Top 5 Mistakes New Clothing Brands Make When Choosing Fabrics

Starting a clothing brand is exciting — but one of the biggest reasons new brands fail is choosing the wrong fabric. The fabric you choose directly affects:

• Comfort
• Fit
• Durability
• Pricing
• Customer satisfaction
• And your brand reputation

Even a great design can look cheap if the fabric is wrong. So here are the top 5 common mistakes beginners make when selecting fabrics — and how to avoid them.

1. Choosing Fabric Only Based on Price

Many new brands go for the cheapest available fabric to save upfront cost — but it backfires.

Why it’s a problem:
Cheap fabric loses shape after a few washes, fades quickly, and doesn’t give a premium feel. Customers don’t return. Worse — they complain.

How to avoid it:
Focus on value, not just cost.
Choose fabric that matches your brand’s promise and price point.

2. Not Understanding GSM

GSM (Grams per Square Meter) defines the weight and thickness of the fabric.

Beginners often mix up fabric quality with GSM — thinking higher GSM = better quality — which is not always true.

Example:

• 240 GSM can be perfect for summer hoodies.
• 320 GSM may be too heavy depending on climate and fit.

How to avoid it:
Choose GSM based on:

• Season
• Product category
• Target customer comfort level

3. Ignoring Fabric Stretch & Fit BehavioUr

Two fabrics with the same GSM can feel completely different because of spandex content, knit type, and finish.

Why it matters:
Fit changes everything.
A hoodie that loses shape kills brand reputation instantly.

How to avoid it:
Always confirm:

• Stretch percentage
• Shrinkage control
• Recovery (whether it comes back to shape)

Request wash-test results before finalising.

4. Choosing Fabric Without Checking Usage Purpose

Different fabrics suit different clothing types.

Examples:

• French Terry → Best for hoodies, joggers, athleisure
• Single Jersey → T-shirts
• Rib Fabric → Collars, cuffs, hems
• Fleece → Winterwear

If these are mixed incorrectly, the product looks odd and uncomfortable.

How to avoid it:
Pick fabric according to function, not trend alone.

5. Not Asking for Physical Samples

A fabric can look perfect in pictures but feel completely different in hand.

How to avoid it:
Always:

• Request hand samples
• Check softness
• Stretch
• Thickness
• Breathability

Compare at least 2–3 options before locking one.

Final Thoughts

Your fabric choice is what defines your brand’s identity.

Great fabric = great feel = happy customers = repeat orders.

If you’re starting your clothing brand and need guidance with fabric selection, custom stitching, or white-label manufacturing, we can help.