In the article subtitle, it says "They want more style, less speed - and more sleeves." The lack of sleeves is a complaint I hear all the time. They should have mentioned a lack of dresses and skirts that have a hemline at or below the knee.

"Women are sick of low quality, overpriced, poorly made, ill-fitting clothes that don't last" 

This is my common gripe these days. When I have the chance to browse the fashions at the mall, I am always disappointed to find how poorly made everything seems to be. Even J. Crew, my long-time favourite has started to let me down in recent years. The quality has almost completely disappeared from their regular line and only glimmers of the original quality may be found in their astronomically-priced Collection line. Tailored items that used to be fully lined in acetate and sometimes silk are now unlined, or else lined in polyester that is suffocatingly hot to wear. Jackets that used to have self lining or silk repp tie lining under the collar now have the felt interfacing exposed for all to see (I think they are trying to convince people this is normal but it is not! It is a cheap shortcut!). Fabrics that used to be thick and luxuriant to the touch are now flimsy or coarse, and often with a synthetic content.

Then: Coppelle paisley silk twill top, J. Crew spring 2008. Made of substantial mid-weight silk twill that is completely opaque; features self-binding on the inside of the neckline so that it lies flat and does not buckle. Five years old and in perfect condition.

Now: Blythe silk blouse, J. Crew spring 2012. Made of very thin, sheer silk. The fabric shredded after the first wash, which was done by hand in cold water with delicate wash detergent.

I suspect this decline in quality has to do with the push to match the output of fast fashion retailers like Zara and H & M, who bring new inventory in every few weeks. It might also have something to do with the push to globalize and meet the demands of populations around the world. Something has to give and I guess from the management's point of view, quality is the first thing to go. 

"When we asked women to rate their interest in fashion and style out of 10, style trumped fashion overwhelmingly." 

YSL's quote, "Fashions fade, style is eternal" holds true, and I think it is the reason why style icons like Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis have such enduring appeal: these were women who were absolutely assured of their personal style.

Audrey Hepburn in trademark funnelneck coat.

Jackie O in classic white shift dress and Ferragamo shoes.

However, I think most women can attest to the fact that finding one's personal style is pretty difficult, especially in this age, when a woman is expected to wear many different hats all at once: career woman, domestic goddess, wife/girl friend, mother, etc.  This is the reason I was drawn into the world of personal style blogs, because they are supposed to give a glimpse into the style of the average woman. Fashion magazines like Vogue present highly stylized images that are beautiful to look at but have very little to do with real life. However, even in the world of style blogs, it seems like many are becoming more and more like a high fashion magazine and have little to do with real life. I find that the best style blogs are the ones by real women with lives and careers outside of the fashion industry, the ones that discuss the little things and small events that make up everyday life and how a good outfit can carry that person through the day. 

"What is surprising...is how poorly served older women still feel by the fashion industry." 

This is so very true. I often feel completely at a loss when I look over the clothes available at the malls. Most new fashions are directed to women in their teens and 20s, and are modelled by girls who are barely 20 years old. Most fashions which are marketed to the woman who is in her late 30s and upwards are completely dull and uninspiring. I have this to say to fashion retailers: just because we are over 35 does not mean that we want to be invisible!