Early shoppers snap up new spring styles

Tauranga is still in the throes of winter but some stores have already sold out of the first of their summer stock.
While the official start of spring is still weeks away and temperatures this week have been as low as 2C, spring fashion is flooding the shops and winter stock is hard to come by.
On-trend this summer are floaty chiffon tops, and tiny floral blouses and dresses, which are in stark contrast with the coats, thick tights and masses of black being worn on the streets of Tauranga.
Anna Mountford, owner of Wallis on Grey St, said the store had already sold out of "high summer pieces" which arrived two weeks ago, including a bright orange sundress and a salmon pink polka-dot top.
While many shoppers failed to understand why we're buying togs and singlets when we're still wearing raincoats and gloves, Ms Mountford said the fashion season cycle was due to a "global system of fashion".
"It would just be a nightmare to try and change, even though realistically it would be better if it moved forward or back a couple of months.
"It's the same all over the world, and it's always been the same delivery date.
"What has changed is people are going into sale earlier than they were. It used to be [there were] July sales, now they are at the latest June."
The influx of spring fashion means that shoppers can bag winter clothes at discount prices and wear them straight away.
Bargains found this week in Tauranga CBD included a winter coat at Glassons for $60 and long sleeve merino tops reduced to $29.99.
But the warm weather fashion is dominating shops, with the winter sales racks relegated to the back of the store with little choice left.
Ms Mountford said shoppers knew that they had to get in quickly to buy the new season fashion or risk missing out.
"I know that people seem to think that's a sales pitch, but it truly isn't.
"Wholesalers are a little bit more wary now, so they don't hold stock like they used to. Once your stores has sold out, it's very difficult to get new pieces."
New clothing was arriving in-store every two weeks, she said.
It was easier to sell summer clothes in winter than vice versa, Ms Mountford said.
"When it's cold and miserable people see the bright colours and get the hit of something bright and warm times ahead."
Sue Harding, owner of Temptations Lingerie & Swimwear in Mount Maunganui, said new season swimwear was already being snapped up despite the beach season being months away.
Some of the people buying the "summer" togs were in fact going on winter getaways to the Pacific Islands, Mrs Harding said.
"We had a lady that came in, and she said 'I'm not going away but I know if I leave it I'll miss out."
Bernadette Rowlands, owner of High St boutique on Devonport Rd, said spring clothing arrived in-store last week.
Although shoppers perceived the new season clothing arriving earlier each year, Ms Rowlands said there was no change from previous years.
"A lot of the [clothes] are quite trans-seasonal. If I showed you two lines of fashion, you would not be able to tell which was summer and which was winter.
Mrs Rowlands said plenty of customers had already snapped up spring pieces such as the summery white blouses seen in the store's window display.
"People purchase them and wear them with a merino underneath. My clients are very good at making clothes go both seasons.
"If you are making an investment in clothes you want to have that [versatility]. We are very big on layering up."
And if you waited until the warm weather hits in October, chances are those pieces will be sold out, she said.
On-trend for spring
Florals
Crochet
Chambray
Wedge shoes
Brights
Shorts
Retro