stylish outerwear options contour and complete

Forty-year-old Joyce keeps to a strict shopping ritual every six months. In April, she's on the prowl for the most flattering bathing suit. In October, she is intent on finding the latest and greatest in outerwear. "A coat or jacket is probably the most obvious expression of one's style, so shouldn't you give it a great deal of thought?" the marketing executive ponders.

According to experts, Joyce will have plenty of stylish options to select from this season. She and women everywhere can expect to see classic and traditional silhouettes like pea coats, trenches, tweeds, puffer jackets and vests, casual parkas and updated denim jackets; alongside newer offerings like modern swing coats, military-inspired jackets and belted, form-flattering overcoats. But those in the know encourage outerwear shoppers to think beyond just a jacket or coat; a style savvy shopper should also look to include a fashionable capelet on her must-have list."

And women will be shopping. According to a survey conducted by the Cotton Incorporated's Lifestyle Monitor in the second quarter of 2005, 55.4% of women related that they "like" or "love" shopping. One in four women are even willing to pay full price to get what they want, when they want it. When asked when they bought the latest styles, 26.1% of women stated it was at the beginning of the season. One can imagine if the outwear offerings are as sensational as promised, that this number will rise.

"There are so many items to choose from this season that every woman will find something that she loves in outerwear," offers Linda DeFranco, senior trend forecaster for Cotton Incorporated. "Look for the layering trend to continue with heavier and trans-seasonal pieces being mixed and matched for ladylike effect."

"The bottom line is that everything in outerwear, from the most basic to the most luxurious this season, can be worn with jeans," advises Lynn Cohen, proprietor of Runway, a chic shopping destination in Manhattan's Soho and Flatiron Districts. And for most women, that's a critical factor. According to the Lifestyle Monitor, nearly three-quarters of women said that they "love" or "enjoy" wearing denim. She continues, "Outerwear with cinched waists and belts will complement and complete some very fashionable and sophisticated looks."

That philosophy is precisely why Ya-Ya Clothing began offering coats and jackets four seasons ago. "Outerwear should be a continuation of what you are wearing for the day; it should have that same feeling," shares Lauren Walker, a spokesperson for the fashionable collection sold at upscale retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Shopbop.com.

There is a decided emphasis on silhouette in outerwear and femininity reigns supreme this season. "The cut is fitted through the body and slightly flared at the bottom," continues Walker. "Some of our best sellers in outerwear have a cinched waist, a slight peplum or a fluted bell sleeve; these accents are critical," echoes Cohen from Runway. Alle Fister, stylist from ShopBop.com, a fashionable web destination, adds, "I love all of the belted jackets this season; it's a great way to give your body some shape. In cold climates where people are wearing lots of layers, a belted jacket gives great contour." That's good news since, according the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor, 50% of women believe that current styles do not flatter them.

Outerwear offerings will also show a difference in the details. "Denim jackets are lightly embellished with vintage tapestry and semi-precious stones," Cohen relates. "This season it's not placed heavily on the collar or the cuff, but on the pockets and on the back in a very subtle way." But collars and cuffs still get their due on some traditional silhouettes, asserts Sean Krebs, spokesperson for Gap. "For the colder winter months, Gap offers two updated versions of the classic trench. One is a cropped cotton trench and the other is a wool herringbone double-breasted trench. They both have a detachable faux collar which gives them versatility and polish."

Designer Lauren Moffatt reasserts the importance of the cape and its evolution from last year's ponchos and shrugs. "The roundness of this particular silhouette is a new trend; it is longer than the shrug of last fall and more shapely than the poncho. The capelet for this season has no actual sleeves, which adds to the newness of the look. It's a terrific alternative to the traditional fall coat or jacket."

Versatility is an important factor in outerwear, emphasizes Lisa Erickson, spokesperson for Seattle-based Eddie Bauer. "With the weather so unpredictable on any given day, your choice of outerwear is critical," she tells. "I always pick something that can withstand a swift change in temperature." The retailer is known for its offering of quilted down jackets and vests, which have been updated for 2005 in bright colors and patterns.

Neutral palettes also play an important role in outerwear options this season. "It's all very natural," surmises DeFranco, the trend observer, "There are of course camels, grays and blacks, some nice greens, plums, burgundies and teals. There are also plenty of tweeds."

"With all these options and choices, I feel like a kid in a candy store," enthuses Joyce, our avid shopper. "And outerwear shopping is so much better than bathing suit shopping!"

This story is one in a series of articles based on findings from Cotton Incorporated's Lifestyle Monitor tracking research. Each story will focus on a specific topic as it relates to the American women's wear consumer and her attitudes and behavior regarding clothing, appearance, fashion, fiber selection and many other timely, relevant subjects.

Publisher: cotton inc
A research and promotion company funded by US cotton producers and importers of cotton goods into the United States designed and operated to build demand for cotton in the US market and for US cotton in world markets.
Published: October 2005
Region: usa

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