In the present society, womenare more conscious about their personality and demand for gorgeous intimate apparelshas increased. They prefer wearing beautiful lingerie as an expression of theirsensuality. Twenty-five years before, women of UK had only a handful of choicesregarding lingerie's; either M&S cotton briefs, or cheap intimate wearsfrom Knickerbox, or a simple one with lace trims. Lingerie was considered as acommodity or necessity. The feeling that intimate wears are important came intothe minds of British women during the 90s, and the motive of fashion lingeriewas nurtured. Now, the average British woman is elegantly dressed and looksconfident than she was years before, due to the disposable income she hasacquired, and the wide range of choices available in front of her.
The total worth of Britishlingerie market is estimated to be around 2.48 billion during the past year,which is a growth of 13% compared with the figures of 2002. On an average, onemillion bras are being sold in the UK market; annually. Industry leaders are ofthe opinion that UK lingerie market will further grow to around 2.73 billionat the end of 2008, exhibiting a growth of 16% as compared with 2004, and reach2.9 billion by 2011. They further contemplate that the market may be dampenedby a slow down in consumer spending on the high street and a relatively flatperiod of price rises. Global market is being manipulated by cheap overseasproducts, and this will have an influence on the slow growing, stable lingeriemarket in UK.
Manufacture of low cost apparelsis being outsourced to the Far East, and intimate wears are no exception tothis. Hence, many manufacturers are finding it hard to maintain their margin asthey are pressurized by the retailers who intend to keep down their prices tosustain in the competitive retail distribution system. High street now viewsintimate apparels as an integral fashion item, along with super markets, andclothing manufactures promoting their products making it a fierce arena tooperate. Some branded lingerie manufacturers are moving into the retailscenario with the notion of launching their own stores during 2008. The nextdecade will witness the performance of how well brands fare over in the UK intimate market.
Wearing designer lingerie is now gaining equal importance as wearing branded shoes on our feet. The leading British chain stores Marks & Spencer contributed for one third of the lingerie sales during the last year. There is a fascination among the British women for expensive intimate wears, and many are ready to pay more for lingerie than for clothes. Designer brands like Agent Provocateur and Stella MC Cartney are having a good demand in the market. Till some time before it was considered that every occasion requires appropriate attire, but this was not believed to be essential for inner wears. But now, times have changed and there are exclusive lingerie categories' to match every special occasion like bridal lingerie, sporty, natural, elegant etc. Agent Provocateur's bridal ranges are designed in creamy or white hue with elegancy and sexy style especially for that day which a woman waits all her life. Fantasie in a UK brand that focuses' more on plus size lingerie's. Intimate apparel sales in UK are more influenced by Fantasie. This brand is at the forefront of stylish and modest lingerie.
Trends in intimate wears have been influenced by the developments in fabrics like stretch lace, blended fibres, glow yarns, mesh etc. Women seek comfort, glamour, and a feminine charm in the current styles. Floral patterns will be available in classic colors evoking the earthy, woody, and natural sentiments supplemented with delicate laces exuding femininity.
Opaques, stockings, and sheer tights are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among younger women. Colored opaque tights is one of the big trends coming up along with stockings and garters seen again on the catwalks. Stockings are flying off the shelves, with lacy-topped ones being the biggest hit. This has also motivated the high street retailers to adopt the trend. Opulent lingerie's with square necklines have influenced the designers for this season. Grey will have a renaissance and will be in fad. This subtle, sophisticated shade will be a sweet and flirty fashion. Feminine embroidered voile intimate apparels with lace frills will be seen in the store racks. Delicate patterns of guipure lace sewn together by just a few threads will take the shopper to the mysterious Baroque era.
Fashion over the past decade has changed with low rise jeans and similar type of apparels. Women require a right type of lingerie in a right color, shape and fit which would support the garment. Lingerie, like lipstick has become an item of self-indulgence. Along with regular manicure, and pedicure women now set aside a part of their budget for shopping fashion lingerie. With more and more women spending enormous amount of money on intimate wears, the UK market shows potential. Wearing luxurious intimate apparel boosts the confidence of the woman that she is worth it.
References:
2) http://www.businesswire.com
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