Last week, I needed a fabulous sweater. Nothing complicated. Just a little color to brighten up my black leather ensemble.
I left the office, battled traffic, whipping winds and snowdrifts to arrive at fashion mecca Neiman Marcus. But instead of encountering knockout knitwear, I was greeted by a crew of bare armed mannequins shivering in chiffon tank tops. No sweater in sight.
These tops may be perfect for cocktails in Antigua, but they look ridiculous in the middle of a Chicago winter. These days, it seems, one must anticipate fashion needs six months in advance in order to secure a seasonally appropriate wardrobe.
Woe to the glamor gal who didn’t buy her Ugg boots in August. When the climes actually dipped in December, the Sherpa chic footwear already had sold out, leaving many boot buyers empty-footed.
And why weren’t the trendy boots re-ordered? Customers were told that the boot season is “over” in January. But take heart! Spring’s candy colored slide shoes will be arriving any minute!
Seeking a comfy wool turtleneck to guard against office drafts? Don’t even try Barney’s, The Gap or Banana Republic. By now, these retail powerhouses have shipped leftover jackets, gloves, sweaters and scarves to storage facilities to make room for linen clam diggers, silky tank tops and pastel resort gear.
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I find it infinitely annoying to see Chicago retailers fully stocked with breezy spring duds in January when I need cashmere and corduroy. Why can’t we buy clothes that are seasonally appropriate? Is there a governing body of fashionistas located in L.A. deciding on insane delivery dates that force people to buy chiffon in February and wool in July? Like many others, I am hopeless at creating my winter wardrobe while sweating in the summer.
According to Tina Koegel, public relations manager at Neiman Marcus, spring deliveries in December make perfect sense.
“Designers need to design the clothing. Have a fashion show. Make the clothing, take orders from retailers, manufacture and ship the goods,” she explains. “That is why they need such a huge lead time.”
Another factor? Frozen Chicagoans travel to Florida and other hot spots during the winter and shop at Neiman Marcus for bathing suits and “resort” clothing. Sounds reasonable. But does the average shopper who doesn’t indulge in tropical getaways understand why he can’t buy cold weather wear during the winter months?
Makeup artist Madeline Francescatti doesn’t appreciate the complicated fashion schedule. “I am not going to any grandiose resorts. It’s so stupid that I cannot find clothing for winter in winter.”
Chicagoan Laura Muchow concurs. “I am so disturbed that I can’t even find gloves in January,” she rants. “I have already lost six gloves this winter. When I walk into a department store to replace them, all they have are bathing suits and resort wear. A bikini doesn’t really help me manage my commute to the University of Chicago in 10 degree weather.”
Last weekend, Francescatti spent seven hours hunting down a winter suit for a last-minute presentation. “I went to Benetton, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Fields and Nordstrom. I was so frustrated with the bathing suits and brightly colored linen suits in the middle of January. So inappropriate!”
Retailers like Neiman Marcus retort with an invitation to score “end of season” winter buys when it divests itself of cashmeres, tweeds, scarves and sweaters at their last call sale, Feb. 4-10. Unfortunately, pickings are slim. Unless you are a size 12 or colorblind, don’t even bother.
My solution? Force lofty retailers to spend a winter in Chicago garbed in chiffon. I imagine that the “six month lead time” strategy will be scrapped pronto.
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