If you’re thinking about starting an underwear (or undershirt) line, you will need to find the right quality underwear fabric.
In fact, you may find this sourcing question helpful.
Tug,
You have an awesome site.
I want to start an underwear line that uses the same cotton blend as Ralph Lauren Undershirts and Tommy Hilfiger boxer briefs.
Would you happen to know the manufacturer?
ADVERTISEMENT Dane
Sourcing Underwear Fabric
Heya Dane,
Good to hear from you buddy and thanks for your compliment and question!!
Brands like Ralph Lauren & Tommy Hilfiger use contractors throughout the world.
Therefore, unless you’re a real insider (which I am not), it’s nearly impossible to find out which contract partner is making certain items.
For example, the manufacturing partners that make their coats will not (necessarily) be the same partner that makes their undershirts or boxer briefs.
That said, it is my understanding that duplicating underwear fabric is not all that difficult if you have a sample to start from.
In fact, that’s exactly how many brands launch new products/lines.
First, they find something they really like. Next, they have the fabric for underwear analyzed by a knitting mill.
Finally, they ask for it to be reproduced. Yes, copied.
Any good knitting mill (or vertical apparel manufacturer) will have a laboratory or access to someone who can analyze the content & weight of the underwear fabric.
Once the weight, content, and knitting style is known, another knitting mill can (should be able to) make the exact same thing.
Note: There are exceptions here.
These show up, for instance, when the fabric is highly specialized and made from yarns that cannot be easily sourced.
Alternatively, they can occur when the fabric is knitted by a special machine that is not available in different parts of the world.
My answer was more generic in nature since Dane was simply asking about a cotton blend fabric for underwear.
Companies That Make Cotton Fabric
Consequently, if you’ve got an undershirt from Ralph Lauren and boxer briefs from Tommy Hilfiger that you love, all you have to do is to find:
- An apparel manufacturer or
- A knitting mill
This will surely help you start the process along.
There are tons of companies overseas that can do this. There are definitely some in the United States too.
All you have to do is start the process of tracking those underwear fabric companies down.
Sorry I can’t give you the actual names of the facilities that are making the gear for those guys!
Hopefully, the above information has been helpful (:
Feature Image Credit: [Spoonflower]
