One of the aspects of the slumping economy is the search for industries and products that are supposedly recession proof. The lipstick effect is one of these well-known concepts. Basically, when the going gets tough, the tough buy lipstick and go to the movies (or, at least, that's what they did during the Great Depression).
WWD tried taking the concept one step further and examine the other retail equivalents of the proverbial lipstick tube. More simply put: What are people buying to feel better?
They asked leading luxury retailers, designers and chain stores. Not all who were asked agreed to participate, and some of those who did seem to be spouting a marketing script for pushing their latest crap, but it's still interesting (even if I wouldn't base my future investment decisions on this little survey).
Bergdorf and Neiman claim that we're buying Manolos and Choos. The statement show, which in a way makes sense. You get more mileage from the perfect sandals than from one Versace dress. Both retailers have a winning red lipstick, Rouge G lipstick from Guerlain. At $45 I feel like doing a lipstick face-off between this one and the $75 Serge Lutens (only available from Barneys).
Other retailers are talking accessories: scarves, belts, headbands. Nobody mentions the "It Bag", so hopefully we're over that particular craze. The Gap is trying to convince us that their boxy cardigan is the item of choice that would make us all feel good (at $44, I'd skip the cardi and go for a Guerlain lipstick). Intermix are supposedly selling jumpsuits, but I'd rather believe we all have much better fashion sense than that. Only Bernie Madoff deserves a jumpsuits.
The one thing no one mentioned was perfume. It's making me sad.
Do you think this is accurate? Are you buying red lipsticks these days? What do you purchase as a pick-me-up? Please share in a comment.
Info: WWD
Top image: Joan Crawford and a lipstick organizer, 1929
Ugly jumpsuit: Proenza Schouler, $975, intermix.com
WWD tried taking the concept one step further and examine the other retail equivalents of the proverbial lipstick tube. More simply put: What are people buying to feel better?
They asked leading luxury retailers, designers and chain stores. Not all who were asked agreed to participate, and some of those who did seem to be spouting a marketing script for pushing their latest crap, but it's still interesting (even if I wouldn't base my future investment decisions on this little survey).
Bergdorf and Neiman claim that we're buying Manolos and Choos. The statement show, which in a way makes sense. You get more mileage from the perfect sandals than from one Versace dress. Both retailers have a winning red lipstick, Rouge G lipstick from Guerlain. At $45 I feel like doing a lipstick face-off between this one and the $75 Serge Lutens (only available from Barneys).
Other retailers are talking accessories: scarves, belts, headbands. Nobody mentions the "It Bag", so hopefully we're over that particular craze. The Gap is trying to convince us that their boxy cardigan is the item of choice that would make us all feel good (at $44, I'd skip the cardi and go for a Guerlain lipstick). Intermix are supposedly selling jumpsuits, but I'd rather believe we all have much better fashion sense than that. Only Bernie Madoff deserves a jumpsuits.
The one thing no one mentioned was perfume. It's making me sad.
Do you think this is accurate? Are you buying red lipsticks these days? What do you purchase as a pick-me-up? Please share in a comment.
Info: WWD
Top image: Joan Crawford and a lipstick organizer, 1929
Ugly jumpsuit: Proenza Schouler, $975, intermix.com
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