When starting a tailoring business, it’s essential to have knowledge about storefronts and suits. However, the most crucial aspect is finding a suitable factory that can sew suits. Once you find a factory, what else do you need?

Let me briefly introduce the breakdown of a suit’s components: outer fabric, lining, canvas, interfacing, shoulder pads, thread, buttons, collar felt, zippers, snaps, washing labels, and so on. You don’t need to source all of these components yourself. If you provide the outer fabric, the factory will have everything else, allowing you to place orders easily. Some factories even have a variety of outer fabrics available, so you can simply submit an order sheet and wait for the finished product without making additional arrangements.

In easy-order factories, besides the essential outer fabric, various lining and button options are available for customers to choose from. While each factory has its variations, they tend to lean towards conventional options to maintain stable inventory turnover.

To ensure customer satisfaction, it’s recommended not to rely solely on the factory for the three essential elements—outer fabric, lining, and buttons. Instead, secure multiple suppliers for these items.

Fabric

Regarding suit fabrics, there are numerous fabric wholesalers, each with unique characteristics. Whether it’s British, Italian, Japanese, or Chinese-made fabrics, prices and quality can vary significantly. Information gathering is crucial, as fabric manufacturers often have their brands and distinct strengths.

Additionally, fabric prices influence the final selling price to customers. Therefore, categorizing fabric procurement based on price ranges and setting retail prices accordingly is essential.

Lining

Suits typically use three types of linings—body, sleeve, and knee linings. The variety of options for body linings is crucial for accommodating customers’ preferences, as it is a part they care about. Materials such as polyester and cupra are common, but some customers may prefer silk for a luxurious touch.

Buttons

Button selection, like lining, is a highlight of the tailoring process. Buttons come in various materials, such as horn, shell, polyester, nut, and metal. High-end options like pure gold or silver buttons exist but can significantly impact the overall cost.

Accessories

For customers ordering attire for events, accessories like studs, cufflinks, bow ties, cummerbunds, and pocket squares are often required. While these can be customized, having a set of basic ready-made options can streamline the ordering process during events.

Others

Bringing materials to custom order factories is not widely welcomed due to the high risks for the factory (such as failure, loss, irregular shapes, materials, etc.). It is safe to say that bringing in items other than lining and buttons, as mentioned above, is difficult.

While some factories may accept other materials to some extent, there may be an additional fee for bringing them in.

・Hair Canvas

Hair canvas is an embedded element, and it is a part where tailors can showcase their dedication. Whether it’s stiff or soft, with a certain level of resilience, it affects shape retention and comfort. Many appreciate examining the texture of hair canvas.

・Back Stay (Marbelt)

This is a part on the backside of the pants around the waist. Since the back stay and pocket lining are generally made of the same material, common options are plain in white, black, or gray. Although requests for striped patterns, as shown in the image, are common, the cost of preparing them is not practical due to the substantial quantity required for processing striped fabric on the back stay and pocket lining.

・Collar Felt

Primarily made for the collar’s underside, it is a felt-like material designed to match the outer fabric, and the factory decides and attaches it. Customers with strong preferences may opt for materials like suede or synthetic leather, match the outer fabric, or even add eye-catching colors to the collar felt.

・Hexagon Buckle (Parts for Pants and Vests)

The hexagon buckle on the left side is generally common. Regarding preferences for buckles, there are various requests for comfort in fastening, design pursuit for classic suit enthusiasts, and unexpected preferences for different styles.

How was the above information? Suits have a long history and are intricate, with endless possibilities for customization. For easy pattern orders, focusing on enriching options for lining and buttons can enhance customer satisfaction. Our company has been in the bespoke suit material wholesale business for 73 years. For your sewing and material needs, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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