Interesting.
In my word-processing program, womenswear is flagged as a misspelling.
Suggested change? "Women swear".
To make sure your women don't swear, some ideas for your
shop.
High
fashion?
Confused about haute couture, better, moderate, bridge
designations in women's fashion? A
quick explanation.
Fashion-411 bills itself as
Your Resource For The Fashion Industry, Fashion Trends, Destination & Designer
Shopping
Wholesale Shoppin' FOOL! Suggestions from Sharers on Wholesale Shopping Areas:
Finders
Key Purse is a funny name for an old idea,
revived...and ripe for selling in your shop! Thanks to
a Sharer for this recommendation.
Want to learn about designer, and
non, handbags... the real ones? This
site will send you off in the right direction.
If you'd like to really upscale your
shop, these hygienic
liners will do it.
Wanna overdose
on stylish
living? Spend some time here
on Fashion Net Cutting edge designers and their ideas can be seen here
at Atelier Designers
Online Fashion
Magazines include: Eu-Moda for the latest
from Europe Hint Mag is way too cool
for anyone over, umm, 59?
A bit more mainstream, with links to more mags, is ivillage
If you have high-speed I-net service, Iconique
is great fun. InStyle
has so much, you may never leave.
Auntie
Kate answers a reader:
Q:
A very good consignor just brought in a turquoise lambskin
skirt. The care tags and size are on it. But the label is just a
thick green leaf sewn on the tag. Anyone know the designer?
--Stephanie
A: All clothing
originally has a tag (not saying it hasn't been removed!) that
includes the RN (for American companies) or CA (Canadian) number
which identifies the manufacturer. These numbers are usually on
the small, simply printed black-and-white garment care
tag.
Look up that number at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/rn/index.html
(there's a link to the Canadian numbers)
Once you have that info, you can Google to find their web site,
on-line sites which MENTION that name, even check out eBay
etc.... all of which will give you a fair estimate of the worth/
value/ desirability of any garment manufacturer.
Jeans
are perennial best-sellers, it seems...and of course,
they're a natural for resale, since the more broken-in, the
better. Check out styles, brands, and prices at Saks
or Nordstrom's.
For a humbler approach to this most humble of garments (after
all, they were invented, it's said, for miners!) try Macy's
or Target.
And if you still haven't had your fill of jeans, read on at Zafu.
You can even find your perfect fit there.
Plus
Size Info:
Plus Sizes are a sorely under-served market. I don't know
why. Here's some sites where you can research what's available
in the new-merchandise area:
Alight
has less-expensive items, good for seeing "what's in." B
& Lu has a young skew SizeAppeal Need wider clip
hangers? National
Hanger has 14" and 16" versions.
If you're in Canada, Eddie's
has the 14" size.
Must reading if you want to
capture
the teen market:
The right teen magazines for your area (ask any teen or tween!)
Also, a recommendation from my local teen: "Tell
them to watch MTV." (I
told her I thought that might be painful to many shop owners,
she shrugged her shoulders and said, "Hey, you
asked.")
Get in tune...If you, like most of us, are many years past your target
market of middle-school and high-school kids, here's a book
which might tune you in to their concerns and thoughts:
Fearless Fashion by Alison Bell
Defines
and illustrates the various styles, from preppy to fly-girl, has
good info on what's what, even some fashion history, plus
it's Memory Lane for anyone over 21. Find it at Amazon or
other online booksellers. (I'm BoHo, or I would be if I were 13.
What are you?)
Suggestion from a Sharer: SOB
for wholesale teen-oriented clothing
Go surfing: information on
the Web:
Learn about your merchandise:
Clothing! Even includes a history of underpants...
Auntie
Kate answers a reader:
Jeans
are perennial best-sellers, it seems...and of course,
they're a natural for resale, since the more broken-in, the
better. Check out styles, brands, and prices at 
Fearless Fashion by Alison Bell