Opinions on business idea - Clothing for tall people

[Betul22]

As a tall woman, I struggle to find reasonably priced clothing that is good quality and fashionable. I am looking at mid price point, something more expensive than ASOS or M&S, where I typically shop, with good quality fabric and tailoring. Is this a viable business idea ....

Much as I would love it to be viable, you only have to look how companies come and go in this market. If you want good quality and fashionable, then your price point becomes high, then people don't buy because its on trend and they won't get value. Or you go classic and quality, higher price point but then people resist that as its not a 'label' and need to pay ££ for a classic white tee.
Where you might succeed is either a preorder method if you can find a good small minimum quantity order manufacturer, or do as Fairlie Curved (specialist large bust company) and trawl existing production for tall suitable clothing or where manufacturers can adapt easily on production runs and then own label it.

Which of these brands would be your closest competitors?

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/best-tall-clothing-brands

https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/fashion-beauty/womens-clothing/best-tall-womens-clothing-uk-b1802970.html

I know nothing about the clothing industry beyond 60 odd years of obsession with clothes - but I’d be surprised if most tall women would want to be restricted to one shop, rather than being able to find clothes properly proportioned for them within shops they already know suit their style.

Would you be buying from established retailers, or setting out to design and manufacture exclusively for your own brand? I suspect you’d find the latter prohibitively expensive - and passing on those costs to your customers would mean you perforce became a luxury brand.

(In the same way that while cheaper plus size brands thrive, those trying to go upmarket find all sorts of difficulties.)

Unfortunately, apparel is extremely capital intensive. You'll need to pay a manufacturer upfront for your whole stock on one side. On the other, it will take weeks/months for your stock to sell and even longer terms if you resell. If all goes well. Which leaves you for very long periods of time with massive cashflow gaps and a lot of uncertainty.

And on top of lots of cash, you will also need a lot of skills too: who is going to make your designs, cuttings, find the factory, choose the fabrics, negotiate the pricing etc.

How tall are you? I'm 5'11'' and have lots of places I shop from. There was a gap in the market 20 years ago but I feel it's been filled. Now my friend who is 4'11'' (I know you should see us out together lol)) really struggles to find trousers and jeans that don't drag on the floor!

As a fellow 5’11-er I agree with Reallynosuchthing that things have improved clothing wise for tall women. Where there is still a gap is for good quality, great-looking shoes, sandals and boots, The range is still limited with M&S, Boden and many others all stopping at size 8. ASOS, Clarks and Next do some larger shoe sizes but the material is often synthetic or the style ugly and clumpy.

@RiverRed if you need a 9, then Holland Cooper do it in all their (beautiful) shoes. Their clothes are also very tall friendly - I bought a suit last week where I am going to have to take the trousers up several inches and a maxi dress which I will need to wear heels with

I havent thought about the pre order method. This is an interesting idea. I am 6'1 and I struggle to find clothes that are good quality, I can buy from ASOS,M&S for example but in my opinion, the quality is not good at all. I would like some staple pieces made from good quality fabric. I also struggle with shoes, especially nice heels, because in the larger sizes they are typically synthetic and cheap.