Merchandise buyers know their basic commodity lines — product inventory demanded by loyal customers. Savvy buyers also hawk latest trends, to supplement the basics and pad profit margins.
Spring offers 3 good reasons to go buy-sell trend stalking:
(1) International fashion shows have showcased latest upscale trends, which start filtering down to all price points.
(2) Buyers and Sellers prepare for major trade shows racked up on February’s wholesale calendar … from smart-price sourcing at Off-Price Specialist Show, to every price-point opportunities at shows focused on gifts, housewares and men’s, women’s and children’s apparel.
(3) Jewelry and accessories buyers start negotiating the most in-demand Valentine’s Day gifts.
Here are Hottest Trends for Spring 2009: Fashion-savvy apparel and accessories styles, including tips on Valentine’s Day jewelry and gifts.
1. Jewelry Is Larger, Bolder, More Romantic
Latest-style Spring 2009 jewelry appears both on runway models for Dior, Givenchy, Chanel and Swarovski, as well as in value-price jewelry collections that run Under $30 retail. The common thread is SCALE: Chunky, large beads … extra long and multi-layered chain necklaces … over-sized enamel flower brooches … huge hoop-and-bead earrings … and Vintage Romance jewelry (heart and locket charms, pins, pendants) that run to super-sized.
· Multiple chains, chokers and layered bangle bracelets piled up necks and arms.
· Chunky wooden, crystal, metallic and ceramic beads strung as pendants or earrings.
· Heart-shaped Lockets and Bracelet Charms run to XXL sizes, often embossed or engraved with hearts and flowers.
· Loooong, tiered chandelier/candelabrum dangle earrings, some reaching the shoulders.
· Semi-precious stone stretch bracelets, strung with chunks of turquoise, lapis, cubic zirconia, polished wood and etched metal beads.
· Vintage style brooches with inset crystals and stone, provided they’re scaled UP in size.
See a list of Jewelry Wholesalers from Top Ten Wholesale. Search their Valentine Gift Jewelry and Latest Styles collections.
2. Bejeweled Clothing
“Jewel-encrusted clothing is certain to become a Spring 2009 trend,” noted Veronica Valter of Million Looks fashion trend watchers. As a replacement for added jewelry, look for crystals, precious stone and glass beadwork as embellishment on evening dresses, skirts, jackets, belts, shoes and accessories.
See wholesalers of Evening Gowns and Formal Wear for women.
3. Latest Retro Belts and Accessories
The latest belt trend – doubled belts, wrestler belts — is one of the few accessories trends that originated in men’s fashion, and has now been adopted by women.
· Belted this year means Doubled …
Double Belting Spring 2009
Or double-triple wrap-around belts.
· Latest Feminine Retro style brings back the narrow “wasp” waist, shown to advantage in wide corset and wrestler’s belts that are now made of denim and metallic materials.
· A fashionista trend seen on Haute Couture catwalks this past fall was wide corset belts topped with a narrow leather or stone-encrusted belt … another kind of Double Belt.
· Retro Accessories gaining fashion favor include nostalgic fringe … for Winter boots and footwear; for Spring belts and handbags.
Grommet Fringe Purse
Search out suppliers of Women’s Accessories from Top Ten Wholesale, and check out the Latest Retro or Nostalgia styles.
4. Folk, Ethnic and Fairy Tale Women’s Wear
· North American and African patterned dresses and casual wear are coming on strong in 2009, featuring folk motifs, bright spatter prints and bold wide stripes or floral fabrics.
· Ethnic-style accessories feature beading, fringe and tooled leather handbags and belts in bright colors; multiple layers of chain or bead necklaces and long intricate dangle earrings.
· A simultaneous trend in women’s dresses includes: Romantic stylings, such as halter top, one-shoulder and Greek Goddess toga wraps. Sheer gauzy fabrics, including chiffon and fishnet. Soft colors and floral prints … some asymmetric, all large-scale patterns.
See sellers of Women’s Dresses and Nostalgia Wear from the Top Ten Wholesale apparel directory.
5. Taking Our Mind Off Money With Metallics
The author of Chic Chocolate fashion blog – for Fashionistas, Stylistas, Urbanistas in D.C. and Beyond – speculates that “when the economy is in the tank, designers seem to come up with
the most colorful and optimistic fashions.” Meaning she intends to incorporate new trends into her wardrobe “on the cheap.”
· Look for more shiny, metallic fabric dresses, pants and even outerwear in the coming season.
· Metallic styles launched a couple of seasons ago for handbags, shoes and make up. What is newest La Moda is seeing the sheen of metallic fabrics everywhere else. Including outerwear:
Metallic Trench Coat
· By the same fashion logic, look for semi-precious stones, copper and silver threads, rhinestones and other “Bling” as adornments to belts, footwear, dresses, jackets and handbags. Bright shiny objects are not simply “jewelry” anymore.