Where to buy women’s wholesale clothing

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If you are in the retail business, you are well aware that much of your profit is dependent on how efficient you are with your wholesale purchase budget. After all, you won’t have much of a profit margin (at least in the beginning, especially if you’re trying to avoid high markups) if you are spending large amounts of your money on simply purchasing clothing. Retail stores such as smaller boutiques know this fact all too well. Since they are usually small and can’t depend on large chains and other retail branches to carry any dead weight, choosing the right wholesale women’s clothing provider is that much more crucial to their overall business success.

Wishes Strapless Tiered Party Dress

Where you actually purchase your wholesale ladies clothing depends a lot on your business model, but no matter your end goal, there are several wholesale sellers that will be able to meet your needs. If your store sells brand name items, you might want to consider buying from vendors who carry these brands. Many times, you can get a good deal if you wait for a surplus sale. Once your business is stable you can stock up on seasonal basics (stay away from fashion trends with a quick shelf life) and save them for the next year. It is especially important to check on minimum purchase requirements in the case of buying directly from vendors, as you will inherently have to mix and match designers, and don’t want to end up spending a huge percentage of your budget on multiple minimum requirements.

Another very simple place to buy wholesale apparel is online. From women’s wholesale clothing vendors, to directories of wholesale clothing, to easily searchable closeout wholesale sales, the internet makes your job as a retail clothing purchaser much easier—so take advantage of it! Many online wholesale warehouses carry thousands of products, ranging all apparel categories including handbags. So if you’re looking to add a little something extra to your women’s clothing offerings, these online wholesale vendors can be a great place to start. They also allow you to be time efficient by allowing you to search within your site for a specific item style or seasonal products. Also, they often feature sale sections on their site so you can browse items you might want to stock up on. Shopping for wholesale women’s clothing online is also a great way to find out which sellers don’t require a minimum purchase, as their policies are very easy to find (especially if they have no minimum requirement). So get searching, there is much to be found, and much fun to be had finding it!

What to buy this summer

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This year’s summer fashions will definitely keep you on your toes when you are purchasing merchandise for your boutique or women’s clothing store.

A big trend next season for women’s apparel clothing is in textures: either patterns woven directly into the fabrics, or textures created by draping or folding. This look is good with not just the fabrics, but in the designs of the dresses, shirts and pants. Find styles that utilize these textures to help your clients bring balance to their figures. Ruching on shirts and tanks can create hourglass figures for those who need help on top, and draping can cover hips in flattering ways.

JFW Tangerine Embroider Dress

JFW Tangerine Embroider Dress

In style this year will be beads, studs and bright colored sequins. Pastels and bright colors will all be in vogue. Coral is emerging as one of the most popular colors. It looks great on most women, and compliments this seasons colors as well as the very popular black and white.

Dresses will once again be big this year, so keep a variety in stock that include maxi dresses in solids, florals and patterns, . The classic shift is back as well as styles that lean towards the 50s. These styles can be both office oriented and used in casual settings and situations. The summer shifts will allow for catering to all body shapes and sizes. While minis will never go out of style for those with the legs to wear them, this year’s hemlines are holding just above the knee.

Don’t forget that “little black dress” which is always in style. Look for styles that suit your figure. If you want to show off you shoulders, strapless styles look the best. If you like a looser, more comfortable look, go for a dress with an empire waist, and last but not least, if you want to conceal your hips, look for a dress that has a cinched waistband or has a sash at the waist.

Use colorful accessories, to create your own clothing style as well as changing up an outfit so you can wear any dress for many different occasions. Wide studded belts, scarfs, and patterned tights are very popular.

Pencil skirts will be all the rage, especially for those who are looking for work attire. But to transition to a more casual look, keep a stock of A-lines on hand as well, which can work well for both work and casual.

Major themes in styles include a variety of bohemian and bold prints to create a goddess look with less structure. The feminine theme speaks of elegance, in both casual and evening attire. Chanel-like suits, elegant ruffles and vibrant colors make up this theme, in dresses, skirts, tops and jackets. Less is more in the modern styles that also include bold neutrals of grays, blacks, and various shades of white.

When considering shirts, include a variety of styles in crisp white. This classic look will allow customers to easily mix and match outfits so don’t be afraid to go all out in stocking many designs of this fashion favorite. If white is not your color, bold solid color or fun geometrical patterns also dress up business and casual attire.

This year, with many shoppers will be recycling older fashions, so make sure to carry a unique and intriguing collection from your wholesale women’s clothing vendor, using a variety of colors, texture, styles and trends to keep your customers coming back for more.

Now's the time to start setting up a Valentine's Day event for your clothing store!

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Wishes Square Neck Party Dress

Over the past few years, Valentine’s day has become an important occasion for women to purchase outfits for. Many couples celebrate Anniversaries around this holiday, and new couples are busy celebrating their relationship by going out to eat, or attending an activity together. This has driven up demand for Valentine’s dresses among women. Store owners can capitalize on this by holding a Valentine’s day event in their boutiques.

Why an event?

Events are a great opportunity to get your name out. A store event can be spread on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, which can generate a lot of one-day store purchases. They also go a long way toward building brand name and customer loyalty. By having an in-store event, you are able to connect with your community on a personal level. This may be the deciding factor that brings them to you, rather than to a big department store.

Your in-store event is a terrific place to get customer information, too. You can have a raffle, or sample auction. To sign up, you will need customer names, addresses, or email addresses. if you get a great list of email addresses, guess what – you’ve just built yourself a great marketing base!

What to do at an event?

Any event will need more than an occasion to draw people to it. You’ll need some kind of incentive, like door prizes, or free gifts with purchase. Maybe offer chocolates with the purchase of a Valentine’s dress. or coupons to local restaurants (this is a great way for you to partner with other local businesses).

As a clothing boutique, a fashion show can also be an amazing draw. Recruit your best customers as models, and allow them a discount on their outfits as compensation. Invite local press for some publicity on your event.

Set goals

Decide what you want your event to do for you, and then make all preparations what those goals in mind. If you want to establish yourself as a sophisticated shop with exclusive garments, consider having the even catered with light fare, or having a local violinist or cellist play for clients. If you want to be the hip store in town, have a local band play, or get a DJ. Let your clients mingle, and give them plenty of opportunities to see your garments in action.

If your goal is to gather information, do that by finding ways to have your clients willingly share their information. Announce a newsletter and have them sign up, or offer e-mail only coupons. Get your client base connected to you. Make sure everyone knows you have an account on Twitter if you do, and ask them to follow you.

Whatever you do for your Valentine’s clothing event, make sure everyone has a good time, and leaves with a great impression of your store!

Top New Spring Colors For 2010

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Anyone following the color trends of 2009 knows Spring brought an array of bright pop shades meant to inspire a breakout from the winter doldrums. But the vibrant and over the top blues, yellows and greens that were the highlights of last year make way for a much subtler more serene color sense in 2010. Designers, aware of the economic challenges of today’s economy, intend to help compliment existing styles rather than replacing them entirely.

So this Spring will take a natural turn, featuring a more subdued range of purples, pinks, grays, and browns. Many of these will also include underlying colors that complement and enhance the richness of the primary shade. This will create a more tranquil look and will refresh an existing palette.

Grays, for example will have purple or blue undertones, while pinks and brown will accent teals. For those who found

the pop pink of last season too much, this year’s trend of a soft renaissance pink will be much more pleasing, with its soft and feminine appeal.

The purples this year will have much more reds that blues. This makes a great statement for an afternoon tea dress or for early evening cocktails. A new ashy gray will be touched with a lavender undertone, allowing this color, not normally included in the season, to be perfect for Spring.

Teal replaces the shocking “vert tonic” of last season, making way for a more sober and classy alternative. The richness of this bejeweled color will lend itself well to the textured fabrics, such as jacquard. Always a great choice for the more dressy occasions, this blue-green will be stunning in formal wear and floor length gowns.

Take a cue from the top designers, and prepare yourself with these top five selections favored by New York Designers

golden colors 2010

golden colors 2010

this year:

  • Violet. The undertones will provide more warmth to this cool color and moves it to number one on the list.
  • Golden Yellow: It started as a highlight in accessories and handbag, but this season designers have moved it to a number two spot on most popular.
  • Turquoise: This year’s soften varieties will bring to mind ocean breezes and tranquil settings and pairs nicely with the understated grays and navies.
  • Coral: Designers consider this to be an extremely mellow version of orange and is appropriately flattering to a wide variety of skin tones.
  • Tomato: In keeping with the subtle themes of 2010, this subdued red retains the passion without going over the top.

Whatever your preference, this year’s colors are sure to bring out the soft and feminine side of any wardrobe. Be ready to indulge in timeless basics, in colors that are appropriate not only to the season, but in these changing and challenging times. So check out what’s currently in your closet, and grab the garments you already have in these shades for the upcoming season. They can be easily matched to put together great new looks that will remain stylish throughout any changing trend.

Top 5 Mistakes for clothing store owners to avoid

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Today’s market for small boutiques is completely cut-throat. Missed deadlines, over stocking or under stocking; all

boutiques

boutiques

these mistakes have amplified consequences in a time when customers are hesitant to shop. It’s more important than ever for clothing store owners to avoid mistakes that can cost time, energy, customers, and profits. Here is Julie’s list of the top five mistakes to avoid as a boutique clothing store owner:

Fealty to National Trends over Local Tastes

Do everything you can to avoid this pitfall. The whole point of owning a boutique is to sell your own style; your unique take on what looks good. No one else will have your sense of fashion, though many may emulate it by buying your clothing. This exclusive look is your selling point. However, if you go to J-Crew, the Gap, Urban Outfitters and then Target, and think, “Why, they’re doing so well, I should sell what they sell,” then you become a sell out, and not long after will have to sell your store.

Trying to compete with the big box stores on their ground is like fighting Godzilla with a club. The point is to play to your strengths. Ask people in your neighborhood what they want. It’s fine to do research on what’s popular, but have an opinion on it. In sum: let the local demand determine what you buy, rather than the national trends.

Having a muddled Brand

If  you have one rack dedicated to women’s lingerie, another to children’s booties, another to men’s outdoor wear, and yet another to teenage goth, you may be stretching yourself so wide no one knows what you are anymore. Some customers like to know exactly what you’re going to have available, and others like to browse and discover. But no one wants to walk into a store thinking they’ll get one thing and finding another.

Pick a category and examine all the relevant fashion angles to it. For example, if you love prom fashion, you could consider prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, cocktail dresses, and little black dresses relevant to that category. Not considering what clothing has synergy together will bloat your inventory and muddle the branding of your store—how many lingerie shops succeed by also offering men’s shoes? None!

Burdensome Overhead

The most expensive aspect of owning a small business, usually, is employee pay and benefits. Avoid this as much as possible. Work your butt off as long as it takes for your business to sustain another employee. Seven days a week, no vacations, or twelve hour days – whatever it takes to stay solvent. Your business will be your life. If it’s not, it may not grow to sustain your lifestyle in the future. Try as best as possible to hire family (who may work for less) or even volunteers. (You can teach them the ropes of owning a fashion boutique in exchange for working the register and helping customers.)

Poor Location Choice

shop

As in home buying, location is essential. You want street traffic to see what you offer, and it needs to be the right kind of street traffic. Why have a high-end fashion boutique if your storefront faces a discount chain?

Not Ordering in Advance

When you get merchandise and clothes to sell from top design firms, you have to place your orders well in advance of the season. This is a skill you can learn only by knowing the best wholesale women’s clothing companies online.