Consumer spending is powerfully influenced by the media but tempered by the economy so to find out what consumers are actually buying it is advisable to make frequent visits to busy similar retailers and local shopping malls. Take time wherever possible to chat with sales assistants. They are in the frontline and this gives them a unique perspective of consumer’s needs and what the customer is seeking.

Grey : the ultimate comfort color takes front and center. But wait, the next strong color is cobalt blue – a color that looks great on almost everyone. And it’s a great color for the workplace as well. You can pair grey with cobalt, and other colors such as purple, yellow or green, and even black. It’s lovely to create a POP of color in accessories, such as a handbag, shoes or gloves.

Trouser pants: A welcome relief from the oh-so-tight low-cut jeans, trouser pants are classic business wear that look great in the board room with a smart looking jacket. They are equally lovely in the evening, topped with a twin set or sweater in a current color.

Soft tailoring: Pairing more structured, tailored pieces with items that are much softer and flowy, the combination works well for most women. Anyone can adapt it to their style. Instead of sticking to one style, this flexible approach brought a new kind of modern femininity – hard and soft at the same time.

Young women were taught to be gentle and learn fine embroidery. New fashion purses were made with fine embroidery and sold in the shops. Another fashion trend was the making of paper flowers, known as Papyrotamia. They were taught how to paint fine art on velvet. They learned about quilt piecing in a hundred different and difficult designs. They were also taught how to make bone lace with pillow and bobbins.

Finding the latest in fashion trends is an obsession for many shoppers. Using mannequins in your window displays is an effective way to communicate what you believe to be the next big thing. Being up-to-date with the latest fashion trends is a major player in the game of maintaining a reputation of being cutting edge and trendy for many people.

Every little girl needs to have plenty of sundresses in her summer wardrobe. Sundresses are a great way to stay cool every day. The prints for this summer are bright and wild and will really help your little girl to show off who she is. Sundresses do not need to be worn only to parties. These dresses have become everyday apparel for the smartest toddlers on the block.

Keep the accessories simple as well. If you wear a floral piece, don’t add floral brooches and hair pieces – that’s overkill. To keep it simple, start with a simple piece of floral jewelry. As the summer heats up, slip into your floral dress or blouse, with elegant silver or wood jewelry. Graphic patterns are amongst the hottest trends right now. From dresses with geometric designs to floaty tops, you’ll see these eye-catching designs everywhere this spring.