Bridal Apparel News and Trends

Bridal apparel news and trends will help you sell what your customers want

As a bridal apparel retailer, you know that brides-to-be demand stylish formalwear and accessories to set the tone for their special day. By keeping current with the industry’s fashion trends, company news, seasonal color forecasts and bridal wholesalers, you’ll be able to anticipate your customers’ needs and fill these needs at a reasonable price.

Gather details from a variety of sources to help your bridal business stay ahead of the competition. When looking for resources that offer pertinent, reliable and up-to-the-minute articles on everything from wedding gown distributors to wedding party apparel, try to:

1. Walk the floor of wedding-related trade shows, expos and fashion shows to see cutting-edge styles and talk to bridal manufacturers, retailers and brides face-to-face.

2. Study articles online and in print to stay up to date with trends in bridal apparel and gifts and personalized wedding wear.

3. Participate in organizations designed for wedding retailers to get business tips through workshops, network with other retailers and discover new wedding dress distributors and wholesalers.

 

Visit wedding conventions to uncover new bridal apparel merchandising ideas and wholesale sources

Trade shows and expos aimed at wedding apparel retailers or couples planning their special day can provide valuable information on hot trends, emerging designers and innovative ways to display and advertise the goods. You can also talk to company representatives and find new sources for specialty fashions, like personalized bridal wear, embroidered bridal wear and even bridal party sweatsuits that clients can wear while getting their hair and makeup done.
Try: Check out one of The Great Bridal Expo Group events to see cutting-edge bridal apparel, bridesmaids' dresses, tuxedos and accessories. Keep an eye out for new wedding dress distributors, colors and merchandising ideas as you walk the floor. Visit the National Bridal Market produced by Merchandise Mart Properties. This is a retailers-only event where you can discover apparel styles and sources and attend educational seminars to boost your business.

Read articles, blogs and forums for trends and bridal manufacturer news that can help your business

Hear about company developments and bridal fashion forecasts through news stories provided by industry observers, retailers and manufacturers. In addition to seeing new styles in gowns, fabrics and colors, helpful stories will give you the heads up on everything from new vendors to personalized bride wear from those in the know.
Try: Get information from the WeddingChannel.com like industry news, celebrity wedding trends and distributors of bridal veil wedding apparel, wedding gowns and accessories. The site also has a “Dream Gowns” section on its message board that will give you insight into your clientele’s needs. Check out the wedding apparel articles through the Fashion Industry News website, which provides company happenings and wedding-related data that will affect bridal apparel trends.  For more news on on bridal apparel and gifts, check The Knot or Brides.com.

Join groups to build your bridal apparel business through seminars and networking opportunities

Share ideas and information with other retailers to help grow your business. Most groups provide industry newsletters and offer opportunities to participate in educational workshops, social functions and online forums where you can discuss bridal apparel news and trends with other retailers.
Try: The Association for Wedding Professionals International offers benefits ranging from a newsletter with industry information, advertising opportunities, educational seminars and mixers where you can network with other retailers. The National Wedding Retailers Association provides its members with a message board to share the latest news and trends, wedding trade show schedule, a buying forum and a place to promote your bridal apparel business.

 

• When attending bridal apparel and wedding-related trade shows and conventions, also use the opportunity to discuss current trends, colors and merchandising ideas with brides-to-be. Find out what new styles are hits, which classics you can keep in your inventory and what draws them to one retailer's shop over another.

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