44 Profitable Clothing Business Ideas
If you have a passion for fashion and customer experiences, starting a clothing business might just be your next business venture.
Whether you want to start an online clothing business or a physical shop, we have you covered.
We put together 44 clothing business ideas, provide specific examples of how they came up with their idea, and show you how much they're making today.
Here they are:
1. Start a custom prints business
Custom print businesses often focus on printing everything, including business cards, photos, and even custom T-shirts.
To start an online custom prints business, choose a niche to help your business stand out and attract the right target audience. Then, focus on producing quality prints of different sizes, materials, and designs. You may hire designers online or search for designs in online design communities. Then, validate the designs before you begin mass production. Finally, set up an online store, and launch the business.
Remember that with the growth in popularity of selling custom prints, expect to face stiff competition. Therefore, you should market your custom prints on social media to maximize your reach.
How much you can make: $3,700 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
In this case study Zach shares:
- Start: Sold the first copies on a sidewalk
- Validation: Moved to an online store and grossed $20K in the first year
- Growth: 90% of sales attributed to Instagram ads
I was 10,000% confident I could make a living selling something myself. Anything was possible if some guy selling Sudoku puzzles on the street could make a living.
2. Start a sunglasses business
How much you can make: $14,000 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Uncover all the details of Cory's journey:
- Start: Made $5K/day scalping football tickets while he was at college
- Launch: Hired Kendall Jenner for the Kickstarter campaign
- Growth: They focused completely on Amazon, getting 100 new customers per day
Believe in yourself and keep going no matter what. If you stay in business, you almost can’t help but grow.
3. Start an online t-shirt business
Running a t-shirt business is an opportunity many entrepreneurs are looking into as a side hustle or even a full-time business opportunity. While having your own physical store is possible, online businesses are becoming extremely popular in this field.
Launching your own successful online t-shirt business may feel daunting, but with the guidance & insights from people who are already pioneering this industry, it’s simpler than you may think. You can start with selling customized quotes t-shirts, tie-dye prints/screen printing t-shirts, or solid color t-shirts. The opportunities for this industry are endless.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $83,300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $425 (?)
How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)
Texas-born apparel brand Tumbleweed TexStyles has grown to serve over 150 retailers throughout the southern United States, selling an estimated 90,000+ products yearly and making an annual $1.2m in sales, thanks to the founders' unique designs, focus on giving back to the education community and successful “guerilla marketing” tactics.
4. Start a streetwear brand
Streetwear is a type of clothing that is usually casual but can also be sporty or formal. Streetwear brands sell everything from hoodies and t-shirts to sneakers, joggers, and jeans.
Starting a streetwear clothing brand has many benefits: it allows you to express yourself through your style, and it allows you to connect with people who share similar interests as you do.
One of the main advantages of starting a streetwear brand is that it doesn't require much capital—you can get started with just an idea!
How much you can make: $650 — $1,100,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Australian Lux Streetwear brand, Deal with Devil, was created by Lachlan Sonter as an outlet for his mental state, and has since become a popular brand, with its black long sleeve crewneck being the highest-selling garment.
5. Start a socks business
Socks are a low-cost, high-profit business. One of the more affordable businesses you can start.
The market itself has a size of 47 billion USD in 2020 with an annual growth rate of 6%..
If you want to be successful in this industry, it is important that your socks are comfy to wear and stylish to look at. People would want to wear socks that will make them look great without sacrificing comfort.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Learn how Dane Jensen and his business partner grew their sock business from a monthly subscription to a $12M+ revenue business that mainly sells custom socks, by developing a manufacturing supply chain in the United States, using various marketing channels, and gradually expanding the business.
6. Start a fashion accessories business
If you love fashion and clothing design, you may want to start a fashion accessories business. As a fashion accessories consultant, you help clients develop and adapt personal and professional styles.
Fashion accessories are decorative items that supplement one’s outfit. They include jewelry, gloves, belts, scarves, watches, sunglasses, bow ties, leggings, suspenders, and tights. To work as a professional stylist, collaborate with clients to understand their needs, and tailor styles and aesthetics to each individual’s preferences.
How much you can make: $1,985 — $40,480,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Uncover all the details of Cory's journey:
- Start: Made $5K/day scalping football tickets while he was at college
- Launch: Hired Kendall Jenner for the Kickstarter campaign
- Growth: They focused completely on Amazon, getting 100 new customers per day
Believe in yourself and keep going no matter what. If you stay in business, you almost can’t help but grow.
7. Start an online t-shirt business
Running a t-shirt business is an opportunity many entrepreneurs are looking into as a side hustle or even a full-time business opportunity. While having your own physical store is possible, online businesses are becoming extremely popular in this field.
Launching your own successful online t-shirt business may feel daunting, but with the guidance & insights from people who are already pioneering this industry, it’s simpler than you may think. You can start with selling customized quotes t-shirts, tie-dye prints/screen printing t-shirts, or solid color t-shirts. The opportunities for this industry are endless.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $83,300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $425 (?)
How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)
Texas-born apparel brand Tumbleweed TexStyles has grown to serve over 150 retailers throughout the southern United States, selling an estimated 90,000+ products yearly and making an annual $1.2m in sales, thanks to the founders' unique designs, focus on giving back to the education community and successful “guerilla marketing” tactics.
8. Start a men's underwear brand
Underwear is essential to any person’s wardrobe, and the men’s underwear industry has grown quite large.
Many companies, such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Hugo Boss, specialize in men’s underwear. These companies have been able to keep up with the demand of this growing industry by offering quality products at reasonable prices.
The demand for men’s underwear has risen because it offers an alternative to traditional cotton briefs. Men are increasingly realizing that they don’t want the same old thing when it comes to their underwear; they want something that feels like luxury and provides them with comfort and support.
With so many opportunities available today, it’s easy to see why more people are turning to this industry to start their businesses.
How much you can make: $800 — $475,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 470 days (?)
Founder Krystian Frencel shares how he built a men's luxury underwear brand, Bunch of Animals, to $5,000/month with no previous e-commerce or product creation experience, offering softer than soft boxer briefs featuring seamless designs in collaboration with artists from around the world.
9. Start a men's clothing line
Men’s fashion is an increasingly popular niche. Market research has revealed that the growth of the menswear market has outpaced that of the women’s market.
The market growth is likely credited to a cultural shift as more men focus on their appearances than before.
If you want to start a men-focused fashion line, 2024 presents the best opportunity. Men’s wear offers a wide variety of products, which increases the growth potential. To start a men’s clothing line, start by thinking about your clothing brand’s identity.
Then, identify the target market and understand what the customers want. The success of your men’s clothing brand depends on your marketing strategy.
You can reach a wider market with a mix of online and traditional marketing strategies.
How much you can make: $150 — $475,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 170 days (?)
This case study showcases how Valentin Ozich built an online menswear brand, I Love Ugly, from scratch with a clear vision of creating premium streetwear catered to men that's affordable and sold primarily online, with some products selling upwards of 50,000 units/pieces globally and still remain some of the strongest sellers today.
10. Start a clothing line
There are millions of fashion and clothing brands around the world.
From small, niche brands run out of people's apartments to huge brands like Nike & Uniqlo, starting a clothing brand is a great business that requires minimal costs to get started.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $9,975,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,434 (?)
How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)
In this interview Kyle shares:
- Started: How he raised $108K on Kickstarter
- Launched: His strategy to generate $300k in Amazon sales within 18 months
- Grew: How to balance a full-time job, getting an MBA and building a $100K/year business
Normal sweatpants overalls did not exist online after a quick Google search, nor in any stores that I visited. So I made them.
11. Start a children's clothing business
The children's clothing business has grown rapidly over the last few years, and in 2022 was valued at $263.30 billion.
Starting a children's clothing business gives you the opportunity to be your own boss while working in a field you enjoy. While you have to be prepared to work long hours and put in lots of hard effort, it can be extremely rewarding if successful.
How much you can make: $500 — $1,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)
Argentinian startup Bambox has grown its monthly recurring revenue to $60,000 and ships more than 1,100 boxes of baby essentials a month, a figure expected to help it achieve an annual recurring revenue of about $750,000 in 2019, after launching its first subscription service in July 2017.
12. Start a subscription box business
Subscription box businesses offer customers a niche set of products on a monthly basis.
They're in high demand as they add value to customer service, offer exclusive products and can be highly profitable.
To start a subscription box business, understand your niche market, provide quality products, perfect your box design, build a good relationship with fulfillment companies, and market your service.
How much you can make: $400 — $16,666,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
13. Start a women's clothing line
Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
How much you can make: $500 — $33,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
14. Start a headwear brand
How much you can make: $3,000 — $30,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Beardo founder Jeff Phillips launched his unique product (a hat with a foldaway, detachable, and adjustable beard) with a rough plan in place, and within 25 days of launching, he had sold out of the entire year's stock (1,000 units) and made over $40,000, leading to expansion, international popularity and even a spot on 'Dragons Den.'
15. Start a swimwear line
Are you interested in a textile business? If you live near a beach, a potential business idea can be swimwear. People wear swimwear when going for an afternoon of water activities. Therefore, starting a swimwear line can be a great business idea if you live near a beach or a swimming pool. Swimwear shops stock men’s and women’s attire.
How much you can make: $800 — $40,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $9,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Junk in your Trunks is a sustainable swim trunk brand that uses recycled plastic bottles, reporting up to $25K in monthly revenue and gaining traction with a Barstool Sports partnership.
16. Start a bridal accessories store
Bridal accessories are a great way to help you complete your wedding day look. Bridal accessories are something similar that surrounds weddings in our society. Bridal accessories are all the rage nowadays. These pretty things create the perfect set of accessories for the bridal.
The Bridal Wear market in the USA is estimated at $26B in 2020.
A bridal accessories store can provide you with high income and the ability to hire. Bridal occasions are exceptional and endure several phases. You could start a bridal accessories business with access to millions of customers from the first introduction until they get married.
How much you can make: $50,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
East Meets Dress, an e-commerce store that offers Chinese wedding dresses and traditional outfits, grew to a six-figure annual recurring revenue ($25k/month) in just one year by targeting Asian-American brides in the U.S and high school students looking to wear cheongsams to prom to celebrate their heritage.
17. Start a men's clothing line
Men’s fashion is an increasingly popular niche. Market research has revealed that the growth of the menswear market has outpaced that of the women’s market.
The market growth is likely credited to a cultural shift as more men focus on their appearances than before.
If you want to start a men-focused fashion line, 2024 presents the best opportunity. Men’s wear offers a wide variety of products, which increases the growth potential. To start a men’s clothing line, start by thinking about your clothing brand’s identity.
Then, identify the target market and understand what the customers want. The success of your men’s clothing brand depends on your marketing strategy.
You can reach a wider market with a mix of online and traditional marketing strategies.
How much you can make: $150 — $475,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 170 days (?)
This case study showcases how Valentin Ozich built an online menswear brand, I Love Ugly, from scratch with a clear vision of creating premium streetwear catered to men that's affordable and sold primarily online, with some products selling upwards of 50,000 units/pieces globally and still remain some of the strongest sellers today.
18. Start a women's clothing line
Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
How much you can make: $500 — $33,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
19. Start a watch brand
Launching your own watch brand is a fantastic opportunity to tap into the thriving global market for luxury accessories and innovative timepieces.
By focusing on utilizing quality materials and distinctive designs that reflect your customer’s personal style and vision, you can develop an iconic brand identity and turn your passion into profits.
Whether you choose to debut a high-end mechanical watch collection or smartwatches with integrated technology, starting a watch company offers you the chance to make your mark on the wristwatch industry.
Through strategic branding and marketing efforts, your startup watch brand can capture market share and grow from a small business to a flourishing fashion empire.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $320,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 272 days (?)
Founder Ronnie Teja's purpose-driven watch brand, Branzio, has seen $25k in sales per month and is set to double in the next six months thanks to a focus on branding and building an aspirational brand with a loyal customer base.
20. Start a preppy clothing brand
How much you can make: $20,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Navy-obsessed Erin Hornyak founded navyBLEU, an online boutique dedicated to the color, which has seen approximately 250 orders from 210 customers to date and attracted the attention of influencers and a boutique PR firm to spread the word.
21. Start a shoelace brand
How much you can make: $14,000 — $125,000/month
U-Lace No-Tie Sneaker Laces pioneered the modular No-Tie Sneaker Lace, sells $1.5MM/year globally, and boasts the largest color range of about 60 colors while attracting clients like Learning Express, Pigtails, and Crewcuts, with plans to launch several new products by the end of the year.
22. Start a fashion business
In 2022, the fashion industry was valued at $473.42B, with a growth rate of 8.3% over last year. To become successful in this highly competitive & ever-growing industry, you must have passion, perseverance, and the ability to take risks.
With platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the way that fashion products are marketed online has completely changed, so it’s essential to keep up with these trends.
How much you can make: $100 — $40,480,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Learn how this DIY blogger turned sewing pattern maker generates over $10k per month in passive income, and discover her tips for building an authentic brand on a budget.
23. Start a boutique
You may consider opening a boutique if you are passionate about the fashion and textile industry.
A boutique is a shop that sells clothes. Opening a boutique is a dream for entrepreneurs who want to experience the joy and freedom of owning a cash business. Starting a boutique is easy and can be managed by a single individual. In addition, a boutique requires a comparatively smaller capital to start.
To succeed, the boutique owner must coming creativity and passion.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $25,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
24. Start a women's clothing line
Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
How much you can make: $500 — $33,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
25. Start a fashion accessories brand
Fashion accessories are an integral part of our wardrobes and are chosen specifically to compliment a person's outfit.
Typical fashion accessories include footwear, apparel, jewelry, wallets, handbags, hair accessories, and watches.
The global fashion accessories market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period (2021 - 2026).
How much you can make: $1,500 — $40,480,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
CuffStyle created Cuff Adapters, silicone tabs that fit over shirt cuff buttons allowing cufflinks to be worn with standard button-down shirts, and has sold over 2,000 packs and received 100+ reviews with a 4.6/5 star rating on Amazon, with plans to move into big-box retail and B2B sales.
26. Start a clothing boutique
If you have an eye for fashion trends and retail experience, opening a clothing boutique can be a great opportunity for you to tap into the lucrative fashion retail industry and be your own boss.
To succeed in this venture, you need to identify your target customers, curate your inventory to match their style and leverage social media marketing to build a loyal following and grow your business rapidly.
Focusing on specific customer segments, such as petite, plus-size, budget-conscious customers, or underserved groups instead of competing with major chains can further help you stand out in the market.
Opening a specialized clothing boutique lets you monetize your passion while serving customers that traditional stores often ignore.
How much you can make: $500 — $11,750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $4,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
27. Start a white label fitness apparel business
A fitness apparel business sells fitness clothing, accessories, and other health and exercise products.
A white label fitness apparel business will manufacture custom gym clothes so that the retailers add their brand and logo and choice of pattern to make unique fitness apparel.
Fitness apparel is in demand and can be a great investment. If you are in the clothing design industry and looking to start a business in the fitness industry, you may consider a white-label fitness clothing line.
How much you can make: $650 — $108,333,333/month
Learn how a lawyer turned YouTube comedian turned gym apparel entrepreneur created a profitable side business selling gym apparel with designs based on his dark sense of humor and love of video games, reaching a monthly revenue of over $8,000 by capitalizing on his newfound YouTube popularity and keeping an eye on competitors.
28. Start a women's clothing line
Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
How much you can make: $500 — $33,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
29. Start a short sleeve button down brand
How much you can make: $5,000/month
Short Steve Button Downs is a New York-based online retailer that specializes in producing high-quality short sleeve button down shirts (SSBDs) out of soft, breathable performance fabric; the company, which launched in May 2019, is currently making about $5,000 per month in revenue.
30. Start a men's underwear brand
Underwear is essential to any person’s wardrobe, and the men’s underwear industry has grown quite large.
Many companies, such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Hugo Boss, specialize in men’s underwear. These companies have been able to keep up with the demand of this growing industry by offering quality products at reasonable prices.
The demand for men’s underwear has risen because it offers an alternative to traditional cotton briefs. Men are increasingly realizing that they don’t want the same old thing when it comes to their underwear; they want something that feels like luxury and provides them with comfort and support.
With so many opportunities available today, it’s easy to see why more people are turning to this industry to start their businesses.
How much you can make: $800 — $475,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 470 days (?)
Founder Krystian Frencel shares how he built a men's luxury underwear brand, Bunch of Animals, to $5,000/month with no previous e-commerce or product creation experience, offering softer than soft boxer briefs featuring seamless designs in collaboration with artists from around the world.
31. Start a swimwear line
Are you interested in a textile business? If you live near a beach, a potential business idea can be swimwear. People wear swimwear when going for an afternoon of water activities. Therefore, starting a swimwear line can be a great business idea if you live near a beach or a swimming pool. Swimwear shops stock men’s and women’s attire.
How much you can make: $800 — $40,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $9,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Junk in your Trunks is a sustainable swim trunk brand that uses recycled plastic bottles, reporting up to $25K in monthly revenue and gaining traction with a Barstool Sports partnership.
32. Start a sustainable clothing line
Starting a sustainable clothing company can seem like a daunting task, but with the right skills and resources in place, it doesn't have to be. And thanks to more and more technologies becoming available there is a greater chance of success than has ever been had before.
The sustainable clothing market shrunk from $6.35B in 2019 to $6.14B in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact. But the sustainable clothing market size will keep growing in the coming years, Experts predict it will reach $8.25B by 2023.
How much you can make: $8,000 — $88,000/month
How long does it take to build: 250 days (?)
Minimalismbrand is a sustainable and durable clothing brand that has achieved $200k in annual revenue after starting with just €2k, focusing on quality over quantity, and prioritizing transparency through showing their numbers and production process.
33. Start a wedding rental business
Do you love wedding planning and looking for a business idea to turn your passion into profits? Starting a wedding rental business can be a great idea.
Your role as a wedding rental business is to supply all equipment and accessories to make the occasion colorful and memorable for attendees and the wedding couple. If you are starting a wedding rental business, focus on building relationships with wedding planners and event companies. Remember often couples visit wedding venues before even contacting a rental company. Being in contact with wedding venue business owners could get you repeat business.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $5,583,333/month
How long does it take to build: 305 days (?)
Photobooth Supply Co. offers a profitable business opportunity through their sleek and portable photo booths, with up to 97% satisfaction rate and a focus on customer experience, in a fast-growing event industry where photo booths are exploding.
34. Start a bathrobe business
How much you can make: $10,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)
Highway Robery is a sustainable robe company in Austin, Texas, producing colorful, all-inclusive, gender-neutral robes in the USA, having increased their sales up 49% YoY as of May 31, 2019.
35. Start a men's clothing line
Men’s fashion is an increasingly popular niche. Market research has revealed that the growth of the menswear market has outpaced that of the women’s market.
The market growth is likely credited to a cultural shift as more men focus on their appearances than before.
If you want to start a men-focused fashion line, 2024 presents the best opportunity. Men’s wear offers a wide variety of products, which increases the growth potential. To start a men’s clothing line, start by thinking about your clothing brand’s identity.
Then, identify the target market and understand what the customers want. The success of your men’s clothing brand depends on your marketing strategy.
You can reach a wider market with a mix of online and traditional marketing strategies.
How much you can make: $150 — $475,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 170 days (?)
This case study showcases how Valentin Ozich built an online menswear brand, I Love Ugly, from scratch with a clear vision of creating premium streetwear catered to men that's affordable and sold primarily online, with some products selling upwards of 50,000 units/pieces globally and still remain some of the strongest sellers today.
36. Start a men's clothing line
Men’s fashion is an increasingly popular niche. Market research has revealed that the growth of the menswear market has outpaced that of the women’s market.
The market growth is likely credited to a cultural shift as more men focus on their appearances than before.
If you want to start a men-focused fashion line, 2024 presents the best opportunity. Men’s wear offers a wide variety of products, which increases the growth potential. To start a men’s clothing line, start by thinking about your clothing brand’s identity.
Then, identify the target market and understand what the customers want. The success of your men’s clothing brand depends on your marketing strategy.
You can reach a wider market with a mix of online and traditional marketing strategies.
How much you can make: $150 — $475,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 170 days (?)
This case study showcases how Valentin Ozich built an online menswear brand, I Love Ugly, from scratch with a clear vision of creating premium streetwear catered to men that's affordable and sold primarily online, with some products selling upwards of 50,000 units/pieces globally and still remain some of the strongest sellers today.
37. Start a fashion business
In 2022, the fashion industry was valued at $473.42B, with a growth rate of 8.3% over last year. To become successful in this highly competitive & ever-growing industry, you must have passion, perseverance, and the ability to take risks.
With platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the way that fashion products are marketed online has completely changed, so it’s essential to keep up with these trends.
How much you can make: $100 — $40,480,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Learn how this DIY blogger turned sewing pattern maker generates over $10k per month in passive income, and discover her tips for building an authentic brand on a budget.
38. Start a shoe brand
Starting a shoe business can be very lucrative - you can make money by selling shoes, but you can also make money by buying shoes and then reselling them at a higher price.
It's an industry that's been around for hundreds of years, so it's well-established and has plenty of room for growth—especially if you can get in at the ground level. It's also easy to start with minimal investment: even if you only have enough money for two months' worth of inventory, you can still get started right away.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $83,300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 455 days (?)
16-year-old entrepreneur founds KASA, an online luxury shoe and accessory boutique with over 270 luxury shoes in the collection, generating $80k in monthly profits and exploring expansion into lower-end shoes and custom shoes for the poor.
39. Start a children's clothing business
The children's clothing business has grown rapidly over the last few years, and in 2022 was valued at $263.30 billion.
Starting a children's clothing business gives you the opportunity to be your own boss while working in a field you enjoy. While you have to be prepared to work long hours and put in lots of hard effort, it can be extremely rewarding if successful.
How much you can make: $500 — $1,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)
Argentinian startup Bambox has grown its monthly recurring revenue to $60,000 and ships more than 1,100 boxes of baby essentials a month, a figure expected to help it achieve an annual recurring revenue of about $750,000 in 2019, after launching its first subscription service in July 2017.
40. Start a swimwear line
Are you interested in a textile business? If you live near a beach, a potential business idea can be swimwear. People wear swimwear when going for an afternoon of water activities. Therefore, starting a swimwear line can be a great business idea if you live near a beach or a swimming pool. Swimwear shops stock men’s and women’s attire.
How much you can make: $800 — $40,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $9,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Junk in your Trunks is a sustainable swim trunk brand that uses recycled plastic bottles, reporting up to $25K in monthly revenue and gaining traction with a Barstool Sports partnership.
41. Start a streetwear brand
Streetwear is a type of clothing that is usually casual but can also be sporty or formal. Streetwear brands sell everything from hoodies and t-shirts to sneakers, joggers, and jeans.
Starting a streetwear clothing brand has many benefits: it allows you to express yourself through your style, and it allows you to connect with people who share similar interests as you do.
One of the main advantages of starting a streetwear brand is that it doesn't require much capital—you can get started with just an idea!
How much you can make: $650 — $1,100,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Australian Lux Streetwear brand, Deal with Devil, was created by Lachlan Sonter as an outlet for his mental state, and has since become a popular brand, with its black long sleeve crewneck being the highest-selling garment.
42. Start a gear retail store
How much you can make: $500/month
37413 Gear is a new online store that was created to honor a former Portland Police officer and to raise funds for the law enforcement community in partnership with the Thin Blue Line Foundation.
43. Start a children's clothing business
The children's clothing business has grown rapidly over the last few years, and in 2022 was valued at $263.30 billion.
Starting a children's clothing business gives you the opportunity to be your own boss while working in a field you enjoy. While you have to be prepared to work long hours and put in lots of hard effort, it can be extremely rewarding if successful.
How much you can make: $500 — $1,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)
Argentinian startup Bambox has grown its monthly recurring revenue to $60,000 and ships more than 1,100 boxes of baby essentials a month, a figure expected to help it achieve an annual recurring revenue of about $750,000 in 2019, after launching its first subscription service in July 2017.
44. Start a clothing boutique
If you have an eye for fashion trends and retail experience, opening a clothing boutique can be a great opportunity for you to tap into the lucrative fashion retail industry and be your own boss.
To succeed in this venture, you need to identify your target customers, curate your inventory to match their style and leverage social media marketing to build a loyal following and grow your business rapidly.
Focusing on specific customer segments, such as petite, plus-size, budget-conscious customers, or underserved groups instead of competing with major chains can further help you stand out in the market.
Opening a specialized clothing boutique lets you monetize your passion while serving customers that traditional stores often ignore.
How much you can make: $500 — $11,750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $4,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading about entrepreneurs starting successful clothing brands!
To learn more about how to start a business, visit us at Starter Story.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
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- 8,628 business ideas
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings