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Do Your Research

Before venturing into any business, you must do your research and understand the industry you are getting into. You can search for forums and online discussions about selling clothing to get an insider’s view of the industry.

Another great way to learn about buying wholesale clothing is to visit trade shows and meet with suppliers to understand what products are right for your company. At The Adair Group, we sell wholesale hoodies, t-shirts and more that can jumpstart you in the right direction. It’s important to note that by doing your research, you will be better prepared to start your own business.

Find Wholesale Hoodies

Find a Niche

The next step is to find a niche within the clothing industry. There are many different types of clothing you can sell. It’s crucial to find a niche you are passionate about and can provide a unique perspective on.

For example, suppose you are interested in selling T-shirts. In that case, you could use 1 dollar T-shirts to focus on starting a T-shirt business that offers unique designs or focuses on a specific niche within the T-shirt industry. 

Explore 1 Dollar T-Shirts

Choose Your Product

Now that you have researched and found a niche, it’s time to choose the products you will sell. When selecting products, it is essential to consider quality, price and demand. You want to ensure that you sell high-quality, stylish and reasonably priced products.

It is also important to keep an eye on fashion trends so that you can stock your store with the latest styles. By carefully choosing the products you sell, you can appeal to customers looking for trendy yet affordable clothing items. For example, if you pick a white T-shirt as your product, you could specialize in selling plain white T-shirts or T-shirts with creative artwork or stitching.

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Create a Marketing Plan

The fourth step in starting your clothing business is to create a marketing plan. This plan should include both online and offline marketing strategies. For online marketing, create a website or blog where you can showcase your products and write articles about the latest fashion trends.

You should use social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to reach potential customers online. You could even set up a booth at local events or partner with other businesses in your area. By creating a well-rounded marketing plan, you will be able to reach a wide range of potential customers and ultimately grow your business.

Build a Customer Base

Building a customer base is the cornerstone of any business. You can offer loyalty programs, discounts and other incentives to encourage customers to shop with you. For example, you could offer a discount for customers who sign up for your newsletter or follow you on social media. You could also offer loyalty points that customers can redeem for future purchases.

By offering these incentives, you can draw new customers and keep existing ones coming back. Providing excellent customer service is essential, so customers have a positive experience shopping with your business.

Start Selling

The final step is to start selling your products. You can sell your products online, through a brick-and-mortar store or a combination of both. If you sell online, set up a mobile-friendly website or use an existing platform. If you sell through a brick-and-mortar store, consider partnering with a retail store or setting up your own shop.

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The Bottom Line

Starting a clothing business can be a great way to achieve your entrepreneurial goals. By following the steps outlined in this article, you will be well on your way to success. With hard work and dedication, you will be able to start and grow your own successful clothing business. 

The post How to Start a Clothing Business With Buying Wholesale Clothing first appeared on The Adair Group.

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Whether you are just starting your business selling pocket t-shirts wholesale or you are looking for a new platform to showcase your products, Instagram provides incredible opportunities for businesses of all sizes to reach members of their target audiences and boost sales. If you are ready to start selling clothes on Instagram, keep reading to find out how! 

Learn How to Sell T-Shirts Online, too

Start with a Solid Plan

If you aren’t already running a business, it’s important to start with a solid, profitable idea. You could buy t-shirts wholesale price or buy hoodies in bulk and customize them for your customers then resell at a profit. Or you could scour second-hand stores to find stylish pre-loved clothes to resell. You could also start an online boutique or sell your own hand-made creations. If you are passionate about making the world a better place, studying a sustainable entrepreneurship perspective on the diffusion of organic clothing could be an excellent first step in coming up with a perfect idea for your online business. 

When it comes to selling clothes on Instagram, the options are virtually limitless. 

The important thing is coming up with an idea for your business and a plan to turn your dream into a reality. 

Build an Optimized Instagram Business Profile

With more and more consumers turning to Instagram to search for clothing brands instead of Google, having a well-optimized business profile is vital. In addition to curating a beautiful feed, this means taking steps to ensure your profile is seen by the right people. Your profile should include an on-brand profile photo; a brief, well-written bio; and a link to your shop. Since you can only have one clickable link on your IG profile, make sure you’re using yours to its fullest potential! 

Create a Shoppable Feed

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With Shopify and other tools, you can integrate a shopping feature into your Instagram feed. Shopify products are synced to Instagram (and Facebook) automatically, making it super easy to create shoppable posts and ads. And, with linkin.bio from Later, you can turn your IG feed into a shoppable landing page. 

Buy Hoodies in Bulk to Sell on Instagram for a Profit

Instagram’s own shopping feature also makes it possible for other businesses to tag products for sale and sell them to buyers within the app. These features are becoming increasingly robust as Instagram focuses more of its attention on businesses. 

Reach Your Target Audience with Instagram Ads

As algorithms continue to evolve and more businesses embrace the platform, it’s crucial to make sure your clothing is being seen by the right people. Running Instagram ads is one of the best ways to do this. It is entirely up to you how much money you want to spend, how long you want your ads to run, and where you want them to be seen. There are numerous options for targeting, too, making it easier to make sure your ads are being seen by members of your target audience. 

While getting started may seem intimidating, running an IG ad campaign isn’t as difficult as it looks. In fact, you can create a campaign by simply promoting a post you’ve already shared by clicking the “promote” button and following the instructions. 

Use the Right Hashtags

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Ads are great, but they aren’t the only way to put your products in front of the right people. Mastering the art of hashtags is vital on this platform, and, once you have it all figured out, you can reach millions of people without spending a penny. 

The tricky thing, though, is deciding on what and how many keywords to use. Use too many, and your post will look spammy. Don’t use enough, and you’ll miss out on opportunities for marketing to your target audience. The right hashtags could get you thousands of likes and follows, while the wrong ones will get you nowhere. 

The key is to choose a few targeted, highly trafficked hashtags. Now sure where to start? Check out posts from several influencers in your niche. While you shouldn’t copy their entire strategy, this is a solid way to get some ideas. 

The Bottom Line

Instagram is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for entrepreneurs. Whether you are looking to expand an already lucrative business or you’re trying to come up with a side hustle for some extra cash, selling clothes on IG could be the answer.

The post How to Sell Clothes on Instagram first appeared on The Adair Group.

The good news? 

There actually are some guidelines to follow. Before you order bulk wholesale t-shirts, be sure to read this guide! 

Don’t Give in to Guesswork

When you need to place a large order for shirts, it’s easy, of course, to go the “easy” route, take a wild guess and order 25 of each size. The problem here, of course, is that you’re going to end up with a lot of extra shirts in some sizes and probably not enough in others. People come in all different shapes and sizes, and those sizes aren’t necessarily distributed evenly. Taking this approach is almost guaranteed to end up costing you extra money and wasting time. 

Browse Our Collection of Bulk Wholesale T-Shirts

You also shouldn’t guess that you’ll need, say, only mediums and larges. While they may work for a lot of the people you’re ordering for, going this route means excluding smaller and larger people. 

Look at the Numbers

For the purposes of this blog post, we are going to assume you are placing an order for shirts that will be distributed or sold to people within the United States. Average sizes vary from one nation to another, so these numbers will be different if you’re shopping for people outside the U.S. 

When you look at the numbers, large is the most common shirt size. In fact, it accounts for about 30 percent of shirt sales. Coming in at 28 percent, the size medium is a close runner-up and extra large is next at 20 percent. The percentages are much lower for smaller and larger sizes. In total, it breaks down like this: 

• XS: 1 percent
• S: 7 percent
• M: 28 percent
• L: 30 percent
• XL: 20 percent
• 2XL: 12 percent
• 3XL: 2 percent

Looking at that data, if you take a wild guess and only order shirts in medium and large because they’re the most common sizes, you’ll end up excluding about 42 percent of the people you’re buying shirts for in the first place. 

Follow a Simple Ratio

In general, we recommend following a simple ratio when placing orders for wholesale sweatshirts or t-shirts. Keep in mind, of course, these numbers are not set in stone and you may want to make changes based on certain factors (more on that later). In most cases, though, your safest bet is to follow this ratio: 

1-2-3-3-1

This ratio breaks down to: 

• 1 Small
• 2 Medium
• 3 Large
• 3 Extra Large
• 1 Extra Extra Large

If you need 100 shirts, multiply each number by 10. If you need 1,000, multiply by 100 and so on. While medium is statistically a more common size than extra large, we recommend skewing toward the XL side. Someone who normally wears a medium can wear a large or extra large if you run out. Someone who normally wears an extra large would have a much more difficult time squeezing into a smaller shirt if their size isn’t available. 

Shop Wholesale Women’s T-Shirts in All Different Sizes and Styles

It’s also a good idea to order at least one or two shirts in the outlying XS and 3XL sizes. Statistically speaking, very few people are likely to need them. However, it never hurts to have a couple just in case. Of course, if you are purchasing several hundred or thousand, you’ll want to invest in a few more. 

Additional Considerations

Understanding the numbers helps a lot, but common sense still needs to come into play. If you’re buying shirts for a family reunion and know your relatives are mostly on the larger side, you’ll probably want to spend more money on the bigger sizes and less on the smaller. If, on the other hand, you’re ordering tees for guests at a yoga retreat, you’ll probably need additional smaller sizes. 

Also, shirt fabric types can make a difference. Consider sizing up if you choose 100 percent cotton shirts. This will help ensure they’ll still fit after being washed. You may also want to skew a bit larger if you’re ordering more fitted styles. 

We hope this guide makes it easier for you to order the right size shirts. If you have any questions or need assistance, we’re always here to help. 

The post Shirt Order Size Distribution: What Sizes to Order for T-Shirts first appeared on The Adair Group.

Invest in the Right Apparel

Before you can start creating custom clothing items, you need to invest in blank apparel. You could go to the store and buy plain t-shirts or hoodies but doing so is going to cost you a lot of money. Instead, it makes much more sense to buy in bulk. Wholesalers–like The Adair Group–offer great deals on large quantities on clothing, making it possible for you to buy low and sell high.

Keep in mind that some fabrics are better for screen printing than others. Cotton is the best of the best, especially when printing using water-based inks. Cotton t-shirts are also extremely comfortable and a favorite among consumers. Cotton/poly blend shirts work well for screen printing, too, and offer all the benefits of both fabrics to create garments that are comfortable, long-lasting and wrinkle-resistant.

Start Simple

Starting a screen-printing business doesn’t require much. For less than $500, you can get a simple tabletop press, a few inks, a squeegee and some shirts and screens. There are plenty of places that will burn screens for you, which will save you money compared to making them yourself. You can always invest in more equipment as your business grows and you start bringing in more revenue.

We recommend starting out with only black or white ink to begin with and offering single-color printing services. Buying multiple colors of ink costs more money, of course, and learning how to make full-color designs is more difficult than using a single color. Again, you can always invest in more colors and work on learning new techniques as your business grows.

Obtain the Necessary Licenses and Permits

When you are starting any business, you need to make sure you are doing so legally. Depending on where you live and where you plan to sell your products, you may be required to obtain several business licenses and permits. In general, you should form your business type and file it with the office of the Secretary of State where you live. Next, apply for a business license for your city and then apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You may need an EIN even if you don’t need employees, especially when sourcing wholesale supplies. Apply for a reseller’s permit, too.

Do some research to find out whether there are any additional requirements. You may need special permits or licenses to use certain types of equipment or chemicals. If you are having trouble determining the regulations in your area, it never hurts to consult with a business attorney or set up a meeting with someone at your local branch of the Small Business Administration.

Track Your Expenses

Keep detailed records of every cent you spend on your business. You need to know exactly how much you are spending on equipment, tools, ink, shirts, etc. in order to come up with a budget and set your prices. You should also keep track of the cost of licenses and permits and any expenses you incur when seeking professional help with launching your business. If you want to make money with your screen-printing business, it is crucial to keep track of how much you are spending.

Figure out exactly how much each item costs you to produce and use that number to set a price. Don’t forget to pay yourself a reasonable wage for your time. There are a lot of difficult pricing formulas. One of the simplest and most popular options, though, is multiplying the amount it costs to make each item by three.

In Conclusion

Starting your own screen-printing business is much easier than many people realize. Screen printing wholesale apparel is a great way to earn some extra money, and when you use bulk shirts from The Adair Group, maximizing your profits is a piece of cake! Browse our selection of top-brand bulk shirts today and find the perfect fit for your new business endeavor.

The post How to Make Money by Screen Printing Wholesale Apparel first appeared on The Adair Group.

Since 1851, Fruit of the Loom has been producing high-quality apparel items for men, women and children. Today, it is a leading global company that specializes in the marketing, design and manufacture of undergarments, t-shirts and casualwear items. It is the leading seller of men’s briefs in America, and it is one of the most recognizable brands in the world.

Chances are, you have something made by Fruit of the Loom or a member of its family of brands hanging in your closet or folded up in one of your dresser drawers right now. Let’s dig a little deeper into the history of the brand and learn more about its origins, what the company is like today and how it will likely continue to grow in the future.

Rhode Island Beginnings

The Fruit of the Loom brand was born in Rhode Island in the mid-1800s. Originally founded by two brothers–Benjamin and Robert Knight–as the B.B. and R. Knight Corporation, the first mill opened its doors and started producing high-quality cotton textiles and cloth in 1851. The “Fruit of the Loom” name was born five years later when Robert Knight visited his friend and customer, Rufus Skeel. Skeel sold cloth from the mill owned by the Knight brothers. His daughter painted apples on some of the bolts of cloth he sold, and the ones with the apples proved to be the most popular.

Knight decided that apple labels would be a perfect symbol for his “Fruit of the Loom” trade name. In 1871, Knight was granted trademark number 418 for the “Fruit of the Loom” brand. The trademark was issued just one year after trademark laws were first passed by Congress, and Fruit of the Loom is one of the oldest existing trademarks. It predates the light bulb, Coca-Cola and even the paper bag.

Fruit of the Loom’s broadcloth quickly became well-known as the best fabric for making homemade clothing and linen products that were common during that time. Textiles from Fruit of the Loom remained in high demand for as long as women produced their own linens and clothing. The rise of the manufactured clothing industry in the early twentieth century, however, significantly diminished the fabric market. Instead of making all of their own clothing and linens by hand, women increasingly favored ready-made products. Although the company’s original market dwindled, Fruit of the Loom remained popular.

The Early 20th Century

In 1928, Fruit of the Loom started licensing their brand to manufacturers of finished clothing lines. Around the time when a marked number of the company lost many of its direct consumers, a young immigrant by the name of Jacob Goldfarb launched his own clothing business. While working for the Ferguson Manufacturing Company, he discovered that the company only offered its lowest-priced items to retailers who also purchased products with higher price tags. He determined that he could establish a popular business by providing retailers with exclusively low-priced, high-quality garments.

Goldfarb decided to start out offering the most popular style of men’s undergarments–the union suit. He named his company “The Union Underwear Company” and despite not having his own factory, his company quickly began producing the garments. He purchased his fabric from a supplier, had it shipped to a cutter and then sent the pre-cut parts to a sewing shop for assembly and shipping. He kept up this system until the beginning of the Great Depression.

In 1930, Goldfarb was approached by promoters who were looking for an industry that would create jobs and increase the tax base for the city of Frankfort, Kentucky during the ongoing depression. The city offered to build a factory for the business, which would simplify The Union Underwear Company’s manufacturing process by putting all of its operations under one roof. Goldfarb accepted this offer and, five years later, he had 650 people working for him in his new plant.

Goldfarb purchased a 25-year license for Fruit of the Loom in 1938 as part of his efforts to become a national marketer. He felt confident that the brand would make his products well-known nationally. The Union Underwear Company established a second factory which began producing boxer shorts shortly before the beginning of World War II. In 1941, when the United States joined the Allied effort, the company was contracted to produce millions of pairs of G.I. shorts. For its efforts and its contributions on the home front, Union Underwear received several commendations from the efforts.

Post-War Innovations

During the post-war era, Goldfarb implemented numerous innovations that set Union Underwear and Fruit of the Loom apart from the competition. Prior to World War II, underwear was typically sold individually, but in the late 1940s, Goldfarb began selling his boxer shorts as sets of three pairs in a printed cellophane bag. This move created a trend that has become the industry standard for most basic undergarments sold in the United States.

In 1948, the company expanded to include knit underwear, and a third factory was opened in Campbellsville, Kentucky in 1952. This facility featured internal bleaching and knitting facilities for Union Underwear, which helped the company establish greater control of production. With this factory, the company also gained the ability to manufacture a wider range of undergarments for men and boys.

While Goldfarb was only a licensee of the Fruit of the Loom trademark, he was the only one to use his own funds to pay for consumer advertising. In 1955, his Union Underwear Company became the first undergarment company to advertise its products on network television. In addition to purchasing spots during the Today Show, the company started advertising its products on posters, banners, price tickets, signs and newspaper slicks. It also launched a cooperative advertising program to boost sales for Fruit of the Loom. Goldfarb coordinated his sales and advertising campaigns with seasonal holidays and events, including Christmas, Father’s Day and Back-to-School.

During this time period, the Union Underwear Company strategically aligned itself with the mass merchandisers that were becoming increasingly popular. Within a few decades, nearly half of all men’s basic undergarments were sold by these mass merchandisers and discount stores.

The 1950s and 1960s

In 1955, the Union Underwear Company was taken over by a newly formed conglomerate known as the Philadelphia & Reading Corporation. The corporate structure created additional resources for Union Underwear and enabled it to expand its manufacturing operations.

By this time, Union Underwear had become Fruit of the Loom’s dominant and largest licensee. To many consumers, the “Fruit of the Loom” brand meant underwear more than fabric. The licensee had actually become larger than Fruit of the Loom itself, and to ensure that the trademark would remain available, in 1961, Philadelphia & Reading purchased the Fruit of the Loom Licensing Company.

Northwest Industries purchased the patent owned by Union Underwear in 1968. This created new capital which allowed the company to continue to grow. During the same year, Goldfarb stepped down as chair. He was replaced by Everett Moore, who began working at the company’s Frankfort factory in 1932.

Advertising in the Late 1960s and Early 1970s

Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Union Underwear Company worked to energize advertising for men’s underwear. The company contracted Howard Cosell, a well-known sportscaster, to appear in a series of five television commercials over the course of three years beginning in 1968. Terry Thomas, a British comedian, was selected as the company’s spokesperson. By using celebrity spokespeople, Fruit of the Loom became a more recognized brand and created awareness for the brand’s underwear.

In 1975, Union Underwear made advertising history. During this year, they launched the “Fruit of the Loom Guys” campaign, which featured commercials with three men in costume as an apple, a bunch of grapes, and an autumn leaf–all elements of the Fruit of the Loom trademark. These characters helped make the brand a household name and propelled the Fruit of the Loom brand to 98 percent recognition. This advertising campaign is also credited with doubling Union Underwear’s share of the men’s and boy’s underwear market.

The Union Underwear Company acquired the BVD trademark in 1976. It sold BVD as a separate line of underwear that was aimed at higher-end department stores. The company also began expanding its product line in 1978 to include decorated underwear for boys and girls known as “Underoos. During the late 1970s, Union Underwear also expanded into blank Fruit of the Loom t-shirts for the screen printing industry. This expansion evolved into a massive company known as “Screen Stars,” which sold a wide range of wholesale blank t-shirts, sweatpants and sweatshirts.

Buyout and Reorganization in the 1980s

During the 1980s, there was a trend toward leveraged buyouts. Like many companies, Union Underwear was bought out during this time. It was acquired by William F. Farley in 1984 when he paid $1.4 billion to purchase Northwest Industries. The parent company was renamed “Farley Industries.” Like many others, Farley parlayed his purchases into larger conquests until, by the end of the 1980s, he had built an apparel and textile conglomerate with 650,000 global employees and $4 billion in annual sales.

The conglomerate was restructured in 1985, and $260 million in shares were sold. During this restructuring, Union Underwear was renamed Fruit of the Loom, Inc. to help more closely relate the company to its well-known trademark. Farley strove to improve operating efficiency and squeeze additional profit out of the company’s status as the leading manufacturer in the undergarment industry. He made changes in manufacturing, modernized production in the United States and expanded the company into Europe.

The manufacturing changes implemented throughout the 1980s transformed Fruit of the Loom from an underwear manufacturer into an apparel company. The company focused on producing men’s fashion underwear, women’s underwear and socks. The Fruit of the Loom label was applied to sportswear in 1987. During the 1980s, Fruit of the Loom also made history by releasing its popular pocket t-shirt in a rainbow of stylish colors.

The 1990s and Beyond

During the 1990s, Fruit of the Loom was impacted by widespread downsizing of the American textile industry. Instead of focusing on briefs and boxers, which are low-profit-margin items for the business, it started focusing more on developing casualwear and activewear products. It did this by both expanding its own product lines and by purchasing other brands. It acquired Salem Sportswear in 1993 and came up with a licensing agreement that it allowed it to produce and market athleticwear under the Wilson brand. In 1994, Fruit of the Loom acquired Pro Player, Artex Manufacturing Inc. and Gitano Group.

In 1999, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after posting a loss of $576.2 million. Stocks that were worth roughly $44 per share in 1997 dropped to just over $1 by 2000.

Berkshire Hathaway Corporation, which is controlled by investor Warren Buffet, purchased Fruit of the Loom from bankruptcy in 2002. The company was purchased for roughly $835 million in a deal that was closed on April 29, 2002. The company purchased Russell Corporation in 2006 and VF Corporation’s Vanity Fair Intimates company in 2007.

Fruit of the Loom Today

Despite the numerous challenges Fruit of the Loom faced throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, it has remained an industry leader. As a part of Berkshire Hathaway, the company has gained financial security and a firm foundation on which it can continue its growth. Today, it is a leading global company that specializes in the design, manufacture and distribution of apparel for men, women and children.

Fruit of the Loom takes corporate responsibility seriously and strives to provide support to the communities in which its facilities are located. It is also committed to ensuring that it operates in a socially responsible fashion to protect the rights of its employees, partners, etc. Lastly, Fruit of the Loom is committed to taking proactive steps toward reducing its impact on the environment. It complies with all environmental laws and regulations and strives to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

Fruit of the Loom t-shirts and other products are some of the best in the world, and they are sold at low prices. At The Adair Group, we carry a complete range of products from this industry-leading company. Browse our selection today!

The post The History of Fruit of the Loom Apparel first appeared on The Adair Group.

Cotton is a versatile material that is used to make everything from clothing and accessories to towels, bedding, upholstery and more. What you may not know, though, is that there are several different kinds of cotton, and some of them are better than others. If you are looking for clothing made from the softest, most durable material imaginable, Supima cotton is an amazing choice. Supima cotton t-shirts are some of the best on the market, and if you purchase a few for your wardrobe, they will quickly become your favorites.

What Is Supima Cotton?

Supima is a type of extra-long staple cotton. This means that each of the fibers in the cotton bud measures at least 1-3/8 inches in length. Supima cotton fibers are 50 percent longer than the fibers found in standard cotton. These longer cotton fibers are used to create woven fabrics that are softer, stronger and more durable than those made from short staple cotton.

Grown in the United States, Supima cotton represents less than one percent of all cotton grown throughout the world. While the Pima cotton grown in other places should have the same features as Supima cotton, it is not tested and products are often labeled incorrectly. When you purchase Supima cotton, you can rest assured knowing that you are getting exactly what you are paying for because it is strictly regulated for authenticity.

Why Choose Supima Cotton T-Shirts?

When you are shopping for high-quality t-shirts, Supima cotton is the best of the best. The fabric is twice as strong as fabric made from other types of cotton, so it is incredibly resilient. The longer fibers resist breaking, pilling and tearing, so you won’t have to worry about your shirts falling apart after being worn just a few times.

Supima is also inherently softer than regular cotton. The extra-long fibers create a smoother surface and a softer fabric that feels amazing against even the most sensitive skin. As time passes, the material just gets softer and softer. Products like Kajpac Supima cotton t-shirts are exceptionally comfortable and will quickly become your favorites.

The finer fibers absorb dye extremely well. This results in a fabric that holds color better than regular cotton. Supima cotton t-shirts remain bright and vibrant through wash after wash, so you don’t have to worry about your colorful clothing fading quickly.

Lastly, farmers grow and harvest Supima cotton carefully to ensure minimal environmental impact. They use satellite technology, GPS-navigated tractors, sail monitors and other equipment to plant and harvest the cotton in an eco-friendly manner, making Supima cotton a less harmful option than regular cotton.

Caring for Supima Cotton

Supima cotton is as easy to care for as it is comfortable and durable. You should always check the label prior to washing your shirts, but you can probably wash your shirts in the washing machine. Use cold water to prevent shrinking. We recommend using a gentle detergent and washing on the delicate setting.

For best results, don’t put your Supima cotton shirts in the dryer. Instead, allow them to air dry on a drying rack or clothesline. In addition to maintaining the quality of your clothing, embracing this option allows you to reduce your environmental impact when doing laundry.

If you have a stain, deal with it as quickly as possible, but don’t panic. Don’t scrub. Instead, dab at the spot with a damp paper towel. Then, rinse from the back with cool water to remove as much of the stain as possible. If necessary, use a cleaning agent like baking soda, vinegar or salt. There are several effective homemade, all-natural stain removers that can be used to tackle a myriad of stains. Products like OxiClean are safe to use, too, but avoid any harsh cleaners.

Conclusion

Supima cotton is a superior type of cotton that is used to make clothing, bedding, towels, upholstery and more. It is prized for its softness, durability and color retention, and it is planted and harvested with eco-friendliness in mind. If you are looking for t-shirts that are soft and will withstand the test of time, Supima cotton is the way to go. At The Adair Group, we carry top-quality Supima cotton t-shirts from leading brands like Kajpac. Browse our selection today!

The post Everything You Need to Know About Supima Cotton T-Shirts first appeared on The Adair Group.

Today’s fashion trends change at the speed of light. In fact, it’s challenging to keep up with what’s in style at the moment. The minute you think you’ve figured it out, the next minute, it’s already yesterday’s news.

There’s one item that never seems to go out of style, however, and that’s the pocket t-shirt. Who would have thought that a piece of clothing, which was initially created as an undergarment, would become such a popular staple wardrobe item?

Here’s a look at the history of the t-shirt and its evolution into an iconic fashion statement.

History of the pocket t-shirt

Until relatively recent history, being seen in public in a t-shirt would be like going out in your underwear. What is today known as the t-shirt people called “union suits, better known today as long-johns. It was patented in 1868, in New York, and was very similar to something worn by Victorian women in the UK at the time.

While the union suit was successful at keeping men warm in the winter time, it was not suitable for use in the summer.

Eventually, the union suit was split into two parts, essentially creating the t-shirt.

In 1904, the Copper Underwear Company took this concept and changed the fate of the t-shirt forever. They began marketing this piece of underwear to single men as “bachelor undershirts.” Their tagline read, “No safety pins – no buttons – no needle – no thread.”

The U.S. Navy began incorporating it into their uniform in 1913. The young bachelor soldiers were certainly not known for their sewing skills, so the idea took off. It was soon after, during WWI, that the U.S. Army adopted it as part of the standard issue ensemble given to recruits. Tens of thousands of soldiers began incorporating them into their casual wardrobe and taking this fashion home.

It took less than 10 years for the term to be widely recognizable. By the 1920s, the word “t-shirt” made it into the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary.

It wasn’t just soldiers who wore the t-shirt, but it soon became popular as a bottom layer among many workers in various industries, including agriculture. Although the t-shirt was beloved by soldiers and labor workers alike, it remained largely hidden as an undergarment.

Celebrities who made the look famous

It wasn’t until 1951, in the film “A Street Car Named Desire,” that the t-shirt made its way into the mainstream. In his role as Stanley Kowalski, Marlon Brando was featured sporting a fitted, bicep-hugging t-shirt. Sales of this simple item spiked nationwide, proving to the world that it could be worn as an outer garment, and a sexy one at that.

Later, in 1955, it became associated with rebellion when James Dean wore a plain, white t shirt with a pocket in “Rebel Without a Cause.” Then Don Johnson made it fashionable in the mid-1980s when he wore a t-shirt with an Armani suit in “Miami Vice.”

And it didn’t stop there. Its rise to “fame” expanded over the decades with celebrities, such as Madonna in the 90s, Donatella Versace in 2005, the band One Direction in 2013 and even Kendall Jenner in 2014.

If you look at any of the style magazines, you will see all the celebrities sporting t-shirts, not only as casual wear, but even as a contrast to a fancy outfit.

Iconic brands

Jockey International Inc. was one of the first brands to become known for their t-shirts. They took the original design and evolved it into the crew-neck t-shirt, at the request of the University of South California in 1932. The university wanted a lightweight undershirt, which football players could wear under their jerseys. High school and university students decided it was cool to wear them as casual wear, too.

It didn’t take long for companies and brands to take advantage of the mostly blank tees in their marketing. From Walt Disney to Hard Rock Café and Harley Davidson, the t-shirt quickly became the fastest way to advertise a brand or get a message across.

The trendy brand French Connection UK became a favorite among teens everywhere with their infamous “Fcuk” t-shirts. This, however, didn’t make their parents very happy. Needless to say, the t-shirt has been a statement piece over the decades. Whether worn as a blank pocket t shirt or to advertise your favorite brand or spread a message, the t-shirt certainly does not go unnoticed.

Whatever the reason for wearing a t-shirt, it has become clear that the average American can’t live without them. It’s amazing how something that started out as an undergarment evolved into such an iconic fashion statement. You never know what trend you might start with something so simple. Don’t be afraid to be you and be creative.

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Do you fancy yourself an expert bargain hunter? Are you the one in your group who always makes the great finds? When it comes to making the best buying decisions for the lowest prices, here’s another layer of intel to add to your expertise: apparel grading. It’s the technical jargon of manufacturing that every savvy clothing buyer knows. Big discount stores are already cashing in on this knowledge, and you can, too.

Grading – It Isn’t Just for School

There are six levels of garment grading. They are, in order from best to worst:

• Perfect
• Irregulars
• Imperfects
• Seconds
• Thirds
• Pound Goods

Only three of these categories are considered saleable garments. Understanding what they mean and how they are labeled can mean money in your pocket.

The three levels of salable garments are:

• Perfect
• Irregulars
• Seconds

The first level of grading is “perfect.”  This designation needs little explanation, as it describes perfectly the quality of the garment for which it is used. These are garments that come from a manufacturer and are ready to be sold directly to the customer. Usually a retail company will stock these garments that will then be sold in the season for which they were produced at full price, but that’s just logistics. Perfect grade garments just means ready to wear.

The second category of grading you need to know, and the worst quality of salable garment, is “seconds.” Garments that fall into this designation have visible flaws and pronounced irregularities. The flaws can be anything from small holes to discoloration. Basically, you would pick one of these up off a shelf and ask, “What happened?” Unless you are in the market to sell the 80s “distressed look” to your customers, or wear it yourself, it is best to avoid quality this low and instead opt for something a little nicer.

The buying sweet spot, and the money-maker, between perfect and seconds is irregulars. At this level of garment grading, you’ll find a happy medium between quality and discount price. Although an irregular is not a top quality garment, it is still a saleable and wearable item. The inconsistencies in these clothes are classified as the normal result of the manufacturing process. See, even machines aren’t perfect! Generally the defects in these garments will be cut labels, fabric imperfections, size irregularities, fabric puckers, and pinholes. More often than not, these defects cannot be seen with the naked eye, making these “imperfections” irrelevant.

Is this not a dream come true? Someone somewhere along the manufacturing line decided that this nearly invisible imperfection ruined that piece of clothing, so now you get to buy it at a third of the price; and, really, it doesn’t look noticeably different from a perfect garment off the rack. Also, when purchasing irregulars, you are not buying off-brands. There are plenty of options for name brands available, like Hanes, Fruit-of-the-Loom, and Jerzees. Discount stores like Marshalls and Ross have taken advantage of this opportunity to capitalize on irregular garments’ “imperfections,” so why shouldn’t you?

Be a Savvy Shopper

Irregular garments are, unfortunately, not regulated for quality. Every mill and manufacturer will have their own standards and grading process. Therefore, when buying irregular garments, it is important to have a relationship with the supplier. Find a supplier of irregular garments that has built a trusted partnership with their producers. When you find a supplier that sells carefully inspected and quality controlled irregular garments, then you’ve hit the jackpot. Good quality irregulars are excellent merchandise sold at a fraction of the cost of perfect garments. When looking to buy wholesale, make sure you buy from a supplier that owns the inventory. When a warehouse buys their own inventory, they are able to inspect the quality on-site, thereby ensuring yet a higher quality product for you.

Although you may have been conditioned by the fashion industry to desire flawless garments, this is not the only option. Maybe you want your evening attire for black tie parties to be top-of-the-line and cost a pretty penny, but, for your day-to-day wardrobe, an unnoticeable flaw won’t change the course of your day. It will, however, have a noticeable impact on your pocketbook. Add a little uniqueness to your wardrobe; we all like a conversation piece. By investing in irregular pieces for your wardrobe, you are not sacrificing quality. Well-selected irregulars have unnoticeable flaws and the same quality as their “perfect” graded counterparts. This makes shopping for irregular garments a Black Friday sale at any time of the year. Now you’re talking expert status!

The post How to Cash In on a Little-Known Clothing Buying Secret first appeared on The Adair Group.

Have you ever seen a colorful shirt that looked like it came from the 1970s? Ever wanted to try tie dyeing a shirt yourself? Tie dyeing is the process in which you add colorful dye to fabric to help enhance its overall aesthetic appeal. During this process the color integrates within the fabric fibres of the clothing through absorption, dispersion, or chemical reaction. Tie dyeing a shirt correctly comes down to the tie dyeing method used and the dye that you purchase. It’s important to know that not all dyes can be used with all fabrics. The following is a fabric dye buying guide to help you purchase the right dye that will give you the best results that you’re after.

Natural Fabric Dyes

Across the ages, many people have used natural materials to create dyes which color most fabric types. In fact, did you know that natural dyes are derived from plants and animal sources? Generally when shopping for a natural tie dye it will tell you the dye’s natural source ingredient and the color classification.

While checking the ingredients, you may notice that natural dyes don’t contain any harmful chemicals. This provides you with a safer-to-use product; however, it will limit your application. Did you know that many school outfits use natural dyes to reduce the risk of allergic reactions occurring? This is the same reason why many manufacturers use natural dyes with their products.

Because natural tie dyes are manufactured from renewable sources, they don’t cause problems with disposal waste. So, if you’re looking for a biodegradable dye, natural dyes are the best choice if you’re an environmentally conscious consumer. Due to the nature of some natural dyes being negatively charged, some may require you to use a mordant binding agent to successfully dye upholstery fabric.

Synthetic Fabric Dyes

Another tie dye that you can use on clothing and fabrics is a synthetic dye. If you don’t know already, synthetic dyes refer to the dye being made from organic and inorganic compounds. Depending on the manufacturer, whether they design clothing or furniture, there are several synthetic dye classes that are used based on their application.

Did you know that fabric dyes can also have industrial, nuclear, and chemical classifications? Don’t worry, though. These types of dyes are generally used for more elaborate dyeing applications than clothing. Plus, these types of dyes require professionally trained individuals to handle them.

Tie Dye Buying Tips

As you can see above, you have a few different options that you can use for your clothing pieces. When purchasing your tie dyes, you will notice that many manufacturers supply them in larger jars or cylinder spray bottles. The reason for this is that it allows you and other designers to apply more dye over a large area of the clothing. The cylinder spray bottles allow you to create dye lines for added effect. Packaging sizes of dyes also vary, depending on the manufacturer and whether they sell to the public or businesses.

When purchasing your dyes, it is important to consider the following:

• The color of the dye
• The number of clothing pieces you’re looking to dye
• Whether it is going to be a long term endeavor
• The type you prefer – natural vs. synthetic

If you plan to dye multiple clothing options, it’s probably best to buy your dye in bulk to save you money. The color choice really depends on your personal preference. If you have allergies, natural dyes may be the best option, although if you want to dye multiple fabrics, synthetic dyes would be the best choice.

Some clothing dyes work well with certain chemicals. Synthrapol can be used with certain dyes to help distribute the dye more evenly throughout the fabrics. You can also use this chemical to remove excess dye from most fabrics. Retayne can be used to prevent bleeding of dye in any cotton fabrics.

Conclusion

Whether you are tie dyeing your clothing for fashion, fun, or personal reasons, you can be sure that you will choose the right dyes to suit your needs. By following the perfect tie dyeing methods, you too can make colorful and fun clothing pieces that not only look fantastic, but which others will love as well. So what color dye are you going to use?

The post Fabric Dye Buying Guide for Beginners first appeared on The Adair Group.

The fact is that the t-shirt business is huge. It is reported that branded or decorated apparel brings in $40 billion dollars a year. To put that into perspective for you, the music industry rakes in about $31 billion. If you are a creative person, who has a passion for design, being a t-shirt designer can be a great way to make some extra money, or from which to make a career.

Out of all the different creative industries, as stated, the t-shirt industry is one of the most profitable, and it is growing rapidly. In 2010, over 2 billion t-shirts were sold worldwide. Compare that to 1 billion in 2006 and 500 million in 1985, and it is easy to see how much the industry is growing. People love t-shirts. Even though they haven’t always been this popular, today they are a fashion staple in almost every person’s closet. 62% of American claim to have more than 10 t-shirts in their wardrobe.

If you have a basic understanding of design, then you are ready to be a t-shirt designer. Having the ability to design brings you half way there. If you don’t understand design enough, don’t fret. There are tons of tutorials online that you can access for free that can teach you what you need to know to get you started.

Unfortunately, though, design is the easy and fun part. Having a blank screen in front of you provides you a blank canvas for you to fill with whatever you want. Your creativity can run wild, and you can explore whatever unchartered world you would like.

It gets a little harder when you start trying to sell your shirts. It can be extremely hard to break out from the competition. The t-shirt industry is known to be extremely competitive, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make it. With so many people trying to sell their designs, you have to put some thought into how you are going to stand out from the masses. So, how do you do it? Ultimately, that’s up to you and what you think will work for your business, but there are two ways that tend to work pretty well.

The first is to create an awesomely designed t-shirt, but you probably already have that in your wheelhouse. The second, which might be a bit harder without some thought and research, is an awesome marketing plan. Unless you can get your brand and designs out there, how do you expect people to buy them?

The first part of your marketing plan should be to turn them into a promotional product. Create a few awesome t-shirts and give them out to your friends and family for them to wear out and about. Then you do the same. Wear the shirt out in public as many times as you can. Think about all the places that you go during the week. Then multiple that by your friends and family. You never know who you are going to see while you are wearing one of your shirts. The guy standing next to you in the grocery store might love your shirt and buy one. And then, when he wears it to the grocery store, who knows who he will stand by?

Wearing the shirt yourself and giving it out to friends and family is a great way to get your brand and product out there. The more people who wear your shirt in public, the more walking billboards you have going around, and the bigger the audience that you can reach. Also, a walking and talking billboard is going to be a lot more beneficial and inexpensive than an actual billboard on the side of the road.

Another great way to market your business is by building your brand on social media. It has never been easier to market a company than it is today with the internet and social media. Technology has changed the way that we connect with others, and the way we perceive companies and retail. Sign up to be on several different social media platforms, and then start building your brand.

Not everything that you tweet has to be about your t-shirts, but make sure that it reflects the brand that you are trying to convey. Also, make sure that you are doing more than just tweeting or updating a few times a day or week. Interact and engage with your audience. The more you do this, the better they will think of you. Building your brand on social media is a great way to directly reach and talk to your audience, and it is invaluable to building a small company.

The post How to Market Your T-Shirts first appeared on The Adair Group.