Fashion shoppers are turning away from the trendy as they opt for classic styles

Artisan made clothing like the Sympatico collection is becoming more mainstream as consumers increasingly reject fast fashion.

You may not consider yourself a trendsetter, but the reality is that Sympatico shoppers are at the forefront of an emerging movement that rejects the trendy in favor of apparel that will endure. I recently found myself nodding in recognition of a Harper's Bazaar piece headlined "Are tends no longer in fashion?’ Writer Amy De Clerk says that with climate change and the pandemic monopolizing the news cycle, consumers are turning away from flash-in-the-pan impulse shopping and toward more carefully considered purchases of classic shapes and fabrications that promise a long life of service.

It’s gratifying to see the fashion world begin to adopt the same values that are at the foundation of Sympatico’s mission. (Hemp/Tencel Tuxedo Top in Grey Fog.)

In the Harper’s Bazaar article, marketing and merchandising gurus chime in about the phenomenon of shoppers opting for more sustainable clothing. Ready-to-wear buyer Holly Tenser reports a profound shift in shopper attitudes. “They are definitely seeing the value in investing in good quality, timeless pieces that make up your classic and sustainable wardrobe base.”

Meanwhile over at Net-a-Porter, senior market editor Libby Page reports, “Customer habits over the course of last year have changed dramatically. We noticed a shift away from trend-driven items and a move into more timeless product. Our customers are shopping with a purpose and showing their interest in brands and projects which are more inclusive and diverse, sustainable and charitable." Page goes on to reveal ”We are banking on seasonless fashion, pieces that will stand the test of time, regardless of the weather, including luxury bags and fine jewelry,” she adds. “Shopping with a conscience seems to be the new approach, and sustainability is at the forefront of this.”

Luxury brands have been slow to recognize the growing concerns of their customers over issues of sustainability, transparency, and ethical production. But that seems to be changing. According to Francesca Muston, a fashion-trend forecaster, the pandemic only hastened a change among luxury goods consumers that was already underway before covid. She disagrees with other market watchers who feel the fashion market’s fascination with the new and the trendy will rebound as we emerge from the pandemic. Instead, Muston says, "On the road to recovery, brands and retailers will need to look at their assortment in a completely different way as new priorities will drive spend. How sustainable is it? Can you offer complete transparency about how it was made? What are the options for keeping it in a circular system post purchase? How innovative and effective is it in terms of fabric properties and design elements? How relevant and adaptable is it for consumers’ lifestyles? Is it multi-purpose and flexible? Additional time spent on answering these questions will pay off.”

That’s a great set of questions any conscious consumer might ask in deliberating over a purchase. They're the kinds of questions Sympatico customers consider everyday.