It's all about style, fashion and finesse to welcome the new year. Women have been out shopping for dresses to attend parties, house limes and dinners. And stepping out in style is perhaps the only thing on their minds on Old Year's Night. Checks at several stores and boutiques over the last few days showed that there's been a constant flow of customers trying to get the best fit, style and colour.
At Glam, One Woodbrook Place, an employee said women were shopping for long and short dresses, however, those opting to attend "the more sophisticated dances" were going for long gowns. She said the main colour was teal with glitter and that black was also another selection.
Designer Peter Elias, who operates two boutiques, said the strongest demand was for formal wear. He said, "We supply people going to church, house limes and elegant parties." Pewter was the choice of colour for several of his customers. Elias said short and long dresses were being sold equally. "Long, black gowns are always an option," he said.
The shopping response so far has been great, although he said customers were particular and quite discerning. "It is always our pleasure to serve our customers," Elias said. Usually, people go all out for Carnival, but he said women have been spending quite freely to look their best to ring in the new year.
At Cream Soda, Gulf City Mall, an employee who spoke to the Sunday Guardian yesterday said the store was busy. She said women were going for three-quarter length dresses in dark colours such as burgundy and pewter. Prices start from $295, she said, and women were buying matching accessories. Jungle Glamour, also at Gulf City Mall was busy.
Customers were looking for discounts but were also free with their spending. An employee said the plain, black dress seemed to be the number one choice. "I just sold one for a woman attending a party at the Hyatt," she said. Prices there ranged from $300 to $1,000. She said some women were going for "the hot, short look with glitter" while others opted for a plain looking dress with lots of accessories.
Micles on Frederick Street in Port-of-Spain was abuzz yesterday. Dresses from as low as $225 were the choice for many women. At its Grand Bazaar location, a Micles employee said there was a constant flow of customers. Women were shopping for dresses to attend church services, limes and parties. Long and short dresses were in demand; some plain and some with glitter. The employee said the most expensive dress was $399.