How Much Does It Cost To Start A Men's Clothing Line? (In 2024)
Looking to start a men's clothing line?
But curious about:
- how much it costs to start a men's clothing line?
- what are the typical men's clothing line startup costs?
- or the actual cost of starting men's clothing lines?
Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real men's clothing lines and how much they actually cost to start.
Let's go over it.
What is the average cost of starting a men's clothing line?
Based on our data reported by actual men's clothing line founders, the average cost of starting a men's clothing line is between $126 and $100,000.
Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a men's clothing line are around $4.75K.
Remember, though, not all men's clothing lines are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of men's clothing lines
Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a men's clothing line?
We asked real men's clothing line founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?
Here is what they said:
Julian Samarjiev
Founder of DULO ($1.23K/month)
"The company is a 50/50 partnership, completely bootstrapped and self-funded."
Julian and Marin are the co-founders of DULO, a business that makes dress shirts from performance fabrics and officially launched their webshop on November 1st, 2017.
Rob Kessler
Founder of Million Dollar Collar ($40K/month)
"The MVP took just 2 weeks to build and cost only $400. I registered the domain and it cost $12.99. It really didn't cost much."
Rob Kessler is the founder of Million Dollar Collar, a company that invented the world's first permanently installed placket stay aimed at improving the appearance of casually worn dress shirts.
Justin Clark
Founder of RomperJack ($60K/month)
"I made a bulk order for 1 style with 4 different colors. The first order we purchased was for 1200 pieces 4 different styles."
Justin Clark is the founder of RomperJack, a men’s apparel business that caters predominantly to the LGBTQ community, offering premium men's rompers and jumpsuits.
Paul Kaster
Founder of Crooked Branch Studio ($2.5K/month)
"At the end of the campaign, I raised a bit over a thousand dollars which I used to buy a CNC machine, a computerized woodworking tool which I thought would help me scale production."
Paul Kaster is the founder of Crooked Branch Studio, a business that started in 2016, making handcrafted wooden bow ties.
Paul Chittenden
Founder of Bad Ass Work Gear ($15K/month)
"I was willing to invest *$500** on this project. I couldn’t buy an industrial sewing machine for that."*
Paul Chittenden is the founder of Bad Ass Work Gear, a business that started in 2013 making heavy-duty work gear like duffel bags specifically developed for the oil and gas industry.
Valentin Ozich
Founder of I Love Ugly ($300K/month)
"Please note I funded this whole process from a few thousand dollars I had from savings, selling the product, living a frugal life and reinvesting everything back into the business."
Valentin Ozich is the founder of I Love Ugly, a men's premium streetwear brand that started in 2008.
Jeff Schattner
Founder of Lawrence Hunt ($20K/month)
"I spent most of 2015 trying to figure out a cost-effective way to manufacture our shirts and effectively build a matching patterned dress shirt with two different fabrics."
Jeff Schattner is the founder of Lawrence Hunt Fashion, an innovative clothing tech start-up that began in 2016, focusing on sweat-wicking dress shirts combining professional attire with performance wear.
Anastasia Osindero
Founder of Boystrous ($150/month)
"Before my temporary contract ended in late June, I had been able to invest in my business using my earnings, investing in a batch of plain t-shirts, a heat press machine, and a printer."
Anastasia Osindero is the founder of Boystrous, a menswear brand launched during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
Rob Kessler
Founder of FLXCUF ($2K/month)
"After almost two years of prototyping and working with manufacturers overseas, I finally made FLXCUF bands. I had to abbreviate the word “Flexcuff” in order to trademark it. That said, I launched my actual online store and the business itself in June of 2017. Outside of friends and family, it did take a while to get some customers. FLXCUF was a new kind of accessory at the time, so I knew it was going to take some credible validation before I really started seeing some traction."
Jay Fuller is the founder of FLXCUF, a business specializing in a unique dress shirt sleeve holder that started in 2017.
Gregg Frost
Founder of Be Kind Apparel ($450/month)
"So far between the 3 of us, we've invested 3,600 euros. It cost us 40 euros to register as a business in Ireland. We designed our website ourselves on Wix and that's costing us 300 euros per year. Our domain www.bekindapparel.ie cost us 40 euros per year. We spent about 3,000 euros on our stock."
Gregg, Eric, and Aga are the founders of Be Kind Apparel, an Irish Ethical and Sustainable leisurewear brand that aims to spread kindness and highlight its impact on mental health.
Enjoyed reading these real world examples?
Our platform is full of case studies of successful men's clothing lines that you can learn from.
Starting a men's clothing line - what you should know:
Starting a men's clothing line involves numerous considerations regarding cost, which can vary significantly based on decisions you make in multiple areas.
Design and Development Costs
Creating initial designs can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per style. The complexity of the design plays a major role—simple T-shirts may only require a few hundred dollars, while intricate suits or outerwear can demand thousands. Additionally, hiring a designer could run you anywhere from $30 to $150 per hour, potentially adding up to several thousand dollars depending on how many pieces you need designed.
Fabric and Materials
The cost of fabric and materials can vary greatly based on quality and source. For instance, basic cotton fabric can cost between $2 and $6 per yard, while higher-end materials like Italian wool can cost upwards of $40 per yard. You'll need to factor in the quantities required for your production run, which could mean your material costs alone might range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Manufacturing Costs
Labor charges for manufacturing are another significant expense. If you're producing domestically, expect to pay around $20 to $40 per hour in labor for standard pieces. For lower labor costs, international production might be an option but could introduce complications in quality control and ethical considerations. International labor costs can be as low as $5 to $10 per hour, but also factor in shipping and tariffs, which can add another 30-50% to the base cost.
Marketing and Branding
Creating a strong brand presence can cost from $2,000 to $10,000 initially, covering logo design, website development, and early marketing campaigns. Allocating a budget for continuous marketing is crucial—plan for about $500 to $2,000 per month for social media ads, influencer marketing, and email campaigns to build and sustain consumer engagement.
Overhead Costs
Finally, don't overlook operational expenses like renting warehouse space, which can cost $1 to $2 per square foot monthly, and employing staff, which can vary greatly but generally averages around $30,000 to $50,000 annually per employee in administrative roles.
Starting a men's clothing line is a financial commitment that requires careful planning and strategic decision-making to balance costs effectively.
Potential Costs of Starting a Men's Clothing Line
Starting a men's clothing line involves several potential costs, from initial design to production, marketing, and distribution. Here's a detailed breakdown of the potential expenses:
| Cost Category | Item/Service | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Development | Fabric and Material Sourcing | $1,000 - $5,000 |
| Initial Sample Production | $500 - $2,500 per style | |
| Pattern Making | $200 - $500 per pattern | |
| Designer Fees | $50 - $150/hour | |
| Tech Packs | $100 - $500 per tech pack | |
| Prototyping | $200 - $1,000 per prototype | |
| Production | Bulk Manufacturing (MOQs) | $5,000 - $20,000+ |
| Quality Control/Inspection | $0.10 - $0.50 per unit | |
| Material Costs (Bulk Purchase) | $10 - $50 per yard | |
| Labor Costs | Varies by region, typically $5 - $20 per hour | |
| Branding & Marketing | Logo Design | $300 - $1,000 |
| Brand Consultation | $100 - $300/hour | |
| Website Development | $1,000 - $10,000 | |
| Hosting Fees | $10 - $50/month | |
| Domain Registration | $10 - $50/year | |
| SEO Services | $500 - $2,000/month | |
| Social Media Marketing | $200 - $2,000/month | |
| Paid Advertising | $500 - $5,000/month | |
| Logistics & Distribution | Warehouse Rental | $1,000 - $5,000/month |
| Shipping Costs | Varies; $5 - $20 per shipment | |
| Fulfillment Service Fees | $1 - $5 per order | |
| Legal & Administrative | Business Registration | $50 - $500 |
| Trademark Registration | $225 - $600 per class | |
| Legal Fees | $150 - $500/hour | |
| Accounting Services | $100 - $300/month | |
| Miscellaneous | Office Supplies and Equipment | $200 - $1,000 |
| Insurance | $500 - $1,500/year | |
| Travel (for sourcing/meetings) | $500 - $5,000+ per trip |
This table provides an overview of the various costs you might incur when starting a men's clothing line. Actual costs can vary based on location, scale, and level of quality desired.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
