How To Support Local Fashion Brands When Traveling

In Fashion & Culture by Melissa Shea

Big-name brands come with all the hype and recognition. It is easy to choose them when shopping on a trip, but it is important to know the significance of shopping locally. This strengthens the economy and helps them profit. Most ventures get their raw materials and other supplies from the community, so the money goes around, leading to a flourishing community. Also, these indigenous companies value eco-friendly resources and try to incorporate them into their designs, making them sustainable. If you have been wondering how to support native fashion brands while traveling, here are five tips.

  • Visit the domestic markets and boutiques

You will have to go beyond your brochure if you want to shop. The first step would be to ask your concierge or tourist guide about local markets and pop-up shops. Or, you can arm yourself with some useful vocabulary and survey the neighborhood. You can ask for assistance from those who live there, and they will be happy to show you the boutiques with the best bargains. While the beauty of traditional clothing can be alluring, you need to plan what you need for your trip and daily styling back home. Ensure you communicate politely and haggle over the prices fairly. 

  • Attend local events

Attending local events such as festivals and fashion shows is a great way to encourage these brands and have fun. This also allows you to splurge on exclusive outfits and interact with the designers. Some of these festivals have also been passed down from generations and are part of their heritage. It is advisable to respect cultural norms and expectations while you are there. To find out more about these festivals, check out local events websites for more information. For example, if you’re visiting Canada, you can check out Chetwynd funding events that help promote tourism in more rural destinations. 

  • Utilize social media

Another way to support local fashion brands is to promote them on social media and leave reviews. If you love their customer service, ambiance, or the quality of their clothes, don’t hesitate to give them positive feedback. You can go the extra mile by leaving reviews on their website or Google. You can also tag them and add a recommendation when you post a picture of their outfit on your platform. This will aid in getting their brand out there and generating leads, which can turn into profit. Following, liking, and commenting on their business page can also seem like a small gesture, but it is a huge endorsement of Instagram’s algorithm.

  • Buy souvenirs

Consider buying clothes as souvenirs instead of a generic keyholder or other artifact. In some foreign countries, you will find unique fabrics or hand-woven accessories that are part of their identity. Purchasing these items will help you make a fashion statement when you go home and feel like you belong. If you spot an interesting or colorful pair of slippers, show them off to your loved ones so they can purchase them on their trip.

 Fashion brands need all the support they can get. With these tips, you can give your unwavering assistance and help them develop in their communities.

Photo by Sam Lion

About Melissa Shea

Melissa Shea is the co-founder of Fashion Mingle and has spent over 20 years in the creative industry fueled by a love of learning about the “next new thing”. Melissa has used her entrepreneurial passion and technology skills to develop an online platform for fashion professionals that will transform the future for local fashion communities.

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Melissa Shea

Melissa Shea is the co-founder of Fashion Mingle and has spent over 20 years in the creative industry fueled by a love of learning about the “next new thing”. Melissa has used her entrepreneurial passion and technology skills to develop an online platform for fashion professionals that will transform the future for local fashion communities.