Starting a clothing line

[Terrance]

Dear Fastlaners,

I've recently quit my 9-5 about 2 weeks ago and have a strong desire to start my own business.
My current plan is to start an ecommerce clothing line specialising in mens shorts with future plans to expand into other areas of mens clothing.
I have limited design experience and as such intend to start with premade goods.

Does anyone have experience in this area?
Would it be better to sell some generic goods first or start my own private label?
I am operating on a tight budget (<$1000USD) and as such will need to watch my spending budget tightly.

 

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[AllenCrawley]

I've recently quit my 9-5 about 2 weeks ago and have a strong desire to start my own business.

The way your post reads to me is that you quit your job because you have a desire to start a business. Scary.

This could be of assistance:
http://mywifequitherjob.com/where-t...e-usa-and-my-trip-to-the-la-fashion-district/

 

[ddzc]

Terrible action plan. I would never quit my job unless my business has taken off the ground and in flight. I wouldn't sell generic stuff, specialize in great quality and design. Have a good brand and marketing plan in place from the very start. Without these key elements you're just another clothing reseller competing with millions of others for next to no margins.

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[DST]

Why did you quit your job? If you quit it just to start your clothing label with less than $1000 saved then.... well good luck

 

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[themaxx]

Telling someone they've made a mistake after there's no chance of them correcting that mistake is not very helpful.

Try here:
https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/co...mpany-with-zero-inventory-and-only-100.60743/

 

[ZCP]

What have you done the last two weeks?

What have you completed today?

What will you complete tomorrow?

Do a forum search on 'legal pad'......

 

[salnation]

Clothing lines are not easy!

I tried to create a clothing line around a year and half ago and failed because I wasn't able to push products to a large enough audience.

First off, the majority of people are sheep, they want to buy the clothes they see other people wearing, they aren't too keen on buying new brands unless they're cheap. Secondly, if all your peers are interested in the clothes, this doesn't mean the clothes are fit for purpose, make sure you get out there and see what loads of (different) people think.

I think selling generic clothes is a good idea but I feel you should start off small and slowly increase the amount of clothes you purchase as sales increase.

But the most important question to ask yourself is, how many people can you reach? Try building up some social networks before spending any money.

(First post so don't batter me if you think it's a load of bs )


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[DeletedUser394]

How are you planning on supporting yourself? $1k in the bank and no income. Yikes.

 

[salnation]

Terrible action plan. I would never quit my job unless my business has taken off the ground and in flight. I wouldn't sell generic stuff, specialize in great quality and design. Have a good brand and marketing plan in place from the very start. Without these key elements you're just another clothing reseller competing with millions of others for next to no margins.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

I think generic clothing can work so long as he sticks to a specific theme which he can build on from later.. But you are correct, it does just make you another one of the millions of resellers!

And yes! Brand and marketing plans are vital! Without that I feel there's next to no chance of success, one of the reasons I failed!


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[BlakeIC]

 

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[Wisith]

Clothing lines are not easy!

I tried to create a clothing line around a year and half ago and failed because I wasn't able to push products to a large enough audience.

First off, the majority of people are sheep, they want to buy the clothes they see other people wearing, they aren't too keen on buying new brands unless they're cheap. Secondly, if all your peers are interested in the clothes, this doesn't mean the clothes are fit for purpose, make sure you get out there and see what loads of (different) people think.

I think selling generic clothes is a good idea but I feel you should start off small and slowly increase the amount of clothes you purchase as sales increase.

But the most important question to ask yourself is, how many people can you reach? Try building up some social networks before spending any money.

(First post so don't batter me if you think it's a load of bs )


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Agreed.

Clothing and fashion in general is a monster to operate in because almost every girl with a cardigan is into fashion and wants to venture into it.

I had classmates who have shops in the Fashion District of Los Angeles are are struggling because they're peddling the same wholesale generic stuff from China as the shops around them. It essentially becomes a war on who has cheaper prices.

Fashion is a a big hobby of mine, since I was in the 5th grade and fell in love with sneakers. I've studied the landscape since then and have friends who operate in the field from streetwear to menswear. Most failed, a few made it.

With only $1,000...you can't really do anything more than buy whole sale t shirts and print stuff on and hope that take off, a la "The Hundreds" and "Crooks and Castle". To get into pattern drafting and samples, you need a lot more capital.

If you go on social media, you would be surprised at how many 'clothing lines' there are.

 

[salnation]

Agreed.

Clothing and fashion in general is a monster to operate in because almost every girl with a cardigan is into fashion and wants to venture into it.

I had classmates who have shops in the Fashion District of Los Angeles are are struggling because they're peddling the same wholesale generic stuff from China as the shops around them. It essentially becomes a war on who has cheaper prices.

Fashion is a a big hobby of mine, since I was in the 5th grade and fell in love with sneakers. I've studied the landscape since then and have friends who operate in the field from streetwear to menswear. Most failed, a few made it.

With only $1,000...you can't really do anything more than buy whole sale t shirts and print stuff on and hope that take off, a la "The Hundreds" and "Crooks and Castle". To get into pattern drafting and samples, you need a lot more capital.

If you go on social media, you would be surprised at how many 'clothing lines' there are.

Very true,
For a successful clothing line you either need a large fan base or a shed load of money.. And social media is very heavily saturated with clothing line and fashion accounts!


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[RHL]

I've recently quit my 9-5 about 2 weeks ago

Awesome. MJ, Mark this thread GOLD! Glad to hear you've had such great Fastlane success that you've been able to quit your job! I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of knowledge I learn from...

have a strong desire to start my own business... I am operating on a tight budget (<$1000USD)

 

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[Fox]

I am operating on a tight budget (<$1000USD) and as such will need to watch my spending budget tightly.

I don't know about the clothing industry but I do know how to double your chances of success quite fast - go back to work and save another $1,000. In fact why not save for half a year so you have at least $10,000 and now you have improved your chances 1000% plus the knowledge and insight you gained in the meantime through research and study. If you want to gain even more relevant knowledge then pick a job in the clothing industry while you save also.

Starting a business with that low an amount is a form of avoidance. You know it isn't enough so its an easy excuse when it doesn't work out.

 

[TJPB]

...Would it be better to sell some generic goods first or start my own private label?

#1, get your job back.
#2, start a progress thread and detail out your daily agenda on how you're going to make this company happen.
#3, get your job back.

 

[sija1]

I think this happens when people with no experience, no knowledge and no budget are told to just do.

 

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[AllenCrawley]

OP hasn't been back since he started this thread.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

The way your post reads to me is that you quit your job because you have a desire to start a business

Desire doesn't create demand.

OP hasn't been back since he started this thread.

Yup, another drive-by. Don't waste your time, tagged.

 

[SenGracic]

OP hasn't been back since he started this thread.

happens sometimes I guess...

 

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[TJPB]

OP hasn't been back since he started this thread.

I didn't come back for almost a year after my first post. At the time, I didn't like the response. Then I learned it wasn't that I didn't like it, but that I didn't understand it. I hope he does come back....at least he has the itch.

 

[theag]

I think this happens when people with no experience, no knowledge and no budget are told to just do.

No. Its what happens when people are stupid.

 

[DeletedUser394]

I didn't come back for almost a year after my first post. At the time, I didn't like the response. Then I learned it wasn't that I didn't like it, but that I didn't understand it. I hope he does come back....at least he has the itch.

Did you have another username previous to this? I find it hard to believe that you have 1k posts and yet I've never heard the name before today haha.

 

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[TJPB]

Did you have another username previous to this? I find it hard to believe that you have 1k posts and yet I've never heard the name before today haha.

Howdy @GrumpyCat No, only one username...but I post on the Inside 95% of the time.

 

[Ryback]

If you are still set on starting your fashion brand I suggest you first come up with a story for your brand instead of just buying a generic domain name and having an about us page saying the same thing like everyone else. If you do, you will be just like everyone else and then you will be stuck with inventory and a lot of shorts to wear next summer.

When we decided to get into the Fashion space my business partner and I spent 10 hours searching on Google and various sites where you can buy domain's from. I was dead set against spending thousands on a domain name. After going back and forth on the name of the company and we got lucky. We found a four letter domain that we loved. If we wanted to move forward we knew we needed to have a story behind the name. This would give us our best shot to create a brand that could be successful and give people a reason to buy from us.

Look at most successful brands especially coming from Instagram these days and you will see they have a good marketing plan in place. They are building a community of people very fast through shout outs and strategic partnerships. These brands are taking off due to the fact that they have a story that resonate's with the audience they are marketing to.

You can always market your products on Facebook but if you are serious about it check out what companies are doing with Instagram. Start your resarch there and all I can say is study your competition.

BTW @GrumpyCat love the Kap pic. He is on his way to selling Big Macs soon!

 

[Guatavo]

Dear Fastlaners,

I've recently quit my 9-5 about 2 weeks ago and have a strong desire to start my own business.
My current plan is to start an ecommerce clothing line specialising in mens shorts with future plans to expand into other areas of mens clothing.
I have limited design experience and as such intend to start with premade goods.

Does anyone have experience in this area?
Would it be better to sell some generic goods first or start my own private label?
I am operating on a tight budget (<$1000USD) and as such will need to watch my spending budget tightly.

Well, its very good to hear that you are starting your own venture. I am in clothing industry for years and would like to share some experience.

The most profitable good for retail clothing industry are Suits and Jackets. You can make large numbers with them. Although, It is also a very good idea to start your own clothing label too. For this first you have to find a good manufacturer who can lead you in a right direction. I have my company Frerez and we are suit and designer clothing manufacturers. If you need any advice with Suits, please ask me. I would love to help you.

Hope this help you a little. Looking foreword to hear from you some positive news in this tread.

 

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[Supa]

Well, its very good to hear that you are starting your own venture. I am in clothing industry for years and would like to share some experience.

The most profitable good for retail clothing industry are Suits and Jackets. You can make large numbers with them. Although, It is also a very good idea to start your own clothing label too. For this first you have to find a good manufacturer who can lead you in a right direction. I have my company Frerez and we are suit and designer clothing manufacturers. If you need any advice with Suits, please ask me. I would love to help you.


And for the most profitable one, the jackets I would suggest is [a company I work for but I will lie and make it sound like I am recommending them. So instead of actually being authentic, a moderator is going to edit my text and expose my duplicity]

Hope this help you a little. Looking foreword to hear from you some positive news in this tread.

Terrance was last seen: Aug 26, 2015 ...

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Well, its very good to hear that you are starting your own venture. I am in clothing industry for years and would like to share some experience.

The most profitable good for retail clothing industry are Suits and Jackets. You can make large numbers with them. Although, It is also a very good idea to start your own clothing label too. For this first you have to find a good manufacturer who can lead you in a right direction. I have my company Frerez and we are suit and designer clothing manufacturers. If you need any advice with Suits, please ask me. I would love to help you.

And for the most profitable one, the jackets I would suggest is [a company I work for but I will lie and make it sound like I am recommending them. So instead of actually being authentic, a moderator is going to edit my text and expose my duplicity]

Hope this help you a little. Looking foreword to hear from you some positive news in this tread.

Sorry but recommending a company that you work for is amateur hour, especially on a dead thread. Thread edited. PS: I've deleted the registration of the company you recommended as well, which ironically, had the same IP as yours. Strange eh!?

 

[lovecharm]

Alright, since every one is interested in Clothing and fashion business I will write up my 1 year report since I launched my clothing brand.

So far I have done about $250,000 sales, but its no where near what our target was. It is hard, honestly I stopped coming to the forum because I have been working like a dog, things are looking bright and already my brand is stocked by several well known chain stores.

Stay tuned, you will see the story in 24 hours!

 

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