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What Is Ready To Wear Fashion?

by 姚思曼 17 Oct 2023

Walking through the doors of the fashion world, we find a fascinating concept called "ready to wear fashion." This concept represents a new way to make fashion more accessible, understandable, and ownable. Ready to wear fashion has taken the world by storm with its unique characteristics, revolutionizing the way people perceive and buy fashion.

Ready to wear becomes a real boon for busy people who need to look stylish and neat every day. It saves time and effort, no additional search for component elements such as accessories or shoes is required. Everything is already thought out by designers who create collections of clothes, taking into account all the nuances and current requirements.

It is an instant fashion revolution, no waiting, no customizing, just shopping. No matter where we are, no matter what shape we are in, off-the-rack fashion brings our fashion dreams to our fingertips. In this article, we'll take you on an in-depth look at what exactly is ready to wear, its pros and cons, and how to find the right one for you.

What Does "Ready To Wear" Mean?

The main advantage of ready to wear is its affordability and the availability of many options to choose from. The customer does not have to wait long for the garment to be manufactured and can obtain the desired item immediately. Due to mass production, ready-made clothing is usually available at lower prices.

However, ready to wear clothing also has its drawbacks. For example, they are not perfectly tailored to each customer's individual characteristics, so they may not fit well enough. In addition, ready to wear stores usually offer limited sizes, making it difficult for people with non-standard parameters to find the right size.

When choosing ready to wear clothes, it is important to pay attention to the quality of materials and tailoring. The customer should check that the seams are even, the threads are strong, and the fabric has a good density and does not cause irritation to the skin.It is also worth considering that ready to wear clothes can be seasonal. Stores will have items suitable for certain times of the year, so customers should consider weather conditions and ensure that the chosen clothing meets current needs.

Overall, ready to wear is a practical and affordable option for most customers. It offers a wide range of designs and sizes and can be the perfect solution for those looking for a way to quickly and conveniently update their wardrobe.

A Brief History Of Ready To Wear Fashion

Ready to wear is clothing made in advance and intended for sale in stores. Unlike custom tailoring, where each piece is created for an individual order, ready-made clothes are standard models and sizes that can be purchased by any customer.

In the early 19th century, women's fashion was highly intricate and required precise fitting, which made ready to wear clothing for women limited until the early 20th century. Women would often modify their existing clothing to match the latest fashion trends. However, the increased demand for affordable and fashionable clothing, along with developments in the fashion industry and media attention, led to the widespread availability of ready to wear clothing.

The ready to wear market catered to women of all social classes and incomes, as designers and department stores produced clothing in large quantities. This shift allowed women to purchase clothing quickly and at more affordable prices. Additionally, the ready to wear industry in the United States contributed to the development of a distinct and independent fashion style, moving away from the dominance of Parisian fashion.

Ready to wear clothing also played a role in encouraging discussions on health, beauty, and body standards, as standard sizes were introduced to increase production efficiency. However, women with larger sizes faced challenges in finding suitable clothing due to limited options in department stores.

Overall, the revolution in ready to wear fashion not only introduced women to the latest styles and trends but also significantly boosted profits in the expanding U.S. fashion industry. This made fashionable clothing more accessible, cost-effective, and comparable, shaping the way women dressed in the 20th century.
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Ready to wear VS Made to Measure: Key Differences

"Ready to wear" (RTW): These are clothes that you can buy at the store. It's already hanging on the ceiling. You buy it as it is and can wear it immediately.

Pros:

What you see is what you get. You can feel it, look at it, try it on, and make sure you get what's in front of you right away. No waiting. You buy it, put it on, and enjoy it immediately. The easiest way to buy something. By the way, it's not more than a century old. A hundred years ago, the emergence of the ability to walk into a store and walk out with a ready to wear thing was an unprecedented technological breakthrough. Before that, everything had to be sewn, ordered and waited.

Cons:

The item will never fit you perfectly. Even if you see flaws when you try it on and have it fitted. RTW items are made for the masses. And if, for example, in clothes, you can still make minor changes, but not in shoes.

You're unlikely to buy one made from unique fabrics like solaro, fresco, or Donegal tweed. Such things are made for people with perfectly symmetrical bodies, and they don't exist in nature. Even after fitting, an RTW piece will not sit 100% perfectly. As one harsh expert wrote, "I personally have never seen a finished garment that fits 100% perfectly even after alterations. Some people think they have, but that usually means they're just not educated enough to see the flaws in the garment." There you go, okay? :) The only item of RTW clothing that will fit you perfectly is the vest. It has no sleeves, you just need to get the length right, and the waist is adjustable.

"Made to measure" (MTM): The term is used left and right for everything. And in essence, it's a step up from RTW ready to wear. The retailer already has standardized patterns and cutouts. The customer is measured (you don't have to meet the tailor in person at all) and fitted to these templates.

Pros:

Cheaper than customized, although the result will be virtually indistinguishable. It is more expensive than ready to wear clothes. Not only will you pick and choose what you want, but it's all much better tailored to you while still in production.

Cons:

Great variation in quality. The problem with MTM is the huge number of suppliers and manufacturers. And each of them may turn out to be a master of one thing or another. Remember Raikin? Who made the suit? A hundred people came out. It's the same here. For example, you get a suit that fits you perfectly when you're standing. But the minute you sit down or walk, pop, it wrinkles, pulls, pinches. So, you got a supplier who didn't think of his ready-made patterns very well. There can also be a difference in the amount of handwork, the quality of fabrics, and finishes. Results vary depending on the company, the amount and quality of measurements taken, and the photos you can provide. Be careful and don't expect perfection.

In short, made to measure as opposed to ready to wear is perfect for those who want to customize their clothes, choose their own fabrics and other options, and easily match their clothes, but don't want to spend thousands of dollars on clothes.

Variety Of Styles And Fashion Trends

There is a huge variety of styles and fashion trends in ready to wear that allow everyone to express their individuality and follow modern fashion.

One of the most popular styles in ready to wear is classic. This style is characterized by simple and elegant silhouettes, strict lines, and natural materials. Classic style is suitable for formal events and business meetings and always looks presentable and stylish.

At the same time, many people prefer more free and relaxed styles such as casual and sporty. The casual style involves comfortable and relaxed looks, often including jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. The sporty style emphasizes sporty elements: windbreaker jackets, hoodies, athletic pants, and sneakers.

Modern fashion is also actively experimenting with different styles, combining elements of retro and futurism, creating original and unique images. Also popular in fashion are street styles, gothic, punk, art styles, and much more.

It is important to note that fashion trends change over time, and each season of fashion shows brings new trends and tendencies. Fashion is also different in different cultural contexts and countries, reflecting the characteristics and preferences of each nation.

Overall, ready to wear offers a huge variety of styles and fashions, allowing everyone to choose what suits their individual style and taste. Thanks to this variety, everyone can express themselves and emphasize their uniqueness by ready to wear.
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How To Choose Ready To Wear Clothes That Fit Your Figure?

Each type of figure has its own peculiarities and secrets of clothing selection. For example, women with an hourglass figure fit tight dresses that emphasize the waist. For the owners of the figure, "pear" is recommended to choose tops with bright patterns and semi-fitted pants to draw attention to the upper part of the body.

Basic rules for selecting ready to wear clothing for different types of figures:

Hourglass: choose tight-fitting dresses, waist belts, high-fitting skirts;

Apple: prefer loose and hidden silhouettes, cropped outerwear tops, bolero sweaters;

Pear: pay attention to the upper body – choose tops with prints, jewelry, and details, skirts and pants with a straight silhouette;

Rectangle: create the illusion of a waist with belts, corsets, and dresses, silhouettes with a kink – models with draperies, ruffles, and frills;

Reverse triangle: knitwear, semi-fitted tops, V-neck tops, skirts, and pants with arrows look favorable.
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