RETAIL ROUNDUP:Summer fashion bonanza awaits women over 55

NEWPORT BEACH — Draper’s and Damon’s is offering a bonanza this week for women over 55: a full array of new summer outfits displayed around the store, with all the most popular fabrics and colors and discounts offered for nearly all of them.

As for men, well, there are cookies, chips, dips and a full pitcher of lemonade.

The women’s clothing retailer, which has had a site in Westcliff Plaza for a quarter of a century, doesn’t intend its refreshments to be gender-specific, but it often works out that way.

While women shop for the latest seasonal garb, their husbands often wile away the time by partaking of the free snacks.

“We’re kind of a throwback in terms of customer service,” said Vice President of Marketing Alan Karo, who noted that many customers came just to socialize around the refreshment table.

Male or female, hungry or not, Draper’s and Damon’s has been getting a steady flow of customers this week.

On Monday, the store kicked off its annual Fashion Fiesta, introducing its summer line of clothes and offering special prices on them: nearly every item has a discount of 20% to 40%, and the store knocks $20 off any purchase over $100.

Draper’s and Damon’s, which opened its first store in Pasadena and celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, caters to women 55 and older.

Most of the dresses in the store are loose-fitting to fit women’s bodies as they age. For summer, the most popular materials are cotton and rayon — silk doesn’t weather well during the hot months — and soft pastel colors grow more common.

“As a woman ages and her body changes, part of the desire is to draw attention to her strengths and away from her weaknesses,” said spokeswoman Carol Knight. “That’s always the mission of fashion.”

The Fashion Fiesta continues through Sunday, with the store open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Call the store at (949) 646-5521 for more information.