Woman Coats Shopping Guide

[I am an old Macy's employee, this information I am sharing we refer to as "product knowledge"]

 

FABRICATIONS

Wool—the most popular fabric used in coats; wool is a natural fiber that comes from sheep. It is warm, durable, retains its shape, repels moisture and resists stains.

Wool / Nylon / Silk Blends—adding nylon to wool makes the coat softer and more durable. Adding silk gives a rich sheen and elegant feel or “hand.”

Cashmere—comes from Kashmir goat. It is extremely soft and durable. It is lighter and warmer than wool, giving warmth without bulk.

Down—the light, fluffy material that exists between the duck (or goose) and its feathers. It is an excellent insulator, has great “breathability” and is water-resistant. Percentages on the labels of the coats refer to the percent of the fill in the garment that is down versus feather. Down itself is machine washable, but that doesn’t mean the shell of the coat is. Always check the label for cleaning instructions.

Leather—a generic term for all kinds of tanned animal skins. It is durable, wrinkle resistant and “breathes” to keep the customer comfortable. Genuine leather has markings and colorations which may appear to be imperfections but are actually part of the natural beauty leather offers. All leather must be professionally cleaned.

WARDROBING

            There are so many options you can use to build a coat sale. If the customer has warmth in mind, try suggesting a pair of matching gloves or hat. If she is looking for a polished look, suggest accessorizing with a cashmere scarf that will provide warmth without added bulk.

FAQ

What should I look for when buying a coat? What’s your ‘best’ coat?

            Buy a coat that fits you beautifully and is functional. A coat keeps you warm while making a fashion statement and is a staple of every woman’s wardrobe. Ladies’ coats are produced by a number of manufacturers and can vary in quality of workmanship. To determine quality, examine lining, hem, zippers and stitching.

How can I tell if the coat is the right size? Do certain vendors run small or large?

            Here are some tips to help find the right fit:

─     Button all the closures on the coat and check for pulling across the bust, back and underarms. If there is tightness when you cross your arms and raise them above your head, you may want to get the next size up.

─     Make sure the hem is even all the way around. A shorter hem in front could mean that the coat is too small across the chest, a shorter hem in back could mean that coat is too small across the back.

─     If the coat has back or side vents, make sure they’re not separating.

─     Make sure sleeves hit right below the wrist bone.

What should I consider when choosing a coat length?

            Here are some important considerations:

─     If you’re frequently getting in and out of a car, choose a shorter coat for ease of movement.

─     If you’re always getting on or off trains or buses, you’ll need a ¾ length coat (or shorter) that will provide warmth but that you don’t need to worry about constantly stepping on.

─     If you walk a lot or live in extreme cold you’ll want a full length coat to shield you from the elements.

What style will flatter my body type?

            Here are some basic guidelines you can use to help find the best look:

Physical Principles: The Effect of Hail Size on Damage

Understanding Weather and Climate (7th Edition) (MasteringMeteorology Series) 7th Edition by Edward Aguado (Author), James E. Burt (Author)

Men's Clothing Guide

[I am an old Macy's employee, this information I am sharing we refer to as "product knowledge"]

MEN’S CLOTHING

Tips For a Great Fit!
Shoulder Pads	Should end with the shoulder, not extend past them
Hand Space	You should be able to fit your flat hand easily under the lapels of the suit when the top (or middle) button is fastened. The suit should pull at the buttons if you put a fist in it.
Buttons	On a two-button suit, the top button should not fall below the navel. For a three button, the middle button should not fall below the navel.
Sleeves	When you lay your arms at your side, the sleeves should fall where the thumb meets the waist and the bottom of the jacket should be even with the knuckles
Shirt Cuff	Between ¼ and ½ inch of shirt cuff should be visible.

Suit Lengths
Size	Length
Short (S)	5’5’ – 5’7”
Regular (R)	5’8” – 5’10”
Long (L)	5’11” – 6’2”

MEASURING ESSENTIALS

Suit sizes include a number and a letter or word, such as 42L or 42 Long. The number is the chest measurement OR the over-the-arm measurement, minus 7”

─     If both those numbers are about the same, use the chest measurement

─     If the over-arm measurement minus 7” is greater, us that measurement.

TIP: have someone else measure you; don’t try measuring yourself

BREAKS

Pants from a Suit Separate set will already have the hem set in place; however, pants that are part of a suit may require tailoring. In this case, you can choose their break. “Break” refers to how the bottom of the pants hit the top of the shoe.

COLLECTIONS
People who often shop for a ‘total look’ to complement their lifestyle. They tend to be interested in style, fit, construction and taste. They lend to be less price conscious and appreciate quality.
Traditional ─     Dress conservatively, by occasion and in established taste ─     Often, they will remain faithful to a brand throughout the years	Contemporary ─     Prefer their look to be appropriate, yet up-to-date ─     They are open to change and will often purchase from various collection vendors, providing they meet his busy lifestyle
COLLECTION VENDORS
Polo American style and quality that focuses on discreet elegance. The fit is generous, not oversized.	Calvin Klein Trendy collection that focuses on fitted garments that cut more closely to the body.
Nautica A classic vendor that emphasizes fit function and quality. Oversized with emphasis on range of motion.	Inc Macy’s private label, this trend collection is comprised of business and casual styles.
Tommy Hilfiger A traditional vendor with a modern twist. The fit is generous and classic.	Kenneth Cole A metropolitan collection with specialized, on-trend pieces
Tommy Bahama Luxury island style that is cut loose and very generous. Your conservative self may want to purchase one size down.	Perry Ellis Modern sensibility that allows stylish men of any age to feel comfortable and trend right.
Timberland A traditional outdoor look.	Mark Echo A fashionable line that blends classic with trend.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do all of the Collection brands fit the same?

No, fit varies by vendor. Often, the more “traditional” brands are a larger, more relaxed cut (Polo, Tommy H, Nautica). The contemporary brands tend to be a slimmer cut (CK, Guess, INC).

How do I care for the product? Will it shrink when I wash it?

Care instructions are provided on each garment. Many of the items can be machine washed. Most fabrics are pre-washed to prevent shrinkage; however, additional shrinkage may occur if heat is used to dry the garments.

I bought a jacket last year, why don’t you carry it this year?

In Collections, every vendor has both “basics” and “fashion items.” “Basics” are replenished on a regular schedule, and “fashion items” are received seasonally and will not be replenished.

My husband is tall and thin, what shirts would be long enough for him?

Traditional lines (Nautica, Polo, Tommy H) are usually a longer, larger fit. If he prefers a modern cut, Calvin Klein could fit his needs.

YOUNG MEN — FAQ

What do the numbers on Levi’s jeans mean?

LEVI’S DENIM REFERENCE CHART
Number	Style / Fit	Description
501	Original Shrink to Fit	Button fly jean—suggest 1-2 inches larger in the waist and length due to shrinkage
505	Regular	Straight through the leg, regular fit
510	Super Skinny	Super slim (smallest available); skinny leg
511	Skinny	Extra slim fit, straight leg, sits below the waist
514	Slim Skinny	Slim fit, straight leg, sits below the waist
517	Boot Cut	Narrow through seat and leg, well defined leg bottom to accommodate wearing boots
527	Relaxed Boot Cut	Relaxed through seat and leg, well defined leg bottom to accommodate wearing boots
559	Relaxed Straight	Relaxed through seat, straight leg, sits at the waist
560	Comfort	Relaxed, sits at the waist with a tapered leg
569	Loose Straight	Relaxed through seat, straight leg, sits below the waist

Junior's Clothing Guide

[I am an old Macy's employee, this information I am sharing we refer to as "product knowledge"]

FABRICATIONS

A fashion customer that thrives on change. She is constantly engaged in the pursuit for the new, the hot and the hip. Newness is a virtue. She looks for directional design rather than high quality, she’ll have moved on long before her purchases wear out. The fashion customer is often harder to define because fashion is a major part of her life and image. Whatever she does and is passionate about is likely have an effect on her fashion.

POPULAR DENIM STYLES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long are junior jeans?

Length in inches from the crotch to the bottom of the jean along the inner seam of a pair of pants. American Rag inseams are: Short (30”), Regular (32”), and Long (34”)

What is the difference between Junior and Missy sizes?

See the size charts below for a comparison:

MISSES’ SIZES
5.5”-5.6” (165-168 cm) tall / average bust / average back
Dimension / Size	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
Bust	32-34	34	34	35	36	37 ½	39	40 ½	42	44
Waist	22-24 ½	25 ½	26 ½	27 ½	28 ½	30	31 ½	33	34 ½	36 ½
Hip	33-35 ½	36 ½	37 ½	38 ½	39 ½	41	42 ½	44	45 ½	47 ½
Back-Waist Length	14 ½	14 ¾	15 ½	15 ¾	16	16 ¼	16 ½	16 ¾	17	17 ¼

JUNIOR SIZES
5.4”-5.5” (162.5-165 cm) tall / average bust / average back
Dimension / Size	5	7	9	11	13	15
Bust	34	35	36	37 ½	39	40 ½
Waist	26	27	28	29 ½	31	33
Hip	36	37	38	39 ½	41	43
Back-Waist Length	15	15 ¼	15 ½	15 ¾	16	16 ¼

What style of jean is the best?

It really depends on your body and the look you want to create. Skinny jeans are very versatile and look great with a long top or tucked in to boots or with flats. A flare leg with a fitted top and a heel is fun for going out or a dressier look.

TERMS & DEFINITIONS

Whiskers / 3D Whiskers	Wear marks applied where a jean would naturally crease and fade. Regular whickers are a lighter shade than the rest of the garment and 3D whiskers are three dimensional and semi-permanent.
Threadbare	Refers to the horizontal threads (weft) that remain when a hole begins to form in a distressed / destructed jean.
Distressed Wash	A wash technique which gives fabric a worn-in vintage look. Distressed washes include light abrasion and destructed washes include threadbare holes.