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From Scratch

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Bchillin
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
Hey guys, I'm in the process of building a streetwear company that is partly inspired by park rat ski/snowboarding style. Starting small due to being on a college student's budget, but the goal is to release a few sweatshirts in the fall and build from there. Think jiberish mixed with a bit of prep/lacrosse style, and a dash of hood.

I am drawing all of the patterns for the clothing myself, which gives me the freedom to modify patterns and add design elements. The design so far is for a taller, slimmer fitting zippered sweatshirt with a slightly larger hood, zippered side pockets instead of a kangaroo pocket, and once I can find the right fabrics, a soft, textured liner.

As part of my target demographic, what do you look for in a sweatshirt? What sets a good sweatshirt apart? (Other than totally sick designs, but I already have that covered). Fabrics? Fit? Design elements? (ribbing, pockets, hood, etc.)

This project is my baby and there's no way I'm going to half-ass any aspect of the process.
Apr 17 2011 7:07PM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591
quality, durable materials (fabric, zippers, etc) good warmth and ribbed cuffs/waist. for tallnes i like it below the waist but not to the knees
Apr 17 2011 7:15PM
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TheHuggyBear
Posts: 1762 - Karma: 313
make bigger sizes tall and not fat. Jiberish tends to get fat feely at 3x
Apr 17 2011 7:28PM
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jca
Posts: 4172 - Karma: 6,310
cool fabrics like bamboo and hemp.

not too big.
Apr 17 2011 7:32PM
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Bchillin
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
Size wise I'm shooting for something that's reasonable for day to day wear. Medium through extra large, possibly 2xl but nothing more than that. Length is currently about down to the bottom of the front pockets on a pair of jeans. Too long would alienate a large portion of potential buyers, and too short just sucks.

My goal is to make the differences between sizes one of proportional size changes, so that larger will not mean just fatter, but longer and fatter in a ratio that keeps the fit of the garment the same (except bigger...).
Apr 17 2011 7:39PM
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Bchillin
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
Currently looking into different potential fabrics. A soft tweed is already in the works.
Apr 17 2011 7:41PM
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JackJohnSki
Posts: 949 - Karma: 1,944
sounds sick man! sounds sick, i would deffinately buy some, love to help out small companies hah
Apr 17 2011 7:43PM
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I.Am.Lorde.
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 403
ya definitly use different fabrics, but for the taller ones dont make them wide like jiberish, i cant stand it, just make them taller and not wider.
Apr 18 2011 5:56AM
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Bchillin
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
What about ribbing? More relaxed? Drawn in?

Linings?


Apr 18 2011 10:29AM
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
Tight ribbing for sure. You should most definitely make an Xl then an XLT that's just several inches longer and the same width, I like hoodies/crews to come down a bit above mid thigh and being 6'1 they're difficult to come by.
Apr 18 2011 11:26AM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Tight, maybe whit a shoelace ?
Apr 18 2011 12:35PM
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Bchillin
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
Similar to the Nike Rosewood jacket?
Apr 18 2011 3:18PM
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Bchillin
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
jca, you're a champ for mentioning bamboo. I looked into it just briefly, but from that little it looks to have the potential to be a killer lining fabric. Softer than cotton, doesn't hold odors? Hell yeah.
Apr 19 2011 1:40PM
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jca
Posts: 4172 - Karma: 6,310
yeah man, bamboo is a kick ass fabric. plus it gives yo something to differentiate yourself from other companies in a pretty saturated market.
Apr 19 2011 2:40PM
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Caveman.
Posts: 9067 - Karma: 330
Yep. I have a bamboo hat and its is the softest and most comfortable hat I have owned.
Apr 19 2011 3:04PM
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max...
Posts: 1379 - Karma: 802
i know you are starting off small but try to hit multiple pricing points.  i know material is going to be compromised on the lower end stuff but it is easier to build a customer base selling $40 sweatshirts that are still put together well, then hoping they like your product and start buying the higher end items.
 

Apr 19 2011 3:11PM
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DirtyDan
Posts: 1576 - Karma: 158
I would say take a look at some Uni Threads apparel because I have heard really great things about their fit and material. Maybe get some ideas from them (don't plagarize) but maybe do Jiberish-esque designs with a Uni fit/price-range..
Apr 19 2011 6:47PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
make it taller than that thats actually really short for alot of the people on here
Apr 19 2011 7:54PM
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Bchillin
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
I should probably mention that's how the XL fits me, and I'm 6'5". I am currently having patterns sized, so I can't check the exact zipper length right now.
Apr 19 2011 9:12PM
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