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Get ready maker pros and cons4/15/2023 ![]() ![]() Ask the sales repsĪsk sales reps what styles are selling best. A little foreshadowing… In a few weeks, I will be releasing an article about developing the perfect fit during the process of apparel manufacturing- bought samples from competitors will be important to the process of apparel sourcing. Now when you are shopping there are two things you want to look out for. You would want to shop brands like Lululemon, bandier, outdoor voices (who in my opinion the quality is crap-ola, those things bag and sag within the first 20 minutes of putting them on, but thanks to great marketing college kids love them), Patagonia, or Prana. Try to think of something more original.Īnyway back to our hypothetical yoga company. FYI if you want to start a sustainable clothing line try to avoid yoga and swim - the market is fully saturated, competition is high, and your chances of succeeding are low. I am using this example because about 80% of the brands that reach out to me with their startup idea are yoga brands. Who is killing it in the market you are trying to infiltrate? For example, if you are starting a yoga company. Hit the market and check out your competitors. ![]() Start by shopping your favorite stores to find fabrics you like and would want to use for your own brand But, don't worry, if you follow this guide you will be sourcing fabric like a pro. ![]() But, the reality is most of you don't have this type of knowledge from working fabric sourcing jobs that take at least a decade to amass. Oh, and the fabric also has a 10-minute enzyme rinse. For example, I could look at a shirt and say this is X% cotton, X% linen, the yarn size is Z and it was knit on a machine using a Y gauge. For someone who is more novice or has a degree in textiles sometimes we know what we want. If you are a beginner to the world of product development, counter sourcing is a great way to ensure you get the exact materials you are looking for without having to get into all the technical details and industry jargon. How to source fabricsĪ complete guide to fabric sourcing (including email templates). If you have tightened up your design and are ready to actually make the product, then, and only then is it time to start looking at fabrics. Take your time and do your research before you jump into product development. So, to recapīefore you can get started sourcing fabric or even think about reaching out to a textile manufacturer, first you need to know exactly what you are making, and who you are making it for. For example, did you know that sustainable fiber darling Tencel was developed in 1972 under the trade name Newcell! And now, 47 years later it is FINALLY making headlines thanks to greenwashing, but in reality, shoppers have been wearing the eco-friendly fiber for half a century! Don't be that greenwashing person do your research. Take your time to figure out something special, and remember just because something sounds new to you, that does not mean it actually is. To say, we make our clothes out of recycled polyester water bottles, at this point feels like, so what? So does, everlane, billabong, nike, patagonia, even fast fashion monster ZARA, and notorious unethical Walmart! Do your research Please don't say "people who care about sustainable fashion". Think of what you are already into, and what type of product you would like, then use that to help guide you in developing your first products. tips on finding your nicheĭid you play soccer in high school, do you love rollerblading, maybe you were in math league, idk? The best products, and often the most successful ones, are developed by people who know their industry. The direction of your brand and the type of product you want to make will dictate what types of fashion fabrics you will source. Before you get started you need to decide all this. So you want sustainable hemp, or organic cotton fabric? Ok… Are you making women or men's clothes, or maybe something androgynous? Are they casual everyday running errands but still want to look cute clothes? Or, fancy going out clothes? Do your clothes solve a problem? Or, maybe you only want to specialize in one thing - like the perfect t-shirt. You can't be everything to everyone, so start out super focused. How to choose what fabric is best for youīefore you start fabric sourcing, or even think about reaching out to a fabric supplier What do you want to make?ĭo you know your product? I can't tell you how many people come to me saying "I want to start a hemp brand" or "I want to start a sustainable fashion line". ![]()
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