Shopping for a Living. Sounds Like the Dream, Doesn't It?
An autumn update from Etton Taylor, a look behind the scenes and a little favour to ask.
I sometimes think I have one of the best jobs in the world. After all, I get to spend a good part of my working life looking at beautiful clothes, discovering new brands and deciding what to buy for Etton Taylor.
What's not to love?
Well, quite a lot actually, when you realise that every buying decision comes with a price tag, a considerable amount of responsibility and the occasional sleepless night!
But more on that in a minute.
First, let's talk autumn fashion
I absolutely love dressing for autumn. The coats come out, knitwear makes a welcome return and suddenly there are so many more interesting ways to put an outfit together.
And this year's autumn/winter collection at Etton Taylor is one I'm particularly excited about.
We've got beautiful wool coats, fabulous jackets, statement knitwear, dresses that work just as well with boots as they do with heels, and some rather brilliant trousers.
Two of my current favourites are the Tinta Petro Mellatic Print Trousers and the Hepburn Reversible Jacket. The Petro trousers are exactly the sort of piece I love. Interesting enough to make an outfit without having to try too hard. I'd wear them with a simple knit and boots now, then dress them up for Christmas.
And the Hepburn jacket? Faux suede on one side, faux fur on the other, available in beige or chocolate. Two completely different looks from one jacket. What's not to like?
That's really what I want Etton Taylor to be about. Clothes with personality, pieces you'll enjoy wearing and things that make you feel fabulous, whatever your size or age.
The bit you don't see on Instagram
Something that often surprises people is just how far in advance I buy the collections.
While you're enjoying the summer sunshine, I'm already thinking about winter coats. And while we're all wrapping up against the cold, I'll be looking at what's coming for spring and summer.
Most of the clothes arriving at Etton Taylor now were chosen four or five months ago.
That means trying to predict what you'll want to wear, which colours will be popular, what styles will sell and, perhaps most importantly, how many of each piece to buy.
I look at trends, study previous sales, visit buying appointments and spend hours going through collections.
And then I make a decision.
Sometimes I get it absolutely right. The Sammi Ruffle Shirt and Bariloche Aris Coat have been brilliant examples this season.
Other times, something I absolutely love doesn't quite capture everyone else's imagination.
And that's the reality of fashion retail. Just because I love something doesn't mean everyone else will!
It's a constant learning curve, and one that has certainly taught me a few lessons this year.
A little honesty from behind the scenes
I'm not going to pretend that running Etton Taylor has been plain sailing.
It hasn't.
There have been some wonderful moments this year. Meeting customers at events, seeing familiar faces return, receiving lovely messages and watching orders come through for pieces I've spent months choosing.
But there have also been some pretty challenging weeks.
Sales haven't always been where I'd hoped they'd be, and running a small independent business comes with pressures that aren't particularly glamorous.
There's stock to pay for, suppliers to manage, events to organise, marketing to do and about a hundred other things happening behind the scenes.
And unlike the big retailers, there's no enormous team or bottomless marketing budget.
It's me, making decisions, learning as I go and occasionally wondering whether I've completely lost the plot!
Would I change it?
Despite the challenges, I genuinely love what I'm building with Etton Taylor.
I believe in the brands I've chosen, the quality of the clothes and the idea that great style shouldn't be dictated by age or dress size.
And I love nothing more than seeing someone find something that makes them feel fantastic.
Now, can I ask you a little favour?
As we head towards the busiest shopping season of the year, I'd love to ask for your help.
Not necessarily by buying something, although obviously I'm never going to complain about that!
But by helping more people discover Etton Taylor.
If you love what we're doing, perhaps you could share our website with a friend, recommend us to someone looking for something a little different or give one of our social media posts a share.
And if you've bought something from us, I'd absolutely love to see you wearing it. Tag us in your photographs, leave a review or simply drop me a message to tell me what you think.
These might seem like tiny things, but for a small independent business they really do make a difference.
Every recommendation helps us reach someone new. Every review gives another customer the confidence to order. And every lovely message reminds me why I started this in the first place.
And finally...
If you've shopped with Etton Taylor this year, visited us at an event, recommended us to a friend or simply followed along on social media, thank you.
I really do appreciate it.
There's plenty more to come, including some exciting events in the run-up to Christmas and, of course, lots more beautiful clothes.
And I'll keep doing my best to find those pieces that make you think, "Oh, I absolutely love that!"
Because that's still the best part of this job.
Faye x
Founder
