Photo by kyle smith on Unsplash
Dear Customers, Subscribers & Friends,
I’m looking for your valuable input this week. One of my core design principles and top business values is to always reach out and truly listen to you, my customers and audience. I’m continually seeking out your wants and needs, your likes and dislikes, what works and doesn’t work when it comes to dressing in style and comfort. And I’ve always been told I’m a good listener. So, now I really want to hear from you and listen to you.
To help you help me, I have two specific questions both related to the Maxine reversible tank and the new longer version tunic. The first thing I would like to know ties into another one of my core design principles which is clothing that is easy to put on and take off. The Maxine was designed to step into and pull up. What I would really like to know is do you actually step into it and pull it up? Or, do you pull it over your head?
Many of you, in the past or even now, have not known you can put the Maxine on this way. That’s the reason we did this video clip of the lovely Heidi demonstrating how to do it. I’m sure you’ll agree, Heidi looks amazing and does a fabulous job!
Click to see Heidi demonstrate the step-in design
Even with the video, I’m not sure that many of you put it on this way. I usually do, not all the time, but most of the time. I just find it easier. My shoulders are often stiff in the morning. Now granted, the bamboo is super soft and forgiving and has a lot of stretch so I do find it’s much easier to pull on and off over my head than other tight, spandexy type sports bras and tanks. And you know, sometimes, it’s more for vanity reasons. I like to put it on feet first because I’ve already done my hair and don’t want to mess it up.
So, I’m curious to know if you use the step-in, pull-up design feature or not. Now, the reason I’m asking this is I’ve had some feedback from customers trying on the Maxine that the neckline doesn’t fit as snugly as they’d like it to. Naturally, because it has to pull up over your hips, the neckline has to be a certain width which is why there is a boatneck on one side and a V-neck on the other. What it comes down to is it can only be one or the other, not both. Do I keep the unique step-in pull-up design? Or, do I tighten up the width of the neckline? You get to vote!
The 2nd question I would like you to answer is do you use the reversibility of the Maxine tank or tunic? If you’re going, huh? Then, let me explain. As I mentioned earlier, the Maxine has a V-neckline on one side and a boatneck on the other and you can wear it both ways. Hence, the reversible part. You can wear the V-neck in front with the boatneck in back, or vice versa, the boatneck in front with the V-neck in back.
My question is do you wear the V in front sometimes and the boatneck in front other times? Or do you wear it one way all the time? For me, I tend to wear the boatneck in front most of the time. I like a higher neckline and I find it a little more dressy looking under a jacket or cardigan. But, on occasion, I do wear the V in front like when I’m going to yoga class. I have to admit though, that’s not very often.
If you always wear it one way or the other way, then maybe I don’t make it reversible. Maybe I do some with a V-neck and some with a boatneck. That would solve the problem mentioned earlier with customers wanting a more snugly fitting neckline.
Another reason I’m asking is I would like to do another version of the Maxine, a longer tunic than the one that just came out, with an A-line fit so more flared out and flow-y. I would also like to make it dip down in the back so you could wear it over leggings, or if you like, as a little dress when it’s nice and sunny and warm out (if that ever happens!). But, if I do a dip in the back, then it can’t be reversible because wearing the dip in the front would look rather silly. The option is do to some with a V-neck and some with a boatneck. I would probably give it a whole new name so it’s not to be confused with the Maxine reversible tops.
Again, let me know your thoughts. Even if you don’t own a Maxine, I would still love to hear what you think. And if you do own a Maxine, then I definitely would like to hear how you wear it.
Please know I design for you! That’s my why. To make your life a little more stylish and comfortable. The ideas start out from my own needs and desires but then I listen and adapt. I want my clothes to fill all your needs, to check off all your boxes. I need your help to do that.
Let me know the answers to these two burning questions in the comments below, or on my Facebook page or Instagram, or if you’d rather do it more privately, then please send me an email at colleen@cokanna.ca.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Until next time,
~ Colleen
