How to Make a Classic Clothing Line

Starting an apparel company with a specific direction makes the challenges of being an entrepreneur a bit easier. Classic clothing, usually referred to as classic pieces, has a level of sales security because of the garment's longer shelf life as well as consumers being able to mix and match pieces with different ensembles for several seasons. If you streamline the types of pieces, your classic clothing line will gain a reputation as a timeless collection.

Instructions

1. Sketch your classic clothing line. Once your business entity is filed and operational, you will need your collection drafted in order to purchase fabric and trims. Your classic silhouettes will revolve around specific categories, such as jackets, tops, skirts and pants as well as fit details.

2. Choose and narrow the amount of classic items within your collection each season that will be part of your manufacturing schedule. Your production merchandising plan can include a selection of tailored women's jackets, such as a single-breasted blazer, a car coat or a double-breasted jacket in specific fabrics, such as wool or linen. A trend-orientated silhouette, such as a cropped jacket, would not be part of your classic clothing production merchandising plan.

3. Merchandise your classic pieces with other silhouettes in your showroom. The crux of the classic clothing business is being able to mix pieces with current trend items. For example, silhouettes such as a portrait collar blazer and button-front blouse with classic fit details, such as darts or princess seams, can be paired with a current trend skinny trouser or pencil skirt. It is also very important that your classic silhouettes can be repeated each season by simply updating the styles with fabric and color changes.

4. Research your target market's style preferences. For example, a classic car coat or A-line skirt can appeal to 35- to 50-year-olds, while a three-button slim-fit jacket or pencil skirt will appeal to the 20- to 35-year-olds entering the workforce.

5. Research your target market's price range. This price will be impacted by the fabric and trims used to manufacture your classic pieces. For example, an item made from 100 percent linen or patterned pinstripe wool will cost significantly more than a cotton stretch, seersucker or polyester-wool gabardine.

6. Launch your collection by using pertinent silhouettes in textured fabrics and details to include in your marketing campaign. Send press packages to editors at fashion magazines that feature classic collections. Your sales force can contact retailers with interest in adding new vendors and that cater to new designers and brands.

References

• "Fabric Science"; Allec C. Cohen, Ingrid Johnson, Joseph J. Pizzuto; 2009
• "The Fashion Designer's Survival Guide: Start and Run Your Own Fashion Business"; rev. ed.; Mary Gehlhar and Diane Von Furstenberg; 2008