Change is constant, it can be embraced or resisted.  These past twelve months have had some of the most difficult challenges the World has faced and will for sometime to come.  Everything has and will be examined as the world emerges the Pandemic and the type of reset that will come.

Getting back to the basics has probably never been more important in re-starting the World Economy.  It also will be figuring out how to prevent the next Pandemic from happening again and the lessons learned from Covid-19.  Climate Change will have to be dealt with once and for all.  There is a short window of about 8 years to protect the environment and its resources.

This begins at home.  Do away with cheap disposable products that fill up the landfills and oceans!  Buying less junk that falls apart prematurely will go a long way.  Longevity is paramount in saving resources and eliminating waste.  How does apply this to Apparel? As an individual what can I do?

I have seen many questions asked on Social Media: Tailoring, Apparel, Fit, etc., trying to find answers and know what to do.  Below is a guide to help give some direction.

1. Buy for quality and value and what you can afford.  There is no free lunch and you get exactly what you pay for.  If something is cheaply made it simply will not last and this is what winds up in the landfills and oceans.

2.  Apparel will in most cases need to be altered.  If you find a garment well made and needs further fitting this can often be done by a seamtress anything more should be done by a tailor.  Having a well made garment tailored properly will outlast disposable clothing.  You will spend less over time and have a better wardrobe that you can mix n match.  Its not how many clothes you have, its getting the right garments to begin with.

3. Find a local specialty store that is not part of a chain and let the owner or a professional at the store work with you.  A local store is a special experience that you do not get elsewhere.  These professionals will work with you to develop your wardrobe.  This is their expertise.  They will work you within your budget and you get the results you desire, the first time.

4. OnLine buying is good for electronics, books and travel.  Buying clothing is personal.  It is touching and feeling the merchandise and trying items on.  OnLine buying is hit and miss and expensive, clothing is inconsistent with fit and what you see on line is often not what you thought the garment would be.  It is time consuming and expensive with returns.

In 2020, most people were working from home, 2021 will be a year of rebound in the 3rd and 4th quarter.  People want to get back to the new normal and get moving once again.  When this occurs this will be a good time to discover Local Stores in your Community.

If you are not sure what to do in developing your Professional or Lifestyle Wardrobe, contact us, we will be glad to help you to get on the right path. Contact info: 402-493-5160 and [email protected] and Make Appointment.

This Year will be a challenge to get Holiday Gifts to their destination on time.  OnLine Shopping has increased substanially this Fall, especially the closer we get to the Holidays.

UPS, FedEx and the United States Post Office have Covid Policies in place for safety.  The issue is especially for FedEX and UPS they have been overwhelmed from all the OnLine Purchases from OnLine and Brick and Mortar Retailers.  There are infastructure issues to handle all the extra packages and overage, distribution space, enough trucks and drivers.

Most of the year during Covid deliveries are not guaranteed and especially now in the Holiday rush.  Plan your purchases and shipping before December 15th or the packages may not make it before Christmas.  It is just the way everything is.  Also take into account the world wide supply chain has been severly impacted by Covid.

It may be time to safely visit your Local Retail Store as it has always been here for you, your families before there ever were OnLine Stores.

Brick and Mortar has been here for generations taking care of family needs year round and more importantly during the Holidays.  Local stores have taken part making donations, supporting local charities, etc.  When you needed them, they were there for you.  

THESE LOCAL STORES NEED YOU, NOW!!  They may not be here tomorrow.  If YOU want them to be here, they need your support.  If it is a gift card or take out order from a local restaurant, a childrens store or any local merchant, now is the time.

You may have seen this on the national and local news, this is real and now!  We are huge advocates of SHOP LOCAL.  If it wasn’t for SHOP LOCAL, our business wouldn’t have thrived over 3 generations (100+ years) as a continuous family LOCALLY OWNED Business.  We don’t want to see anyone fold; the end of Covid is in sight with the vaccines coming.

It may very well be The Local Stores will have what you need for local curbside delivery.  Be served by stores that provide outstanding customer service and your business is appreciated!  Most important, your money stays in the local community!

More now than ever before. Be safe and good health is all we can hope for until Covid is finally brought under control. The country has literally been brought to a standstill. With the hope of the vaccines on the horizon, the United States can eventually reset to a new beginning.

In the over 100 years our family business has been in existence we couldn’t have done it without the local community, it was the community that wanted us to thrive and be in business. This has been without a doubt a very challenged year. SHOP LOCAL has never been more important than right now! If you have your favorite places you do business with, shop with them now and beyond. If we all want businesses to remain, now is the time – they need your help!  

Big Stores can take care of themselves. This year has not been kind with so many bankruptcies and restaurants and stores out of business; never to return. Hopefully the unemployed will eventually get the job skills to once again find work, families will retain shelter – no evictions, and get the much needed food to sustain their family unit.  

Wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands has never been more important than now to stop this deadly virus! All this and more is so very important to get the United States on a path to  recovery and normal everyday life can once again continue.

We have Covid Policies in place for safety. It is safe to shop in store. We have our Online Stores, delivery is FREE on $99 regular price purchases and curbside delivery. Zoom and Facetime are available if you are looking for a gift we can show you what is available on the calls. Do know this year there are severe supply chain disruptions. There is merchandise and its best to have 2 or 3 choices in case your first request is not available. It will take 18 to 24 months for everything to recover. You may notice many items are sold out, not available online and empty shelves in stores.

Despite all that has transpired, we are Thankful for our clients and serving their needs over the course of time in Omaha. We all look for better days ahead and a time once again when normal everyday life returns.

2020 will go down like no other.  Hopefully the Pandemic will eventually be contained so normal life can resume. Along with the Pandemic, the alarms ⏰ have been going off with what is happening with the Global Climate Change.  There is a window of about 8 to 10 years to get positive change to protect the environment.  This is very, very real and will effect everyday life if the daily damage is not reversed and soon!

The Outdoor Industry Association is a leader in this fight as are many manufacturers and stores are advocating a safe, eco and sustainable environment.  I have written on this subject numerous times.  How do we all contribute to its success?, It starts now with gift giving. ( Please see courtesy video by Prana’s President, Russ Hopcus, narrating Clothing for Positive Change.)  

Questions that should be asked is “what is the value of what is being bought”? Is the gift something that will likely  fall apart prematurely, not last and so on.  There is no free lunch, it’s the free lunch that is the trouble.  It lands in the landfill or dumped in the oceans.  

Is this the kind of world we want, especially for future generations.  Ladies and Gentlemen, the time is now as precious resources are being taxed.  Everything will have irreversible permament damage if the course is  not changed.

Look for eco and sustainable gifts, manufacturers that protect the environment and leave a positive carbon footprint.  Their goods are fair trade items that are made with  intergrity and not in sub human conditions.  Garments are made of  down, bamboo, organic cotton, wool and recycled wool, polyester made from plastic items that are dumped in the oceans.  These are just a few of the fabrics used in the technologies that  will protect the future of the environment and slow down the waste.

There is a time to start and the holidays is as good time as any.

During the Pandemic the country is going through many changes, routines have been disrupted, including working at home. When not on Zoom, people want to be comfortable, not hot or cold or have fabrics that scratch the skin.  We often get asked what is the alternative.

There are different grades of fabrics and what raw materials are used in manufacturing.  If a garment is made the cheapest way possible it is going to feel, look it and money wasted.  There are Eco and Sustainable fabrics that are terrific and don’t cost much more; the garment last and fit and comfortable to wear.  If you are not familiar with Tasc Performance, they are the premier producers of Bamboo and Organic Cotton high performance clothing for work, fitness and lounging.  Bamboo has natural stretch, UPF+50 Sun protection, anti-odor, breathable and moisture wicking.  You get what you pay for.   These garments last and over time you spend less replacing garments.  Tasc Performance, Prana, Kühl, Mountain Khakis, Toad and Co, TenTree, United by Blue are leaders and many other Outdoor and Lifestyle Clothing manufacturers.

The difference is the carbon footprint they leave protecting the environment.  This helps mother earth slow down climate change.  Instead of filling up the landfills and the oceans with throw-a-way disposable junk.  These companies and the products they make reverses the course.  If you need help and want to know more (Eco, Sustainable Clothing), contact Bel Air Fashions.

I was asked to comment on a article about Holiday Shopping, has it started yet? Holiday gift buying is just starting.  With the Pandemic and the Election, it will impact many families this Fall.  A disproportioned number of families are unemployed, working from home and a impending election has caused a lot of disruption.  

Holiday Shopping will be different in 2020.  The election needs to be determined what direction this country is heading.  People for the most part are being very careful when and where they venture out and what is going to be spent.  Many are concerned with the Virus spread which has created very limited foot traffic.  

Another part of this: working from home.  Apparel needs are limited.  Business and leisure travel is pretty much non-existent.  Entertainment is very limited.  Large gatherings at venues may start again in 2021 or 2022.   

Until there are vaccines, not much will change.  There will be online holiday buying and curbside pick up to limit exposure.  The question is, can  restaurants and retailers get to the other side of the pandemic and survive?.  It is more important now than ever to shop local.  

If you want your restaurants and stores to be here after the Pandemic, now is the time to support Shop Local.   Shop local will lead the recovery when this is all over.

Prepare for What Lays Ahead by Dick Lerner

The Pandemic has caused a total and complete upheaval across the board.  As we go into later Fall and Winter, products you have been able to find may not be available for some time or not at all.

I am writing to share inquiries that we get.  Searches take more time and are frustrating.  What use to be automatic, is no longer the case. Buying gifts for the holidays? Best advise, start now.  Have 2nd and 3rd choices.  What is available now will diminish! It will probably be 24 to 36 months before things start turning around.

Many retailers and manufacturers are dwindling.  There are voids in the marketplace.  The effects of Covid are: shortages are common place, selections are limited, manufacturers are producing narrower product availability and deliveries are extended out.  Many businesses having issues financially, will continue to go bankrupt and close.  Brick and mortar and online stores are affected.

The pandemic is not over.  Covid policies affects production schedules, hours of operation, which affects product availability and extends out deliveries.  Until vaccines are readily available and the Pandemic is brought under control, Covid policies in place will slow the recovery.  It may be 24 months or so before everything starts turning to a new normal.  There has not been anything like Covid since the 1918 Spanish Flu.  With time, it will get back to  normal, until then this is the actuality.  If you have your favorite Local Business, support them!