Active Wear Vendors in the Sportswear Market

The importance of selecting the correct supplier increases once a clothing label launches into performance apparel. Active wear vendors must learn more than just how to make garments; activewear encompasses fabric functionality, body movement, fit, construction, comfort and endurance. A more general T-shirt source probably won’t have a strong background in product categories such as leggings, sports bras, compression tops or training apparel.

Therefore, when establishing an activewear vendor, begins with the product. The activity, fabric, fit, construction and anticipated order volume all matter in the type of vendor that makes sense.

Activewear Covers More Than Gym Clothes

Firstly, the concept of activewear has expanded into a diverse grouping of various products.

All these items – leggings, sports bras, training tops, running shorts, joggers, jackets, compression garments, coordinated sets – can have separate technical construction and production information. A yoga legging needs a different fit and style to a loose training top, while a compression garment has a different set of technical information.

This diversity is also clearly indicated in the CFDA Production Directory. At present, the Active Wear department has 161 manufacturers listed and 623 products, categorized into bike-shorts, bra-tops, dance/meeting wear, flatlock activewear, golf, jogging suits and swimwear.

So this mix is what makes product experience one of the very first things a consumer needs to consider.

Fabric Changes the Production Requirements

Activewear is all about Performance fabric.

Polyester/nylon and spandex blends can be used to achieve stretch and recovery for tight fitting garments (Such as leg wear, tights).Polyester/spandex blends can be best for training products such as endurance wear where there is a need for fast drying and durability. Recycled performance fabrics may suit brands with material-specific needs.

While there are not yet any activewear/fiber scientists manufacturing these products, we have seen four way stretch nylon and spandex, polyester and spandex, recycled performance fabric, and various fabric weights of lightweight running apparel to heavier training apparel.

Therefore the fabric specification must consider more than color and composition. Weight, stretch, recovery, opacity, hand and performance when washed all need to be considered.

Construction Can Change How a Garment Feels

Even a high performance fabric is not going to make a poorly constructed piece of activewear look good.

Seams are located on the body during movement, therefore aspect and construction may affect the comfort. Flatlock seams can help to reduce bulk at the seam and help to minimize chafing during exercise. Bonded construction, gussets, mesh ventilation panels, zip pockets and specialized waistband may also be used depending on the product.

Today, the activewear suppliers explicitly promote flat lock stitch and four direction stretch as available features for production. Others offer a combination of those techniques with gusset construction and bonded details for leggings and performance apparel.

These matters because with activewear it is more important that they work for the consumer and be comfortable, while still being stylish and Flattering rather than the item just looking sleek online.

Fit Needs More Attention Than Basic Apparel

The more the garment stretches around the body, the more fit is critical.

A tight pair of leggings may appear perfect on a flat table but still feel wrong when a person squats, runs or stretches. The sports bra must give enough support but be comfortable. The compression top must have just enough tension not to restrict movement.

This gives the impression of a selection which is not thorough enough. Sampling should therefore involve checking by movement, rather than by observation.

Inspect the fit, stretch, recovery, waistband tension, placement of seams, opacity and comfort. If you have any notion that your garment is to be used for a certain sport or activity try to use it for that sport or activity before going into larger production.

MOQ Can Vary Considerably

Activewear vendors have varied minimum order quantities.

At present some suppliers have minimums of 30 or 50 pieces per style or color, although a good number have higher minimums. One activewear company has 50 per style, and another 200 per color and style.

Above these figures should not be the only point of comparison, the above figures should not become the sole point of comparison.

For tests, a new brand can have a low MOQ. However, a large mill may need a higher quantity but will have a much wider range of fabrics, higher production capability or more suitable equipment.

Always be clear with what the supplier is quoting the MOQ. It might be subject to a certain style, color, fabric, customization and so on and not the entire order.

Sampling Shows More Than Product Photos

Product pictures will show you what a vendor wish to promote. Samples will show you what a vendor do promote.

Begin with the fabric; test its behavior when stretched. Look at the stitching, seams, waistband, hems, panels, pockets, labels and decoration. For tight fitting garments or leggings, test if the fabric goes see-through when stretched.

And in the event that you find something not quite up to standard, we also ask that you request for it to be ammended.

The evaluation stage gives useful insights about the supplier. A good supplier wouldknow what the problem is, would be able tocommunicate, and would be able toalter the dress withoutmoving another problemelseto a new place.

Certain existing activewear garment manufacturers tend to provide sample lead times around one to two weeks, while the true time of production will depend on the nature of the product and its development.

Custom Branding Should Fit the Garment

Activewear brands are always looking for that something extra than just a printed logo.

Labels, heat transfers, embroidery, sublimation, reflective details, silicone branding, hangtags, packaging.

The way of decorating the fabric or end use of the fabric should be considered when choosing a method. Application method which is suitable for a cotton fabric may not be successful when applied to a very elastic performance knit.

Talk about branding as a development process rather than an after production one. The supplier would have to deal with placement, stretch, wash-ability, the look of the final garments etc.

The Right Vendor Understands Your Market

An activewear supplier must also know from where the product will be sold.

A line of yoga apparel might focus on softness and stretch, as well as the comfort and body-hugging fit. Running might like light weight and breathability and moisture-wicking abilities of the clothing. Training might need to focus more on its durability and freedom of movement.

Within the same type though, the need to specify the product requirements can depend on the chosen target customer.

For example, a premium activewear brand could require high end fabrics and very detailed construction. A startup brand could look for minimum order flexibility, and peace of mind on development costs. A fitness club could order based on convenience and consistent line-building quantities.

It is important that your supplier is aware of these differences before offering suggestions for materials and construction techniques.

Look Beyond the First Order

A good supplier should facilitate, not hinder, the follow-on production.

When a brand has set its measurements, pattern, fabric specifications and matching colors, labels and decoration this should be followed for every subsequent order. Tightening or loosening of the sizing becomes quite apparent to the customers of the activewear industry so consistency should be maintained.

Production capacity at the supplier level takes on a greater significance as the sales volumes grow. A vendor that has recently launched a relatively small volume product may have to demonstrate that it can support higher volume trends without deterioration of performance.

In the long run it works well when both sides keep their specifications clear and communicate any changes to the other end before each new order.

Choose Production Capability Over a Long Product List

A vendor can have 50 items of activewear on the web and not possess the same ability when it comes to say all their swimming gear.

Further investigate products which are similar to your range. For example, if you require leggings consider the suppliers experience of stretch knits, waistbands, gussets, opacity and tight fit pant patterns. If you require training tops research fabric performance, seam construction, ventilation and freedom of movement.

This method yields far more valuable shortlist rather than selecting a supplier for the reason that their website is displaying large numbers of sportswear.

A Strong Activewear Partner Supports Product Development

The optimal relationship with supplier is more than just making clothes.

All of Fabric sourcing, pattern development, sampling, grading, manufacturing, branding, inspection and, re-order can affect the final product. If one manufacturer takes responsibility for one or more processes, communication is easier and development proceeds faster

JiuvelWear supports brands that need custom apparel development and production across different clothing categories. Dongguan Jiuzuo Clothing Co., Ltd. provides fabric sourcing, sample development, garment manufacturing, inspection, and quality control for brands developing custom products.

Activewear often has one of the tightest interactions between fabric, fit and construction of any basic category. The best vendor would be knowledgeable of this relationship and be able to demonstrate their ability through physical samples and final output rather than a product catalog.

A good selection process will give brands a better chance of producing activewear that is comfortable to wear, has good performance in movement and shape retention and can maintain quality even when the next order comes.