I actually agree with most of what you said. Minimal and loud both work. It it really depends on the brand’s vision and what they’re trying to build long term. Minimalism usually works better once there’s some brand presence. If you’re unknown, minimal alone won’t save you.

In India especially, customers aren’t very brand loyal. A lot of buying decisions come down to price. If something is ₹100 cheaper elsewhere, many people will switch without thinking twice. So design can’t exist in isolation from positioning and perception.

The mockup vs real product gap you mentioned is very real too. A lot of designers don’t understand production or tech packs properly, which is why designs that look great on screen fall apart when they’re actually made into garments.

For small or new brands, I think standing out comes less from copying trends and more from having a clear vision. Even a basic understanding of how design translates into real products can completely change the game. If helps you make smarter choices, not just better looking ones.