C. W. Designs Caters to Preteen-Agers
Certain gray areas in age and size for children’s clothes cause parents and their offspring a lot of grief. One is girls preteens, for ages 11 to 14, and the other is pre-juniors, for the larger preteen-ager. The selection often is limited in department stores, and few specialty stores cater to this age group.
C. W. Designs is one manufacturer that does keeps the 11 to 14 crowd in mind. Mothers and daughters have been buying C. W. Designs for years in specialty stores such as A La Popcorn in Woodland Hills. Those in-the-know come from all over Southern California to the factory showroom boutique in Tarzana for that special-occasion dress, whether it’s for graduation, a bat mitzvah or first communion. An infant and toddler line of special-occasion dresses was also recently added to their line.
In this showroom/factory/boutique, young girls can review and try on the samples from which they order. Custom dresses start at $130, which is close to retail for what the ready-made clothes sell for in the stores, and the girls can create a style all their own by mixing and matching bodice and skirt styles and selecting specific fabrics.
Bargain shoppers can move to the rear of the warehouse and buy off the rack at 20% to 50% off regular retail. The wide selection size ranges from 7 to 14 through pre-junior, and the discounted inventory is made up of over-cuts from production.
An off-the-shoulder taffeta party dress that would retail for $180, for example, would be $90. A white faille jacket with black lapels and a straight black skirt, definitely the tuxedo look, can be had for $105 instead of $210.
Bobbi Feinstein and partner Miriam Schwartz are helpful and have their finger on the pulse of what’s the latest for girls in this age group.
W. is also great for adult petites (sizes 1, 2, 3) who have a hard time getting fitted anywhere. I found a wonderful short jacket for my Size 1 daughter in a unique woven fabric that was only $20.
Most of the inventory is for special occasions, but there is a good grouping for less dressy events. The fabric selection is a delight . . . many unusual and elegant textiles are available in the custom and bargain areas.
Everything is made on the premises, and the preteen customers and their mothers love to watch the expert seamstresses at work. The workmanship of the garments is excellent, but it is the designs that are outstanding.
C. W. Designs, 18720 Oxnard St., No. 106, Tarzana. Open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. Cash or check only. (818) 343-0823.
Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Thursday in Valley View. Questions about shopping may be sent to her, in care of Valley View, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Letters will not be answered individually, but topics of general interest will be discussed in future columns.
