Advice on idea for a Menswear shop

[Flashman]

Gentlemen

Need some help and advice.

I am considering - as a pet project - as it is not my direct line of business, (but there is an indirect link) - opening a menswear shop.
The idea is to target the City gents (who dress badly or without knowing how to dress at all and just go into a shop like Moss Bros, M&S, TM Lewin, Hawes & Curtis etc...and pick N mix buy!) with a minimum £30k plus earning capacity and offer them a style and education in men's style.

I guess there are many upmarket brands in Saville Row but I am targeting the City ie: Cheapside to Holborn as a flagship store (and the idea is to open a boutique in all Business capitals around the Europe/World).

The main things that the offer provides - is quality and an education in style.

I want to have an offer that will appeal to the distinguished young gentlemen and even those that think they are but are not and those that want to be distinguished.

I have planned a formula for the items that I want to sell - namely suits (3 particular types - City Classic, Luxury and Deluxe) all within specific price range, so one is not cheaper/dearer then the other simply "˜different' and purpose-specific.

The shirts will also be very formula - I have only 2 particular collars that I intend to offer - but its the quality and the detail which like the suit will be both the appeal and the wow! factor.

I do plan to have other items such as overcoats, perhaps collaborate with hat-makers and others to run lines that are made for the brand eg: hats made by Bates to be run the shop X. Perhaps Foxs umbrellas for shop X.

The main things is that shirts can only be sold in a minimum number quantity. I also want gents to buy and go home and chuck away the equivalent pieces from their wardrobe, hopefully having bought better.

Plus, I wan customers to be treated with a personal touch. Gents walking should be offered to have themselves measured properly/again.

I think the above is a smidgen of what I have in mind and I am busy jotting down all my ideas at present.

BUT, what I need is some advice on how to find a source for my product to be produced?

1.\tI need a decent shirt maker
2.\tA decent suit maker
3.\tI also need to know where/how I can get ties made?
4.\tWhere/how I can get cuffs made?
5.\tWhere/how I can get knitwear made?

I obviously want to develop more lines and by the time I open the first shop I want it to be classy and elegant but not overpriced.

The suits should cost circa £300 to £500 range
Shirts (for 4) should be circa £200

The above is an indicator.

I am a property and asset management consultant and the clothes/style is merely a passion which along with cars is about the only other things I really enjoy in terms of luxury expenditure.

I would be very grateful for any/all advice.

Kind Regards,

Flashman

 

[Blackhood]

Originally Posted by Flashman

Gentlemen


BUT, what I need is some advice on how to find a source for my product to be produced?

1.\tI need a decent shirt maker
2.\tA decent suit maker
3.\tI also need to know where/how I can get ties made?
4.\tWhere/how I can get cuffs made?
5.\tWhere/how I can get knitwear made?

I obviously want to develop more lines and by the time I open the first shop I want it to be classy and elegant but not overpriced.

The suits should cost circa £300 to £500 range
Shirts (for 4) should be circa £200

The above is an indicator.

I am a property and asset management consultant and the clothes/style is merely a passion which along with cars is about the only other things I really enjoy in terms of luxury expenditure.

I would be very grateful for any/all advice.

Kind Regards,

Flashman

1. A Man spending £500 on a suit will not spend £200 on shirts. In my experience the man who spends £50+ on a work shirt cares enough to spend £750 on a suit.

2. Almost all of your stuff will have to be produced to some very low standards to make any money. For example a T M Lewin suit is half canvas and sold at ~£300. They own the factories and make them in units of 1,000+. I doubt your numbers will be bale to take advantage of the economies of scale.

3. Many companies such as Fox wont make you a line if you're only selling 1 per week. You'd have to be able to order say... 200 units to make them even consider it. Fox's umbrellas sell for ~£49, which is the high end of the market.


I know thats nothing like what you'd like to hear but its not going to be easy. I actually have a similar dream of owning a proper menswear shop, but to make it work you're going to need to go for the premium market.

Maybe look at providing an "honest" service; high quality, solid advice and honest pricing.

 

[Loathing]

I agree with the above. The prices are too low for someone that has a real passion for menswear. I don't really see what you're getting at with the segregated lines of product either. I really don't like the sound of Deluxe. And why only two collar options?

I've also always had the dream of starting my own little menswear store for the discerning gentleman. I always thought: it might be a better idea to start off by stocking other brands that you like. That way you can be confident you're selling quality goods. It would also give you a feel for the business & managing all the different tasks. You can proceed to develop your own unique lines once you've proven the business is going to generate sales.