Heading the list of the items you need to start your own clothing line, is an idea. Your clothing line can be small, such as silk screened, embroidered, or printed original designs on pre-made garments. Or it can be something grand, like a whole brand that runs the gamut from socks and underwear to raincoats and insulated ski wear.
You can begin by brainstorming ideas – sky’s the limit here, nothing too outrageous to write down—and then start looking at what is possible. The best ideas fill a niche, a need, or a trend that will become classic. Sometimes it is hard to guess what might become classic. Niches, however, are easier to guess—such as usable pockets on women’s clothing or even on men’s formal garments.
Following up on your idea, you need to research local (or even International) regulations that your business must follow. Armed with knowing what regs are essential, you need a business plan.
Your business plan is key to several next steps that you will need to know, including kind of garments, fabric, ready-made with designs or manufacturer, finding a reliable manufacturer, ideals such as sustainable, eco-friendly, fair wage for workers figure in there, too. Above all it needs to be so catchy, affordable, and practical that everyone will want one. Or else it needs to be so elegant, so perfect, or so durable that people will save up to have just one of your exclusive (and expensive) line of clothing.
The top items to start your own clothing line are:

- A company philosophy
- A niche
- A business plan
- Licenses and permits
- Research
- A materials list
- A manufacturer
- Advertising
- A good sales platform
You might develop these things in different order, but they will all be essential to the success of your wonderful clothing line. As outlined here, they are the beginning steps toward creating your dream.
Let’s examine why each one is important:
- Company Philosophy: In today’s world, things like being able to show that all the workers in your company are paid a fair wage and have good working conditions, that your materials are eco-friendly or organic, and that all your operations meet local labor, sanitation, and quality standards is absolutely essential. In addition, you might make it a condition that your garments are made in the country where they are sold – If sold in the USA, they are made in the USA, for example. Meeting these important conditions can affect the cost of doing business but will also have an affect on who will want to buy them and therefore how much you can charge.
- The Idea: This is super important. Your idea might be something as simple as a “portable pocket” for cellphones or e-readers. Pockets are big right now because so many recent women’s fashions have failed to include them. Even some men’s fashions are a little shy of ideal when it comes to a place to carry essentials. But your idea might be attractive plus sizes, or comfortable bras for ladies who have an adult sized rib cage but less than generous breasts. Conversely, you might court the short and skinny crowd who are seriously tired of having to hem up or take in everything they buy. Your idea will be your vision of a garment or line of garments that will meet a need that is not in today’s market. Look around you. One size almost never fits anyone. By specializing in something missed, you might become super successful in a unique market.
- The Niche: A lot like the Idea, but not quite the same. This one requires some research. Is there something out there that is already a lot like your idea? Can you tweak it to make it a little bit different? Where would your clothing line sell best? Is it appropriate to young or old? Budget challenged or exceptionally well-off. Is it best worn in the city, for a party, or in pursuit of an activity conducted out-of-doors?
- Meet business regulations. These can range from basic sanitation, hypoallergenic materials, import and export regs, having an employer ID number and meeting labor requirements, licenses, permits, parking, building suitability, appropriate manufacturing, worker safety, and so much more. Do your homework before you get started.
5 Tips On Introducing Your Clothing Brand To The World

- Know your fabrics/materials. You can go all natural/organic or you can do synthetics, maybe focusing on recycled materials. You can do blends. But before you make a selection, you need to know what kind of garments you want to make. Will your company produce sweaters, leggings, swathes of useable fabric, swim covers, jeans, or fine evening wear? To locate a manufacturer to make up your patterns, you need to have a focus. Different kinds of materials require different skills.
- Know the Market (do research) Has your idea been tried before? If so, what kind of unique twist can you bring to this sort of product? Is it something that is currently successful? Is it a retro style or fabric that you can bring back with a modern twist?
- Create a Business Plan. You might ask, “But isn’t that what I’ve been doing?” Not precisely. Until this point you’ve been collecting information, gathering ideas, and preparing to make a business plan. Your business plan is a formal document that states the type of clothing you will be making, who you hope will purchase it, what regulations you must meet, where you will make it, how you will market it, what assets and skills your fledgling company already has, and what you can offer shareholders or a lending company. Why shareholders or a loan? Because if you wish to scale your business beyond one or two specialty garments every now and then, you will need funds to invest in nearly every aspect of your endeavor, from the first patterns to marketing the finished product.
- Advertising to Your Target Market. You can make the most beautiful or useful garments in the world, but you will not be able to sell them unless you get the word out about them. Not only that, but you also have to capture the imagination of your target market. These days, it isn’t enough to make a comfortable, sturdy shirt that will withstand hundreds of washings, resist being snagged by briars, shed rain, and look like a million bucks at any social gathering, if that shirt doesn’t inspire an air of style. You have to find the right audience, project the right image, and then follow through with a quality product. It won’t hurt a thing if your message overlaps into other markets.

- Your Sales Platform. You’ve made the best line of garments ever and you’ve attracted the right kind of attention. Now you need a place or way for people to purchase your products. You might have an online store and ship your goods. You might rent one or more storefronts. You might even wheedle existing companies into displaying your products alongside clothing competitors, especially if you have garments that will appeal to the Big Box Store shopper. Th is not an area where you want to cut corners. Customer satisfaction is what will keep people coming back to purchase not only your current products, but your new ideas as you bring them out.
Related Questions
Is this everything I need to know about starting my own clothing line?
No. This is a minimalist approach to the idea of starting a clothing line. It is the merest tip of the iceberg of all the things you will need to know and do. The clothing industry is complex and multifaceted.
What is the best way to learn more about starting my own clothing line?
Like most types of entrepreneurships, there probably is not any one “best way” to learn more. However, there are some things you can do, including:
- Enroll in a school of fashion.
- Read everything you can find on fashion trends, trend setters, and how fads catch on.
- Learn about garment construction.
- Try making some things hands-on. Your efforts might not be sales worthy, but they will help when you try to explain to someone else what you want.
Why do I need a business plan?
A good business plan is the heart and soul of your business, as well as a description of the muscle, and even – to carry out the metaphor a little farther – its care and feeding. It is a description of what you do and how you do it. The very best business plans will explain why you are doing it.
Why is company philosophy listed first?
Because your company philosophy is what your business stands for. Does it represent excellence is work garments? Does it support and protect its workers? Does it care about the environment? The answers to these questions and others like it will drive how you approach your business and the kinds of products you are likely to produce. It can even affect your success and your standing in the community at large.
To learn more about how to start your own fashion clothing line check out my startup documents here
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.

Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Fashion Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a designer or boutique owner at a craft fair, farmers market, retail location or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Fashion Business Boss: I want to help fashion business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.