Exports are a major focus for India's revenue generation. The Government offers incentives for export promotion packages, as it is a core sector for the economic growth of the country. Apparel exports constitute a major share of total exports. Current export figures indicate good prospects for export of trousers.

Trousers have gone through a fashion journey, evolving from a formal attire into a key element of fashion. With the fashion industry constantly evolving, Indian fashion designers entwine various trends and give wonderful touches to them. Much of the influence is acquired from the West and is manipulated in a creative way. A range of trendy trousers are available for both men and women, incorporating it in their everyday wardrobe. This has boosted the sale and export of the same.

Export Market:

In the export market, Indian casuals and semi-formals have a strong hold. More manufacturers and retailers are making a beeline into this category, casing everything around the trend to boom. Renowned fashion brands such as Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs, and Thom Browne are coming up with innovative styles for men and women. Brands such as Zara, Old Navy, and Topshop are selling pants with darts, pleated formal patterns, and fitted structures. Mango and Promod use a range of fabrics for their trousers. Marc and Phillip Lim have incorporated wide-leg culottes in their spring 2011 collections.

High-fashion and semi-formal wear are mainly exported into US and European countries. Silk is the main fabric used, and is imported from China. However, with the wake of environmentalism, use of cotton fabrics is gaining predominant importance. Buyers from Spain, Japan, and Brazil seek to import tops along with formal and semi-formal trousers. Shirts, racer backs, and spaghettis are preferred with loose as well as fitted trousers.

Runway Trends:


Today, trousers are no more a plain piece of formal clothing. They are a great way of enabling power dressing, creating the required look. Alluring styles are seen on the ramp shows, with slim, tall models flaunting a wide range of pants from high waist, and the classic straight to skinny and ankle length pants. This apparel suits all types of personalities and trends. Newer versions of formal pants have turned out to be a huge success. Over the past few years' formal pants have undergone drastic variations in zippers, buttons, top stitching, pleats, prints and many more.


The 'Formal' Fashion Icon:


Fashion designers have added much creativity to trousers that they no longer remain plain pants. Made all the more appealing with pleats, cuffs, and a fly, trousers have pushed skirts, and dresses into the back. For Indian exporters, this season claims to be enjoyable, as many of them are acquiring big orders for 2011 and 2012, for Indian tailored trousers, paired with loose tops and shirts pairing perfectly.


Simple khaki trousers in three quarters in trendy shades, chino pants, formal pants for official meetings, pants folded on the ankle giving a relaxed look, and palazzo pants are making popular styles. Designer's collections of formal pants are influenced by color blocking patterns which is expected to be in trend for 2012. White trousers with matching blazers, and baggy pants with in short variants will be in vogue.


Indian formal wears are moving towards the value added apparel segment, and formal pants can command good margins. Exports are gearing up into the segment which holds immense market potential.


References:


1)     Data source: commerce.nic.in

2)     Capitalmarket.com

3)     Apparel Online, 16th-30th, 2011

4)     Fashionmate.in