Separation (assortment)
Also known as: separates
Assortment approach with individually orderable tops and bottoms in different sizes - especially important in corporate wear and workwear so each person can be fitted precisely.
Description
Separation (or separates) describes an assortment concept in which tops and bottoms of a collection can be ordered individually - as opposed to sets where jacket and trousers only ship together. The term originates in 1930s American sportswear women's fashion and is today essential in corporate wear, workwear, uniforms and business outfitting.
The benefit is fit flexibility: one person can wear a size 42 top and a size 40 bottom without ordering multiple sets. For the buyer separation also means complexity: two separate size grids with different turnover speeds must be stocked, and colour and material consistency between top and bottom across production batches must be monitored.
Well-known separation systems include the Hakro corporate modular range, Kübler workwear basic (trousers, jacket and dungarees individually combinable), Engelbert Strauss e.s. roughtough and the two-tone modular ranges by James & Nicholson. In fashion, brands like Zara and H&M also apply the principle to build complete looks from individual modules.
Properties
| Issuer | Not a label - assortment and trade concept |
|---|---|
| Scope | Individual top/bottom size combination |
| Label | Catalogue structure "modular", individual SKUs per part |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wikipedia: Separates (clothing) Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separates_(clothing)
- Wikipedia: Workwear Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workwear
