Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for the most recent trends in business apparel for women in fashion magazines

For a very low price, subscribe to the monthly top fashion magazines and see what a wide variety of designers have to offer. If your store caters toward working women, business apparel trends are important to your customers. Fashion magazines allow you to see a wide range of styles represented in each issue and whole sections dedicated exclusively to business accessories for women.

I recommend: Get a free trial issue of InStyle magazine to see the latest womens apparel and accessories news and trends. Visit Style.com to subscribe to Vogue magazine to see the latest fashions.

Spot the latest business womens clothing in catalogues

Look through seasonal catalogues from business apparel women designers and stores to see new looks for each season. Get catalogues from the top designers and stores to see new innovations in women business accessories and clothing.

I recommend: Sign up to be on the Ann Taylor Retail mailing list, and receive free catalogues each season featuring the entire new line of clothing and accessories from this top business women apparel brand. View catalogues from Talbots online, or order them free through the mail. Talbots offers clothing and accessories in petites and plus sizes as well.

Review industry reports that forecast the womens business apparel sector

Market research will give you an idea, based on data from previous years, of how much sales might increase in womens business wear and which type of women will be shopping for business apparel in the future. Look to these reports for growth and increased sales opportunities.

I recommend: Register with MarketResearch.com to look at industry trends. Purchase industry reports at Research and Markets.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In order to understand the trends in womens business apparel, it is important to understand trends of women in business and the effect it has on the market. In the seventies and eighties, women dressed more like men to compete in industries they had never before worked. In the nineties, there was a shift back to more feminine styles, but in recent years there has been a growth in stay-at-home moms, decreasing the market for business wear.

1. Consider your local market, and make sure there are plenty of working women in your area needing business apparel for women.
2. Also consider the social class you are catering to; they may be CEOs shopping for designer wear or entry-level looking for cheap pieces.
3. Be in touch with corporate women and their needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Secure finances to open up a women's apparel shop

You must secure a business loan to get going. You need excellent credit and a lot of personal assets to secure a loan from a bank. You may also seek out personal investors.

I recommend: Apply for business loans at RapidAdvance, Zana Network or PNC Bank.

Find a good location for your women's apparel and accessories shop

Good location is essential for the success of your business. Allocate much time and thought for finding the right location. It is probably wisest to rent a location and start small until your business is established. Then you can move up.

I recommend: Check real estate listings at Century 21, Realtor.com and Rent.com.

Purchase inventory

Buy business accessories for women and women's business apparel at wholesale prices. It is very important that you find a distributor of quality products for the lowest price you can find them. You need a distributor with a good reputation that is very reliable.

I recommend: Search for a wholesaler of business apparel for women at GoWholesale, Tampa Bay Global Wholesale, or find women's suits at Clozeout.com.

Hire employees

Don't go overboard hiring at the beginning. You must work the store yourself until the business picks up. Hire retail professionals that are knowledgeable about women's business apparel and accessories.

I recommend: Find good retail employees at iHireRetail.com and AllRetailjobs.com.

Market your store

Marketing is one of the most important keys to success of your business. This may be one area where you outsource help. If you do it yourself, invest the time and money to educate yourself in marketing.

I recommend: Get marketing help from GNA Marketing Group, or take an online marketing course at Westwood College.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Come up with rules and standards of operation before opening the women's apparel business.
• •  Decide on a mission statement, and stick to it throughout the process.
• •  Take classes in business and entrepreneurship to educate yourself on owning a business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Offer unique accessories for women, business apparel and more in your store

Staple items in business apparel for women include clothing, such as skirt and jacket suits, pants suits, knee-length or longer skirts, knee-length and sleeved casual dresses, slacks, blouses and cardigans. Business accessories for women are limited to scarves, fashionable belts, conservative handbags and jewelry worn in moderation. Fulfill an untouched niche by offering products that are not offered within 20 miles of your area, such as designer business clothing or low-priced business clothing.

I recommend: Connect with independent and up-and-coming designers at Indie Designer Labels to stock the shelves of your retail store with unique and high-quality business apparel and accessory items. Find wholesale business wear items like jackets and skirts at Apparelus.com.

Sell casual clothing, a sure-bet for womens clothing retailers

Casual clothing is constantly sold in high volumes, especially in the markets specified for junior and misses departments. Casual clothing includes items such as tank tops, jeans, casual pants and t-shirts.

I recommend: Get wholesale name brand clothing like Hollister and Aeropostale to stock your store from LotsofWholesale.com or from Taoyizu.com.

Include plus size womens apparel

Plus-sized apparel is clothing of all styles for women size 16 and up. This includes accessories in larger sizes, such as larger-sized jewelry, belts, scarves and footwear. The plus size womens apparel industry is rapidly increasing and there is a growing need for more specialized plus-sized clothing, such as plus-sized maternity wear or plus-sized lingerie.

I recommend: Find a huge variety of trendy wholesale plus clothing at B2B Plus Size to stock up on merchandise for your retail store. Sell plus-sized wedding, business, maternity or formal wear distributed by Sydney's Closet.

Find business womens clothing for expectant mothers

Another growing industry sector in womens apparel is maternity business clothing. As more and more women obtain power positions in the business world and often work up until their delivery date, maternity clothing appropriate for a business environment is needed.

I recommend: Look for maternity business wholesale at Maternity Clothes Unlimited, which has everything from dresses to stylish tops and trousers for the workplace. Order directly from Dynabelly, a maternity clothing manufacturer.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Attract more customers by cross-promoting womens apparel and accessories, such as offering womens business apparel and casual wear, or offering the same styles for plus, petite and regular sizes.