Tag Archives: store

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion - image blue-jeans-blur-clothes-349494 on https://blog.delusionmfg.com

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion

Predicting the clothing market is sometimes like trying to predict the stock market, you can’t always put your finger on exactly what styles you should “buy” and what you should “sell”. But luckily, we are here to be your personal insider trader to show some key style trends moving into 2019.

Unless you have a Crystal Ball which allows you to be able to predict the future trends, deciding on what route your brand fashion trends should take on a seasonal and yearly level is borderline impossible. I will most likely guess that you are in the same boat as all of us when it comes to making these integral decisions.

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion - image  on https://blog.delusionmfg.com

But How Should I Approach Planning and Designing for a Style in the Dark?

After studying fashion brands from streetwear powerhouses fashion to high fashion, there is one tried and true method for looking forward, and it comes in the form of examining the past.

Now that I’ve let you on in the secret, we will dive in the past fashion trends and make a connection to the outcome of the New Year; and beyond.

Here are six insider style and branding trends that will be more than evident in Spring / Summer 2019.

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion - image  on https://blog.delusionmfg.com

1. Be Neutral

At the end of the day, there is one thing that has always been apparent in the fashion industry regardless of if we are talking about headwear, footwear, high-end, low-end, etc.; and that is keeping things neutral. But you may be asking what I mean by this, well it all comes down to the use of colors. Black, white, greys, tans, and more have always been at the forefront of style, sometimes you do not need a flashy color to make a big statement. The ability for these colors to essentially match anything you put together with it (especially black and white) give these color options a huge upside when it comes to fashion styling or branding.

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion - image  on https://blog.delusionmfg.com

2. It’s Simple

When we examine the largest and most successful brands from all over the world, they seem to have one thing in common and that is their simplicity. If someone would show us a series of photos of a brand icon from these brands, the simple design will spark an immediate response to most in identifying the correct answer. Not only does this go for logos, but for text as well; throughout fashion history most major brands have used simple fonts with no alteration. Both tricks and tips lend to a brand’s ease of marketability and readability, making a bold and simple statement doesn’t always yield an in-depth design or concept.

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion - image  on https://blog.delusionmfg.com

3. Back to the Future

No, I am not talking about the movie (honestly one of my personal favorites); but I am talking about looking at how the influence of different era’s have on our future. In different realms of fashion whether it be streetwear or high-end fashion, there is always a constant connection to the past. This not only honors those before us but allows us to cash in on trends that have had a steady following throughout the decades. You should always look to the past for inspiration, especially with the mixed genre art forms we have come familiar with this generation.

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion - image  on https://blog.delusionmfg.com

4. Nostalgia

 Depending on your target audience, as most of us get older we still hold our childhood dear to us, wishing that we were still young and remembering the “good ol’ days”. Therefore, we have seen a lot of nineties fashion trends lately because it is nostalgic to those in their mid to late 20’s. We could even say we explore times that we did not get to experience with the influence of books, movies, photographs, etc. and wonder to ourselves what it would be like live during those times. Unfortunately, the closest thing we can do to put ourselves in a different time period is wear the clothes and embrace the style, and that is exactly what many brands have incorporated into their current clothing and branding.

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion - image  on https://blog.delusionmfg.com

5. Stranger Things

Seems like I’m using a lot of pop culture references doesn’t it? Well I would disagree; pop culture is a direct influence of clothing and style trends. I am sure there are a lot of times where you will see something someone is wearing or an outfit in a Lookbook or Catalog and immediately ask yourself “what in the world?”, but that is exactly the reaction those brands want to get. By using something we may consider strange or weird, totally outlandish or next level out there, we become immediately hooked. This technique has been used in commercialization and marketing since its inception, something that raises eyebrows or sparks conversation will etch that image and brand into your head. I wouldn’t say it subliminal imaging through clothing, but I won’t deny that either. All of this can be achieved through both design and use of color, make something unforgettable, unknown and daring.

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion - image  on https://blog.delusionmfg.com

6. Listen, Learn and Collaborate

At the end of the day, you have a target audience and a following you want to make an impression on. Regardless of which realm of fashion or branding you may fall into or crossover between, your best influence will always be your customers. Don’t be afraid to engage your following as not only are you looking to make quality products, but you want your business to grow. Ask questions, post designs, research businesses like yours, and never be afraid to approach professionals for answers, collaborate with others. No business has had success without clients, its plain and simple; and gaining an involvement in your process of branding is so key to gaining their continued support and getting a ton of notes in your “suggestion box”.

We want our clothes to make a statement, as they can be a direct reflection of ourselves.

We wish you the best of luck moving forward into the New Year and please do not hesitate to drop and questions comments directly on this blog page for us to lend some knowledge!

Make sure to subscribe, share, and stay up to date with our Blogs!

You can check them out here!

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Why Believe Delusion MFG

Because we have seen the results firsthand. We have been involved in the custom apparel industry since 2008, with previous experience in the brand apparel sector and hospitality industry. That’s almost 10 years of experience! We have seen how not only society and technology has continued to change but the growth of the small business. DELUSIONMFG can proudly say that we continue to team up with business (from big to small) around the world! We gladly lend our hand in helping businesses grow and succeed on the custom apparel spectrum.

Want some inspiration to get you started?  Feel free to check out our Instagram page. Our page shows just a fraction of the products we have created working with our customers.

Also, make sure to browse our wide selection of products from hats to leather patches and everything in between on our website.

6 Key Style Trends for 2020/Different Approaches to Designing Fashion - image stefan-stefancik-257625 on https://blog.delusionmfg.com

7 Tips to Creating a Successful Shopify Store|Guide

Online sales can be confusing, there are so many platforms to choose from! All these outlets are unique in their own way. But in this post, I will offer tips to help you create a successful, well-rounded, marketable and popular Shopify Store!

Red neon light saying "open"

Weighing Your Options

Everyone orders things from different sites, for example: eBay, Amazon, Wayfair, Overstock, and thousands more. But the thing that makes Shopify unique is the capability to use this set up on your existing website. Instead of customers having to dig through pages and pages of products, searching all over to find your stuff, it is all right there. This is what makes Shopify one of the most popular selling platforms for small to big businesses around the world. It does not matter if you are selling art or custom apparel and everything in between. The Shopify Platform and Plug-In are extremely valuable in many ways. No one wants to have to dig, this is your chance at an all in one website and store. Things like this make this option a no brainer for owners everywhere!

But How Can I Make My Shopify Store Unique, Active, Marketable, and User Friendly?

Since now you have a little background on what Shopify can offer for you, it is important to go through some steps to make sure that you are getting the most from your potential store.

I will offer some insider pro-tips that will make you experience much success in your sales and the look / user friendliness of your Shopify Store!

(1) Set it up! Setting up your account with Shopify is obviously your start to the new venture, but doing it correctly is extremely important. As this platform offers different tiers of services, it is important to choose what level of coverage and options that you want. There are price points that you will be browsing through with different types of expanded coverage (such as types of payment accepted, premium themes, storage space, etc.). We will get into these later! Don’t be afraid to start off slow, learning the features will allow you to make better judgements down the road. We all need to start somewhere! It is key to choose what is right for you, your brand, and customers!

(2) Design, Design, Design! So, you officially have signed up for your account. It may have been a big decision, but you made it. Now you may feel in over your head! Something great that Shopify offers are pre-made Themes. Some of these are free, some you will have to pay for. But there are endless options that are available to you. The styling of your site can make or break the way someone views your brand. So, it is always important to not over do it, but show what your brand stands for via it’s look.

(3) Make it your own! As there are many themes available, there are so many different customizations. You want to put efforts forth in matching your branding that you use for products or ads directly into how your store will look. The simplest things like coloring, fonts, logos, etc. can make or break how everything comes together. A seamless, professional, but unique look is what will make you stand alone (in a good way of course!).

(4) Do your research! My job is to help you guide you on this journey, but there are many other outlets in which you can acquire information. Whenever I am feeling lost or confused, I will check out articles, blogs, information, etc. to get myself on track. The internet is a great tool and is the base for your store so don’t be afraid to educate yourself. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to making important decisions regarding the brand that you have built. Looking at other brand’s Shopify accounts or stores is a great way to see how things are set up and give yourself an idea or plan to execute. Again, the overall look, feel, and ease of use of your store will sell your products for you. This is a very important aspect.

(5) Add the swag! So, you have your general theme and look set up, but somethings missing. Oh yeah, the thing we made this for in the first place, your products! There are endless ways to display your products on the page, and awesome features to choose from. But none of this means much if you do not have proper photos and descriptions. These are again, two important things to be considered when going through this process. Professional photos of products give the vibe of professionality with your brand, so you should explore this option. Studio style photography with a backdrop can make all the difference in the legitimacy of the look and feel of your site and products. Something that I feel like goes hand in hand with this is showing your products being used, worn, etc. After you cover the bases for taking detailed photos (showing all aspects), it is a plus to have a few lifestyle type photos, so customers can see your product in a real-life situation. Whether this involves showing how clothing fits, or simply displaying your product in an environment that is related can make a huge difference. People always to see visually what they are reading about, which we will get to know. When adding details of your products, it is important to be very short but very detailed. For example, if you are selling a hat, some things you would want to cover is fit, material, color, branding, etc. These types of things can be accomplished with little information that is precise. Sometimes when you get too in-depth describing something it can become confusing, so simplicity and exact are your best friends here!

(6) The customer is always right! Involving your clients in this whole operation is very effective. From having a solid Customer Service sector, to getting advice from your audience for ideas and looks. It is key to listen and allow your customers to part of your journey because without them, there would be nowhere to go. Setting up means in which customers can contact you with questions, concerns, issues, and suggestions is a great tool for them and most importantly for you. Using the feedback, you get will only help you improve your site, brand, and store. There are options for contact forms and even live chat with the Shopify account so taking advantage of these are a plus. Also making sure that things work correctly and are user friendly makes things much easier for people to navigate and distinguish. Another cool thing to do is to personalize each experience for your customer. You can do this by emailing them after a purchase, personalizing their name and product, and given them more information about what is to come with your company and your appreciation for their business. Doing things like this makes your customers feel like a true part of your brand, that is where we gain success.

(7) Always look for more! Like I have mentioned there are so many different options, plug-ins, themes, and much more associated with your Shopify account. The industry is everchanging to include new trends, looks, and technology gets better every day. So, staying on top of things both from a design and tech standpoint is huge in keeping up with competitors. Constant interaction and slight changes as you learn more about the direction you want to go in really show the clients that there is a team behind the site that is striving for the best. Changes can be small, or big, but when people notice that updates are occurring it leaves them confident they are in good hands.

Secret Pro-Tip

This could be the most important thing you will learn today. Your site is complete, everything looks amazing, everything works great. But how do I market it? There are endless tools that can be used to boost your site traffic not only from just current customers but building a base of customers from around the world. This amazing transformation and expansion can occur by doing some simple things! As we all know, social media is king now. Creating, evolving, and maintain your social media accounts from Snapchat to Facebook and everything in between can be the difference in low to high sales for your month. People want to see the activity of what is going on, how you do things, and what you have to offer. Constant activity on social media again shows your legitimacy and care for your company. It by no means must be elaborate, just effective. Another important aspect of gaining attention for your site is using SEO tactics, these essentially boost search engine hits and bring more traffic to your site. I will be discussing more marketing techniques and going deeper into this soon!

Make sure to subscribe, share, and stay up to date with our Blogs!

You can check them out here!

ALSO CHECK OUT:

Why Believe Delusion MFG

Because we have seen the results firsthand. We have been involved in the custom apparel industry since 2008, with previous experience in the brand apparel sector and hospitality industry. That’s almost 10 years of experience! We have seen how not only has society and technology continued to change but the growth of the small business. Delusion MFG can proudly can say that we continue to team up with business (from big to small) around the world! We gladly lend our hand in helping businesses grow and succeed on the custom apparel spectrum.

Want some inspiration to get you started?  Feel free to check out our Instagram page. Our page shows just a fraction of the products we have created working with our customers.

Also, make sure to browse our wide selection of products from hats to leather patches and everything in between on our website.