44 Profitable Clothing Business Ideas

Updated: July 24th, 2023

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 (?)

How I Stumbled Into A $300K Business Framing Tweets

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.

Read by 40,462 founders

2. Start a sunglasses business

How much you can make: $14,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Woodies Sunglasses: $3.5 Million Per Year With One Employee

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.

Read by 20,090 founders

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 (?)

How Two Teachers Started A T-Shirt Business Doing $1.2M/Year

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.

About
Brian started Tumbleweed TexStyles over 12 years ago
Revenue
Brian grew the business to $93K/month
Read by 18,799 founders

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 (?)

How I Left My Tech Studies To Start A Luxury Streetwear Brand

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.

About
Lachlan started DEAL WITH DEVIL about 6 years ago
Revenue
Lachlan grew the business to $650/month
Read by 10,853 founders

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

How I Started A $1M/Month Business Selling Custom Socks

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.

About
Dane started Sock Club almost 13 years ago
Revenue
Dane grew the business to $1M/month
Read by 21,366 founders

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 (?)

Woodies Sunglasses: $3.5 Million Per Year With One Employee

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.

Read by 20,090 founders

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 (?)

How Two Teachers Started A T-Shirt Business Doing $1.2M/Year

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.

About
Brian started Tumbleweed TexStyles over 12 years ago
Revenue
Brian grew the business to $93K/month
Read by 18,799 founders

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 (?)

How We Built A Boxer Briefs Brand To $5K/Month With Zero Experience

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.

About
Krystian started Bunch of Animals over 5 years ago
Revenue
Krystian grew the business to $5K/month
Read by 29,810 founders

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 (?)

How I Started $3.6M New Zealand Fashion Brand I Love Ugly

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.

About
Valentin started I Love Ugly over 15 years ago
Revenue
Valentin grew the business to $300K/month
Read by 19,023 founders

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 (?)

How I Turned A Silly Idea Into A $1M+ Brand

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.

Read by 28,479 founders

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 (?)

How We Grew Our Baby Subscription Box To $60K MRR

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. 

About
Charles started Bambox over 6 years ago
Revenue
Charles grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost Charles $100 to start the business
Read by 15,860 founders

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 (?)

How I Started A Gift Box Business For Non Traditional Brides

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.

About
Lindsay started Vowed Box Co. about 6 years ago
Revenue
Lindsay grew the business to $400/month
Read by 29,523 founders

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 (?)

How I Grew My Clothing Boutique to $10K/Month in 6 Months

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.

About
Gia started Boutique Rye over 6 years ago
Revenue
Gia grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 34,306 founders

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 (?)

Launching and Growing a Viral Ski Mask to $30,000/month

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.'

About
Jeff started Beardo about 18 years ago
Revenue
Jeff grew the business to $30K/month
Read by 5,961 founders

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 (?)

How I Started A $300K Business Selling Swim Trunks Made From Trash

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.

About
Evan started Junk In Your Trunks over 5 years ago
Revenue
Evan grew the business to $25K/month
Costs
It cost Evan $9000 to start the business
Read by 15,224 founders

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 (?)

How I Built A Six Figure Business Bringing Asian Culture To The American Wedding Industry

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.

About
Vivian started East Meets Dress over 5 years ago
Revenue
Vivian grew the business to $50K/month
Costs
It cost Vivian $100 to start the business
Read by 18,695 founders

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 (?)

How I Started $3.6M New Zealand Fashion Brand I Love Ugly

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.

About
Valentin started I Love Ugly over 15 years ago
Revenue
Valentin grew the business to $300K/month
Read by 19,023 founders

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 (?)

How I Grew My Clothing Boutique to $10K/Month in 6 Months

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.

About
Gia started Boutique Rye over 6 years ago
Revenue
Gia grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 34,306 founders

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 (?)

How I Built A Booming Watch Brand From Nothing

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.

About
Ronnie started Branzio about 6 years ago
Revenue
Ronnie grew the business to $25K/month
Read by 21,796 founders

20. Start a preppy clothing brand

How much you can make: $20,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $15K/Month Online Clothing Store That Sells All Things Navy

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.

About
Erin started navyBLEU over 4 years ago
Revenue
Erin grew the business to $20K/month
Costs
It cost Erin $20000 to start the business
Read by 6,300 founders

21. Start a shoelace brand

How much you can make: $14,000 — $125,000/month

How I Got Mark Cuban To Invest In My $1.5MM/Year Tieless Shoelaces Business

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.

Revenue
Tim grew the business to $125K/month
Read by 14,610 founders

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 (?)

How I Make $10K/Month Selling Printable Sewing Patterns From My Fashion Blog

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.

About
Lisa started Creative Fashion Blog almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Lisa grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Lisa $50 to start the business
Read by 25,246 founders

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 (?)

How I Grew My Clothing Boutique to $10K/Month in 6 Months

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.

About
Gia started Boutique Rye over 6 years ago
Revenue
Gia grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 34,306 founders

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 (?)

How I Grew My Clothing Boutique to $10K/Month in 6 Months

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.

About
Gia started Boutique Rye over 6 years ago
Revenue
Gia grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 34,306 founders

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 (?)

How We Invented A $10K/Month Innovative Cuff Adapters

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.

About
Eric started Cuff Style about 5 years ago
Revenue
Eric grew the business to $50K/month
Read by 6,572 founders

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 (?)

How I Grew My Clothing Boutique to $10K/Month in 6 Months

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.

About
Gia started Boutique Rye over 6 years ago
Revenue
Gia grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 34,306 founders

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

How I Started A 8K/Month Gym Apparel Ecommerce

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.

About
Elgin started Infinite Elgintensity Gym Apparel almost 10 years ago
Revenue
Elgin grew the business to $8.38K/month
Read by 13,298 founders

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 (?)

How I Grew My Clothing Boutique to $10K/Month in 6 Months

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.

About
Gia started Boutique Rye over 6 years ago
Revenue
Gia grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 34,306 founders

29. Start a short sleeve button down brand

How much you can make: $5,000/month

Quitting My Job To Start A Short Sleeve Button Down Brand

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.

About
Steve started Short Steve Button Downs about 5 years ago
Revenue
Steve grew the business to $5K/month
Read by 6,616 founders

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 (?)

How We Built A Boxer Briefs Brand To $5K/Month With Zero Experience

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.

About
Krystian started Bunch of Animals over 5 years ago
Revenue
Krystian grew the business to $5K/month
Read by 29,810 founders

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 (?)

How I Started A $300K Business Selling Swim Trunks Made From Trash

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.

About
Evan started Junk In Your Trunks over 5 years ago
Revenue
Evan grew the business to $25K/month
Costs
It cost Evan $9000 to start the business
Read by 15,224 founders

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 (?)

How We Started A $18K/Month Sustainable And Durable Clothing Brand

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.

About
Pepe started Minimalism Brand over 6 years ago
Revenue
Pepe grew the business to $18K/month
Costs
It cost Pepe $2000 to start the business
Read by 7,997 founders

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 (?)

Embracing the Experience Economy with a $300K/mo Photo Booth Startup

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.

About
Brandon started Photobooth Supply Co. almost 11 years ago
Revenue
Brandon grew the business to $500K/month
Read by 14,619 founders

34. Start a bathrobe business

How much you can make: $10,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)

How This Couple Launched A Premium Robe Business

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.

About
Evan started Highway Robery about 7 years ago
Revenue
Evan grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Evan $7000 to start the business
Read by 10,779 founders

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 (?)

How I Started $3.6M New Zealand Fashion Brand I Love Ugly

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.

About
Valentin started I Love Ugly over 15 years ago
Revenue
Valentin grew the business to $300K/month
Read by 19,023 founders

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 (?)

How I Started $3.6M New Zealand Fashion Brand I Love Ugly

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.

About
Valentin started I Love Ugly over 15 years ago
Revenue
Valentin grew the business to $300K/month
Read by 19,023 founders

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 (?)

How I Make $10K/Month Selling Printable Sewing Patterns From My Fashion Blog

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.

About
Lisa started Creative Fashion Blog almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Lisa grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Lisa $50 to start the business
Read by 25,246 founders

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 (?)

How I Started A $80K/Month Luxury Shoes And Accessories Brand

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.

About
Kartik started KASA about 5 years ago
Revenue
Kartik grew the business to $80K/month
Read by 20,001 founders

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 (?)

How We Grew Our Baby Subscription Box To $60K MRR

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. 

About
Charles started Bambox over 6 years ago
Revenue
Charles grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost Charles $100 to start the business
Read by 15,860 founders

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 (?)

How I Started A $300K Business Selling Swim Trunks Made From Trash

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.

About
Evan started Junk In Your Trunks over 5 years ago
Revenue
Evan grew the business to $25K/month
Costs
It cost Evan $9000 to start the business
Read by 15,224 founders

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 (?)

How I Left My Tech Studies To Start A Luxury Streetwear Brand

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.

About
Lachlan started DEAL WITH DEVIL about 6 years ago
Revenue
Lachlan grew the business to $650/month
Read by 10,853 founders

42. Start a gear retail store

How much you can make: $500/month

On Starting An Online Store To Raise Funds For The Law Enforcement Community

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.

About
Corey started 37413 Gear almost 4 years ago
Revenue
Corey grew the business to $500/month
Read by 4,713 founders

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 (?)

How We Grew Our Baby Subscription Box To $60K MRR

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. 

About
Charles started Bambox over 6 years ago
Revenue
Charles grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost Charles $100 to start the business
Read by 15,860 founders

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 (?)

How I Grew My Clothing Boutique to $10K/Month in 6 Months

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.

About
Gia started Boutique Rye over 6 years ago
Revenue
Gia grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 34,306 founders

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.

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.