Fields Says Military Jackets, Cargo Pants Head Up Spring 2003 Looks
Marc Jacobs big-buttoned denim military jackets and Balenciaga’s cargo pants are the inspiration for Spring 2003, according to Barbara Fields, whose buying office hosted a trend seminar Oct. 7 at the California Market Center. About 150 attendees, including buyers from Gadzooks, Wakefield’s, J.C. Penney and Clothestime, were there before kicking off their buying sprees at the Los Angeles Junior & Contemporary Market running Oct. 7–10.
Flight pants with drawstring closures and Plein Sud’s cuffed khaki pants for boots are examples of the top trends for bottoms, replacing the “oversaturated denim market,” said Fields.
“I’m not as enthusiastic about denim for the next season,” she said, urging buyers to cut back on denim open-to-buy in favor of woven pants, such as striped and solid linens, and activewear sets in French terry and velour. She added that activewear’s new silhouettes are in bodysuits, velour miniskirts and dresses, and new touches include potassium washes, tropical-screen T-shirts, rainbow taping and star appliqueacute;s.
Fields said denim buys should be limited to black denim and embellished denim featuring flocking, beading, laser cuts and crochet inserts. Ruffled denim “rah-rah” skirts and scooters—“the answer to the shorts business”—will also keep registers ringing, she said.
In the wovens business, the bohemian styles are evolving into Western shirts with snap buttons and geisha girl looks with kimono tunic tops, Asian screen prints, embroidery and frog closures, noted Fields. Necessary Objects and One Clothing represented a few of the kimono highlights exhibited at the seminar.
According to Fields, T-shirts will feature rock ’n’ roll influences, tie-dye looks, medallion screens, and puckered and lace-up styles in shapes that include bra tops, tunics and side-ties.
White is the color of choice for Spring, Fields said. On display were white belted pants by Bongo, white cargos by Tyte and white lace-and-crochet tops by Powder Blu.
Fields encouraged retailers to take chances by testing Fall 2003 styles for Spring. She said peasant styles will keep evolving into Bollywood looks—in reference to India’s film industry—and into Tyrolean trends, with embroidered print skirts and blouses minus the lederhosen. —Nola Sarkisian-Miller
