Colored bottoms: Get ’em while they’re hot!

There’s no doubt about it, colored bottoms are at the top of retailers’ fall ’12 hit lists. (Read the in-depth story from MR’s January 2012 issue here). We saw it show up in denim, chino and corduroy in a range of colors from bright berries and cobalts to more subdued grays and neutrals during New York market. Buy the bold colors for eye-catching window displays and fashion-forward customers and stock the basics for the everyday guy. Whatever you do, make sure to have color covered for fall 2012.

Closed offered swatches in a rainbow of jewel tones allowing retailers to customize a color story for their store. Retails range from $189 to $229.

Vicomte A’s brightly colored cotton chinos ($70 wholesale) and velvet cords ($90 wholesale) were a must-see. This six-year-old French brand has one store in Palm Beach, Fla. and its sights set on a major wholesale initiative for fall 2012.

Feal Mor, a California-based brand with a store on La Brea is jumping into the wholesale game. They currently sell to Union in L.A. and Colette in Paris, but want to increase wholesale distribution for fall. I especially liked these wide wale cords.

The Stronghold is a brand that dates back to the 1800s and was resurrected by Michael Paradise in 2005. Paradise owns a store in Venice, Calif. and wholesales the line internationally. This season, he featured more subtle colors like browns, grays and greens, and in interesting fabrications like herringbone and hippie stripes from $225 to $285 retail.