The world of fashion continues to evolve and expand with each passing year. While it is common knowledge that the fashion industry often cycles through styles and designs as the seasons change, this sentiment shames those who offer innovation and transformation with their new product offerings.
Which is exactly what you ought to expect from any industry. Sure, year to year, a flagship car manufacturer’s product may not appear to change that much, but compare two vehicles with thirty years between them and see how many differences you can spot. The fashion industry is no different. Floral print may fade in and out with the passing years, but polyester blends, synthetic cashmere, and innovative design will always be a new forefront.
But, you would be forgiven for not knowing about this innovation. After all, when you look at the major fashion designers and mainstream labels, it does appear as those they are all making roughly the same product. To find the true frontier of fashion design, you have to turn to boutique clothing.
What is Boutique Clothing?
Boutique clothing can refer to two different types of clothing. First, it can refer to clothing that is sold at a boutique clothing store. Or, it can refer to independent clothing and small-batch orders. Let’s look at each of these in a bit more detail.
Indie Boutique Clothing
One of the newer trends in the fashion industry is producing small batches of clothing. This means that there is greater personalization available, more exclusive pieces, and, likely, higher prices as well. Still, the steeper cost is often justified as these items are generally of higher quality, and the designer is liking selling fewer units too.
Boutique Clothing Stores
Boutique clothing stores are smaller clothing stores that sell a variety of pieces from different designers and sources. Unlike chain stores and big-box retailers, who receive large shipments every season, boutique clothing stores will collect smaller shipments from a variety of sources throughout the year. This allows them to offer a wide selection of different styles and options to appeal to a wider audience.
Additionally, boutique clothing stores can also choose to specialize in a particular type of clothing. This may be plus-size clothing, women’s clothing, summer styles, or whatever other nice they wish to fill with specific pieces of clothing.
Usually, you will find boutique clothing stores to be smaller than their more established counterparts. A part of this discrepancy, of course, is the actual volume of business they do comparatively. However, to be a boutique, it is also important to stay close to the roots of the industry, and maintaining a smaller footprint can provide unexpected freedom when it comes to trying new things or offering unique clothing styles.
Where to Find Boutique Clothing Stores
It is easy to find boutique clothing stores by searching in your local area. In rural areas, almost any independently-owned clothing store is likely to fit into the category of the boutique. Still, in larger metropolitan areas, it may take a while to find the perfect store for your needs. But, as half the joy of clothing comes from the shopping experience itself, be sure to take your time and enjoy the hunt!
