2009 Fashion Forecast
by Laura Miklowitz
It seems that separates have no equal this year. Savvy shoppers are looking for one or two perfect items to build their wardrobe around. Classics, cashmere and comfort are back. Betsy Bradfield of Frock in Asheville offers a styling solution for trying times: “Having a closet consultant, someone to help you define your style, eliminates a lot of costly mistakes,” she says. Still, there’s nothing like the power of the perfect purchase. “Wearing something new can’t be underestimated—buying new clothes is cheaper than therapy,” says Constance Ensner of Constance Boutique and Context in Asheville. Among the boutiques we surveyed, there were some encouraging trends and developments: Asheville consumers are increasingly environmentally conscious, leaning toward sustainable soy, bamboo and organic fibers. Ad-Lib’s Anna Sagel is working toward stocking 100 percent American-made goods. According to Sara Legatski of Asheville’s Honeypot, in a culture of exhibitionist fashion, a more sophisticated look is emerging. “Finally, less is more,” she says. Our advice: keep it simple, and dress for brighter days ahead. 23 Haywood St, Downtown Asheville, 828-285-8838 Customer base: professional and nonconformist women ages 35 to 70 who aren’t the size they were in college and are just fine with that Known for: great hats and scarves Signature item: Bula bags, made by a local artist You won’t find: bikinis Fashion forecast: “back to basics” and functional pieces to jazz up wardrobes Auten’s on Main 317 N. Main St, Downtown Hendersonville, 828-698-9555 Customer base: retired or semi-retired women who don’t want to look like their mothers or their daughters Known for: jackets Signature item: Joseph Ribkoff separates You won’t find: jumpers Fashion forecast: “back to basics” and bright colors like turquoise and apple green 5 Biltmore Plaza, Asheville , 828-277-8100 Customer base: 35- to 65-year-old women looking for unique easy fits Known for: mother-of-the-bride and special-occasion wear by Zonda Nellis; Babette versatile wear Signature item: Sol Mate socks from Vermont You won’t find: anything made in China Fashion forecast: more color; asymmetrical, tea-length, short or funky skirts Constance Boutique 2 Hendersonville Rd, Biltmore Station 828-252-4002 Context 2 Haywood St, Downtown Asheville, 828-350-6006 Customer base: fashion-savvy women ages 30 to 55+ with a contemporary aesthetic Known for: in-depth designer jean and T-shirt selection Signature item: figure-flattering designer day and evening dresses You won’t find: anything neon pink Fashion forecast: higher hemlines; basics like cashmere sweaters; jewel tones and natural colors Custom Boutique 415 Haywood Rd, West Asheville, 828-257-4007 Customer base: women on the trendy side, ages 19 to 40+, looking for cool, affordable clothing Known for: locally made, hand-embellished clothing Signature item: Jordache jeans You won’t find: anything over $89 Fashion forecast: colors reminiscent of the ‘80s and big floral prints 4 Battery Park Ave, Downtown Asheville, 828-255-4626 Customer base: the woman who likes nicer things, has an individual style, knows what she wants and doesn’t want to shop at the mall Known for: dresses, from comfy to casual Signature item: Rebecca Beeson T-shirts and comfort wear You won’t find: Christmas or holiday sweaters Fashion forecast: the closet consultant—he or she can help you make the right picks to complement what you already have Honeypot 86 N. Lexington Ave, Downtown Asheville, 828-225-0304 Customer base: adventurous, cultured, politically aware, multi-generational women supportive of the local economy Known for: boots and shoes Signature item: belts and belt buckles You won’t find: little plastic trinkets Fashion forecast: ergonomic cuts that follow the shape of the body; bright colors; more modest and feminine looks with lace and layers Lilly T’s Clothing Co. 14 W. Main St, Brevard, 828-884-3444 Customer base: women in their mid-30’s and up looking for one-of-a-kind items in all sizes Known for: Tribal Sportswear separates and Jag Jeans Signature item: Spanx shapewear You won’t find: bath products Fashion forecast: brilliant jewel tones, reversible jackets and dresses making a big comeback Minx 64 N. Lexington Ave, Asheville , 828-225-5680 504 Haywood Rd, West Asheville, 828-252-4545 Customer base: women of all ages looking for fun, price-friendly classical design with some trend-driven styling Known for: dresses that can go from day to night and season to season Signature item: wardrobe staples You won’t find: lingerie Fashion forecast: classical silhouettes from the ‘20s to ‘50s with edgier design elements; higher waistbands and fuller legs on pants 11 Crispin Court, South Asheville (Gerber Village), 828-277-3601 Customer base: contemporary, fashion-conscious 35- to 45-year-old women Known for: Origami tops from Lilla P Signature item: the Origami top, which can be worn eight different ways You won’t find: biker shorts Fashion forecast: lots of color and geometric prints; exposed zippers; classic styles like shirt-dresses, with a new twist Niche 3636 Brevard Rd, Hendersonville, 828-890-2550 Customer base: women from 30 to 130 years old who appreciate “hippie couture” Known for: Cynthia Ashby and anything flax Signature item: Flax Floods cropped black pants You won’t find: jeans Fashion forecast: trends at the shop are dictated by what customers wear and enjoy 12 S. Lexington Ave, Downtown Asheville, 828-252-8886 Customer base: Teenagers to the 40-ish crowd dressing for pure comfort Known for: Obey graffiti art T-shirts Signature item: Her Look undergarments You won’t find: anything 100% leather Fashion forecast: bright, jewel-toned colors, longer skirts and more traditional-fit and boot-cut jeans Pink Corsets 318 N Main St # 1, Hendersonville, 828-696-2227 Customer base: women looking for custom-fitted bras, loungewear and sleepwear Known for: Spanx slimmers and shapers, and boutique lingerie that you’d normally have to drive to a big city to find Signature item: custom-fitted bras, from size AA to K You won’t find: body oils or sex toys Fashion forecast: soft, comfortable, well-made products; chocolates, oranges and flesh colors 66 Haywood St, Downtown Asheville, 828-252-7517 Customer base: women ages 35 to 55 who march to the beat of their own fashion drum Known for: Nicole Miller dresses Signature item: Eyebobs eyewear You won’t find: trapped fur of any kind Fashion forecast: lots of color; snakeskin patterns; skirts and daytime dresses Terra Diva 80 N. Lexington Ave, Downtown Asheville, 828-225-4884 Customer base: style-conscious women in their 20s and up looking for comfort, good fit and good fibers Known for: bra and panty sets Signature item: stylish, affordable quality bras You won’t find: anything of questionable origin Fashion forecast: more emphasis on tailoring and quality; nude and neutral colors; items that can go beyond a single season 150 First Avenue East, Downtown Hendersonville, 828-698-2646 Customer base: every woman and every body type Known for: the classic style of Eileen Fisher You won’t find: cheap, tacky accessories Fashion forecast: beautiful colors, adorable dresses and layering fabrics like crinkled silk with linen or denim Union 18 Haywood St, Downtown Asheville, 828-259-3300 Customer base: women looking for hip, fashion-forward clothing at approachable prices, catering to mothers and daughters (and men too) Known for: hats Signature item: Diesel jeans Fashion forecast: looser-fitting “boyfriend” jeans; bright colors and prints; longer dresses; layered ruffles Vintage Moon 46 Commerce St, Downtown Asheville, 828-225-2768 Customer base: adventurous people from all walks of life and those who like to be different Known for: hard-to-find vintage clothing, antiques and oddities; textile artists who create one-of-a-kind, handmade wearable art Signature item: all of them—no two items are alike You won’t find: mass-produced commercial products Fashion forecast: trends that are all about finding your own image and making it work 
The key accessory for 2009 is undoubtedly a tighter belt. Local boutique owners concede that frivolous and opulent are out and basics are in. Historically, when the stock market plummets, hemlines rise, and when the financial landscape appears gloomy, fashion compensates with bright and intensely cheerful colors. “Always during a recession, we see more color,” says Matt Chambers of Bellagio in downtown Asheville.
Ad•lib
Bellagio
Frock
Moda
Ox & Rabbit Comfort Clothing
Principessa
The Sanctuary
Verve-acious
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