Saturday, March 1, 2014

Merchandising Calendar for March 2014




To keep things looking in line with the current season, use Etsy’s Rearrange Your Shop tool to move these holiday items to the final pages of your shop.
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{{ Northern Hemisphere- summer, Southern Hemisphere- winter))


---    Holiday + Sports Related
Patriotic Celebrations: Canada Day, The Fourth of July and Bastille Day are all celebrated this month. Patriotic colors, folk art, party decor, summer activities, festive outfits and firework displays are popular items coinciding with these holidays, red, white and blue, Americana, flags and symbols, patriotic decor, outfits and accessories. Stars and stripes, picnics, barbecues, grilling, spirits, and summer sports.

Sports: Olympics, Tour de France

Don't forget about Burning Man! People are starting to stock up now on funky, feathery, furry, glittery, fabulous costumes. The festival is in Late August/early September, but people prepare all summer for it.

Christmas in July Community Sale: Get involved in this year’s community-driven sale by tagging your sale items with the terms “christmasinjuly” and/or “CIJ” for the month of July. All shops are eligible to participate and sale items do not have to be holiday themed. Be sure to add promotional details to the item description of each item you tag. Learn more via the CIJ Team.
https://www.etsy.com/teams/12798/christmas-in-july

Back to School {aka time to stock office supplies!}:
 Fashion, office supplies and furniture, dorm room essentials and decor for the new apartment. Think journals, sketchbooks, portfolios, papers, writing utensils, pouches, backpacks, desks, storage solutions, and creative organizational concepts.
 Small space solutions, gadget cases and accessories, clothing, organization and the home office.
 Many adults stock office supplies at this time as well to catch deals. Cases, book bags, backpacks, satchels, lunch carriers, and fall fashion.
 Think in terms of all office supplies etc needed for college students, the kids, and teachers. Teachers need supplies too!
 Also the business people they need breifcases and other supplies for themselves as well.

Weddings:
 Engagement rings, both handcrafted and antique. Vintage, retro and rockabilly references, photobooths and props, fan programs, Mad Libs, personalized wine labels, fingerprint guest books, DIY decorations, and creative takes on the little details from save the dates all the way to favors.
 Think about how your line can offer or evoke outdoor options for both the ceremony and after-party.
 In addition, plan for and list autumn/winter themed options for aspects of events that are handled months in advance: announcements, invites, venue details, decor themes, attire, and honeymooning.

---    Styles
Americana expressed in a vision of American Pie with a picnic friendly look inclusive of gingham and patchwork and youthful separates like overalls. Think Daisy Duke and Ellie May in color.
The Machine Age- heavy metal, studs, leather
Grown up Grunge- Recent ethnic inspirations have included a nod to the Orient as well as Global Awakening, with a much more diverse pop culture influence. Spice Trail keys into the exotic lands of Morocco and India with rich material conversations like jacquard to heavy embellished details. Silhouettes speak to tradition with items like tunics and sarouel pants, while tribal patterns play up classics like tailored jackets.
Recent ethnic inspirations have included a nod to the Orient as well as Global Awakening, with a much more diverse pop culture influence. Spice Trail keys into the exotic lands of Morocco and India with rich material conversations like jacquard to heavy embellished details. Silhouettes speak to tradition with items like tunics and sarouel pants, while tribal patterns play up classics like tailored jackets.
Craft Punk- At Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton ignited a bohemian revival with artisanal macramé tunics given her usual dark spin. The theme continued with crocheted and needlepoint looks at Bottega Veneta, Valentino, and Roberto Cavalli.
Phantastic Fairy Tales – escapism into other worlds {think of your favorite movie and video game worlds}.
Baroque Vision- a step into yesteryear of emeralds, gold, intricate designs, from the dainty to the robust statement pieces romance and elegance are key.
Dark Romance-has a dash of magic and mystery. “A typical personality would be Oscar Wilde – the artists of the turn of the century (1900). It’s a very poetic trend.”
Bohemian Rhapsody
As seen at: Anna Sui(pictured), Topshop Unique, Chanel, Jonathan Saunders, Gucci
How to wear: The key SS14 take on boho blends the romantic 70s maxi dress and floppy hat with 60s Broderie Anglaise dresses, throwing in retro sunnies for good measure. Poster girls for this look include long-standing Brit It-girl, Alexa Chung and LA’s fashion sorceress, Rachel Zoe.
True Rock-mance
As seen at: Saint Laurent (pictured), Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Moschino, Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang
How to wear: Mix one part 90s grunge with two parts Metallica fan-girl, any you’ll be on your merry way to tapping into one of the season’s most hardcore looks. If in doubt, paint it black and make it leather.
Athleticism
An athletic aesthetic clearly took over the runways, most notably, baseball caps, tennis-inspired dresses and varsity jackets. Wear them separate or all together.
Cowgirl mashup.
Urban cowgirl. Showgirl cowgirl. Bra-bearing Rosie-the-riveter cowgirl. Squeezing Western elements into outfits in unexpected ways kept thematic overkill at bay, and signalled a little sub-trend rising up in cowboy boots and embroidered shirts and low-slung oversized belts. Donna Karan, Rodarte and Alexis Mabille respectively brought the aforementioned urban/showgirl/wartime interpretations, while Louis Vuitton’s embellished jeans and Miu Miu’s use of fringing and suede added to the suggestion of a growing spring 2014 fashion trend.
Wear it now: this one is perfect for the fall / winter season as well as for spring, so you can get on it from anywhere in the world. Keep it cool and effortless in slouchy denims, plaid shirts, chunky belts and boots. For a sexier interpretation, mix Western elements with femme fatale ones: an embellished crop top, slinky dress or silk trench coat with dusty cowgirl boots, say, or a pair of denim overalls with heels.



---    Colors
Gold, gold, gold!
head-to-toe white was the most noticeable trend to come off the catwalks

Chromatic Energy- mettalic sheens of all colors

Color Trends: Combinations of metallic with neutrals; reds, whites and blues; citruses (lime, lemon, grapefruit, blood orange, tangerine); robin’s egg blues, sepia tones and tea stains. Patterns in seersucker, stripes, gingham, and houndstooth will also be trending.

Pink- There’s still plenty of style mileage left in the hue that makes boys wink. Best worn as one hero-piece, such as a coat  or jacket. Unexpected pink accents soften spring's athletic and edgy looks. {light shades, mainly} the season's best blushes were done up in everything from leather to ruffled gowns

Pastels- Along with pink, mint green and other pastel favorites showed up on the runway.

Monochrome/ Black and White- This classic combination will continue its run well into spring and summer.

Metallics + Iridescence- Satin and metallics in every colour of the rainbow brought a heavy dose of glamour to proceedings this season. For a cool shiny vibe go for a satin suit or else work sheeny fabrics for day to night – these piece are far too pretty to be saved for best.

White- White-on-white ensembles continue to be chic.

Orange is the New Black


---    Shapes, Patterns etc
base distinction- basic shapes especially popular for metal jewelry {ovals, squares, circles, etc}
patterns and prints- florals, geometric, etc
Tropic Thunder- Even the most staunch city dwellers can appreciate a lush flora and fauna print. Prepare to get transported to paradise in rompers, jumpsuits, dresses and tees that showcase everything from palm fronds to hibiscus.
Florals
Team your neon florals and botanical blooms with edgy attitude and offbeat accessories, like metallic glam rock accessories, sky high sandals or chilled-out trainers. The two tribes within this trend are polar extremes - it's either the lady-like treatment or sassy urbanite styling.

Matchy (Mis-)Matchy
Spring 2014’s hottest look is no doubt about wearing one print on all items of clothing and accessories, or to clash several patterns in one outfit. If that seems too daring, then the third approach to this hot trend is to work one colour splashed on everything: shoes, bags, phone cover, the works. Too much is simply not enough.

Geometric Prints
Flashback to geometry class for next season's print craze: grids, triangles, concentric circles and more.

Logo-Mania {Say it loud and proud}
Next season we’ll all be wearing our style on our sleeve as that 90’s staple makes a marked comeback. Whichever message you choose to transmit, make sure it makes a subversive statement.
Whether your clothes are shouting a motto or a brand, make sure its from the rooftops

---    Textures
Blue Jean Baby- All associations with the Texas tuxedo aside, denim on demin has basically evolved into a stylish institution. In a variety of washes, jean has gone high fashion, showing up on everything from tailored suiting to pencil skirts and trenches.
Fifty Shades of Suede- Say goodbye to safari drab. From the emerald green outfits on the Calvin Klein Collection runway to Ralph Lauren's lilac-colored trench and a pair of eye-catching fuchsia hot shorts at Emilio Pucci, the recent Resort collections were chock-full of vibrant suede pieces.
Lacy Sights- There was no shortage of lace in the latest lineups. While many took fine filigree in a romantic direction, designers including Christian Dior's Raf Simons, Derek Lam, and Christopher Kane sharpened up the typically feminine stuff with graphic mesh insets and webbed overlays that gave the fabric a new zing.


---    Other
How about bugs? There's no summer without 'em, and there's no shortage of items with bugs as a motif (jewelry, for example). I'm thinking of CUTE bugs, f course - ladybugs, butterflies, cicadas, dragonflies, bees....not the OTHER kind.
Aaah yes, birds, bees, bugs...the bird houses have been lovely lately on Etsy, but don't forget about all the amazing bird Feeders out there. I've got some in my shop made out of upcycled vintage traffic signal lenses-they rock especially in the urban garden. And the wild summer birds are enjoying them immensely. Yay for summer! All those items are gettin' me in the summer mood for sure-nice.

References to Harry Potter, Brave, Alice in Wonderland — all trending in pop culture. Think in terms of symbols like arrows, birds, wizardry, magic, enchanted forests, rabbits, and whimsy.
Consider other current movies for 2014 that everyone is raving about, and pull symbols or color combinations from them.

Gardening items are still going strong in the northern hemisphere. Remember to think about {gardening, and animal husbandry} products for fall, spring, and winter seasons. by stocking for all seasons you get the early and late shoppers, as well as international sales.

Home Decor: Alfresco {outdoor} living, canopies, furniture and lighting elements. Collections and organizational solutions incorporating with vintage finds. Natural materials, sturdy and textured raw fabrics. Fireplaces and pits, outdoor kitchens, string lights and lanterns, window curtains, drapes, shower curtains, bedding and hardware. play equipment, outdoor playhouses, sports equipment, outdoors games {think giant chess sets for the lawn, or outdoor bowling etc}.

Kids toys and other items: birthdays are all year round, so kids items do well just about any time of year.

Summer Travel: The international vacation, tropical and cultural fashions, jet-setting, adventure, traditional heritage events, souvenirs, travel gear, accessories, and luggage. Toys, activities, and entertainment for the little ones. Think in terms of the beach, countryside, forest and mountains. Outdoor activities on the rise include camping, biking, hiking, fun at the beach, fishing, and water sports.

Collecting: Summer months bring an opportune time to take advantage of antiquing, collecting, flea markets, outdoor bazaars, and vintage renewal.

Fashion: References to Americana, stripes, seersucker, nautical, preppy, and classic styles return with the Fourth of July. Grecian styles, empire waists, tunics, asymmetrical and A-line cuts are trending.
 Broader options for summer focus on showing some skin, open toed shoes, lightweight materials, and sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen, makeup, balms, hats and coverups.

Summer Living: Garden parties, outdoor picnics, barbecues, family get togethers, poolside, beach and lake weekend getaways, summer camping, biking, hiking, camping, backpacking, outdoor sports, gear and other activities. Planting, harvesting, preparing, and dining from the garden and local foods. Shopping at markets, going to festivals, relaxing.

Culinary Trends: Food preservation and canning. DIY culinary kits are on the rise. Classic cocktails, homebrewing, beer and wine accessories, herb infusions and kits, garden to table.
 Expect farmer’s markets, seasonal food options, raising animals, community gardens, and co-ops to continue to grow in popularity. Think in terms of how you can lend to these concepts in the form of tabletop accessories, containers, tools, and seasonal calendars. July’s seasonal food options include carrots, gooseberries, strawberries, spinach, tomatoes, watercress, cauliflower, fennel, asparagus, cabbage, celery, cherries, lettuce, nectarines, new potatoes, oyster mushrooms, peas, peaches, radish, raspberries, rhubarb, french beans, trout, pilchards, clams, pike, and pigeon.


---    Specific Items
Knuckle Rings
ear cuffs
crop tops {a more modest approach by layering with a cami underneath or a high waist pants/skirt was showcased on the runways}
Satchel Rage- We've witnessed a move toward more structured handbags recently, and Resort was all about two-handled satchels, which turned up at Lanvin, Givenchy, Fendi, and more.
Micro Wave- Crop tops weren't the only short orders this season. Designers like Alexander Wang, Michael Kors, and Mary Katrantzou put the legs on display, too, with upper-thigh-grazing miniskirts that require a nice pair of stems.
Trouser Roles- Pin-thin stovepipes are officially over. In keeping with the season's focus on easy elegance, the favored pants silhouette of the moment is low-slung and ultra-relaxed. Baggy, billowy trousers turned up in the latest lineups from
Cold Shoulder- How to wear: Don’t bare all for SS14, instead tease the rest of your torso into a frock but showcase your décolletage and collar bone.

Pleats? Yes, Please.- How to wear: Go for tight pleats on dresses, skirts and accessories. The broader pleat is a thing of the past… Well, for now.
Sheer greatness- Lace, mesh, and all things sheer continue to be on trend.
Full Skirts- The voluminous ladylike silhouette is here to stay. Pair the tea-length skirt with tights and boots during the winter. This ladylike trend is ideal because aside from looking like a princess, it accentuates the smallest part of the body: the waist

Fringing- Fringing takes on a broad range of styles for spring 2014. On the runways, it wasn’t just cowgirl and it wasn’t just flapper; I guess you could say it just was. Spanning eveningwear to casual, fringing and tassels swished onto the scene and found new ways to make a mark.
Wear it now: leather, silk, beading… if you can find a piece that works some fringing into the equation, invest.


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    dates to remember

 The ruby is July’s birthstone, and July’s astrological signs are Cancer and Leo (June 22 – July 22: Cancer, July 23 – August 23: Leo).

July is known as
National Blueberries Month
Cell Phone Courtesy Month
National Ice Cream Month
National Grilling Month
National Horseradish Month
National Hot Dog Month

    July 1 Canada Day
    July 4 Independence Day (4th of July)
    July 4: Hot Dog Eating Contest, Coney Island
    July 9 Independence Day (Argentina)
    July 13 Embrace your Geekness Day
    July 14 Bastille Day
    July 20 Marine Day (Japan)
    July 24 Amelia Earhart Day
    July 24 National Drive-Thru Day
    July 27 Parents' Day 2014

events in july
 World Cup
 Tour de France
 Men’s Fashion Week, Paris
 National summer sales (France)
 Shark Week

Pagan/Wiccan Calendar
*source: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/holidaysandcelebrations/a/2013-Pagan-Wiccan-Calendar.htm
    4: Independence Day
    7: Celtic Tree Month of Oak ends
    8: Celtic Tree Month of Holly begins
    13: Birthday of Dr. John Dee in 1527
    19: Rebecca Nurse is hanged in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692
    22: Full moon -- Blessing Moon at 2:16 pm
    31: Birthday of author JK Rowling

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