Shopping Tips Online

It’s amazing. What goes around comes around in the fashion world, but nothing seems to come and go as much as legwear. Back in December, I wrote “The five things pantyhose are really good for”, which did not include wearing them. At that time, there were reports that hosiery sales had been steadily falling for over 10 years. Hanesbrands were reporting a 68% sales drop in the 6 years from ‘95 to ‘06. Which would make a company droop like a saggy pair of nylons.

But, things have apparently changed. Women’s Wear Daily reported yesterday that “The legwear industry has a heartbeat again.” [Topic: Seems a bit of a mixed metaphor. I would have said, "The legwear industry is alive and kicking." Discuss.]

The NPD Group reported that sales of tights shot up 26.9 percent, to $104.4 million, from January through November 2006, reversing a double-digit decline in 2005. Even sheer hosiery enjoyed an uptick of 5.2 percent, to $916.4 million.

How did this happen? First, the comeback of those footless legging thingys in full- or capri-lengths, and regular old opaque tights. Dresses were huge, which they say is a contributing factor as well. You can always tell when something is going to come back around – when you’ve gone seasons with the fashionistas shouting “bare legs!” suddenly a covered leg looks newer and more modern. For fall ‘07, designers are showing covered legs, and according to this report those include sweatery knits in everything from cotton to wool to cashmere. Lagerfeld for Chanel showed black tights under dresses as shown here.

I have a confession to make. I have never stopped wearing tights. Sheer hosiery have always been my enemy – heavier, opaque tights can stand some tugging and not shred. I love opaque tights. Being a Midwesterner, I love the way they keep my little legs warm in the winter with my cute skirts and heels or boots.

And this is just between us, I am probably going to have to try a pair of the footless tights. I keep absently fondling them when I’m shopping. I think I may be able to pull them off under a skirt with some ballet flats. Who knows. At the very least I can relive the ’80s and wear them with a huge oversized tunic and a big belt. Around the house, that is.

Tights. The new bare legs. Check it out.

Tights, Leggings, Hosiery, Women’s Wear Daily, Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel

If your sofa is getting a bit tattered (like mine) and your dining chairs have seen better days, now may be the time to start shopping for replacements. According to an article on Bloomberg.com, companies in the home furnishings market have been reducing prices or offering free shipping as a reaction to slow sales and reduced profit forecasts. Macy’s, Pottery Barn and Home Depot and Ethan Allen are a few stores that are mentioned in the article.

Because of the slump in the housing market, people have not been buying household items. Also, Americans are not taking cash equity out of their homes, which leaves them with little extra cash for furniture or other household goods.

A record 19 percent of consumers reported putting on hold purchases of $500 or more in December, according to a survey of 1,000 Americans by Charleston, South Carolina-based America’s Research Group.

But, now could be the best time to jump on these promotional deals. I went over to Pottery Barn’s site to check it out for myself, and there are several tempting offers, including a “buy more save more” special on shipping costs, as well as discounted delivery on certain furniture sets. Checking out their clearance room, I found this rattan chair marked down from $249 to $99.

If you can free up some cash, you might consider replacing your furniture now, while the deals are hot. With what you’ll save, you may be able to get more for the money.

Furniture, Housing Market, Bloomberg.com, Pottery Barn, Home Depot

I have been a Coach customer for a long, long time. I purchased my first bag with my own money in the mid-eighties, and felt like it was a rite of passage. I was finally beyond department store brands – I owned a Coach bag. Built to last forever. Leather that just looked expensive. And a style that was classic. I still have that bag, and I still carry it now and then. It’s so nostalgic. I’m sure I don’t own as many Coach products as some people, and more than others. I currently own five Coach handbags, one zip-top makeup bag, two wallets and a key fob. My latest handbag is shown here, a Christmas gift from The Bob.

My nose started turning up at Coach when they introduced their signature fabric some years back. I was aghast at the wild colors. How dare they change? British tan forever! When they added other accessories I became worried. What were they doing to “my Coach?”

It has taken me a while, but now I get it. They were about creating a successful brand, and a lifestyle, that was in step with what consumers really want now. Viva Coach! A Coach leather key fob shaped like a monkey? How fun! Bring it on!

But now, I am worried for a different reason. According to some analysts, Coach may have become “too popular.” According to this article in Business Week, Coach’s second quarter fiscal sales were phenomenal. Mind blowing. Off the chart. Record breaking. “Sales at stores open at least a year soared a whopping 25.7%, leading to a 31% increase in profit.”

How is that a bad thing? According to the report, most of the surge in sales was from discount factory stores. Not their primary retail outlets. People want Coach bags at a low price, and are willing to buy last year’s styles or even irregular items just to have the little dangly tag that says “Coach.”

Retail investors remember how Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger lost the shine on their images when they flooded the discount market. Image is clearly an issue among upscale brands. Tiffany’s (TIF), for instance, decided to increase the price on its hugely popular silver jewelry items, fearing that huge sales will tarnish its upscale image.

As scary as that sounds, there are analysts on the other side saying that Coach knows what they’re doing. Their growth is based on solid consumer research – giving consumers what they want now, and what they’ll want three months from now. Let’s hope. Because I’m lobbying hard for another Coach handbag from The Bob.

Coach, Coach Handbags, Coach Sales, Coach Stores

Gap Inc. announced yesterday that CEO Paul Pressler is “stepping down” from his position as well effective immediately. Here’s the Gap’s official release. Robert J. Fischer, the son of the Gap’s founder Don Fisher is taking over the position in an interum basis, while they search for a replacement.

Pressler has been criticized for his inability to turn the company’s sales around in his four years as it’s head. He was recruited from Disney, which you would think would be a good thing. After all, Disney is another big brand. But, some people believe this experience would not give him the merchandising perspective the Gap needed. According to this article in the San Francisco Chronicle, Pressler added needed infrastructure, but didn’t address other merchandising issues.

Pressler was also responsible for overseeing the remodeling of stores in Gap’s top retail markets as a way to draw customers back to the brand. In 2005, he introduced a new retail concept, Forth & Towne, geared at women 35 and up. In autumn, he unveiled Piperlime, an online shoe store. But these efforts have not lifted Gap out of its slump.

Everyone was very nicey-nice in the official news release, with Fisher praising Pressler’s dedication and leadership, stating that he had, “meaningfully improved its operations, strengthened its balance sheet, greatly enhanced its on-line presence across the brand portfolio and improved its standing as a global corporate citizen.”

Pressler had nicey-nice things to say about the Gap, too. “I have enjoyed the opportunity to lead this iconic company over the past four years. It has been a pleasure to work with the management team and such talented people throughout the organization.” And why not? According to the release, Pressler has a tidy severance coming to him. Over the next 2 years he will make up to $14 MILLION in salary, bonuses and stock options if he doesn’t accept other employment or compensation. And, he gets to keep his health insurance to boot. Huh. Take over leadership of the Gap. Fail to turn their slumping sales around. Get canned four years later and take $14 million. Not a bad gig, I’d say.

With everything going on in leadership at the Gap, I wonder if this is the beginning of the end. I hate to see it happen.

So, people, send your resumé and salary history to…

Gap, Pressler, Fisher, Gap President Leaving

I have to psych myself up for a trip to Wal-Mart. I try to plan trips when there are specific things I need, because usually it’s a very draining experience. The parking lot is perpetually packed and the crowd gets to me. It’s usually worth it when I go because of the savings, but it’s just not a relaxing experience.

Apparently, the company has had what they call “Neighborhood Markets” in certain areas of the country for about 10 years. Now they are redesigining these stores to reflect what they are learning from consumers about what they need and want.

With 112 stores already operating across the U.S., the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market is the company’s youngest store concept (introduced less than 10 years ago), providing consumers the Wal-Mart value in a smaller, convenient “neighborhood�? store format. The concept brings grocery, pharmacy and health and beauty together in a convenient, customer-friendly experience.

The new design gives each department it’s own feel, sort of a “store within a store” with warm colors and softer lighting. These photos are from the opening of the new concept store in Tulsa, Oklahoma on January 17th. They have expanded and redesigned the beauty department, for a completely new, more upscale look. The deli and bakery are also revamped to focus more on freshness.

It’s interesting. After years and years of big stores getting bigger, Wal-Mart is now finding out that consumers like me may sometimes prefer a smaller store. It’s less stressful, feels more convenient, and if it offers the same value as the big stores then I would definitely make more frequent trips. Pretty smart.

Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market, New Retail Concepts

SeenON is the latest in a number of sites out there that are celebrity-clothing-obsessed, but this one is a little different. It is a resource for finding the exact products you see on your favorite TV or movie characters or celebrities. This site gets its information directly from networks and studios, so it’s not the top “like” Bree Van De Kamp was wearing in that episode, it’s “the” top she was wearing.

More than clothing, the site features everything from furniture to cars, with links to the sites where you can make the purchase. They also gather available fan apparel and accessories, so you can find the Dwight bobblehead doll or your Heroes T-shirt, too.

One note. The site, launched in Novenber, may may still be working out some bugs. I tried clicking on a top from the ABC store, and instead of taking me to a product page, the link took me to the shopping cart, which was empty. I had to click around on ABC to find the products page, and then still wasn’t able to locate this top that I found on SeenOn. On the other hand, I did the same thing with the “famous” Martha Stewart handmade poncho, and was able to get right to the product ordering page.

Write yourself into an episode of Desperate Housewives, be a guest on Martha’s show – or at least look the part. Check out SeenOn.com.

Desperate Housewives, Martha Stewart, SeenOn, Celebrity Fashion

It’s very hip to be up on the latest flavors, whether you’re a gourmet cook or just like to sprinkle a little something on your microwave popcorn. McCormick®, the spices, seasonings and flavors company, just released their top 10 flavor trends for 2007. And you might find them surprising. The combinations are intriguing, with a sweet taste combined with either a salty, smoky, bitter or sour herb or spice, hitting the tongue in different places.

Their top ten are:

Clove and Green Apple – Crisp, refreshing, and warm, this healthful pair is an ideal accent to light flavors and foods.
Crystallized Ginger & Salted Pistachio – The palate-pleasing combination of salty and sweet goes upscale with this pairing.
Thyme & Tangerine – When thyme and tangerine come together, the result is, at once, sweet and savory.
Cumin & Apricot – Cumin and apricot are a perfect example of the yin/yang nature of flavor pairings.
Tellicherry Black Pepper & Berry – The distinct flavor of black pepper becomes twice as nice when paired with berry.
Toasted Mustard & Fennel Seeds – When mustard and fennel seeds join forces, the result is a mighty punch of flavor and texture.
Sea Salt & Smoked Tea – This chic coupling is the next evolution of the classic salt and smoke combination.
Wasabi & Maple – The ultimate in sweet heat, watch out when wasabi and maple team up!

Recipes are provided for each flavor profile. I may have to try the Ginger-Pistachio Crusted Chicken with Tangerine Sauce or the Peppered Filet Mignon with Blackberry Sauce.

I think what’s interesting about McCormick’s forecast is that these flavor pairings are not specifically ethnic, that is they are not “Southwest” or “Asian” or “Mexican.” Rather, they are fusions of flavors from different parts of the world. This could begin to make you think about making your own unique combinations, or taking a favorite recipe and putting a new spin on it.

There are many spice companies available online, so do a little surfing and see what you can find. McCormick products are available at most regular grocery stores, and some of their newer products are available to buy through their website.

Flavor Trends, McCormick, Spices, Herbs, Recipes

In 1969 Nixon was inaugurated president, the Mets beat Baltimore in the World Series and Midnight Cowboy won Best Picture and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Oh yeah, and the first Gap store opened in San Francisco.

Thirty-seven years later, we’re asking the question. Is the Gap still relevant?

In one of my previous articles I reported about the Gap’s holiday advertising, and the confusion it was causing among consumers. Fifteen year olds liked the hip-hop music but not the clothes, older consumers (like me) didn’t get either the ads or the clothes. While the commercial was popular, same store sales were tanking over the holiday season. The company reported a 4% drop in net sales for the five-week period ending December 30th compared to the same period in 05.

Now, the Gap is suffering from a major identity crisis, as this Washington Post article points out.

A 24-year-old shopper was quoted as saying, “I used to shop there, like, all the time when I was younger,” she said. But lately, “I haven’t really seen anything there that has jumped out at me.”

That’s been my experience, even though I am…ahem… slightly older. I love the Gap. I grew up with the Gap. It was cool stuff in a modern-slash-classic way. Back in the day, I used to wear their men’s jeans exclusively – I could get the length I needed, and they were just the right shade of blue. And that was super-cool. But I have noticed that now, more often than not, I leave the Gap without a shopping bag. The stuff is just too… I don’t know, young? Strange? Trendy? Have I fallen through the Gap?

The “Simple Idea�?

Don Fischer, founder of the Gap said, “I created Gap with a simple idea: to make it easier to find a pair of jeans. We remain committed to that basic principle.�? He stepped down as the company’s chairman of the board in 2003.

Poor Don. I think the current management has lost sight of his founding principle. Case in point. Women’s jeans: Fashion denim, boot cut curvy, boot cut original, flare curvy, flare long & lean, flare original, straight boyfriend, skinny fit, classic fit, reverse fit and cropped jeans. That’s eleven different fits. And the “fashion denim�? category has a dizzying array of jeans like drawstring, trouser cut, cargo… the list goes on. I can’t even go back to men’s jeans because it’s just as confusing. Slim, straight, loose straight, boot, loose boot, industrial, easy, relaxed, baggy and carpenter – ten styles of men’s jeans.

How is this making it easier for me to find jeans? It’s not simple. It’s frustrating and confusing. The company says the Gap brand stands for “iconic American style for customers of all ages.�? I think this may be a leftover brand positioning statement from an era when they actually knew who they were.

Time to Close the Gap?

Sadly, I just spent an hour walking around in our nearly-empty Gap, Gap Kids and Gap Body stores – they are closing this month. And they’re not the only closings coming. For 2006 Gap estimated opening 35 new Gap North America stores (U.S. and Canada), and closing 85. At the same time, they estimated opening 85 new Old Navy stores, while closing only 20 and opening 40 Banana Republics while closing only 10. Store closings are not always tied to performance, but in the case of recent closures, I would guess that low sales were more often the reason than not.

There are rumors circulating that the company is going on the block. No one from Gap will comment. However, they will admit that they are doing whatever it takes to turn the company around, and have hired Goldman Sachs to do a survey of both Gap and Old Navy brands. Paul Pressler, president and CEO of Gap Inc. said, “Given that we did not gain the traction we had expected, the management team, with the active involvement of our board of directors, is currently reviewing Gap and Old Navy’s brand strategies. We are committed to making the necessary changes to improve performance.�?

I’m Not Giving Up On You, Gap

Dear Gap: I know you didn’t ask me. But I am a consumer, a long-time customer, and I read and write about the retail business. So, I may not be qualified to address your financials, but I do have thoughts about what you could do to re-capture some of what you’ve lost. Here are my ideas: (more…)

Today Gap Inc. announced two major changes in management at Old Navy and Gap. On the heels of a rotten holiday season, and stinky sales overall since about 2004, this doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. The company just hired Goldman Sachs to do a review of both brands.

The president of Gap Adult, 47 year old Denise Johnston “is leaving the company” effective Friday. Old Navy’s Executive Vice President of Product Design, Ivy Ross “will leave the company” – for some reason she gets to stay until the 17th.

Expect more in-depth on this from me tomorrow.

Gap, Old Navy, Gap Inc., Gap Management Changes

In a magic kingdom everyone has magic stuff. Teapots that dance. Dressers that talk. Clothes that fly around by themselves. Candlesticks that hand out relationship advice. You know, stuff like that. Now there’s another inanimate object imbued with magic powers. The iPhone.

Following a whirlwind of rumors and speculation (which were all true), Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone Tuesday at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco. The iPhone operates without traditional buttons – instead, a touchscreen allows you to navigate through the phone’s seeming zillions of functions. Jobs clearly LOVES this thing. Check it out:

Mr Jobs said the iPhone was a “revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone”.

“It works like magic… It’s far more accurate than any touch display ever shipped. It ignores unintended touches. It’s super-smart.”

Go to Apple’s site for details – they have a very slick, thorough intro on it. The phone will retail for $500 - $600, and comes in 4 or 8 gig models.

Were I the magic kingdom type, this is the phone I would have to wave my magic wand for. It would look lovely with my glass slippers and my pumpkin carriage!

Express your opinion, make your point, get on your soap box or just say “good job” and you could win CASH! Here’s how it works.

Every comment made on any 451 Press site between now and January 31st is entered in a random drawing. Each comment is an entry – there’s no limit as long as you leave a quality comment (no spam!).

Prizes:
451 Press will award six prizes to the six randomly chosen comments from this month. There will be one (1) $500 cash prize and five (5) $100 cash prizes. We will contact the winning commenters using the email address they enter with the comment. Comments made through January 31st will be entered in the contest and the winners will be announced on February 1st.

Here’s the official announcement from 451 Press.

Links to all the other 451 Press sites are located at the bottom of this page, so leave a comment here first (that’s an entry, remember!), then check out all the great content available on the other sites in the network.

Good luck!

Contest, Comments, Cash Prizes

Can a personal protection device be the perfect accessory to complete your look?

Taser International has introduced a fahsionable, consumer-friendly stun gun, the Taser C2™ Personal Protector. The first thing you notice is how un-weapon-ish it looks. To me, it looks like a slick cordless electric shaver. It’s small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or your handbag. And, it comes in colors. Pink, blue, silver or black, to reflect your personal style. Perhaps you want to match it to your cell phone?

All kidding aside, purchasing, let alone using, a stun gun is pretty serious stuff. Taser calls the C2 a “safe, effective and responsible” option for home self-defense. It has an effective range of to 0 to 15 feet and a 30 second cycle, presumably so you can get away after your attacker has been stunned. They also built in some safety features so it can be safely used by a consumer, not just a law enforcement officer. The stun guns used by police deliver 50,000 volts of electricity, but the literature I downloaded did not specify the volt delivery of the C2. The C2 will not operate until it is activated following a background check.

The subject of stun guns or other “non-lethal weapons” is very controversial. Stun guns have had a ton of bad press, and critics link these devices to dozens of deaths. However, Taser International and supporters say that stun guns actually help save lives by preventing the use of firearms.

No one ever imagined that cell phones would end up being “sexy.” They used to be very utilitarian. So were cameras, computers, personal music devices and other electronics. I look at the Taser C2 as falling in line with this trend. Whether or not you agree with it – now that’s another story.

Taser International, Stun Guns, Personal Protection, NLWs

Sadly, after only a year, Marilyn Manson and his dancer wife Dita Von Teese are divorcing.

If I had been invited to the wedding, I would have given them these awesome “Cannibal Kingdom” plates from French Paper. They are heavy-duty melamine, and the set of four, featuring very strange images of cute little animals all set to devour some red meat, retail for $40.

I am now glad I didn’t get that invite because who knows which of them would have ended up with these incredibly cute plates.

Marilyn Manson, Wedding Gift, French Paper, Dita Von Teese

The swearing in of the new congress January 4th took a back seat to Nancy Pelosi taking the gavel as the first-ever female speaker of the house. But what are people talking about today? The way she looked. And most people agree, she looked great. Well, what else are we going to talk about? If she hadn’t looked good, we would have been picking that apart as well.

Pelosi loves her pearls, now, doesn’t she? She had been seen wearing a particular multi-colored South Seas pearl necklace on several occasions, so back in November I sourced an online dealer for you if you were interested in adopting the look for yourself. Since then I have noticed “Pelosi Pearls” popping up all over the place.

Yesterday with her non-partisan plum suit she wore a strand of champagne pearls. Good choice. White would have been too contrasty, and after all, we’d already seen the multi-colored ones. So, in an effort to help you build your Nancy Pelosi Pearls wardrobe, I am directing you back to the Pearl Source for a similar champagne necklace of golden South Seas pearls. This one goes for $3,799.

Seem a bit steep? To get the look and still be able to buy groceries, try these from Amazon – for $35 you get the necklace and the matching earrings. Gavel not included.

I just learned that another 80s oddity is back and, according to the company who developed the new line, better than ever.

Clothes that change colors while you wear them. I didn’t get it then, I don’t get it now.

That’s right. Body Faders has introduced a new line of tees, hoodies, sweatshirts and polos that literally change colors with the heat from the sun or body heat. They come in sizes for men, women and kids, so you can dress the whole family in their trendy tops. Hypercolor, the first brand of color-changing tees and shorts were all the rage in the 80s. Body Faders claim to have improved on the technology, so the color-changing effect will last as long as you follow their laundering directions.

So, if you feel the need to leave a discreet (or not so discreet) hand print on your guy or gal, by all means get on this bandwagon. I have no other ideas for what color-changing-clothing would be good for.

Body Faders, Hypercolor, Color-Changing Clothes