Sporty-look items such as jeans and loafers gained popularity in recent three weeks when various festivals peaked in warm spring weather. (image: Helen Chang/flickr)
SEOUL, Korea, April 22, 2014 (Korea Bizwire) – ‘Romantic Sportism’ is apparently the watchword for new women’s fashion this spring.
According to AK Mall, an online shopping mall, which examined purchase patterns by women in their 20s and 30s (2.4 million people), sporty-look items such as jeans and loafers gained popularity in recent three weeks when various festivals peaked in warm spring weather.
During the time, the sales of flat shoes and sneakers increased 44 percent and 41 percent respectively over the same period in the previous year. Loafers were especially boosted in sales by 61.7 percent, and slip-ons, which became popular as many celebrities appeared with them on television shows, also increased rapidly in sales by 91 percent.
On the contrary, the sales of high-hills and dress shoes declined 36 percent over the previous year. Such trends were similiar in clothing as well. Denims and shorts surged in sales by 265 percent and 45 percent respectively, whereas one-piece dresses, classic women’s spring fashion wear, declined in sales by 16 percent. The skirt sales remained flat over the previous year.
Also, track-tops and zip-up jackets escalated in sales by 32 percent and 144 percent each, when the sales of spring jackets and blouses fell 40 percent and 15 percent each. Such results demonstrate that sporty looks is coming into vogue rather than formal ones.
An official in AK Mall said, “Sporty fashion usually booms in summer when people enjoy outdoor activities, but the trend started early this year, influenced by major sporting events such as the Winter Olympic Games, the World Cup and the Asian Games that have taken place or will take place. We expect the ‘sportism’ fad to continue until the end of the year since more and more women are taking part in it.”
Written by J. H. Kim (jhkim@koreabizwire.com)
Lifestyle (Follow us @Lifestylenews_Korea)
