[Winhes2]

Is there a term of the trade for showing a customer a combination such as two suits, three shirts that each go well with both suits, and four ties that each go well with the combinations of suits and shirts?

 

[Fraser Tartan]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-selling
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upselling

 

[Flanderian]

Is there a term of the trade for showing a customer a combination such as two suits, three shirts that each go well with both suits, and four ties that each go well with the combinations of suits and shirts?

I'm sorry, if there's a specific universal industry term, I don't know it. But it's a very interesting question, and I'd like to offer what little information I have from experience over the years. My suspicion is that it's more likely vernacular terms would evolve that would be unofficial and differ from chain to chain, store to store and change over time.

As a shopper, I have seen advertising and sales programs with terms such as suite, combo, pre-coordinated, and ensemble to suggest items that could be purchased and worn together. Such programs have had rather short histories, rarely continuing for more than a few years, suggesting they may not have been very successful in the intent to sell more goods. The illustration below is from an ad for a retailer named Contempo that appeared in the April 1937 issue of Esquire. They employed this as their form of marketing, and appear to only have been around 10 years, or so.

This process used to be the province of the men's wear salesman, and as such, was dependent upon their level of experience, talent and taste. I.e., good ones were often passionate and did it well, nubes, not so much. But I'm afraid in the current retail environment, I would expect only limited and questionable assistance. If you can find otherwise, you might wish to cultivate it.

Edit: I just realized that another concept might be helpful for you, that of the personal shopper. Some larger stores offer these, and the good ones are very skilled. Though it's usually higher-end retailers, and the merchandise they offer tends to be pricey. And there are also individuals that do this on an independent basis, and are commonly compensated by the retailers for merchandise their client purchases.

 

[Winhes2]

Thank you Fraser Tartan and Flanderian. Flanderian, you have correctly identified my area of thought.

Regarding personal shoppers: On the advice of Alexander Kabbas received a few years ago, I've sent my sons shopping with a gifted oil artist once each year. He was paid by the hour and is a relative, so I had no concerns about whether he had a vested interest in particular shops. He is a little fashion forward for my eye, but he is shopping for 20 year olds, so is doing fine for them.

I've been amazed at the apparent popularity of these "personal stylist" services that send customers a selection of items each month. Talk about a dog in the fight. Also, as you have alluded, people with real talent are relatively few and far between.

 

[SG_67]

I know there’s a term in retail called “visuals”. This may fall under that heading.

If there’s a specific term for clothing, I’m not aware of it.

 

[drlivingston]

When I worked for Ralph Lauren, we called it "building the sale" when coaching young sales associates.

 

[Winhes2]

These suggested fabric combinations 5 Pages from Apparel Arts., as the Contempo pages above, would be very helpful for purchasers uncomfortable with their own combination choices. What is lacking is where to get the clothes in the recommended combinations. That is solved in the Contempo pages. I wonder why Contempo, and generally advertising like this, didn't last. All that seems to be missing is matching the clothes to the purchaser's complexion/contrast, but that might be done with the wearer's images in the Contempo ads. Perhaps thetooare two many combinations of different complexions/contrasts to make it work mathematically. Each ad would be targeting the small subset of purchasers having the displayed complexion/contrast. Even with only 3 hair colors and three complexions, there are nine combinations which makes each ad relevant to only 11% of potential purchasers. Maybe the numbers just didn't work with print. I wonder whether it could work with databases. Perhaps for the complexion/contrast combinations, but producing the pictures of clothing combinations would become a huge job if all combinations of shirt, tie, suit were shown. Maybe that is why Contempo shows different shirts and ties in a single image. It was the math.

 

[Kyle76]

Package deal?

 

[Flanderian]

These suggested fabric combinations 5 Pages from Apparel Arts., as the Contempo pages above, would be very helpful for purchasers uncomfortable with their own combination choices. What is lacking is where to get the clothes in the recommended combinations. That is solved in the Contempo pages. I wonder why Contempo, and generally advertising like this, didn't last. All that seems to be missing is matching the clothes to the purchaser's complexion/contrast, but that might be done with the wearer's images in the Contempo ads. Perhaps thetooare two many combinations of different complexions/contrasts to make it work mathematically. Each ad would be targeting the small subset of purchasers having the displayed complexion/contrast. Even with only 3 hair colors and three complexions, there are nine combinations which makes each ad relevant to only 11% of potential purchasers. Maybe the numbers just didn't work with print. I wonder whether it could work with databases. Perhaps for the complexion/contrast combinations, but producing the pictures of clothing combinations would become a huge job if all combinations of shirt, tie, suit were shown. Maybe that is why Contempo shows different shirts and ties in a single image. It was the math.

All of this is entirely reasonable, and I believe correct. I.e., logical and productive. Putting my marketing hat back on, the first thing I realize is that logic rarely has much to do with personal purchases! We are able to convince ourselves of the most ridiculous things if we have the hope that the purchase delivers on a personal psychological need; I.e, scratches an itch.

Such purchases are usually a matter of whim, and exercising personal choice, logical or not, is more important than a more effective system of acquisition such as you describe. Couple that with the fact that we may be able to rationalize the cost of Item A, whereas a suite of A,B,C & D, even if ultimately more cost effective, gives us pause.

When discussing human nature, logic doesn't really enter into the issue! :icon_saint7kg:

 

[eagle2250]

^^"When discussing human nature, logic doesn't really enter into the issue!"
.....I'll say a 'hearty amen' to that reality! How closely related might be the phrases 'illogical behavior' and 'nutty behavior?' Frankly, in our own special ways, we are all a little nutty! Keeps things interesting. LOL.

 

[Winhes2]

Yes, I'm looking in my closet and noticing all of the pieces that I bought because I liked them on their own. Unfortunately, because I have no eye for putting things together, I didn't buy them with a view to how they would expand my wardrobe by going well with several other, already acquired, pieces. So, for example, I have this lovely tie with parrot heads in the pattern. I can wear it with nothing else I own. When I do that, of course, I can't go outside. So, until Jimmy Buffet plays Winnipeg, it gets very limited use.

I suspect I'm not alone - at least on the general point of having purchased items without considering whether they go well with previously acquired items.

 

[Fading Fast]

J.Crew, periodically, sends out emails showing full "outfits" with a link to "shop this look," where, I assume, you can purchase everything in the outfit.

Also, I just went to J.Crew's site and under the "Need it Now" section (never noticed it before) it seems to replicates those emails, where there is a "quick shop" link to each item in an entire outfit.

 

[SG_67]

....So, for example, I have this lovely tie with parrot heads in the pattern. I can wear it with nothing else I own. When I do that, of course, I can't go outside. So, until Jimmy Buffet plays Winnipeg, it gets very limited use.....

Oh but when he does, how ready you will be!