Designers and fashion houses worked on the concept of reversible clothing and today, reversible clothing is in. Convertible clothing is similar to this idea. With busy schedules and tight budgets, customers are always on a lookout for financially viable dresses that serve various purposes. A single dress is expected to be perfect for office, evening wear or a casual shopping day with friends. While initially the idea was thought to be a mere fragment of someone’s vivid imagination, it gradually turned to reality. Convertible clothing is still a new concept, but customers have enthusiastically embraced it.

The concept

Convertible clothing evolves from the idea that fashion comes and goes. Halter style is in vogue for a season, then gives way to the hooded style. Hemlines keep changing and so do patterns and designs. Considering the prices of garments, it becomes difficult to throw away carefully chosen apparel simply because the style is out of fashion. Convertible dresses work wonders when it comes to staying trendy without investing in another dress.

Here’s a realistic example. St Louis-based designer Emily Koplar Brady designed a black and white tweed shirt that had black leather details at the sleeve and peplum waist, for her 2012 fall collection. What makes her design unique is that the sleeve is removable, and so is peplum. “I realise that just because peplums are in now, doesn’t mean they’ll want to still wear it next year,” Brady explained. Designing houses have designed clothes that can be used in fifteen different ways. Some dresses can be transformed into a scarf, bag, skirt or even an evening gown.

Customers rely on creative wardrobes to perk up the style quotient and convertible dresses offer creative freedom and style at a comparatively low cost than buying lots of apparel to look different each day. These dresses help save space and are a perfect option for minimalists.

Whatever is considered a fad just takes over the whole planet. Convertible clothing is now a fad. However, the low-cost option and the creative choices it may help this style rule global markets. In terms of those who like to spend wisely, these dresses give more for money and environmentalists are happier since convertible dresses consume less energy and material to produce than buying several pieces.

Markets welcome the change

Convertible clothing is a practical concept and so far, customers from developed nations are more inclined to invest in a convertible dress. The idea of convertible is especially appealing for youngsters, who struggle in terms of finance. Working professionals, who are worn out finding time to shop for dresses for different occasions, also appreciate the idea. In developed countries, customers are more open to experiment with style than in developing countries where consumers largely continue to be traditional in apparel shopping. Also, designers like Colorado’s fashion designer Kristin Glenn believes, “People are becoming more conscientious about overconsumption, and I think that versatile garments are an important part of any minimalist’s or traveller’s wardrobe.”