Online folk and regional dress shop

Folk dance and music groups, festival performers, re-enactors, cultural societies, families marking heritage events and collectors.

Margin on each item sold, with extra income from made-to-order pieces, accessories and bulk orders for groups that need matching outfits.

• Knowledge of the traditions you sell
• Product photography and listing writing
• Customer service and stock keeping

• Distance selling rules: check customer cancellation and returns rights, including what applies to made-to-measure items
• Textile labelling and product safety rules, especially for children's costumes, check with Trading Standards
• Rules on feathers, fur and other animal materials, check before selling or importing any
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus cover for your stock
• Sizing returns can eat into margins, so give clear size guides
• Check whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows storing stock at home

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how much stock you buy, website set-up and whether you offer made-to-order items. These are estimates, so check supplier prices and minimum orders before setting a budget.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £3,500, depending on your range, how well you reach dance groups and festival performers, and how many orders you take. Sizing returns can eat into margins, so clear size guides help.

Check distance selling rules on cancellation and returns, including made-to-measure items, and textile labelling and product safety rules with Trading Standards, especially for children's costumes. Also check rules on feathers, fur and animal materials, insurance, and whether you can store stock at home.