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Modest youth exposes fashion trend
Latest news regarding sex clothing and skimpy clothes, a fashion trend to a great number of teenagers, from: Oregonlive.com http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1086522922300931.xml
A Washington girl's letter to Nordstrom decrying skimpy clothing uncovers larger changes to come, experts say
Monday, June 07, 2004
KRISTEN GELINEAU
REDMOND, Wash. -- During a recent trip to Nordstrom, 11-year-old Ella Gunderson became frustrated with all the low-cut hip-huggers and skintight tops.
So she wrote to the Seattle-based chain's executives.
"I see all of these girls who walk around with pants that show their belly button and underwear," she wrote. "Your clearks sugjest that there is only one look. If that is true, then girls are suppost to walk around half naked."
Nordstrom executives wrote back and promised Ella the company would try to provide a variety of fashions for youngsters.
The shy, bespectacled redhead has since become a media darling, appearing on national television in the past two weeks to promote modest fashions instead of the saucy looks popularized by the likes of Britney Spears.
Ella is on to something: A more modest look is in, experts say.
"We like to call this new girl Miss Modesty," said Gigi Solif Schanen, fashion editor at Seventeen magazine. "It's such a different feeling but still very pretty and feminine and sexy. It's just a little more covered up."
Shoppers are starting to see higher waistlines and lower hemlines, and tweeds, fitted blazers and layers are expected to be big this fall, Schanen said.
"It's kind of like a sexy take on a librarian," she said. "I think people are tired of seeing so much skin and want to leave a little more to the imagination."
ModestApparelUSA.com -- where the slogan is "Clothing your father would be proud of" -- report that sales have skyrocketed in the past 18 months.
Many youngsters are frustrated by the deluge of racy clothing, according to Buzz Marketing, a New Jersey-based firm that compiles feedback from teens .
"There is just sensory overload. Kids are going to say enough already," said Buzz's chief executive, Tina Wells.
In 2002, a group of Arizona teens petitioned the Phoenix division of the Dillard's department store chain asking for more modest clothes. The chain began carrying more conservative styles.
A Nordstrom spokeswoman, Deniz Anders, said the company has been hearing for about two years from customers who want more modest looks, and Nordstrom tries to carry a broad array of styles.
The arrival of the modest look is good news for Ella, who recently participated in a sold-out "Pure Fashion" show in Bellevue, Wash.
Ella, who paraded down the catwalk in a long-sleeved pink top and a shiny pink skirt, hopes the fashion show -- and her letter -- will prompt some change.
"There can be more than one look," the Redmond youth said while wearing a loose Pure Fashion T-shirt, jeans and hot pink flip-flops. "Everybody should have lots of choices."
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Ella's new look
Seattle Times, WA - No doubt the girl spoke for many other pre-teen and teenage girls who do not enjoy wearing sexy clothing at a young age. ...
More girls push for modest fashions - Florida Today
Racy teen apparel gets tamed - USA Today
Modest youth exposes fashion trend - Oregonian
London Free Press
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