Fashion trends are a funny thing to spot, analyse and write about. There are many we come across and choose not to write about on Fashionising.com; that’s for a variety of reasons but, mostly, because they’re micro-trends which will soon become demode. And then there are those we do write about, actively. Gauging the popularity, though, is even tougher then spotting the trend. We use a variety of facts and figures, but none speak so loudly as money through a cash register – and that’s precisely what’s occurred with the lingerie as outerwear trend. Having first written the trend’s style guide back in April 2009 that the sales of lingerie have sky rocketed. But, bang on trend, women aren’t investing more in their smalls solely for the boudoir.
Courtesy of the cyclical nature of modern fashion trends women are investing in key lingerie pieces as a result of seeing them worn in public by celebrities. The likes of Rihanna and Lady Gaga (prominent wearers of the trend) have, of course, taken the look from the catwalk. And the catwalk collections? They were inspired by the pioneers of the trend: on the street.
Take luxury corsets, for instance.
Soon after Rihanna rocked a full-body corset, British women raided stores for similar looks. Sales of luxury corsets have gone up 70% at Selfridges.
As for the likes of slips:
Sheryl Schultz, director of trends for intimate apparel and accessories at J.C. Penney, said fashion is key. “We’re seeing real peaks in the top fashion end, and on the opposite end, basics are doing exceedingly well. The customer wants fashion.”
– WWD (subscription required)
Up to a 70% increase in purchasing is a sharp increase by any measure of a fashion trend. But when you browse through our inspiration gallery below, most of which pre-dates any celebrity wearers, you shan’t be left wondering why.
