Fashion Lawyer has written numerous posts concerning the effect that weather has on retail.  Apparently, many are now saying that increasingly unpredictable weather- particularly warmer weather- is having an impact on the design of outerwear.

Entering stage left is the main character, the short sleeve coat:

Apparently layering is now the name of the game.  Instead of a thick jacket, fashion lines are designing jackets with short sleeves and accompanying the new silhouette are long gloves and thin sweaters.  I saw the trend at Zara this winter with elbow length leather gloves.  Look, even at the easy-on-the-eye price tags at Zara, the leather gloves were pricey. 

Is it really designing for the weather or is it gouging the consumer- what do you think?  As always, comments are welcome and appreciated!