Tag Archives: recession

Would You Sell Your Body To Make Ends Meet?

Amelia McDonell-ParryJune 22, 2009 //

If times were tough — I mean, really tough — would you sell your body for money? In her Salon column “Pinched,” Tracy Clark-Flory reports that more women are entering the sex industry due the recession, including Marie, a 30-year-old former white-collar professional with a degree, who now operates out of hotel room and has “been paid more times than she can count, or cares to count, for sex, blow jobs, hand jobs and sensual massage.”

We already knew that sex still sells during a recession — sex toy sales are up, lingerie sales are booming, and sex workers — from prostitutes to strippers — aren’t being as adversely effected by the economic downturn as other businesses. But otherwise professional women who never considered a career in sex work suddenly taking it all off to make ends meet? Is this really a trend? Keep reading »

Is A He-Cession Good News For Women?

Carrie WasterlainJune 18, 2009 //

According to researchers, bloggers, and bitter, unemployed men, our recession has a gender-specific twist. They argue that the recession is in fact a “he-cession,” since four out of every five people who have lost their jobs during the past two years have been men. The shift in unemployment is due primarily to job losses in manufacturing and auto industries; men make up the majority of these work fields. Keep reading »

The “New” Wedding Food Looks A Lot Like What We Eat At Backyard Barbecues

Catherine StrawnJune 17, 2009 //

Weddings are just one opulent aspect of life that has gotten downsized during this recession. In an effort to at least make it look as though they’re not spending loads of dough on their wedding, more brides have been taking a “down home” approach to the ceremony and reception. The New York Times reports that more women are throwing backyard barbecue-like parties with pies instead of tiered wedding cakes, and slider burgers instead of salmon. This is cute and all, but more folksy weddings don’t actually cost less than extravagant ones. But, since we’re not really into excessive displays of wealth, here’s what we’d serve if we threw tradition (and smoked salmon) out the window… Keep reading »

Solution To The Recession: Move In With Your Boyfriend

Catherine StrawnJune 17, 2009 //

While our government tries to figure out how to get us out of the recession, the Onion News Network “reports” on an option that could solve our sticky economic sitch: Why don’t couples who live in separate apartments move in together? As one girlfriend supporting this course of action says, “In a recession, it just doesn’t make any sense for two people who say they love each other to pay separate rents.” Meanwhile, the boyfriends fear they’ll lose any last semblance of independence. Keep reading »

Long Skirts My Ass: Rodarte Wins CFDA Award

Lily QJune 16, 2009 //

Nary a day goes by lately without another store closing, one more report of plummeting sales figures and a bright glint of hope that Crocs may finally go under due to massive losses. Some economists and fashion analysts are even saying that these tough times have resulted in Depression-era style having a resurgence (not always a bad thing), like muted color palettes and longer skirts. But while the tanking economy is forcing some of us into Ramen dinners, ankle length sack skirts and boring colors, others are telling all economic indicators to screw themselves and sticking with bright, hot little dresses. And they’re doing better than most. Keep reading »

Is It A Proposal If There Isn’t A Ring?

Catherine StrawnJune 10, 2009 //

Times are tough around the world, and we’re all cutting back in some area of our life. In Japan, one common cost-cutting measure seems to be diamond engagement rings. The percent of men who bought engagement rings will slip from 1993′s 80 percent to just 50 percent this year, according to estimates from the Yano Research Institute. Some couples are deciding to spend more on wedding bands, or to buy watches or other jewelry rather than investing in a rock. Certainly, people shouldn’t purchase engagement rings they can’t afford, but do you think it’s even necessary for a man to propose with a ring? We asked three women for their thoughts. Keep reading »

Why Will People Keep Buying Chanel and Vuitton In A Recession?

Lily QJune 4, 2009 //

Apparently Topshop, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Forever 21 aren’t doing too badly in the recession, even as their peers are experiencing millions of dollars in losses. A WWD survey of a 100 luxury industry experts came up with those four brands as the most likely to succeed in this economy and, as you can see, there’s quite a disparity in price points. We understand why Topshop and Forever 21 will do well—they’re on trend, fun and dirt cheap—but Chanel and Louis Vuitton need a little further explanation. Why Chanel and LV, not Prada and Dior? What is it about these particular $3,000 bags that makes them relatively recession-proof?

Keep reading »

Full-Figure Clothing Latest Recession Casualty

Annika HarrisJune 3, 2009 //

Plus-size fashionistas are going to have a harder time finding clothing that fits because plus-size clothing companies are being hit as hard by the recession as high-end designers and department stores. Many stores have decreased the amount of plus-size clothing they carry or have eliminated the department altogether. Plus-size clothing costs 10 percent more to manufacture, and the demand for it isn’t as high as smaller-sized garments. Sad. At least they can still shop at Faith 21 and Pure Energy. [Fashion Indie] Keep reading »

When Men Aren’t Buying Undies, The Economy Is In The Tank

Carrie WasterlainMay 29, 2009 //

If your bedroom buddy has been sporting the same skivvies over and over, it may be a sign that the recession is still in full throttle. According to economist Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve chief, underwear sales are a great indicator of the economy’s status. Over the course of 2008, male underwear sales declined by 12%; as we all know, GDP took a sharp drop as well. So just in case you didn’t already have enough on your mind during the brutal economic meltdown, you now have to worry about (and be wary of) your dude’s holey undies, too. Here’s hoping the economy—and our boyfriends’ boxer collection—are on the rise. Keep reading »

When Our Wallets Are Empty, We Buy Lube

Catherine StrawnMay 22, 2009 //

Further confirmation that sex-related industries continue to do well during a recession: Sales of personal lubricants increased 32 percent this quarter, up to $41.2 million. “When the economy goes down, sex goes up,” according to a spokesman for Johnson & Johnson, the company behind K-Y Yours & Mine his-and-hers lubricants. The “sexual-enhancement” product category is growing even faster, with sales up 74 percent this quarter. So, it seems the recession is good for something, namely taking away everyone’s money so they can’t afford to see a movie in the theater, but they have enough to pick up a few ounces of lube. But while you’re at the store, don’t forget a pack of condoms. An increase in unemployment rates increases fertility, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, and we see a mini-baby boom as a result. [Ad Age] Keep reading »

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