RS has pointed us in what looks like a major change in the clothing environment. There have been articles this week on the change in London, and the US that signal the end of conspicuous consumption. Even those that haven't been hammered financially are moving away from clothing and accessories that shout "excess".

Of course that is where Ivy has been all along. Understated elegance.

An article in NY Times today points out that things that were "built to last" are rapidly replacing items that were looked upon as "the latest fashion".

The article specifically mentions; Woolrich plaid jackets, Redwing boots, LLB hunting boots, Hanes t shirts, and Barbour. Things that regular posters here have looked upon for years, as staples.

An article in the WSJ yesterday points out that a year ago, there were 10,000 hedge funds in the US. Now 8,000, and 1/2 of these trying to liquidate, and go out of business. This has been the source of major bonuses in the US for the past few years. Many of the Wall Street investment banks that have been paying major bonuses have either gone out of business, been merged, or converted to commercial banks. High salaries and big bonuses are a thing of the past.

In the US, people seem to be rapidly beginning to feel uncomfortable with the Rolex, Benz, large summer house environment, that was so prevalent, only a short year ago.

Even though many got out without losing much, the atmosphere here is rapidly moving toward the solid things that are built to last, not to impress.

Ivy has been about that from it's inception. It will be interesting to see how rapidly the transformation takes place.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/fashion/23CLASSICS.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Like Matt said.