How to Break Into Fashion Buying Without a Degree
If you’ve ever looked at a product on the shop floor and thought, “I’d love to be the one choosing what ends up in stores,” then you’ve already started thinking like a fashion buyer.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need a university degree to become a fashion buyer or merchandise planner.
You need:
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The right skills
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Some real-world experience
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And someone to show you the path
Here’s how to get there — without going back to full-time study.
First, what does a fashion buyer actually do?
Fashion buyers are the people behind the product. They decide what the business should sell, when, and how much of it. They work closely with planners, designers, and suppliers to build ranges that will sell — balancing trend, customer demand, and commercial targets.
They’re creative, strategic, and highly in tune with the customer.
So… do you really need a degree?
No. While many buyers do come from fashion or business degrees, retailers don’t actually care about your qualifications — they care about your capability.
In fact, some of the most successful buyers and planners we’ve worked with started on the shop floor and worked their way up. The problem? That path takes years, and it’s often unstructured.
What you need is:
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A fast-tracked learning plan
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Industry exposure
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Confidence and credibility
What fashion employers are really looking for
Retail head offices are busy, high-performing environments. Hiring managers are looking for people who can walk in and understand:
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How to read sales figures
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How to plan a range
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What goes into a product lifecycle
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How customers shop
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The difference between a buyer and a planner (yes, it matters!)
If you can demonstrate this knowledge and pair it with hands-on experience, you’re already ahead of 90% of other applicants.
So how do you get the experience without already having a job?
That’s the catch-22, right?
This is exactly why we created the Ultimate Program at IWANTTOBEAFASHIONBUYER.COM. It’s designed for people who want to work in fashion buying or planning but don’t want to waste time on courses that don’t lead to jobs.
✅ You learn the real-world skills used in head office
✅ You complete a guaranteed internship with a buying or planning team
✅ You graduate job-ready — and with insider contacts
And we’re proud to say: 100% of our graduates now work in the fashion industry.
Where should you start?
You don’t need to commit right now. We offer a Free Taster Course so you can try it out first. It gives you a sneak peek into the world of fashion buying and planning — what the job involves, how the career path works, and whether it’s the right fit for you.
Or, if you’d like some personalised advice, you can book a free Careers Consult and have a 1:1 chat with me about where you are now and how to get where you want to be.
Ready to break into the industry?
No degree? No problem.
If you’ve got passion, retail experience, and a willingness to learn — we’ll help you get the rest.
👉 Start the Free Taster Course now
👉 Book your Careers Consult
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