Kent Wang womenswear, soliciting input

[Kent Wang]

I'm considering launching a womenswear line. I had this dress made up for my girlfriend as a prototype. The fabric is 100% cotton with a small dot print. This is a year-round, everyday style -- not too fancy, not too casual. Fit would be slim, as you would find in higher-end brands. Construction and fabric would both be superior to mall brands. Retail would be $65-125. Is this something you would buy for your wife or lady friend? I appreciate your honest feedback.

 

[JustinW]

Yes ... and more importantly that looks like something the missus would buy/wear!

Maybe a little less volume in the bottom, though?

Edit: I asked her and she liked it, but said the straps need work. :/

 

[acecow]

I like it. Although, to me it seems that women are more concerned with the current trend/fashion than longevity and quality of the garment. While men value $600 shoes that last for a lifetime, women prefer many cheap shoes that last for one season.

But the main point is that the dress looks nice and I could see myself buying one for my gf as a present.

 

[Neb]

I could totally see the g/f wearing that. It's a simple pattern that seems to work well for casual wear.

 

[RSS]

No ... but perhaps I'm too old an audience.

My issue is mostly with the fall of the skirt.

 

[gshen]

Very interesting to see how this works out - the gf needs clothes that are made better than $#(& Zara.

Would not buy this as she (well, I) hate halter necks, but I'm sure you'll come up with more good things. Don't know what your intended aesthetic is, but some pieces by BoO's 'boy' line might be worth looking at, esp. if you can offer similar quality at a much better price point.

 

[magogian12345]

IMO, women need to try on clothing far more so than men do. As such, selling items such as dresses via the interwebs might be a risky proposition.

 

[geoffmartin17]

Hey,

My girlfriend says she likes the cut and the fit; her only comment is that a fabric more "drapey" than cotton might sit better against the body.

-Geoff

 

[wetnose]

I think for the most part, women as a group are a lot more discerning than men. There's a LOT of competition out there so overall.....I think women's wear could be significantly more risky than your existing line, Kent.

Perhaps if you targeted certain niches (e.g. real petite sizes) you could do well.

 

[Kent Wang]

Originally Posted by JustinW

Maybe a little less volume in the bottom, though? Edit: I asked her and she liked it, but said the straps need work. :/
Yes, I think I'll make it with a less billowy skirt. What exactly about the straps?

 

[Notreknip]

FWIW Kent, I just asked Ms Notreknip and she said "nope, not for me". I'm a bit impartial myself.

(Oh, and my bi-color tie arrived today - looks even cooler than expected, thanks.)

 

[LA Guy]

I'd use a silk shantung or something instead of cotton. In any case, I think that the length needs to be a little shorter or a little longer, and you probably want to make the hem a little more flattering. I'd recommend an asymmetrical hem, but whatever. The placement of the waist and the length of the skirt, however, make her look bottom heavy, and is not flattering to her bust. You need to bring the waist up significantly, and decide to either go with a mini or a maxi-skirt.

I would really warn you against womenswear, unless you have a very focussed, very marketeable, concept. It's killer, much more difficult that men's.

 

[MORNINGSTAR777]

Originally Posted by LA Guy

I'd use a silk shantung or something instead of cotton. In any case, I think that the length needs to be a little shorter or a little longer, and you probably want to make the hem a little more flattering. I'd recommend an asymmetrical hem, but whatever. The placement of the waist and the length of the skirt, however, make her look bottom heavy, and is not flattering to her bust. You need to bring the waist up significantly, and decide to either go with a mini or a maxi-skirt.

I would really warn you against womenswear, unless you have a very focussed, very marketeable, concept. It's killer, much more difficult that men's.

+ 1 (with the exception of the asymmetrical hem). I work as professional womenswear designer and I'd say that while it was a nice gesture I think the clothes need to be more directional if you're going to consider a womenswear line. Right now the dress doesn't seem particularly anything. I'm not saying this as an insult, but there are so many clothing options out there for women that if this representative of the direction you'd like to go in I'd say not to continue. Please note that when I say directional I don't necessarily mean "edgy" or "forward".

Regarding this particular garment, the bust/bodice seam needs to come up. The dress looks like it should have an empire waist based on the design, but the seam falls well below (for a size 6 it should be roughly 13" or so from HPS). The hem; I've always thought "midi" lengths were awkward. It cuts the legs/calves at a weird midway point thereby shortening them. It needs to be above the knee/knee length or maxi/to the ankles. Also the style and fabric choice definitely read as spring/summer.

 

[LanceW]

I couldn't think of a tactful way to say it but I think our fearless leader nailed it. It needs to make her bottom half look smaller and her top half look bigger

 

[Kent Wang]

Thanks very much for your keen insight. I'll take all those suggestions into consideration when working up the next prototype.

My idea for the womens line is to simply complement my menswear line of classics/basics. I realize that women's tastes are different from men's but I'm aiming for the niche that would be interested in classics at an affordable price.