Among the flourishing sectors of the fashion market is that of children’s clothing. As consumers become more aware of their clothing choices, they are also aware of how they dress children and babies. Research by Euromonitor explained that the children’s clothing industry is booming. One of the reasons for this boom is that celebrities such as Harper Beckham, Prince George and Northwest are boosting the status of fashionable children’s clothing around the world.
The rise in the number of teenagers and the Gen Z age group who are increasingly paying attention to fashion is also a prime niche for brands seeking success. Social networks, especially Instagram, create an influential platform that children consult to buy the latest trends. What does this mean for fashion companies and brands?
The children’s clothing niche is becoming a lucrative business for both large and small businesses. However, entering this market takes a somewhat unusual methodology. There are a few additional considerations to consider during the planning and production phases. Also, researching the target market is an important factor in determining how well you might perform in this industry.
To help you start a clothing business in the field of baby girl dresses and baby clothing. Consult this practical guide to better understand and master the needs of this target.
DETERMINE THE TARGET AUDIENCE
This is by far one of the most critical aspects when launching a children’s clothing line. Even if you design clothes for children and toddlers, these are not the people who hand over their hard-earned money to you.
To determine the type of people you want to buy your clothes from, you will need to research the niche. By looking at things like:
- cheap baby clothes
- Branded children’s clothing
- Trendy designs and models
Considering these elements will help break them down further for better analysis and insight into the market.
Each of the consumers in these niches has a very different attitude towards buying summer dress for girls. Parents looking for affordable clothing aren’t too concerned about style. They want durable clothes that will last until the child is done with them. However, people looking for designer clothes want the latest fashion and don’t worry too much about the price.
It’s not just a question of price either, because children are becoming more and more fashion-conscious. You don’t just have to satisfy what mom or dad wants to put in them. You also have to ask yourself if the child will want to wear it.
By looking at the details of each target audience, you can determine your place in the market. Many people who launch children’s clothing lines have a real passion and experience in this industry. However, this experience does not always come from a professional background in the fashion industry.
Several children’s clothing entrepreneurs discovered a deficiency in the market because their own needs were not being met. This realization has led to the creation of some of the best lines of children’s clothing on the market. That’s why it’s good to start by drawing on your own experience.
CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN
A business plan is essential to building your brand. This essential strategy will help you get started with your ideas and guide you through the process. Nor is it necessary to have big plans, as small ideas can be less difficult to implement at this stage.
There are many things to include in your business plan, including:
- Early ideas and how your products meet customer needs
- Identify the target market
- Competitor analysis
- Budget guidelines
- Marketing strategy
- Production and operation
- Financial forecast
Although the above information is very useful for you before you start your clothing line. You’ll probably have a pretty good idea of what you want to achieve and how to get there. This document will simply help you detail these ideas and give you a realistic overview of how to achieve them.
CREATE YOUR BRAND AND DESIGNS
Ultimately, your products and the brand you make will be your selling points. At this stage, it is essential to position your brand well to attract your potential customers. This phase will also be strongly influenced by your target audience.
You’ll need to capture the right message for consumers to remember who you are and what sets you apart from others. Just like the big-name clothing brands you see on the street; you need to make a positive impact.
The design of your kids summer clothes is another essential aspect, as it is the basis of your product line. As we mentioned above, this will feed directly into your target audience’s information. You will need to establish sketches and scanned drawings for production.
You can use CAD (computer-aided design) software such as Adobe Illustrator to help you with this process. From there, you will have to tackle specific tasks by creating a technical file.
A tech pack is an essential tool that fashion makers use to produce your designs. It displays specifications and provides precise guidelines for your products. Everything is included, from precise measurements to fabric and seams, to take your idea to the first fitting stage.
If you don’t have experience creating a tech pack. See our article – How to Create a Tech Pack for more information. You can also contact us for more information on our technical file creation services.
SOURCING FABRIC
Child-friendly fabrics are essential for making children’s and baby clothes. There is no magic formula for this sector. However, it is essential to make the clothes comfortable and durable for the relevant age group.
Cotton is often used for children’s clothing due to its breathability and comfort level. Other popular choices include cotton and polyester blends and fleece fabrics for warmth.
Sourcing fabric for children should consider the following considerations:
- Comfort and feel against the skin
- Breathability
- Ease of wear – i.e., stretchy fabrics
- Washability
- Durability for the age group
Color is also an important factor. In current trends, separating boys and girls by pink and blue clothes is outdated. By making sure to adapt the line of children’s clothing to meet the needs of an open and creative product for consumers, you will be able to better define your niche.
CHOOSE A CLOTHING MANUFACTURER
Once the first steps have been taken, the next step is to put your products into production. Choosing a suitable garment factory can be an overwhelming task. However, City Beautiful Children’s Boutique has made things very easy for you by taking care of the entire supply chain through its large network of partners, from design to the creation of Tec packs, from the supply of fabrics and accessories., from creating samples, producing bulk garments, packaging, evaluating quality control, to arranging product delivery.
WORK WITH A CLOTHING MANUFACTURER
Communication with your garment manufacturer is an important part of getting the desired result. One aspect of this communication is the information posted in your technical file. The other is about understanding terminology and potential trade-offs in the process. A clothing factory will try their best to meet your needs. However, you will need to do some research to ensure that you have some knowledge of the whole process.
Here are some key points to consider when approaching children’s smocked dresses manufacturers:
- Understand the minimums
- Get samples to check quality
- Discuss production deadlines
- Understand basic terminology
START SELLING YOUR CLOTHING LINE
Once you have your finished product, it’s time to start selling it. As part of your business plan, you will have an idea of the type of sales funnel you want to use. Building an online store with e-commerce platforms like Shopify is a great way to reach people. With the right platform and the right marketing strategy, your brand could grow quickly.
Other options are to target local areas with a physical retail store. This is a great outlet if your target market is people who like to see what they’re buying. Having an online store will also complete this avenue. The costs of selling your products should also have been factored into the business plan. It’s also good to keep in mind that presenting your line at specialized fairs can also contribute to strengthening your identity in the market.
THE NEXT STEPS…
When everything is up and running, looking ahead is essential to predicting business productivity and potential roadblocks. You might also start planning other marketing efforts to grow. Or perhaps look for more competitive suppliers for future lines.
- Pricing reassessment
- Marketing Strategies – What Works and What Doesn’t!
- Create offers and promotions
- Examine internal operations such as customer service and logistics to strengthen your brand
- Planning new lines of children’s clothing for the coming seasons
The children’s clothing niche is an exciting and diverse niche in the fashion industry. By taking the above steps into consideration, you could start the business of your dreams in this lucrative field.