Stepping Out in Style Apparel Trends at Apparel Boutiques

By Carimé Lane

What’s currently selling at apparel boutiques across the country? And how are these retailers helping men and women step out with style? Read on for the answers to these questions–and more–about apparel trends at apparel boutiques.

Alex Robertson Madden, co-owner of the Favorite Sisters Boutique in Shreveport, La., said things have changed in their 2,200-square-feet of sales space since last year. Then, if it was cozy and casual, you could count it sold said Robertson Madden. Currently, Robertson Madden has been surprised to find customers have been proud to buy more of their specialty and pricier items.

If you make it easy for them, customers will buy complete outfits, said Robertson Madden.

“For my staff and I, it is important that when the customer is going to an event, we make sure we dress them for the entire thing,” said Robertson Madden. For instance, even if a customer doesn’t need shoes, they give the customer a pair of shoes to try on to give them a feel for it.

Many customers come into the store and barely browse the racks, said Robertson Madden. At Favorite Sisters, staff know their merchandise well enough to gather items to make up complete outfits for customers. This often involves handing customers 8-10 items to try on in the fitting room, explained Robertson Madden.

Gary Flynn , president, CEO and co-owner of M Dumas and Sons in Charleston, S.C., has noted a few trends of the moment.

Technical fabrics are one of these, including shorts, pants, shirts, polo’s and jackets.

“People have really bought into the benefits of these fabrications. Easy care, stretch and comfort are all big things right now,” said Flynn. “This trend was happening already, but the Covid year really accelerated this.”

“Soft, unconstructed, lightweight sport coats are also on fire,” added Flynn. “It’s hot in the South and this is an easy way to sell a jacket that a guy probably doesn’t have in his wardrobe.”

Athletic/Athleisure brands, including Vuori and Tasc are also trending. Covid and spending more time at home helped to boost this trend as well, but trends were already pointing in this direction Flynn said.

The majority of their customers are purchasing complete outfits in their 9,000-square-feet of selling space.

“Some people have changed sizes this last year. Some gained; some lost,” explained Flynn. They are needing new clothes that fit properly.”

Listening is key to assisting customers with creating their own looks, said Flynn. You’ll want to understand their lifestyle and needs to help narrow in on a look that suits them, he added.

“We are a big store, we carry a lot of product, but not all of it is right for everyone,” elaborated Flynn. “That’s part of the plan here at M Dumas: We can’t cater to everyone for all occasions, but we do this better than most. Understanding their needs and pairing that with trends allows us to update a customer’s look while pushing their comfort zone just a little bit.”

Dress sales are going strong, said Rachel Lutz , owner of two locations of The Peacock Room–which mainly sells dresses–and two other boutiques in the Detroit area: Frida and Yama – which mainly sells separates.

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