Custom Clothing vs Retail
Adrienne M Nixon Fashion Designer Birmingham Alabama
Adrienne M Nixon Fashion Designer Birmingham Alabama
7230
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Custom Clothing vs Retail

custom clothing vs retail

Custom Clothing vs Retail

Hey guys! Today’s post can be a touchy one but I hope it sheds some light on a conversation I have all the time.

Custom Clothing vs Retail. There is a really big difference that you may not be aware of and I want to make sure you are informed.  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. custom clothing vs retail

I have been sewing for a little over 10 years and I’ve had my custom sewing /design business for 3 years and one of the things I hear all the time:

WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE SOMETHING CUSTOM MADE FOR ME? 

custom clothing vs retail

Mainly because it’s time consuming and every single item is made by hand. Nothing that I make for my clients are mass produced in a factory in China or overseas somewhere. They are made right here in Birmingham, Alabama. There is so much time that goes into it. In factories there are hundreds of people working on items. While it may take them an hour to make 7 dresses, it will take me days or even weeks to make one depending on the details. EEEKKK can you imagine?

custom clothing vs retail

In manufacturing plants, they can purchase thousands upon thousands of sewing notions. Buttons, zippers, thread, fabric etc. Sure there are some things that I purchase in bulk. Things that I use ALL the time. Certain color thread, certain color zippers, sewing machine needles…you get the drift. But while these manufacturing plants are literally paying less than 5¢ for all of these notions and can buy 10,000 yards of fabric for little or nothing, that is not my testimony. That’s why certain stores can sell trendy items for $20, $30, or $40. It’s all mass produced. Everything I make is unique and I’m normally only making one unless it’s a popular item and even then everyone doesn’t want the same color fabric. That’s a really big reason why I don’t keep fabric in house.

custom clothing vs retail

When a client comes into my office, I take a full set of measurements. A COMPLETE SET.   We talk about their style, what type of garments they like or don’t like, we also talk about WHY they don’t like certain items. Then based on their shape we talk about what style will look good on them. My clients come to me with ideas of what they want. They all have great ideas for beautiful garments but sometimes what they want won’t look good on them. Just because you want something made specifically for you doesn’t mean it will look good on you. Every style isn’t meant for every BODY (shape).

I want all of my clients to look and feel like a million bucks. When you put on something that has been specifically made for you it just does something for your confidence. It makes you happy and you feel good. When you look good you feel good. That’s a fact lol.

custom clothing vs retail

Custom items are made to YOUR measurements and no one else can wear it. It also gives you a uniqueness. You won’t see yourself coming. In department stores and boutiques there are literally racks and racks of the same items. There are different sizes but how often do you see something that you want, select your size, try it on and it STILL doesn’t fit right? Lawd and don’t just buy it and not try it on. You will get home and be so disappointed lol. I’ve done that so many times lol.  I make 90% of my clothing and I STILL love to shop. There are just certain things I don’t buy simply because I don’t like the way they fit and I know I can tailor something to my body. That is the service that I offer to you.custom clothing vs retail

I hope this has been informative and shed some light on why custom clothing can be a little more expensive than what’s in department stores.

Adrienne

46Comments
  • Stephanie/ 05.11.2015Reply

    All good points. Another issue is that workers in foreign factories many times are not paid very much money for all the work they do. Cheap labor is why the companies go overseas instead of paying American workers a fair wage.

  • Serenity/ 05.11.2015Reply

    I’m always curious why folks think custom made clothes should be cheap. Anything else custom made is always expensive. If you’re looking for cheap clothes, make them yourself….

  • Melanie/ 05.11.2015Reply

    Very well explained and written. I am constantly educating my clients and anyone who ask why it is so much more expensive for a custom made item as supposed to a store bought one. I will literally direct anyone who ask to visit your blog and read your post.

  • Shari Williams/ 05.11.2015Reply

    Hey Adrienne! This is a GREAT post and I couldn’t have said it better myself! You touched on some very important but mostly overlooked key points. There is a big difference between the two and often times clients fail to realize the time and love that goes into our work. Again I love the post and keep up the fantabulous work!!!
    Hugs
    Shari

  • Ericka/ 05.11.2015Reply

    Adrienne you deserve a standing ovation for this post! Excellent explanation on what goes into producing ONE custom item just for YOU, the customer. Even if the tag on mass produced item says “made in the USA”, it actually only means that the FINAL step is done in the US; the rest of the manufacturing process could have been done overseas in a sweatshop. I commend you for putting the thought, consideration and care into planning and making items for your customers. That in itself is worth alllllllllll the money. You can’t buy that off the rack!

  • Travian/ 05.11.2015Reply

    I am going to put the link to this article on my page!

  • Kawan/ 05.11.2015Reply

    Great points! I like the point previously made about labor costs. If most items were made here in the States, they wouldn’t be nearly as inexpensive as they are. It’s also a great feeling knowing you are the only person with that exact item!

  • rose weaver/ 05.11.2015Reply

    Great information I also feel more people need to be more educated on why hand made and custom items cost.

  • Johann/ 05.11.2015Reply

    Great points! I believe you hit the nail right on the head! A lot of times what people overlook is the time and cost that goes into a custom made piece. It’s important that you mentioned items being mass produced also! Great read and your graphics are awesome!

  • Vik VarWoo/ 05.11.2015Reply

    Excellent post, Adrienne. You touched on points that many (non sewists) don’t realize. Do you mind if I repost?

  • Sonia/ 05.11.2015Reply

    TERRIFIC POINTS! I think people equate being closer to the designer with getting a bootleg item at a cheaper price. This thinking is all wrong. Matters not that your Grandmom, auntie, or best friend used to make your clothing. I don’t think a fair price for custom garments is unreasonable.

  • Sherri/ 05.11.2015Reply

    I agree 100%. There’s nothing like wearing a garment custom made to fit you, especially if your measurements/proportions make shopping in stores difficult. If you’re working with a sewer who provides excellent customer service on top of the clothes-making, it is more than worth the price.

    • AEadmin/ 05.11.2015Reply

      Sherri, I totally agree. I took it for granted. I now realize the gift that God has given me.

  • Toni/ 05.11.2015Reply

    This is just perfect! I think everyone who makes custom clothing and home sewers should have this printed and laminated to show everyone who balks at a quote.

    • AEadmin/ 05.11.2015Reply

      Thanks Toni! Printing it out is a great idea!

  • Shanail R./ 05.11.2015Reply

    This was right on point with what I had just posted on my Facebook page. Everyone usually complains about my prices being too high. I tell them that I am a one woman show and they can always go elsewhere for services.

    • AEadmin/ 05.11.2015Reply

      One person and not a factory. It makes a HUGE difference.

  • Valerie/ 05.11.2015Reply

    Very well said Adrienne. There are so many other things you could say such as:
    ‘You are lucky, my prices are about to go up’
    ‘Why, what do you charge per hour for what you do?’
    It’s couture, darling, couture…

  • Adrienne B/ 05.11.2015Reply

    Great points Adrienne! Great informational post!! Thanks for speaking on our behalf!

  • Myra/ 06.11.2015Reply

    Adrienne, I agree with everyone here, this is an awesome post! It needs to be shared and I plan on doing so as well on my blog if you don’t mind! On at least two occasions, I was approached by coworkers wanting something created for them and immediately thinking it would be cheaper to come to me and have it done! (Of course I didn’t take the project, so answer was NO!) However, it left a bad taste in my mouth and actually hurt my feelings that they would think my time wasn’t worth as much as a manufacturer’s! That’s why I agree with this post of yours whole-heartedly! It’s truly because others are not educated on the amount of time that goes into our craft! Thanks again for taking the time to explain it to everyone!

    • AEadmin/ 06.11.2015Reply

      I totally understand how you feel. You are more than welcome to share.

  • Sherelle Cromartie/ 06.11.2015Reply

    Thank you Adrienne for this post! Thank you !!!!!!!!

  • mimi/ 06.11.2015Reply

    I’ve blogged extensively about this over the years, and recently did a whole chain of posts on this and similar topics (http://www.shopthegarmentdistrict.com/2015/11/why-you-should-not-be-dressmaker-ever.html) and the point is not the comparison to retail; the point is the garment/project never existed until you commissioned it. Basically, that’s the bigger point.

  • Patricia/ 07.11.2015Reply

    I totally agree with your post! The main reason that I don’t sew for other people other than not having the time, is the perception that it is cheaper and that I can make it in a day! What! You’ve got to be kidding right?! I enjoy sewing for myself, perhaps I am a selfish seamstress. Ok, the only people that I sew for is family. I am not totally selfish. Again, thanks for a great post!

  • Joyce/ 09.11.2015Reply

    I can truly appreciate the work and craftsmanship , attention to detail and other nuances that are part of custom made clothing, As a physician in Southern Maryland I would gladly pay for custom designed and fitted clothing, but alas no such talent available here. Those who can appreciate quality will have no hesitation in compensating the artist creating the clothing

    • AEadmin/ 09.11.2015Reply

      Thanks so much for your kind words I truly appreciate it.

  • FinesseV/ 10.11.2015Reply

    It wasn’t until I sat down to sew in my later years (long post 8th grade Home Ec.), did I truly understand the importance of time spent in sewing. I still don’t consider myself a quality seamstress, but I certainly aspire to get to that point. Well appointed garments are, indeed, priceless and I appreciate the work that goes into each piece. Until you’ve either constructed it yourself and/or worn it, you may never know. Thank you, Adrienne for this particular post and continue to do what you love. You’ve blessed many with your handiwork and God will continue to bless you!

    • AEadmin/ 10.11.2015Reply

      Awww thanks so much for your kind words!!!

  • Remeka/ 11.11.2015Reply

    Well written. Thank you!!!

    • AEadmin/ 11.11.2015Reply

      Thank you so much and you are welcome!

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