A number of retailers, particularly clothing stores, are shuttering locations as shoppers move online and find fashion inspiration from social media. Some analysts believe the trend will only accelerate later this year.
Those kind of shifts illustrate the way people are changing how they buy clothing. Shoppers aren’t just showrooming at stores and then buying the same items online if they can find better prices — it’s a more significant separation from the mall.
Here are some large clothing companies shutting down their retail stores:
Warby Parker
Warby Parker perfected the model: quality glasses made affordable by bypassing the middleman. And now direct-to-consumer brands are poised to take over your closet. Makers of everything from shirts to belts and shoes have adopted an approach that lowers prices and elevates the buying process. Here, our favorite brands that have sidestepped brick-and-mortar and are transforming the man’s wardrobe.
Everlane
What began as a line of $15 T-shirts has turned into an e-commerce behemoth selling minimalist, well-built basics including button-downs ($68), wool sweaters ($88), and even outerwear ($75).
DSTLD
This Los Angeles brand makes jeans that look like the $200 kind but cost $75. There also is a limited line of tees, belts, and outerwear in a basic palette.
M.Gemi
Self-described “postluxury” M.Gemi partners with Italian artisans for affordable designer shoes, sneakers ($248), and belts ($128). You might mistake the oxfords for Ferragamos.
Outdoor Voices
Continuing the luxury activewear trend, OV specializes in well-constructed workout clothes like tapered jogger pants ($120) and merino-nylon tees ($75). Bonus: a cool, minimalist aesthetic. Outdoor Voices is now building a brick and mortar presence and has two stores in both New York City and Texas.
Bonobos
Bonobos started as a line of no-nonsense, comfort-fitting pants ($88), but it has expanded in a much more fashionable direction (such as slimmer cuts) that includes suits, shirts ($88), and knitwear.
Everybody is into fashion. It is the individual taste in fashion that differs from person to person. Anywhere you go, fashion clothing stores are always making brisk business. That is also precisely the reason why a fashion clothing store needs to have an edge over its competitions. There are just too many fashion clothing stores out there.
For the majority of the population starting a brick and mortar fashion boutique is simply out of the question. But guess what? Technology has made it possible for you to open your own online clothing store. And better yet — you don’t need any experience or money to get started!
Remember, whatever business you decide to start you must have a passion for what you are doing. Without enthusiasm and excitement, you’ll likely become bored, and ultimately it will fail. Just because it’s FREE doesn’t mean that it’s always a good fit. These companies never imagined that their brand would worked well so much online rather than in retail. It pays to do your own research before jumping in the bandwagon.
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