I read this article this week in the Washington Post, written by Abha Bhattaral. It really hit home of what we are seeing on the racks at Meadow Boutique and what people are buying, so I thought I would share some of the main points of the article with all of you. We are right in line with what the experts are saying about Fashion in 2020 after the coronavirus has upended just about every part of daily life.

“The longer we stay in this pandemic, the more our relationship with fashion will evolve,” said Dawnn Karen, a fashion psychologist and branding consultant.

Here are five changes in the fashion and beauty industries already taking hold:

Hello, false lashes

Sales of eye makeup are on the rise as Americans look for ways to express themselves behind face masks while staying six feet apart. Leading the charge - false eyelashes. “When you have to go out and you’re wearing a protective face mask, those are the products that emphasize your ‘smize’ — your smiling eyes.”

Goodbye, high heels and stiff dress shoes

“High heels are way down,” said Beth Goldstein, a footwear analyst for NPD. “The question now is whether they’ll ever rebound. Of course, some women out there are dying to put their heels back on. But I think most of them are saying, ‘I’m never going to wear those shoes again.’ ” It’s all about comfort: Slipper sales doubled in April, as Americans splurged on higher-priced options such as fur-lined Ugg products. Crocs, known for their homely but comfortable signature foam clog, also have been “super hot,” she said.

A return to basics

Malls are reopening, but don’t expect to see racks filled with seasonal trends. With money tighter, retailers and consumers are loading up on evergreen basics and neutrals. That has led many retailers to stock up on items such as plain T-shirts, classic-cut jeans, and beige and khaki pieces that won’t fall out of favor if they don’t sell right away. Jeans, joggers and leggings have become among the biggest sellers.

Shorter hemlines

According to common lore — and the century-old Hemline Index — skirts and dresses get longer as the economy worsens. But this time, analysts say, fashion is heading in the opposite direction, away from maxi dresses and floor-sweeping skirts. When business gets bad, you need to make a bold statement to get people to buy something new. And if shoppers already have closets filled with ankle-length styles, that means enticing them with above-the-knee fashion.

Even more casual wear

Corporate America has been retreating from blazers and ties for years, and analysts expect to see more athletic wear and casual attire at the office even after the pandemic is over. When Americans do head back to the office, they’re likely to trade in business casual for “Silicon Valley chic,” said Karen, the fashion psychologist. Think hoodies paired with blazers, and sweatpants with silky tops. “There will be much more mixing and matching between dressing up and dressing down,” she said. “And it’ll be okay to wear the same thing over and over again. The pressure is off.”

Sounds right, huh?

So it looks like we have all settled in to this new way of fashion, like it or not. We are here to inspire you to find great pieces at Meadow Boutique with excellent prices. We all want to be comfortable, whether we are working at home or on the go. You can count on us to stock our shelves with fashion that will help you move around in the world, no matter how and what that is for the remainder of 2020 and beyond. Thank you for trusting us and supporting us. “We are all in this together.” You are amazing customers and we couldn’t do it without you.

So now that we are in October, when the weather is changing, make sure you come in and get all those cozy sweaters you are going to need for the cooler days ahead. I hate being the one to break it to you, but it is sweater weather now. You heard me right. We have every style and color, so take your pick! We can help find the perfect one for you. And jeans, we have some new styles and labels you are going to want to check out. So repeat after me, Jeans & Sweaters, Jeans & Sweaters, Jeans & Sweaters………..OK, so you can count us to remind you of all you will need for your Fall and Winter wardrobe. And like the article above says, the pressure is off so you get to wear whatever you feel good in and I guarantee that we have it at Meadow Boutique!

“Darling, if you can’t look your best, then you cannot even leave the house.” ~ Zsa Zsa Gabor