the


Checking


What’s Selling It’s a T-Shirt and Jeans Sort-of Season


With a return to simplicity, the shining stars of the moment in specialty retail are good ol’ T-shirts and jeans. Paired with the bell- bottom denim trend, the look feels very 1970s Sonny and Cher, perhaps signaling happier times. “Every woman wears T-shirts, so they’re the easiest to sell. It’s the freshest way to make a change for your wardrobe,” said Valerie Chittick, owner of Domby in Iowa City, IA. Cost-conscious consumers can “buy a few fresh T-shirts in a new color” and feel like “you have a new outfit,” she added.


DOMBY


Iowa City, IA – 1 Location Valerie Chittick, Owner and president


Top Sellers, Womens: Vince sweaters ($275) and striped T-shirts ($88), Jarbo T-Shirts ($99), Nicole Miller and Cynthia Steffe dresses


4 4 4 4 5 3


The Goods: T-Shirts are flying off the shelves at Domby, with Jarbo’s origami- detailed confection and striped offerings by Vince leading the charge. “Vince sweaters are being layered with striped shirts to give them a fresh spring look,” said Chittick, who is seeing shoppers complete the look with white jeans from Vince and Paige Premium Denim ($189). The Vince Paper Leather Drape-Front Jacket ($995) is a hit in vanilla because the brand’s “leathers are just so buttery.”


ECCO


Burlington, VT – 1 location Jennifer Schroeder, Manager and buyer


2 1 1 2


West, yet Hall is “really excited about the flare coming back for spring.” Hudson denim is one of the store’s best sellers, touted for its ability to make


the butt look great. As with most consumers, Hall’s following, ranging in age from 20 to 60, is on a constant search for


“comfort, great washes and of course, amazing fit.”


THE PORCUPINE


soft pastels like sage and coral are huge, as is white, said Schroeder. They are paired with perfect denim, like best-seller DL 1961 (known for its 4-way stretch that doesn’t sag, bag or stretch out, according to the firm), and a pair of boots, making for a popular Northeast look. Turning to dress season, BCBG and Suzi Chin are expected to be winners. Frocks priced around $200 are a “pretty easy sale,” according to Schroeder, while “anything over $300 is tougher.”


HEM JEANS


Top Sellers, Womens: Michael Stars T-shirts ($40-$60), AG skinny and petite jeans ($148- $188), DL 1961 denim ($158)


Top Sellers, Mens: Joe’s Jeans and Seven For All Mankind, both in relaxed and straight leg ($168)


The Goods: Michael Stars tees in


Austin, TX – 1 location Alison Dawson, Manager


Top Sellers, Womens: Hudson jeans (around $200) and both J Brand skinny and wide-leg styles (around $200)


Top Sellers, Mens: J Brand and AG denim


3


Hilton Head, SC – 1 location Karen Curry, Sales associate


The Goods:


“All we sell is premium denim. People feel like it’s an invest- ment,” said Dawson. Unlike a trendy top, “denim is a wardrobe staple here in Austin, almost like a little black dress.” J Brand is a best-seller for men and women at the shop because “they just do a great job with washes and fits,” according to Dawson. “They are very consistent, universally consistent.”


KALIFORNIA JEAN BAR


Tahoe City, Truckee and Mill Valley, CA; Reno, NV – 4 locations


Christy Hall, Owner


Top Sellers, Womens: Hudson Baby Boot in “All You Need is Love” ($198) and AG Adriano Goldschmied


The Goods: Skinny is still selling best out


4 Top Sellers, Womens:


Brands including Elizabeth & James, Tory Burch, Nicole Miller, Lafayette 148, Diane von Furstenberg, Milly and Bailey 44


The Goods: “People are liking jackets and lots of color” for spring, per Curry. Wrap dresses in orange, red and pink hues by DVF are popular, as are bright Milly color combinations. Michael Stars T-Shirts in white, black and gray “always sell really well,” while navy is also coming on strong for spring. Denim is dominated by CJ by Cookie Johnson ($150), wife of Magic Johnson, who markets jeans for women with “real bodies.” The store just got in an assortment of J Brand 70’s inspired bell- bottoms, which are expected to sell well at $178.


5


Suzanne Blecher


10 specialtyinsider.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32