Maternity
Infants & Children
You can find a plethora of articles in magazines and online which focuses on baby and child fashion. There is particular interest in recreating the style of celebrity children. Click here to see an example.
In recent years, more effort has been made to create fun and fashionable maternity clothing. Today, women are no longer hiding their bump, but enjoy showing it off in the latest fashions. Here is a slideshow showing the evolution of maternity wear.
Many of our classes will have a diverse mix of cultures and represented. Clearly the increase in number of immigrants from different religions makes buying such fashion in Canada much more accessible than in the past. However, a hot topic regarding a Quebec bill banning religious clothing such as turbans, hijabs and kippas, and other symbols, such as crucifixes) was in the news last year. You can read the CTV article here.
Clothing for pets is a growing industry. As this BBC article explains this market is divided into the functional/practical items and indulgent items. Students can read about the reasons owners dress up their pets.
Religious/Faith Groups
Dogs & Working Animals
C1. Clothing for Specialized Markets
Wondering what types of items are available and what specialty markets are prominent? Below are some of the specialized markets you may be looking at as part of this strand. You will find links related to each specialized market that may be able to assist you with knowledge or act as a springboard to a lesson, project idea, or discussion with your students. Have fun!
Athletic Wear
Older Adults & People with Disabilities
Bridal
Special Sizes: Petite, Tall, Plus
There are so many specialty clothing options for consumers who participate in various sports. An example of one item that has recently been gaining interest in the media and sports community is compression garments. You can read a research article reviewing studies done to determine if this innovation in fashion enhances athletic performance and recovery. Many of our students may connect with this topic as they are involved in sports at school or in the community.
Of course students will know where they view bridal fashion trends and where they can purchase items within the wedding market, but one trend that is becoming more popular is consignment bridal shops. Check out this article about Angela Kerry, owner of Toronto’s leading consignment bridal fashion boutique. This trend in the bridal specialy market (C1.1) also connects with socially responsible consumer choices (C3.4)!
This article explains the rise in the sale of plus size clothing in recent years and it's global and more prominent place in the fashion industry. Tall and petite sizes are also now offered in many popular stores as special sizes (e.g., Gap) so consumers need not only shop in specialty stores as in the past.
The creation of specialty garments often requires specialized fabric or closures. Students may be familiar with innovations for some specialty markets (i.e. sportswear), however they may not have realized the need for modification in clothing for seniors or those with disabilities. This website sells adaptive clothing specifically for seniors with Alzheimer's outlining closures used and reasons why adaptive apparel is necessary.