Types of Fashion and Trends Back to Table of Contents
Chapter 5 Types of Fashion and Trends Types of Fashion and Trends Types of Fashion The Fashion Cycle 2
Chapter Objectives Identify the types of fashion products. Explain the main categories of fashion apparel. Identify the classifications of fashion apparel categories. Explain the fashion cycle. Discuss the role of fashion leaders. Identify the different theories of fashion movement. Discuss the difference between fashion trends and fads. 3
Types of Fashion Products Manufacturers make a variety of lines. lines groups of styles and designs produced and sold as a set of related products for a given season Section 5.1 4
Types of Fashion Products The two main types of product lines are hardlines and softlines. hardlines lines of products that are non-textile, such as small and large appliances, home accessories, and items not made of fabric softlines lines of products made from textiles that include apparel and household items such as towels, table linens, and bedding Section 5.1 5
Types of Apparel Apparel is categorized by groups women s wear, men s wear, and infants and children s wear. apparel term used for clothing, as in personal attire or garments Apparel producers designate a certain product number to represent each style of apparel. Section 5.1 6
Types of Accessories Producers present accessories in two seasonal lines each year. accessories fashion items that are added to complete or enhance outfits Most accessories are softlines. All accessories are categorized with soft goods. Section 5.1 7
Home Furnishings Fashion trends in the home furnishings industry move at a slower pace than those in the apparel industry. home furnishings the fashion category that includes textiles used to furnish and decorate the home, such as towels, linens, and bedding Section 5.1 8
Home Furnishings Categories of Home Furnishings Domestics Home Furnishings Floor Coverings Bed linens Bathroom items Table and kitchen linens Window treatments Upholstery furniture Throw pillows Carpeting Rugs Non-fabric floor tiles Section 5.1 Many apparel designers also produce home furnishing lines. 9
Categories and Classifications in Apparel The women s wear category represents the largest share of the apparel industry. The industry manufactures new lines for five different seasons each year. The retail life of a line is approximately ten weeks. Section 5.1 10
Categories and Classifications in Apparel Women s Apparel Classifications Sportswear separates Active wear Dresses Evening and bridal Maternity Outerwear Suits Swimwear/beachwear Intimate apparel Accessories Footwear Miscellaneous apparel Misses Women s Size Ranges Petite Women s Juniors Section 5.1 11
Categories and Classifications in Apparel Fashion marketers present new lines of men s apparel twice a year. Men s sportswear apparel makers show new sportswear lines four times a year. Section 5.1 12
Categories and Classifications in Apparel The fall/winter lines are the most important, followed by the spring/summer lines. Different seasons determine fabric weight. Section 5.1 13
Categories and Classifications in Apparel Men s Apparel Classifications Tailored apparel Heavy outerwear Furnishings Work clothing Sportswear Footwear Miscellaneous apparel Section 5.1 14
Categories and Classifications in Apparel There are three main production seasons for manufacturers of children s apparel: Pre-Fall Spring/Summer Winter/Holiday Section 5.1 15
Categories and Classifications in Apparel Licensing of children s apparel is big business. Safety trends affect the production of children s wear. Section 5.1 16
Categories and Classifications in Apparel Infants and Children s Wear Classifications Infant Toddler Young children Girls Boys Section 5.1 17
Variety of Fashion Categories and classifications of fashion products allow producers and retailers to more efficiently make, market, and sell fashion to consumers. Section 5.1 18
5.1 1. What are the three main merchandise categories of apparel? 2. What are the size classifications for women s clothing? 3. How is children s clothing classified? Section 5.1 19
Changing Fashions The consumer dictates the fashions that are produced. Producers must be able to respond to the everchanging movement of demand. Section 5.2 20
The Fashion Cycle To better understand the different phases of the fashion cycle, it is important to understand style, acceptance, and timeliness of fashions. fashion cycle the period of time or life span during which the fashion exits, moving through stages, from introduction through obsolescence Section 5.2 21
The Fashion Cycle Not only does a design go through phases during its cycle of existence, but special features, such as color, texture, and fabric, also go through fashion cycles. Section 5.2 22
The Fashion Cycle 2 Rise 3 Peak 4 Decline 1 Introduction Acceptance 5 Obsolescence Time The length of time that a particular fashion remains in any of the stages of the life cycle depends on the consumer s willingness to accept the fashion. Section 5.2 23
Fashion Movement There are many factors that can affect fashion movement. fashion movement the ongoing motion of fashion moving through the fashion cycle Economic and social New fibers and fabrics Advertising techniques Section 5.2 24
Fashion Movement Fashion leaders start the upward climb of the fashion cycle. Media celebrities often set the fashion cycles in motion. fashion leaders trendsetters, or individuals who are the first to wear new styles, after which the fashion is adopted by the general public Section 5.2 25
Fashion Movement Three theories of fashion movement identify the starting point of a fashion trend: fashion trend the direction of the movement of fashion that is accepted in the marketplace Trickle-Down Theory Trickle-Up Theory Trickle-Across Theory Section 5.2 26
Fashion Movement The trickle-down theory is the oldest and most accepted theory of fashion change. As more people begin to wear popular fashions, those at the top become less interested and begin to look for something new. trickle-down theory a hypothesis that states the movement of fashion starts at the top with consumers of higher socioeconomic status Section 5.2 27
Fashion Movement The trickle-up theory is the opposite of the trickle-down theory. Examples include: Athletic apparel style Hair style Punk style trickle-up theory a hypothesis that states the movement of fashion starts with consumers on lower-income levels and then moves to consumers with higher incomes Section 5.2 28
Fashion Movement The trickle-across theory is especially probable in the 21 st century because technology allows designer fashion to be copied quickly and easily. trickle-across theory a hypothesis stating that fashion acceptance begins among several socioeconomic classes at the same time Section 5.2 29
Fashion Movement Trickle-Down Theory Consumers with high socioeconmic status Trickle-Up Theory Consumers with higher incomes Trickle-Across Theory Acceptance comes from several groups at the same time Trend Trend Trend General public Consumers with lower incomes Section 5.2 30
Fashion Trends vs. Fads A fad can be recognized by its sudden appearance and disappearance. fad a fashion that is popular for a very short time However, a trend can be a fad that has stood the test of time. Section 5.2 31
Changing Fashions The flux of consumer approval creates trends and fads and keeps the fashion industry an exciting and dynamic business. Section 5.2 32
What s Hot, What s Not Online Operating newsletters an e-tail are business a great way on an to electronic keep up-to-date channel the on latest Web can fashion be news costly, and due trends. to design, Subscribers delivery, can returns, receive and updates operating from expenses. favorite fashion houses. When Though subscribers Many larger enroll, dot-com they give companies information crashed about in the themselves 1990 s, small and stores permission like Harris to receive Cyclery product of West updates. Newton, Massachusetts, actually increase sales using a basic Web With this information, the newsletter producers develop site. Today, a third of Harris s bicycle business rides in on subscriber the Web mailing to get hard-to-find lists that provide parts and marketers personal access service. to specific demographic groups. Describe an e-business s home page to your class after viewing one through marketingseries.glencoe.com. For more information, go to marketingseries.glencoe.com. Section 5.2 33
5.2 1. What are the five stages of the fashion cycle? 2. What are three theories of how fashions become popular? 3. What is the difference between a fashion trend and a fashion fad? Section 5.2 34
Checking Concepts 1. Name the main types of product lines. 2. Identify the categories of fashion apparel. 3. Identify how retailers designate each style of apparel. 4. List types of fashion accessories. continued 1. 2. 3. 4. Categories They Types main designate of fashion product of a lines fashion certain accessories are number apparel hardlines, include to such include represent items as such women s non-textile each as home style footwear, of men s accessories, apparel. wear, infants handbags, softlines, wear, and such as children s headwear, textile items wear. scarves, such neckties, as apparel jewelry, and gloves, linens. and hosiery. 35
Checking Concepts 5. Explain the rise stage of the fashion cycle. 6. Define the term fashion leaders. 7. Explain the trickle-down theory of fashion movement. 5. 6. 7. During Fashion The trickle-down the leaders rise stage, are theory trendsetters, fashions is a or become individuals hypothesis accepted who that are by the states more first the to people wear because new movement styles, they of after can afford which fashion them. starts fashion Mass at the is production adopted top with consumers by reduces the the public. of higher price of socioeconomic so status. more the fashion sales occur. continued 36
Critical Thinking Checking Concepts 8. Discuss how a fashion fad might become a fashion trend. 8. A trend can be a fad that has stood the test of time. 37
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