How to start a

clothing brand: the

9-step plan
by Jess Day
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Our 9 step guide to starting

a clothing business 2
 How to start a clothing business. It can be an all-
consuming process but with that first sample run
and customer sale comes great satisfaction. Use our
nine-step plan to starting a clothing business.

When starting a clothing line, the to-do’s can seem

overwhelming. Here are our top nine bases to cover.

1. D
 ecide on your niche brand Scandiborn, or menswear that nods to

your own unique heritage?

Starting a clothing business is a very

personal journey. You’re probably a creative It could also be a clothing business that’s born

person, with something different to offer out of a particular need or ethos, from cruelty-

in a fast-moving industry. It’s likely that free clothing to premature baby accessories.

you’ve spotted a gap in the market, or

Know your niche, and bear it in mind. Even if
have a unique design in mind for a specific
you branch out and introduce lots of other
customer group.
designs as time goes by, your original idea

Whatever your inspiration for starting up, gives you heritage, a guiding principle, and a

it’s important to define your niche from the reason to be remembered.

out-set. Are you planning to build a fanbase

for one specific item, like the world-famous 2. Build your budget
Fred Perry shirt? Or it could be a particular (or business plan)
style that you have in mind for your clothing
If this is really just a shoestring idea, and
line – for example the pared back, design-
you’re testing your designs on a small scale,
focused children’s products sold by lifestyle

Our 9 step guide to starting

a clothing business 3
you might not need a full-on business plan plan to design and make the clothes yourself

to get started. Watch out though, if your idea (or with a manufacturer), or buy clothes from

takes off you’ll want to scale pretty quickly, so designers at wholesale price. Either way, start

it makes sense to keep even a rough plan in small. Invest in smaller designers and/or basic

the background. equipment to start off with and as demand

grows, you can review your key outgoings.

Bear in mind, the fashion industry is

notoriously difficult to predict. Plans will need

... and/or a clothing line
to be flexible and there are no guarantees, so
business plan
you’ll need to be up for the challenge.

If you need a business plan – perhaps to

Creating a budget … secure funding or other support – start off

by nailing the basics. You’ll need to give

For the first few months at least, it pays to
an overview of your business, including an
keep things simple. Starting with one design
executive summary, and a clear outline of
which you love, know how to manufacture
how your clothing line is going to start, grow
(or buy) and have had great feedback on may
and prepare to scale.
be much easier than launching with a lengthy

product catalogue. You’ll also need to include the analysis you’ve

done, to understand your target market and

It helps to have a fixed figure in mind, and
any competitors. Remember, this does need
decide how you’re going to spend your
to be data-oriented, concrete and preferably
funding, along with what you want to achieve.
something you’ve done with external
Try to allow room for flexibility – you may not
sources. It can’t just be your personal view of
know the price of specific materials yet, for
what’s wrong with the current market options
example, or manufacturing costs – but having
(although there’s a place for this too!)
that original budget in mind will help you

make the decisions that drive your first sales. Your plan should also outline who’s involved

in your business and what they do, whether

Your budget will also depend on whether you

4 4
Our 9 step guide to starting
a clothing business
it’s just you, or you’re working with anyone stall traders.

else. You’ll need to leave room for the

• How it works. Is it going to be you
product(s), of course, and talk about any
selling pieces on a stall for now? Or
plans you have for branding, sales and
are you going to be an online retailer?
marketing, as well as operations.
Could Facebook Marketplace be a good

Finally, whoever’s reading your plan will be place to start? If so, check out our guide

most concerned with one thing, and that’s on how to sell on Facebook Marketplace

the money. You’ll need to finish off with a before you get started. Maybe you’re

solid section clearly outlining your business’ even planning to open a bricks and

current financial position (even if this is very mortar shop. Whatever option you go

initial), priorities for growth, and how their for, most businesses will need to get

investment will help things to fly. set up with HMRC for tax purposes, and

factor in time to sort out any licenses

3.Organise your business or permits (especially if you’re planning

to trade on the street or at a market)

Even if you’re not writing a full-on business
and research the rules you must follow
plan, the same principles apply when organising
before selling clothes online, buying
your startup. You may be planning just to buy a
from or selling abroad, or storing
sewing machine and get straight to work, but
personal details from your customers,
even this is a time and resource commitment.
fanbase or even your suppliers.

If you’re investing effort and have goals for the

• Who’s running things? Even if it’s just
future, put down in writing how your business
you managing the business, are there
will take shape, including plans and ideas for:
any other key people involved who

• Your location(s). Are you working from you’re going to rely on? For example,

your bedroom but aiming to move into a designer, accountant, people to help

a small studio? Remember, certain rules you with setting up a stall, storage etc?

apply for online businesses, or market

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Our 9 step guide to starting
a clothing business
• Your product catalogue. This might just funds, it’s worth protecting your small

be one hero product, or you could have business from the outset, ideally with a

a long list of items. Be aware of your tailored business insurance or clothing/

product list and think about how you plan fashion shop insurance policy which

to manufacture, stock and store pieces, includes things like online retailer insurance

along with particular packaging needs. and product liability insurance, too.

• Sales and marketing. We’ll cover this in • Funding. You’ll need some idea of what

more detail below, but it’s a good idea money you already have, to get your

to think through your marketing plans business up and running, and where you

and how you’re going to create some can look for additional support. From

buzz around your clothes and designs. Start Up Loans from the government to

crowdfunding, our small business finance

• Insurance. You might just be planning to
guide is a great place to start.
sell items online, straight from your sewing

machine, but if you’re investing time and

6 6
Our 9 step guide to starting
a clothing business
 good stead for developing a brand for
4. Create your designs
your startup clothing company. Read our

For any clothing business, one of the most essential tips to create a brand that works

exciting stages is product development. for your business.

Even if you only have a design concept

Pick a brand name that appeals to your target
for one product in these early days, start
audience. For instance, you might choose a
getting it on paper or screen, as a sketch.
brand name based on the age of your target
Once you’re ready, turn rough ideas into
audience, like Fish & Kids. And if your store
nailed down digital sketches. Programmes
features your own unique designs, you could
like Adobe Illustrator can do a lot of the
always use your name as your brand’s name
hard work for you.
(just like Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss).

Sketches done, you’ll need to think

about your ‘tech pack’, which is the 6. Start manufacturing

essential information you’ll give to
Go back to your design work and get everything
your manufacturer. It’ll need to include
together. It’s time to take your product to the
your product’s details and technical
manufacturers. This is the point where you’ll
specifications, from design and
be sourcing the person (or team) that’s going
measurements to materials and any extra
to take your designs and make them a reality.
accessories or features.

Of course, if you’re intending to make everything

From there, you’ll need to get started on
yourself for now, or with your own hand-picked
pattern making and grading, ahead of
team, you can skip this step! This also applies
sourcing your manufacturer.
if you’re simply looking to buy ready-made

products wholesale, and sell them on.

5. Create a brand
To start your search for the right
As a fashion or clothing pro, you’re likely
manufacturer, ask around amongst any
to be creative. And this will stand you in

7 7
Our 9 step guide to starting
a clothing business
contacts you have and get a feel for your budget allows, factor in cash for packaging

priorities. Is it an artisan, craftmanship and your customer communications, and

you’re looking to source, or a commercial above all, try to be consistent. It’s no good

company with an emphasis on speed and using beautiful packaging one month and a

dependability? The manufacturing is a crucial battered jiffy bag the next.

part of any clothing business, no matter the

size, so spend time finding, speaking to and 7. Test your product

vetting a good list of potentials.
Looking to use up those sample run designs?

Once you’ve decided, it’s time to have a Taking them to market can be a great way

sample made. Get your chosen manufacturer to test your product without committing

to run a small batch of your designs and to the full product run. Market trading

maybe test them against those from another spaces, school fairs and online platforms like

manufacturer. Factor in time to discuss Facebook Marketplace can be great places to

adjustments and improvements, before you start, taking notes and asking your customers

pull the trigger on a full product run. all the time for their feedback on the product,

and anything else they’re looking for.

Along with your own aims and reasons for

starting a clothing company, think about your You’ll find that the test stage never quite

potential customer. Who are you looking to ends, as you’ll forever be adding new

sell to? Are they likely to prefer a certain look products to your line, and working out what

and feel? Are you designing for people who sells and what’s less popular.

care a lot about the overall experience of

Feedback is an important form of business
buying from your brand (from website or shop
currency and a way to fast-track your
floor to label, packaging and email newsletter),
growth, so take it on board and refine your
or is there a risk of alienating people with
fantastic products.
fancy packaging or a millenial look and feel?

Whatever you decide, base your brand on your

instincts and a bit of research. As far as your

8 8
Our 9 step guide to starting
a clothing business
8. Take it to market 9. Scale up
You’ve tested out your product, it’s selling and You’ve done it. Your clothing company

you’re ready to order your first full product is launched, you’ve made your first sales

run. It’s time to get serious about selling your and you’re ironing out the creases. Scaling

product, and you’ll have a few decisions to may well be on your mind as an ambitious

make before boxing up that first garment. business owner, with plans for new

products or bigger orders.

Take the time to consider how you’ll:

Take some time to reflect on how your

• price your products
business is going, before committing to

• market your brand any big next steps. In fact, it pays to keep

things small and simple for your first couple

• create an online clothing store, if this
of seasons, getting to know the reality of
is your plan
production and fulfilment before taking on

• organise any deals or promotions the next challenge. Your business plan may

reflect your growth timeline, but again, be

• package up your products
flexible.

• ship your products (if working on an

Your first job may well be to hire your first
order basis)
employee, to help you with all of the above,

• deal with any returns or customer issues giving you some much-needed breathing

room to take stock of the clothing business

• plan ahead with your manufacturer for
you’ve created.
new seasons and busy periods

This may all be in your business plan, but

it’s a good idea to refine the details before

you go into full-scale production.

9 9
Our 9 step guide to starting
a clothing business
Still deciding if a clothing General guides on starting
brand is the right self- your own business
employed business for
• how to become a freelancer
you?
• how to start a home business
You could consider one of these other

options, which can be relatively quick and • how to start an online shop

easy to get off the ground:

• how to go self-employed

• cake and baking business

• dog walking business

• cleaning business

• courier business

1010
Our 9 step guide to starting
a clothing business
Further
reading
Independent fashion businesses
on the rise as London Fashion
Week ends for another year
Click here for more >

How to do stock taking: a simple

guide to taking inventory
Click here for more >

How much does business

insurance cost?
Click here for more >

How to start an online shop

Click here for more >

Our 9 step guide to starting

a clothing business 11