow, half cream, said Eiseman.

"It's an ice cream color," she said. "It's that nurturing quality.

"There is a soft, soothing message coming this spring," she said. "We want to get away from the chaos."

The most striking palette for spring is barely there, said Joan Kaner, senior vice president and women's fashion director of Neiman Marcus.

In particular, she said, there is a preponderance of white, ivory, ecru and beige, with "a pop of apricot or blue" as accent.

Kaner said she expects clothes-conscious consumers will love what they see because fashion makes us feel hopeful.

"You get so depressed by the world situation, you want to bring some beauty into your life," she said.

And just how did designers, who have been putting these looks together for the better part of a year, know what we would find appealing?

"Maybe we just expect something is lurking under the surface," said Eiseman. "Certainly after 9/11, that feeling has not gone away. It's in our collective psyche. It still feels like something terrible could happen."

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

I was just wondering what the heck we were going to do in order to get ready for the next big crisis. Looks like we're all set.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Run up the old credit card to cheer yourself up. What a great idea.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

This absolutely precious.

[KarlInOhio]

"Maybe we just expect something is lurking under the surface," said Eiseman. "Certainly after 9/11, that feeling has not gone away. It's in our collective psyche. It still feels like something terrible could happen."

Something terrible and earthshattering like people deciding that last year's clothes still look pretty good and don't need to be replaced yet again.

[L98Fiero]

"...said David Wolfe, creative director of The Doneger Group..."

Wow, who would think a fashion merchandising exec would be encouraging people to buy fashions.

Next thing you know they will be interviewing Ben & Jerry on the benefits of eating ice cream.

[michigander]

Guess that explains this.(?)

[apackof2]

Yup, buying a new blouse made me forget all about 9-11 (/sarcasm)

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

LOL! I guess so! And to think that a lot of us just thought they were misusing the funds they had been given!

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

I notice the sarcasm tag there -- but if you had bought the right color of blouse, you might have felt different.

[Lou L]

Fashion isn't as frivolous as it may seem in these troubled times,

I guess they're the "glass is half-full" kind of crowd.

[michigander]

Silly us eh?
I feel like such an idiot for trying to convince my wife that we should get a reasonable sized, self-contained travel trailer and a couple acres up north so if TSHTF locally we can get the hell out of here.

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Yep. I guess I'll be scuttling my "get out of town" plan too. I was even going to buy a rifle.

[Peter vE]

I was even going to buy a rifle.

Haven't you heard? Gun metal is soooooo 2004!

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Maybe I can get something with "a pop of apricot."

[Millee]

"mint chocolate" -- pale green and brown -- baby doll dress.

I'm sorry, but unless you're Betsy Wetsy leave the baby doll dress at home. As a matter of fact, wear whatever you're most comfortable in. Even if it's a primary color (gasp) in the springtime.

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

As a matter of fact, wear whatever you're most comfortable in. Even if it's a primary color (gasp) in the springtime.

Gasp, indeed. Do that, and the terrorists win.

[apackof2]

I'll have to remember that for the next disaster

[Mr. Jeeves]

Hey, I found pissant the perfect pick-me-up suit! ;)

[pissant]

You look good. Though I had no idea you were black. ;o)

[Mr. Jeeves]

I've actually been getting that stupid International Male catalog...I think one of my enemies put me on their mailing list. ;)