The cold winter weather outside has driven stylish Hanoi residents indoors to snap up cool fashions with home-made appeal.

Customers are showing more interest in made-in-Vietnam products.

"The youth this year are choosing more made-in-Vietnam goods," said Duong Thi Thoan, Deputy Head of the Trading Department of manufacturer Legamex.

Shops selling clothes made by Legamex, Chien Thang, Viet Tien, May 10, and Nha Be have been doing a brisk business this season.

"The popular styles are jeans and woollen sweaters. Turtlenecks, heart-shaped and round-necked sweaters made from various materials by the Mua Dong Woollen Company, Hanosimex and Dong Xuan Knitting Company are favourite products for students," said Ms Thoan.

Soft wool sweaters from Da Lat, which are thin but still warm, are also selling well, she said.

Ngo Thi Bau, Managing Director of manufacturer and retailer Foci, said youth had become more interested in domestic products over the past few years.

"This year, they are paying more attention to colour, material, and cut, which should be simple and young," she said.

Bright and warm colours, such as pink, orange and red, were popular. Tight sweaters were usually paired with dark jeans, said Ms Bau.

If it's a little colder, short, tight velvet jackets trimmed with faux fur at the wrists and neck were also good choices, she said.

Experts had noted few departures from the tried and true styles in the world of men's fashion.

"Men's fashion seems to not have changed much this season," Ms Bau said. "Polyester and cotton jackets and vests are still the favourite choice."

Insulated jackets, especially reversible ones, were among the top sellers, she said.

Ms Bau also noted that sportswear and long jackets of felt material weren't selling as well as in previous years. Instead, jeans were more popular and available along shopping streets like Tran Nhan Tong, Hai Ba Trung and Dien Bien Phu.

A designer at the small shop Celebrity, on Mai Hac De Street, agreed jeans were in, for both men and women.

"Denim is really at the top of fashion this year," said Pham Thi Thu Hang. "People aged 18-23 years pay special interest to classic denim jackets and jeans."

Ms Hang said young girls were looking for tight, knit sweaters to be worn inside jean jackets or silk jackets.

Women aged 25-35 leaned toward colourful silk jackets with embroidered or glass-beaded decoration and with a blend of traditional and modern features, said Ms Hang.

(Source: Viet Nam News)