As of 2016, The United States of America is currently ranked number 1 in terms of  Country Brand. Yes we are the top country (as a brand), but will this last if Trump is elected?  His stance on immigration and foreign polices could damage the relationships between the U.S. and countries that pioneer clothing production such as China, Bangladesh, and Mexico just to name a few. Trumps presidency, along side any protectionist issues that may arise, could effect fashion in terms of outsourcing, fabric production, import, export, and the trading of goods. Trumps tariff and government policies could result in YOU as a shopper spending more on fashion. He’s so adamant about foreign policies and keeping jobs in America, yet time and time again he’s been ousted as a hypocrite. As you know virtually all the items in The Donald Trump Collection are outsourced to China for production. It’s interesting how politics seep into every aspect of daily life. Fashion is small compared to the bigger issues at hand. Politics is in everything, and everything has politics. No matter how hard I try, I can’t escape it…none of us can. I don’t know what impact Hillary will have on Americas retail relations but it looks like only time will tell.

Below is the valuation and strategy consultancy, Brand Finance, top corporate brands  the 100 most valuable nation brands (but only 35 is listed).

Please forgive the post delays. I have been very busy over the summer so bear with me. Thank you ;)

Unisex fashion seems to be all the rage for the upcoming Autumn and Winter seasons. Seoul Korea has been perpetuating the whole “couples” fashion trend where the style is that you dress up exactly like your significant other. That’s really nothing new in that side of the world, but for U.S consumers, that trend may be translated differently. We see plenty of “unisex” pieces in retail stores as of late. Women’s clothing with masculine silhouettes and neutral tones have become the go to work to casual trend. Let’s face it; men’s fashion is just so damn comfy, and some pieces are effortlessly chic. Currently, the most highly anticipated coat for the upcoming fall season is the Floor Sweeping Trench, which I must admit is enticing. This item is easy to style and has the ability to have the same staple appeal as the little black dress. There is so much to look forward to in terms of staples for Fall Fashion. Texture is key though, which I’ll be sure to discuss eventually, but for now you’ll have to keep content with these fashion tidbits.

Hello readers,
There’s so much to look forward to for June. From fashion news to up and coming events; I really don’t know where to begin. I will however start posting more content pertaining to pursuing a career as a Fashion Writer (it’s highly recommended). And of course more collection reviews and Free PDF books regarding fashion e-commerce, methods of fashion, and website tips of the trade. To kick off June , I would like to share a video from the Dsquared² Spring Summer 2016 Fashion Show. Enjoy!

The fashion industry works like a recycling plant. Styles that are in now will eventually become dated, and transformed into something new. When people reference something as being “Last Season” really that’s a term for wealthy people. Only they can afford to buy a thousand dollar dress every time a new collection comes out. That’s pretty fabulous, but everyone can appreciate pinching a penny here and there. Wanna save some money on fashion? These tips may help :)

Shop out of Season

Yes, when an item is considered “out of season” it’s usually discounted heavily. I can’t say that’s the same for high-end designer wear, but it holds true for your average ready to wear clothing. You do run the risk of getting clothing that seems picked over, but that’s not always the case. Items don’t do well for a number of reasons; cut, style, color, etc. Based on my experience, I believe  it’s all about the timing. Out of season items could definitely save you money, and can be transformed to suit your style.

Subscribe to the Brands E-mail List

Some people think that heading straight to the back of the store to the sale section is the only way to get a good deal. This is not the case at all! There are plenty of promotions going on for brand new items that hit the sales floor. When you sign up for e-mail lists to companies like Banana Republic, BeBe, DSW and so on, you can save up to 50% or more! Macy’s is notorious for their coupons and combo deals, but those are usually exclusive to customers on their e-mail lists (or who own their cards). See, “e-mail” customers are usually considered loyal customers, and are the most impactful when it comes to marketing. That’s why they get so many discounts, especially around their birthday. It takes 3 minutes or less to sign up, so why not do it and save some money?

Create a Rainy Day Fashion Budget

If you have an itchy shopping finger, that in itself could cause you to loose money. Storing small amounts of money here and there is a smart thing to do, especially in fashion. Sometimes brands have deals that are too good to pass up. Some people are forced to though, because of the timing of the sale. Stores like Victoria Secret are known for their semi-annual sales.  No one knows exactly what day it starts, so when it does, you want to go  the first day it begins. The early bird gets the worm. Having a rainy day fashion fund allows you to get MORE for less. You can take advantage of deals and get more bang for your buck.

There are many more tips I can share for saving money on fashion. As they come to me I’ll post them. They’ll be segmented into parts 1, 2, 3 etc. There’s always something new to discover in fashion so until then, these tips will serve you well.

Image Attributed: weheartit.com (picture linked to source)