As if the tightness of the economy wasn't evident enough in other areas of our lives, now we will have to be even more careful when considering clothing purchases. Brace yourselves fashionistas and dapper gentlemen: Those of you who plan on shopping for clothing this spring can expect to feel an extra squeeze on your wallets at cash registers everywhere, according to a recent Huffington Post article. Yes, the world economy is recovering and the demand for goods is rising, but a spike in the costs of labor and raw materials is putting a financial strain on manufacturers and retailers - and they are passing it on to us. Here are the details:

Clothing prices had dropped for a decade as tame inflation and cheap overseas labor helped hold down manufacturers' costs. During the recession, retailers and clothing makers cut frills and experimented with fabric blends to keep prices in check.

But cotton has more than doubled in price over the past year, hitting all-time highs. The price of synthetic fabrics has jumped roughly 50 percent as demand for alternatives has risen.

Clothing prices are expected to rise about 10 percent in coming months, with the biggest increases in the second half of the year, said Burt Flickinger, III president of Strategic Resource Group. [...]

Higher costs also will affect how clothes are made. Clothing makers are using more synthetics like rayon and designing jeans with fewer beads and other embellishments. Shoppers also will have fewer color choices. (The Huffington Post)

Price increases are already showing up on items like Brooks Brothers dress shirts and Levi's jeans, with brands like Nike and Steve Madden planning to soon follow suit. More price increase forecasts are anticipated once companies like J.C. Penney Co. and Abercrombie & Fitch report their financial results this month, but it's a pretty done deal as far as the consumer is concerned. Expect the prices of pretty much every clothing item out there to rise, by as much as 10%.


So what is one to do in order to update your look and stay cute, current, professional, polished and stylish on any given day next spring -- without going broke? Well, I plan on working with what I've got. But, should the shopaholic in me uncontrollably flare up (she's known to do that about once a season), I plan on quieting her with only one (okay, maybe two, if I've been especially good) items that I will rationalize buying by not paying full price. (There's always a discount to be found.) And by making sure I'm buying items that are more stylish than trendy, as they will stay relevant and beautiful for more than one season.

What do you think? Will this rise in clothing prices affect your spring wardrobe planning? How will you be handling it financially?

Leave your comments below!