MAKE LISTS!  Take an inventory of what you have and what you need more of.  Include shoes, jewelry, coats, sweaters…everything.New Kaelyn Max at Openstock Apparel

The smart thing to do, the frugal and self-respecting thing to do is learn how to shop smart for women’s clothing in the first place.

Start off by knowing what size you ACTUALLY ARE.  Find a measurement chart online and take your measurements to learn your standardized sizes.  You’ll need to take your measurements for bra size, shoe size, waist, hips, inseam length and even head size (if you’re going to buy hats).  Even know what size you really need for rings.  Next, find out what type of body you have.  Are you long-waisted?  Do you have a great chest?  Is your waist thick?  Do you have chunky thighs or a less-than-stellar butt?  You’ll need to know what you want to accentuate or de-emphasize before you head for the stores.

There are several things you’ll really need to nail down before shopping including WHICH of the clothes you love and why.  Is your look consistently casual?  Are you more of a button-down type?  Are you trying to bust out of a rut?  Then look through magazines and find what you’d love to try.  Consider whether you’re really happy with a color you consistently go to, or if you’d like to try something different.  Make sure your current color or one you’re considering is even flattering by holding it up to your face and looking in a mirror.  Do you look washed out, or tired in that color?  Do you have enough clothes for different occasions?  For instance, can you go to the beach and to a church outing on the same weekend?

The most important step to learning to shop smart for women’s clothing is to go to stores and try on every clothing item you’re considering.  Consider bringing along someone whose opinion you value, or learn to be realistic and critical on your own.  Is the item flattering, both in fit and color?  Is it comfortable?  Is it affordable? Will you be able to find shoes to go with it?  Do you already have seven of the same item sitting at home?  Can you afford your look, or do you need to learn how to be a little more sensible?

Stylish new dresses from Wishes.

Let’s face it – as women, our clothing often makes a statement about us long before we speak for ourselves. Fashion trends come and go, but there are certain wardrobe pieces no women should be without. Stocking your wardrobe with these ten timeless items will mean that unheard statement is always positive.
1.  Little Black Dress: No women should be without one. Stylish enough for a cocktail party, flirty enough for a special date and appropriate for almost any social gathering, the little black dress is the backbone of every wardrobe
2. Fitted Jeans: A solid pair of fitted jeans will see you through many occasions. Dress them down or dress them up, jeans are the everyday pant. Be sure yours are properly fitted for maximum impact.
3. Tailored Slacks: A pair of tailored slacks is ideal for almost any occasion that requires business attire. By pairing them with a tailored shirt or matching jacket, your tailored pants will see you through more than just business meetings.
4. Buttoned Blouse: a classic button blouse in white can be paired with anything from fitted jeans to skirts. An easy way to dress up your look, added stylish and classic jewelry will make this piece go even further.
5. Maxi Dress: fun and flirty, the maxi dress isn’t just for formal occasions. Select a color and cut that you feel comfortable in and you will find more and more occasions suited for your maxi dress.

Wishes block style maxi dress.

6. Trench: A classic coat is just as important. Many women turn to the tailored trench, but any lightweight coat cut in a classic line will work. Keep the coat simple by selecting a black one. Your classic black coat will work for any occasion and can be paired with any item in your wardrobe.
7. Tailored Skirt: No wardrobe is complete without at least one tailored skirt. You may decide to select several skirts in varying lengths, but if you only purchase one, be sure it is knee length and tailored.
8. Suit: Worn primarily for business, a suit is an excellent addition to any wardrobe. Keep the color simple to allow for variations. Pairing a black suit with a pink shell, baby blue blouse or a simple white button blouse will allow you to get more use out of the piece.

Nubiano Special Occasion Suit

9. Every Occasion Top: Select one top that is versatile enough to be worn with a variety of bottoms. Select a neutral color that can be used under your suit or paired with fitted jeans. Ideally the piece can be dressed up or dressed down.
10. Black Pumps: No outfit is complete without a pair of black pumps. Purchase a pair of classic black pumps. Perfect with the little black dress, they can also be paired with slacks, a suit or even jeans.
Once you have your wardrobe basics down, use current fashion trends to flesh out your wardrobe. Have fun with it and you will soon see it is possible to go from day time business attire to night time fun by simply changing one part of your outfit.

We all have our favorite dresses, you know, the default dress for a birthday dinner or a fancier Sunday brunch. But if you’re looking for something new to really ring in the warm weather seasons, here are a few styles to consider.

The little WHITE dress : Little white cocktail styles are going to be huge this spring and summer, as girls don them for graduations, bridal rehearsals, cool nights out, and hot summer days. Whether sleek and satiny, or cotton and full, the little white dress is a must have.

Denim: Denim is huge this year, with denim and denim/cotton dresses coming back in a big way. Denim is a great casual look that’s comfortable and sturdy, and so it will likely never completely go out of style. Look for full denim skirts with cotton tops, or button-up denim shirt dresses.

Wishes Halter Maxi Dress

Maxi: While this style became huge last summer, it has stuck around as a great spring and summer staple. By nature, these dresses are flowy and free, so they add a lot to the overall spring/summer feel of your outfits. Wear a printed or even tie-dyed maxi for a great outside shopping day outfit (can also double as a cover-up by the pool!) or choose a solid-colored style for a night time outing.

Tiered: These dresses are a great choice for an after-5 dress that still has a summery feel to it. They are very flirty (how could they not be when they can literally flow in the breeze) and great at hiding those 5 extra pounds you didn’t quite loose in time for swimsuit season.

One-shouldered: Not to be confused with the toga, which can be worn to a whole different type of party (if you’re looking to pick up a frat boy or two), the one-shouldered dress allows for the same sex-appeal as a strapless while adding a little extra comfort to the mix. Go with a loose-fitting version and tie it up with a belt (gold-colored if you want to play on the Greek theme) or sport a form-fitting version to show off what you work so hard to maintain.

Anything Neon: Let your imagination run wild with this one. If you’re doing neon, do it right. If you couldn’t tell, neon is the hot thing (unfortunately, pun intended) for this season, which gives you the freedom to pick any style you want—from short, long, tailored, poofy, tight or flowy—just wear it in neon and you’re good to go. I dare you to tell us these highlighter hues don’t make you feel more confident—even if only for one night.

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!

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

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.

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.

]]> http://www.blog.julie-ann.com/public/item/what-to-buy-this-summer/feed/ 0 http://www.blog.julie-ann.com/public/item/nows-the-time-to-start-setting-up-a-valentines-day-event-for-your-clothing-store/ http://www.blog.julie-ann.com/public/item/nows-the-time-to-start-setting-up-a-valentines-day-event-for-your-clothing-store/#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:31:40 +0000 MGarcia http://www.blog.julie-ann.com/?p=1752

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!

End the year with a big bang by looking your best! Your New Years Eve outfit should be a direct representation of the night’s events, so make your plans before making purchases. Whether you are attending a formal party or spending a night on the town, you can never go wrong with a party dress and a stunning pair of heels.

Consider what’s in style this season. Sequins, studding, and metallic hues are all current trends and extremely festive for a night of celebrating, especially on New Year’s Eve, which is THE opportune time to sport a little glittery sparkle. Dresses can be found in all lengths and styles at the moment, and if you aren’t really feeling the sequin look, keep in mind that you can never go wrong with a little black dress. This fashion lifesaver can be found in all styles, not to mention, become a staple in your wardrobe.

Keep in mind the glamour aspect, but wear something comfortable and weather-appropriate, especially if you are spending time outdoors. If you choose a bold colored or metallic mini or body contouring dress, keep yourself warm by layering it with a cropped leather motorcycle jacket and a pair of colored or black opaque leggings. Faux fur is also an excellent choice this season and is certain to keep you warm and toasty.

Accessories are a major part of any outfit and should be carefully considered if your clothing is bold and already making a statement. When shopping for heels, choose a stylish but practical pair so that walking and dancing doesn’t become a burden. If your dress is a solid color, jazz it up with a pair of exotic patterned heels or studded strappy platforms.  If you choose to wear something patterned, colorful, or all of the above, consider a pair of solid color heels or shoe boots, which are at the height of current fashion. Make sure that your jewelry doesn’t become an overstatement. Keep it simple, classy, and trendy. Finally, remember that toting a large handbag might not be preferable for New Years Eve and a cute clutch is a much easier way to keep track of your necessary items.

Once you have selected your perfect New Years Eve outfit, go ahead and open that first bottle of champagne early and give yourself a toast. You’ll be decked to the nines and ready to celebrate in no time!

Vibrant Color

Although red is always festive for the holiday, the season, deep purples, sapphires, emeralds or almost any jewel tone is in.  Party dresses with animal prints are also in style for this holiday season, especially coupled with solid skirts or sashes.

Silver and Gold are other popular holiday colors, and can also be used to dress up that little black dress that is always in season.  Rhinestones, beading and sequins add glamor to any holiday dress.  Just remember not to overdue the bling, a little sparkle goes a long way.

If you decide on your favorite “little black dress”, be sure to accessorize it with decorative belts, vibrant colored shawls or gold, silver, or gemstone jewelry.  A lace jacket can also glamorize the look. Sequin scarfs are also a popular holiday look, and very affordable.

Style

This season’s styles are flattering to any figure.   Trends in the junior party dresses are showing empire waists, usually accented sashes with bows and that are fitted on top, with a strapless, sweetheart or halter neckline and draped and flared below the waist to hide any imperfections.  Bubble hems are also very popular, and the perfect body style to show off you legs.  This style of dress looks great on women with pear figures that have smaller bust lines, and that carry their weight in the hip and thigh areas.

For those who want a sleeker look, or want to show off their curves, soft, form fitting pleats with rows of draped or rouched fabric all contribute to that contoured look.  Although a number of dresses are shorted this year, there is an equal number that fall to the knee, or just above.

The material of choice this season seems to be satin, shiny and elegant.  Some styles include lace overlays, rhinestone embellishment, or colorful embroidery to compliment the look.  Macrame designs are also very popular for the upcoming season.

For those individuals in colder climates, consider sweater dresses, that not only look great, but are “accessory friendly” and look great with leggings or extra warmth.  These dresses are usually machine washable and perfect for all occasions, day or night.

When you are preparing to open up your small clothing company to the online world there are a few different small tasks that you need to take care of first. Many people are often mistaken by thinking that all they need to do is create a site and sell their product. There are many steps and strategies that you need to look at in order to get your new small clothing company off of the ground within the world of online shopping. Take a look at this great guide to help you get started.

Your site is going to speak volumes when you are getting started. Think about the customers or the clients and what they are looking for. If your site is all over the place and full of disorganization you may not see the spike in sales that you are looking to see. Make sure that the pages that you create are easily to follow and full of content that your clients want to see. When you are creating a site for a small clothing company you need to have an edge or a trait that will make your company stick out or more well known. Try out a trademark or even a logo of some type so that people know who you are.

Online marketing and marketing campaigns are going to help pull you forward when you get started. After the site has been created now you will need to pull in the traffic that can turn into possible clients or customers. When you start an online marketing campaign you will be utilizing advertisements and even video ads so that you can get your small clothing company out there. Remember, you do not want to overdo it with the advertising, but once you find a happy medium you should start to see daily sales instantly.

You might also want to expand your small clothing company to free online auction sites. This is just like opening your own boutique only you do not have to pay monthly rent, just small fees whenever a sale is actually made. You can create your own page with your own products and pictures. This is another way to get your clothing company out there on the map without acquiring anymore out of pocket expenses. If you are running your own neighborhood boutique, the online auction site is a great way to gradually get into search engine optimization so that your site can create automatic revenue. The only thing that you should have to worry about at that point is shipping and balancing your books!

Small clothing companies do not have a lot of revenue to play around with, which is why the internet is such a great free outlet. If you are looking into creating your site make sure that you have the proper online marketing tools. Set aside some cash for your copywriting services and for your online marketing campaign. Once you start to climb up there in the top search pages you will start to receive instant traffic and automatic sales within a few short months!

When the time comes to shop for women’s clothing, the fashion savvy woman looks for those hot new styles and the frugal woman looks for those money saving sales; the fashion savvy, frugal woman looks for hot new styles that do not cost an arm and a leg. The internet has been a wonderful addition for those women wanting to find women’s clothing that is stylish, affordable, sexy, casual, formal, and/or sassy.

Staying on the cutting edge of the latest styles and fashions is a full-time undertaking. The internet has proven to be a versatile, useful tool in staying on top of those latest styles and fashions. The retailer and the consumer both can get instant details of latest fashion trends with only the click of a button. Nothing could be easier, right?

Top 5 Reasons to Use the Internet for Women’s Clothing

1. Shopping on the internet does not mean buying something is necessary.  In fact, window shopping for women’s clothing is easy, fun, and convenient when using the internet. Imagine window shopping without feeling guilty or being pressured by overanxious salespeople.Statistics have shown the majority of consumers will investigate a purchase via the internet before making the final purchase at a brick and mortar store. Consumers are learning what to buy long before they enter a brick and mortar store.A retail store with an internet website will attract more potential consumers!
2. Shopping for women’s clothing via the internet is educational. Consumers and retailers can investigate instantly delivered news on popular new fashion trends, and getting all the juicy gossip on which star is wearing what hot new designer’s fashions is a simple button click away.Staying up to date on the latest in trends, styles, and fashions in women’s clothing is a necessity for the wise retailer, and the internet allows the retailer to get instant information.Retailers can find a cornucopia of fashion magazines, trade magazines, and connections via the internet translating to lower costs and higher profits!
3. When women and/or retailers are looking for women’s clothing, the internet offers a wider variety and selection of fashionable, affordable styles. The internet is a virtual marketplace where the astute retailer will find selections and options never before dreamed possible.Plus size clothing, missy size clothing, junior clothing, special occasion clothing, and many more types of popular women’s clothing are available from all over the world. The larger the variety of women’s clothing, the more chances the retailer has to offer consumers new, trendy fashions at affordable prices.The internet is a versatile tool in adding diversity and versatility to any women’s wardrobe!
4. The internet offers a worldwide market for buying and selling. Women’s apparel from all over the globe is available from the comfort of your own home or office. Gaucho sets, gauchos, ponchos, special occasion clothing, and other popular clothing styles can be purchased directly from the supplier.In addition, the retailer will find with an internet website, the possibilities for a consumer base are enormous. The internet has a huge profit potential for the retailer looking for an adventurous purchase for and from a global market.Did you know there are over 450 million internet users according to Internet World Stats?
5. Women’s apparel that fills a niche can be quite profitable via the internet. Women’s apparel boutiques and specialty stores will find a wider audience and wider choices as well. A global marketplace filled with unique, special, and ethnic women’s clothing. With the popular of ethnical clothing, purchasing a selling via the internet just adds to a storefront’s visibility.Niche specialty boutiques make an average of 245% more profits than the regular retailer!

When wanting to find women’s clothing, the consumer expects superior design, style, and fashion at an affordable rate. The perceptive retailer uses the internet as a mode of education for learning of past, current, and future fashion trends. Then armed with an arsenal of information proper steps are taken to insure the greatest chances of success for the retailer.

Women’s clothing such as that offered by Open Stock Apparel offers the varieties, the styles, and the affordable prices necessary for an attractive presence on the internet and the brick and mortar storefront. In addition, Open Stock Apparel offers expertise, information, and customer service second to none.

Using bytes to increase profit potential allows the retailer to take a bite out of an unstable and fluctuating marketplace.