How to Start a Clothing Line with No Money

Earning Startup Money

Research your new business. Before jumping into a new business endeavor, research current market trends, clothing production ins-and-outs, and success stories from other clothing line creators. Read fashion industry trade publications to stay updated on emerging trends and issues within the industry. If possible, reach out to a successful fashion entrepreneur and request their advice about your new project.

Set a goal. Set a monetary goal before setting out to earn money for your startup costs. Watch every dollar going towards your goal by keeping a record book, Excel sheet, or whiteboard tally of your total earnings. Startup costs for an independent, self-run clothing line start at about $500 for initial inventory.

Do odd jobs. Do various odd jobs to add to your startup cost earnings. Ride share driving, freelance writing, data entry, dog walking, tutoring, house cleaning, babysitting, and giving lessons are in demand tasks that you can be payed to do by neighbors, friends, or friends of friends. Post your skills and availability in classified ads, on sites like Craigslist, or on social media to be shared by friends and family.

Use a peer-to-peer lending service. To avoid borrowing money from loved ones or close friends, use a peer-to-peer lending service to procure startup money for your clothing line. Peer to peer lending sites connect borrowers to potential investors more quickly and easily than a bank, and with less hassle. Opt to sign up with a large, well-established website which will present your proposal to a wider range of possible investors.

Making a Small Batch of Garments to Sell

Find a local small batch manufacturer. Look online or in trade publications for listings of manufacturing companies that could produce a small, initial batch of garments for your clothing line. Get in contact with companies to ask if they are taking on new customers, what their prices are, and if they have production minimums. If you find a company that seems like it will suit your needs, send them any drawings, swatches, or research you have to see if they can make your product. Small batch production typically refers to 500 units or less.

Negotiate terms. Once you have decided on a small batch manufacturer, negotiate the terms of your agreement. Work out a schedule for production and gauge how much time it will take to produce the number of garments you want. Be prepared for a very small profit margin, as small batch production generally costs more than large scale production.

Find well-priced fabrics and materials. Comparison shop for the fabric and other materials necessary for producing your clothing line's first batch. Ask the manufacturer if they provide fabric sourcing, which might yield better rates than finding fabric on your own. As a general guideline for profit, materials should only count for 30 percent of the total cost of making your garments.

Sell your clothing online. When you are starting a clothing company, selling online will give you the most flexibility to take pre-orders for items while keeping a limited inventory. Make a website and advertise via social media to avoid typical ad costs and make use of networking. Ask friends and family to share your posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.