Readers are being reminded almost hourly by blogs, newspapers and even banners hanging from light posts that it is safe, once again, to spend.  At the same time, they may have noticed a rash of news suggesting the opposite: consumers are cutting back, paring their wardrobes, paying off their credit card debt and generally hunkering down in fear of a renewed recession.

In one typical example of mixed messages, the big reveal for the Fashion’s Night Out Sept. 10 party lineup (celebrities and events galore at hundreds of stores staying open until 11 p.m.) appeared in an issue of Women’s Wear Daily that was otherwise dedicated to a theme of fashion frugality. “Mindless excess is over,” the trend forecaster Faith Popcorn said, right there on its front page. Shop less! Shop more! Shop smarter!