Do you have an eye for fashion and want to start your clothing line? If so, then starting an activewear line might be the perfect venture for you. If you know how to start an activewear line, this is a great way to make money and express your creativity.
Activewear is one of the most popular trends right now, with a wide variety of styles that can fit any body type or style preference. Whether you’re looking to create stylish fitness clothes or fashionable streetwear, this growing industry has plenty of opportunities.
Starting an activewear line doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Getting your business off the ground takes some planning and dedication. To help make things easier, I’ve put together eleven easy steps that will walk you through everything from researching current trends and finding suppliers all the way up to launching your first collection.
How to Start an Activewear Line in 11 Easy Steps
Here are the steps you need to take to start your own activewear line:
#1. Research the Market:
Before launching your activewear line, do some research on current trends. For example, look at the popular types of activewear right now and determine which ones you think would be a good fit for your collection.
Take note of what people are wearing and what fabrics, colors, and styles seem most popular. It’s also a good idea to check out activewear websites and stores to get an idea of what customers are looking for.
Here is the guideline on how you can research the market and trends-
- Make a list of popular activewear stores and brands.
- Visit their websites or stores to get an idea of what they offer.
- Take note of colors, fabrics, styles, etc., that appear most often in their lines.
- Use this information as the basis for your own designs and collections.
- Follow activewear influencers on social media and take note of the clothing they wear.
- Browse online marketplaces, such as Amazon, Etsy, or Depop, to better understand what customers are currently looking for in terms of activewear styles and trends. Look into sites such as Zulily or The Children’s Place for activewear in children’s clothing.
- Knowing what’s currently trending in the activewear market will help you create a collection that is sure to stand out and appeal to your target customers.
#2. Set a Budget:
Creating an activewear line requires a variety of resources, including fabric, production costs, marketing fees, and more. Before you begin designing your collection, set a budget that will cover all the necessary expenses. Otherwise, you risk financial difficulties before your business gets off the ground.
When creating a budget, account for every expense that could potentially come up. Do some research on the costs of fabric, production, shipping, marketing, and more so you have an idea of what to expect. You should also consider any potential investments or loans you may need in order to get your business off the ground.
Once you’ve set your budget and have an idea of what to expect, you can start planning out the rest of your activewear line.
#3. Gather Supplies:
Once you’ve researched and set a budget, you can start gathering the supplies and materials needed to create your activewear line. Depending on what type of products you plan to make, this could include fabrics, zippers, trim, thread, and other notions.
Find affordable quality materials so that your clothing is both stylish and affordable. If possible, try to source materials from local suppliers or even repurpose items from other apparel brands to save money.
Also, think about the quality of your products when selecting materials. Consider investing in higher-quality, comfortable, breathable, durable, and long-lasting fabrics since this will create a better overall product.
#4. Choose a Brand Name and Design Logo:
The next step is choosing a name for your activewear line and designing a logo representing the brand. This is an essential step because it’s what customers will recognize your products by. The name and logo should be unique, memorable, and reflect your brand.
Consider using a name that is easy to pronounce and spell for ease of recognition. You can use brainstorming techniques like word association and mind mapping to get the idea of a business name.
Also, create a logo that is simple yet catchy so it’s easy for customers to remember your brand. You could even enlist the help of a professional graphic designer if you need assistance. But, If you have a budget issue with hiring a professional graphic designer, then you can do it yourself using Canva.
Once you’ve settled on a brand name and logo, the next step is to register your business with the appropriate authorities. This will allow you to sell your products without any legal consequences in the future.
#5. Have a Business Plan:
Creating an activewear line requires a lot of planning, so have a business plan. This will help you map out your strategy and determine the steps needed to reach your goals. The business plan should include information like legal structure, marketing strategies, budgeting, staffing requirements, and much more.
Your business plan should also include a clear description of the products you plan to create, how they’ll be marketed and sold, who your target customers are, and what sets your activewear apart from competitors.
Having a well-thought-out business plan will make it easier for you to present your business concept to potential investors and lenders. It will also provide a roadmap to keep you on track when launching your activewear line.
#6. Develop Your Collection:
Now that you’ve established the basics of your activewear line, it’s time to actually create your collection. Take the research and trends you’ve gathered and begin designing pieces matching your brand aesthetic.
Start by developing a few core pieces that will form the foundation of your collection. This could include basics such as leggings, sports bras, tanks, and shorts. Then, you can move on to creating more stylish pieces like jackets and sweaters.
When designing your activewear line, keep in mind the needs of your target customers. Think about their lifestyle, what they look for in clothing, and what type of activities they’re likely to do when wearing your products. This will help you create a collection of pieces that are both stylish and practical.
Also, ensure you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure the apparel meets industry standards for quality and safety. Follow garment care instructions when constructing your pieces since this will help extend their lifespan. This way, customers can get more use out of your clothing and be satisfied with their purchase.
#7. Start Production:
After finalizing the designs for your collection, start producing your products. This can include sourcing fabric, sewing pieces together, doing quality control checks, labeling items, and more.
You may need to enlist the help of professional sewers or manufacturers if you don’t have the necessary equipment and skills to do this yourself. That way, you can be sure that your items are of the highest quality before they reach customers.
You may also need to consider production timelines and minimum orders when working with a sewing contractor or manufacturer. This will help ensure that pieces are delivered to customers on time and that you’re not overproducing the products.
#8. Set Price:
When setting the price for your activewear, you must consider all of the costs associated with production. This includes materials, labor, packaging, shipping, and any other overhead costs. Then, add a reasonable amount to cover your profit margin.
You should also consider the suggested retail price (SRP) when pricing items in your activewear line. This is the amount that customers are likely to pay for a particular type of product and can help you quickly determine an appropriate price point.
And don’t forget to research the competition so you can adjust prices accordingly. That way, you’ll be able to stay competitive in the market and attract more customers to purchase your product.
#9. Focus on Packaging:
Once the price is set is complete, you can package your items for shipping. This usually involves using poly bags, tissue paper, labels, hang tags, and other packaging materials to protect and attractively present items.
Remember that packaging plays a significant role in the overall customer experience. Therefore, use visually appealing and sturdy materials while also being environmentally friendly. Doing so can enhance your brand image and increase customer satisfaction with their purchase.
Also, include product information such as care instructions, size charts, and price so customers know how to properly use and care for their items. This is especially important for activewear since many people may be unfamiliar with your garments’ specific fabric or construction.
#10. Marketing and Advertising:
Now that you’ve designed, produced, and packaged your activewear line, promoting the collection is time.
Develop a marketing strategy that includes tactics such as email campaigns, social media advertising, influencer collaborations, and more. These strategies will help raise awareness of your products and attract potential customers.
Also, consider setting up an e-commerce store where customers can browse and purchase your products. This will help you reach more people and increase sales for your business.
Don’t forget to track the results of your marketing efforts so you can refine your strategies over time. Doing this will ensure you get the most out of every advertising dollar spent.
#11. Launch Your Activewear:
Once all the necessary steps have been completed, it’s time to launch your activewear line.
Start by informing customers that you’ve released a new collection of items through email and social media campaigns. You can also consider offering discounts for first-time purchasers or holding contests and giveaways to increase engagement.
Finally, use data from the launch to inform future decisions about production, pricing, and design. That way, you can ensure your activewear line is successful for years.
You may open offline stores or outlets if your business runs smoothly online. This will give another way to reach customers and increase sales.
By developing a comprehensive plan for launching your activewear line, you’ll be able to ensure that it’s successful and ensure consumers receive your products well.
Here is a video on How to Start Activewear or Fitness Clothing Line. Hope it will help you to understand the process more smoothly.
How Much Money Do I Need to Start an Activewear Clothing Line?
You don’t need a million-dollar investment to start a fitness clothing line or activewear line. Fortunately, the initial investment required for such a business is considerably lower than in other industries, with startup costs ranging from $3,500 to $9,000.
The first step towards setting up a fitness clothing line is establishing a business name and corporation, which may cost between $150 to $200. Depending on your location, business licenses and permits may also be needed, costing you between $100 to $300. Additionally, keep in mind the need for business insurance, which can range from $100 to $300.
In order to promote your business, business cards and brochures are necessary, and you should budget around $200 to $300 for their printing costs. Establishing a website to showcase your products is unavoidable as well, and while costs may vary, it is advisable to set aside $1,000 to $3,000 for website setup.
A computer is essential for all business activities, including designing fitness clothing, tracking orders, managing customers, and much more. You can expect to spend between $800 to $1,400 on a good-quality computer. In addition, fitness clothing design software may be required, costing between $200 to $300.
Finally, you’ll need samples of your fitness clothing line to show to potential customers, and ordering them from the manufacturer is recommended. The cost of manufacturing samples can range from $1,000 to $3,000.
Finding a white-label manufacturer offering drop-shipping options is advisable to keep costs low. They will produce your fitness clothing orders on-demand and ship them directly to the customer, cutting down on inventory costs.
More Questions on How to Start an Activewear Line
How do I design my own gym wear?
Designing your own gym wear for an impending sale does not have to be daunting. Planning ahead and customizing selections for your targeted customers can create the perfect product line for success.
When designing, first keep in mind any brand or aesthetic guidelines that define you and your company. Consider which colors will stand out among competitors and what fit styles are both fashionable and practical. After choosing materials, consider adding other elements like detailing on top of the fabric, such as images, textiles, prints, logo placement, etc.
Additionally, providing a range of sizes will enable customers of all shapes and sizes to find clothing pieces that suit them perfectly. Once finalized, creating patterns and samples to test out how everything looks when worn by different people is key before taking a large order into production.
How to sell workout clothes from home?
Selling workout clothes from home is a great way to make some extra income during your spare time. To get started, the first step is to establish an online presence by setting up your own website and creating social media pages where you can advertise and promote your products.
You will also need to source the workout clothing you intend to sell; this can be done through wholesalers who are experienced in the industry and have access to bulk purchasing opportunities.
Your website should include detailed descriptions of each item and high-quality images that accurately represent what these items look like. Also, list accurate measurements or sizing information as well as applicable product warranties.
Lastly, making it easy for customers to purchase their items is essential; ensure all payment options are available in your store and deliver goods on time with secure packaging for peace of mind. With these top tips in hand, you’ll be ready to start selling workout clothes from home!
How to promote my activewear and athleisure online for free?
Promoting activewear and athleisure online for free doesn’t have to be a challenging task. Strategies such as creating compelling content, connecting with influencers, and engaging with customers via social media platforms are great ways to kickstart your online presence.
A methodical approach that involves researching target markets, understanding trends, and implementing proper SEO techniques is key to your success in the long run and also provides an edge over competitors.
Moreover, leveraging existing customer relationships by running exciting campaigns and delivering personalized experiences helps create brand loyalty. All of these efforts can help increase visibility without any associated costs when used together.
Final words:
Launching an activewear line is a great way to create unique fashion pieces for customers in the apparel industry. But, you have to do your research first and develop a comprehensive plan that includes all of the necessary steps from design, production, and packaging to marketing and advertising.
By doing so, you’ll be able to ensure that your business is successful and ensure consumers receive your products well.
