Are you thinking about starting your very own clothing line, but aren’t sure where to begin?
Starting a clothing line can be a very exciting endeavor. However, it also takes a lot of work and organization. Where do you begin?
Check out this guide to discover how to start your own clothing line.
Develop Your Brand
Thanks to strong branding, even those who aren’t into fashion can tell the difference between a Ralph Lauren shirt and a Gucci shirt.
In order for your clothing line to succeed, you first need to develop your brand. Your brand is the public identity of your company. It should embody the best characteristics of your company, and it should connect with your target market.
While brand identity is important in every industry, it’s especially important in the fashion world. Many people see their clothing as an extension of their personality. With the right branding, you can help your clothing line be a part of someone’s personal story.
So, before you start sketching, ask yourself these questions to help you develop your brand:
- What identity do I want to project with my clothing brand?
- What type of customer will wear my clothes? (age, location, gender, occupation, economic status, personality traits, etc)
- What does my clothing brand offer that other brands don’t?
- What makes my clothing line unique?
By answering these questions, you’ll be able to build the core aspects of your brand. All future decisions you make about your company should be made with your brand in mind, from choosing a logo design to choosing a business name.
Take Care of Business
You can’t start a successful clothing line without first getting some logistics out of the way. Here are some things you need to do on the business side of things:
Understand the Costs
It’s very important to understand the costs of your clothing line before you get started. Selling some handprinted shirts via Etsy will come with very different costs than starting your own boutique shop.
If you don’t have a big budget to start out, then we suggest selling your clothing items online first through your own website or online shop. Then, as your brand grows, you can venture out into expanding your line in different ways.
Also, keep in mind that producing your clothes won’t be your only expense. You also need to factor in marketing, shipping, paying employees (if you have any), and manufacturing.
Decide How Much to Charge
While your prices will likely grow as your business grows, it’s important to establish a price range for your brand early on. When deciding on a price point, you need to consider your target market.
For example, if your target market is the everyday college kid, then you’ll want to keep your prices as affordable as possible. If you’re looking to break into the high-end fashion industry, then you’ll need to start with higher prices.
Your price for your clothing should also be determined by looking at production costs. Obviously, you want your business to make a profit. Looking at your production costs will help you figure out how much you need to charge in order to make a profit off your line.
Choose a Business Name
It’s also very important that you decide on a business name during the early stages. Before getting your heart set on a certain name, make sure it’s available.
As soon as you’ve decided on a name, secure a web domain.
Form a Legal Entity
Forming a legal entity will prevent you from being held personally responsible in the event that your business is sued.
There are many business structures to choose from, including LLCs, corporations, and DBAs. It’s important to do your research into each of these options so you can decide which legal entity is right for you.
Register for Taxes
Before you can open your business, you’ll need to register for both state and local taxes. To do this, you’ll need to apply for an EIN. Luckily, this is easy and free, and it can be done through the IRS website.
Sign Up for Business Insurance, Licenses, and Permits
In addition to registering for taxes, you also need to sign up for business insurance and apply for any necessary licenses and permits.
Applying for business insurance is especially important if you plan to hire employees. Additionally, you’ll want to open a bank account and open a business credit card.
Form a Web Presence
Once you’ve taken care of these logistics, it’s time to start building your brand by creating a website. Even if you plan to open up your own retail shop, establishing a web presence is still very important.
More people are shopping online than ever before, and you’ll be able to reach a wider audience by establishing a web presence. In addition to being a place to sell your products, your website should also include information about your brand, contact info, and a blog.
Develop Your First Collection
Once you’ve built your website, it’s time to focus on developing your first collection.
Your first collection will help you establish your brand, so it’s very important that you focus as much as possible on reflecting your brand’s identity. You can branch out and explore other directions later, but your first clothing collection needs to show your audience what they can consistently expect from you.
Prepare for Manufacturing
Once you’ve developed the designs for your first collection, it’s time to prepare for manufacturing.
You’ll want to spend some time interviewing different factories so you can find the right one for your business. Once you’ve found the right factory, it’s time to have your clothes produced so you can start selling!
How to Start Your Own Clothing Line: Wrap Up
Now that you know how to start your own clothing line, it’s time to put these tips into action. Before you know it, you’ll be the next Yves Saint Laurent or Christian Dior!
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more tips and tricks on running a business.
