SHEI concludes blogger Jennifer Cassel’s “Recession Fashionista” series with part two of two.  The closing installment discusses the effects from the economic recession  felt by the fashion world outside the collegiate community.

H&M fits in the sartorial palette of the recession fashionista (and fashionister?)

(above image source)

Not just across college campuses, but in fashion houses alike, designers are answering the call for less expensive clothing. Various designers such as Opening Ceremony, Jimmy Choo, Rodarte and Charlotte Ronson are all making more affordable lines selling at mid-range stores like H & M, Urban Outfitters and Target. Senior at University of California Los Angeles, Danielle Cuccio has shifted her shopping— “My shopping has definitely changed as a result of the economy. I’ve been doing more online shopping at stores like Urban Outfitters, Topshop, etc. I can mix a less expensive item (white t-shirt) with maybe something a little more expensive (a nicer jacket)… It’s definitely possible to dress well inexpensively.”

New trends are seen in local stores on campus whose large clientele are college students. Lisa Weiss, the buyer for the Women’s Fashion at Bivouac in Ann Arbor is seeing this difference: “My customer in the fashion side is definitely buying differently. Much less on basic denim, and more on accessories (jewelry, small handbags, scarves), tops and dresses. Although, the “Jegging” [A jean legging] trend has kept denim sales going strong.”

Affordable, trendy retailer Uniqlo should enjoy an upswing in business

So, it isn’t necessarily that people are not spending; rather, they are spending differently. “My customer is not buying less, but possibly spending less. In fashion, people want and need to buy new things. Their disposable income may be down, but you can update your wardrobe rather inexpensively if you work at it.” remarked Lisa Weiss.

There has emerged a creative fashionista – someone who revamping their closet is done so with some re-organizing and some thread. Veronica Baker, a junior majoring in Marketing at Emerson College, “I’ve been shopping in my own closet! You’ll be surprised by the amount of stuff you dig up, and you can incorporate an older piece into your current wardrobe, and suddenly you’ll have a bunch of new outfits to wear without spending any money.” On the other hand, senior at University of Michigan majoring in art history, Gaby Lardiere looks to vintage stores to fill in the gaps in her closet. “With vintage, not only do you find unique pieces, but it’s dirt cheap.”

The authority on fashion, Vogue Magazine, has even adapted to these economic times. On their website, Style.com, Derek Blasberg wrote on their blog about this new “recessionista,” urging the older generation to take notes – “in tight times it’s often the clothing budget that gets clamped the quickest. But before you go slitting your hems, you should know that while the fashionista may have locked herself in the vault with her tiaras, her younger, hipper sister—recessonista—is at the mall finding designer threads (or diffusion designer threads) at discount prices. Look for her at Target, Uniqlo, Payless, or Kohl’s … That’s because recessionistas aren’t letting a little thing like falling stock prices and rising gas bills get in the way of their wardrobe.”

This new wave of recessonistas is paving the way in the fashion world, turning heads with their bargain deals and frugal spending. This economic climate challenges all sectors of our society. People are becoming more resourceful in their purchasing – the student scene has turned to thrift store shopping, trading clothes with peers, redesigning their look and only as a last resort going without.

(above image source)