Everyone thinks of fashion as being a highly competitive industry, and it is. With net profits averaging out at around 7% margins are tight. Naturally, there is a lot of pressure to get things right. Small fashion brands only need a bad quarter to put themselves in a very precarious position financially.

For consumers, there are a lot of choices. Just go online and Google, either “men´s fashion,” “women`s fashion” or “clothes for kids” and you will get back hundreds of results. Or thousands if the searcher is located in a large city. Potentially, every single one of those websites can send clothes to the person searching. That is a huge level of competition.

So yes, the fashion industry is competitive. But that does not necessarily mean that there is no room for small players. It is not the monopoly it appears to be. Read on and you will see why we say that and get some guidance on how small retailers can compete effectively against companies that have far more resources.

How much of the fashion market do the big brands control?

There are some huge fashion brands out there. They have a global reach.

It is estimated that twelve fashion companies control 10% of the market. Yet, each one still has a relatively small share of overall fashion sales. Here are a couple of examples:

• Nike is the world´s number one clothing brand. Yet, they only represent 2.8% of all of the clothes sold globally.
• Primark only has a 0.4% share of the global fashion market.

If you want to see more examples, click here.

It is still possible for smaller brands to disrupt

Of course, it would be difficult and take a long time to knock big retailers like Zara, Adidas, Nike, or Christian Dior off the top spots. But there is still a significant percentage of the industry up for grabs.

Take for example the Chinese fashion brand SHEIN. It was only established in 2008, yet they already have a turnover of $10 billion and serve customers in 220 countries. You would have to go some to go from zero to billions as fast as they have. But it does demonstrate that there is still room in the fashion industry for small players to make it big.

Simple tactics small fashion brands can use to disrupt the market

However, to do so you have to take the right approach. Here are some of the things you need to look at doing:

Offer something special

You need to stand out from the crowd. Offering something a little different is a terrific way to do this. Many of the most recent success stories are coming out of the eco-fashion sector. TenTree is a notable example. For every item they sell they plant 10 trees, hence the name. This small fashion brand which is all about saving the planet started in 2011. They now sell globally and turn over $40.4 million and by 2020 have planted 50 million trees. You can read about their success here.

Provide amazing customer service

This extends to after-purchase care, where recommending a trusted service like Press Cleaners for garment upkeep can make all the difference.

Use digital screens to help, engage and temp your customers

Engaging with customers when they are in your store is vital. Digital display screens make this easy to do. There are lots of ways to use them. For example, you can share exclusive offers, highlight the latest trends, or show in-store customers what your online clients are excited about by doing things like sharing your company´s social media feeds. If you would like to learn more about how to use digital signage software for retail to make more sales and build brand and customer loyalty, just click the link.

Tap into the power of social media

Every physical fashion brand should have a digital presence. Even in the early days when they do not sell online. Social media accounts are a terrific way to do this. They enable them to reach a huge market and learn more about what customers want. This full, yet simple, guide explains how small fashion brands can use social media to grow.

The future of the industry

There is little doubt that the bigger brands will work to increase their market share. But it will be a long time before they truly monopolise the industry.

The sporting world is back in full swing following the interruptions and chaos caused by the pandemic of 2020 and 2021. Covid-19 remains a real threat, and you should always consider this before attending a large indoor or outdoor public gathering. But the time for being overly cautious is no more. Let’s scrap the weekend family meetings on Zoom, forget the outdoors bingo with your neighbours and stick the board games back in the cupboard until the festive break. Let’s get out and about.

Horse racing remains a favourite with sports fans, Vegas Betting users and those looking to soak up the occasion’s glamour, friendship and excitement. Unlike many other sports such as basketball, baseball and football, horse racing fans are very fashion conscious. Visit Ladies Day at a major racetrack in the United Kingdom, like Royal Ascot, Cheltenham and Aintree, and there are even prizes for the best dressed. 

Battle for supremacy

As you can imagine, this isn’t a game or something done for fun among the Brits. The battle for supremacy in the stands is often far more competitive than those fought out on the turf between the thoroughbred racehorses worth millions of dollars and the fearless jockeys sat in the saddle, working tooth and nail to drive their mount to glory. 

What does one wear to a glamorous race day? Do you go all out and dress to impress? Perhaps you prefer comfort on a day when you’ll be walking, mingling with friends and colleagues and, hopefully, cheering when your horse sprints home. Read on as we reveal what you need to know before attending a race day this year.

Before considering some outfits and looks, we will bring you up to speed on some of the best horserace tracks worth a visit. These are the best in the business if you are a sports fan, lover of beautifully bred horses or simply want to show off your sense of style. Think of this list as advertising the cream of the crop. Many great tracks are not covered here, but to make it onto our list, a track must be the best of the best.

Top tracks

Meydan racetrack in Dubai comes in at number one, and we’re sure almost all followers of the sport would agree. It’s luxurious, fashionable, has the latest technology to make your visit more comfortable and this is where you’ll find the most famous horses, jockeys, trainers and owners. 

Longchamp in Paris comes next, and that’s home to the Arc de Triomphe, which is the richest race of its kind in Europe. The Great British royal family are regulars at Ascot in England, with the royal meeting epitomising luxury. Flemington in Australia makes it onto the list before Tokyo completes our top five.

Each of the tracks mentioned in this section has horse racing festivals throughout the year, which are the calendar’s biggest events. Look out for the Royal meeting at Ascot, where the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth were regular visitors. Imagine a day betting on horse racing, enjoying the spectacle and even catching a glimpse of the royal carriage as it trundles past the main stand. You certainly wouldn’t want to be underdressed for that.

Dress code

You may be surprised to learn that the extravagance and elegance of an outfit worn to the races aren’t optional. Being smart and well-dressed is a rule you must abide by if you want to gain entry to the track. 

If the stewards working on the door feel you haven’t made an effort with your appearance, you won’t be permitted entry. Here are some of the rules you should be aware of before planning your outfit and making the journey to a top race track.

Dresses and skirts should be of a modest length, falling just above the knee or lower. Dresses should also have straps of one inch or longer. Jackets can be worn, but the dress worn underneath must still comply with these rules. Trouser suits are recommended for gentlemen. No short trousers and the material of both your jacket and trousers must match. Hats are a must, but fascinators aren’t permitted.

When it comes to fashion, there’s no place quite like the South. From the grandeur of New Orleans to the laid-back nature of Miami and Charleston, this region is brimming with style. And now that we’re in a new age where women are finding their inner power and embracing their bodies, there’s never been a better time to embrace your own southern couture apparel.

But what exactly is “southern couture”?

The term refers to clothing that mixes high-quality fabrics with classic cuts and styles in order to create an elegant aesthetic.

So, whether you’re looking for something on trend or just want something that makes you feel beautiful every day, here are some tips for finding your perfect look:

Look for clothing with high-quality fabrics, such as pure cotton.

When it comes to finding the perfect Southern clothing, look for clothing made from high-quality fabrics, and you can check it out here. One of the best fabrics for this purpose is pure cotton. Cotton is breathable and comfortable to wear, which makes it perfect for any type of southern clothes.

It’s also easy to care for and durable as well as affordable! Cotton comes in many different colors and patterns, so you can find something that matches your style perfectly!

Consider what you’ll be wearing it with.

Before you start shopping, it’s important to consider what you’ll be wearing your outfit with. Will it be appropriate for an outdoor wedding? An afternoon tea party? A ball game?

Also, think about the weather. Will your Southern Couture apparel hold up in the heat if it’s hot outside? And if so, does that mean you’ll need more than one layer of clothing on top of it?

And finally: accessories! Hats, gloves, and other items that can go along with your look are just as important as choosing what kind of dress or shirt to wear.

Shop at specialized stores that offer a wide selection of southern apparel.

You can find a wide selection of southern apparel at specialty stores. Specialized stores offer a large variety of products, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Keep in mind that your body type may have an impact on southern apparel styles.

If you’re petite, keep in mind that tops and dresses that are fitted will appear more flattering than those that are loose-fitting. Tall women should consider clothing that is loose-fitting rather than fitted so as not to make them look even taller. Women with a large bust may find it easier to purchase clothing if they also have some stretch to the material.

Check the returns policy

If you’re unhappy with an item, or it’s damaged or not as described, you can return it. Be sure to check that the store’s return policy is reasonable before making a purchase. If a store doesn’t offer free returns and exchanges, then you may want to consider another retailer that does so—especially if you live in an area where access to clothing stores is limited.

Conclusion

Above all, remember that southern couture is about more than just a style. It’s a way of life, and it has the power to bring people together. So take your time and find what works best for you!