Tips for Staying Up to Date with the Latest Clothing Lines

If you’re a clothing retailer,  fun yet very important part of your job is to stay up to date with the latest in fashion. See yourself in the buyer’s shoes. You wouldn’t want last season’s items would you? Grab your buyers’ attention by knowing what clicks with the market.

To stay on top of the hottest items in fashion, check out these tips:

1. Browse online – The web is as real-time as it gets. This medium is the best way to track the latest happenings not just in clothing and accessories, but for so many other things as well.
2. Check the fashion magazines – The trimedia (radio, tv, print) are still as effective a channel for advertising than anything else. Focus on the most important aspect of this multi-media, the fashion magazines. I’m sure the designers would want their recent collection featured in these.
3. Attend product launches – This goes for accessories more than clothing. Shoe manufacturers, jewelry creators and other purveyors of accessories often hold product launches to get the retailers to notice their latest offering.
4. Know your style icons – Fashion icons are always around and whatever they wear become the thing everyone seems to watch. These people range from Jackie Kennedy of the 70’s to today’s Gossip Girl character Blair Waldorf. Their style may seem wild and unconventional, but by the end of the month, you’ll see stores sporting these.
5. It’s in the catwalk – Fashion shows are still the number one source for the latest designs. If you have the budget, go to Milan or Paris and see what they have brewing. If it’s a bit too heavy on the pocket, try watching the TV coverage of these shows instead.
6. Hollywood is always hot – Yes, the stars know what to wear. The awards shows seem to be the trigger for the hottest fashion fads so check out the red carpet before you see who wins what.
7. Be part of your market – This is the best tip you’ll ever read on staying in tune with the hottest fashion trends. Don’t target a market that you know nothing about, it’s better to be able to immerse yourself with a group that you can adjust to. The only way to truly understand your market is to be a part of it.

Happy Selling!