It used to be that consumers did not care what time of the year it was, they would buy anything.  The targeted consumer was one that was very fashion forward and wanted items first.  Today, this is not exactly the case.  Saying the consumer does not want the newest items is false but saying it has slightly differed from the past is a little more on the right track.  These days the consumer is more interested in the buy now, wear now aspect and they no longer want to put their clothes away to just sit in their closets. People want to buy clothing that is fit for the weather and seeing how it is so unpredictable these days with global warming, it is harder to figure out what items to keep and what to put away. Consumers are investing in more practical garments such as tailored clothing as an example of how they are reacting to the recession.  They want what will last a long time and what they can wear through different seasons.  A result of the weather being so unpredictable, season-less garments are in style.  Luxurious sheers and lightweight fabrics are big this fall. Chiffon and transparent knits are popular because they can be carried over to the spring and throughout all seasons.  

Photos: Style.com. From Top:Zac Posen, Posen, and Rodarte.

Looking around from the streets to the runway collections, gray is everywhere.  Why do people choose to surround themselves in anything and everything gray?  I feel as though it may be a security color.  It is a mix between black and white, two of the most used colors globally.  In order to play it safe and still look fashionable, people turn to the color gray.  Black is known to be a statement color.  One to which some may think that it is very powerful and bold. Others may think that black is used to camouflage and for people that want to blend in because everyone can look slim in black.  

On the other side of the spectrum, white is a blank palette and is sometimes hard to wear for certain people.  It may make people look too washed out or too tan for their own good.  It also is a sign that money is nothing such as the Valextra purse that is pure white with no labels.  Wearing this purse, people have no care in the world and will do anything for the clean and crisp look even though it will get dirty after a few wears. The people who are wearing white are in fact making a statement but is it a good one? 

Photo: purseblog.com.

These consumers are buying what is in and what looks good at the time.  Gray is a neutral color and is a medium between the two.  It goes with everything and you can wear it so many different ways.  It is not too light but also not too dark either.  Browsing through collections for Fall 2008 and color forecasting the next possible colors, it is easy to say that gray is still in but was it ever out?

At this point in time, I think that gray is over played in the aspect that all we see is gray.  In every store and every runway collection it is used.  But it is these reasons that make it so easy to run back to gray when in a crisis.  In the spirit of the times and being in recession, people are wearing this color and trying to be more serious.  It is not too flashy but still professional. It does not get dirty too easily and it also does not attract heat like a dark color would.    People can wear gray all year round and not have to worry about it going out of style.  It can be layered, worn by itself and even jazzed up with pops of color. 

I think people choose this color so much because you can blend in when you want to but also can make a statement with an extravagant gray sweater.  Will gray always be in or will people finally get sick of it? I think for now it will stay in and people will continue to use this as a staple in their wardrobes. With cutting back and wanting to save money, consumers want a color that lasts a long time. Bill Blass, Dolce & Gabbana, and Jil Sander all demonstrated their love for gray in their Fall 2008 collections.

Photos: Style.com.