Depression Chic Edit
Spring 2009 Fashions Reflect the Drab Economy

Finances have been on everyone’s mind for several months, but this spring they will also be on their bodies. Depression chic styles were prevalent in many spring 2009 runway collections, with designers such as Burberry, Botega Venetta, Marc Jacobs and Alberta Ferretti showing fringe, faded fabrics, flapper dresses, and Little House on the Prairie-esque dresses.

Designs in Organic’s “American Gothic” collection featured floral prints, muted colors and cotton fabrics. This doesn’t mean that designers’ price tags will be reduced, unfortunately, but spring fashions certainly will be a throwback to the Great Depression.

Bright colors and striking patterns symbolize excessive opulence during a time when most consumers are cutting back on buying new clothes. According to SpendingPulse, “the 2008 holiday shopping season was one of the worst in recent decades, and women’s apparel sales fell 22.7%.” Consumers aren’t shopping like they used to, but when they do decide to buy new clothes, their purchases will likely reflect their depressed attitudes about the economy.