32 Women's Clothing Line Success Stories [2024]
Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
In this list, you'll find real-world women's clothing line success stories and very profitable examples of starting a women's clothing line that makes money.
1. Beautiful Disaster ($7.2M/year)
Founded by Christina DuVarney, Beautiful Disaster Clothing is a successful women's clothing brand that empowers women to embrace their imperfections. With over 4 million in revenue per year, Beautiful Disaster offers a wide range of products, including hoodies, tees, tanks, leggings, and jewelry. Through relentless determination and a commitment to exceptional customer service, Christina has built a brand that inspires women to embrace their inner strength and find confidence in their wardrobe.
How much money it makes: $7.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 10
Women's clothing line Beautiful Disaster generates over 4M in revenue per year and has grown its tribe to over 230K followers due to its personalized approach and commitment to exceptional customer service.
2. SexyModest ($6M/year)
Jason, the co-owner of SexyModest.com, came up with the idea for his 7-figure business when his wife, Brig, struggled to find clothing that was both modest and stylish. After hosting clothing sales in their home, they opened a retail store and eventually transitioned to an online-only business, attracting customers through face-to-face interactions, social media, and a podcast. They have since closed deals with big retailers like Costco and are experiencing continued success.
How much money it makes: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 15
SexyModest.com is a 7-figure business producing around 250k and selling 150k pieces a year, which began as a side hustle in the founder's basement and designs modest women's clothing available online and in Costco.
3. STOCK ($3.6M/year)
Jim Snediker, CEO of Stock Manufacturing Company, pivoted from high-end menswear to B2B uniforms after being approached by a Michelin-star restaurant in 2013. This strategic shift propelled their business to $3.4 million in revenue by 2023.
How much money it makes: $3.6M/year
How many people on the team: 11
Case study on the transformation of a D2C menswear brand into a successful B2B uniform provider for hospitality industry giants, achieving revenue growth from $700k in 2019 to $3.4M in 2023, through strategic collaborations, product expansion, and community-driven initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Encircled ($2.4M/year)
Kristi, the founder and CEO of Encircled, came up with the idea for her business out of frustration with a lack of versatile and stylish travel clothing while packing for a yoga retreat. She realized that she had brought too much stuff and none of her pieces were versatile, sparking the idea for creating multi-functional garments. Starting with just one product in her 500 sq. foot condo, Encircled has now grown to a team of 10 with over 35 products, experiencing over 300% growth in the past two years.
How much money it makes: $2.4M/year
How many people on the team: 10
Encircled is a sustainable fashion brand that has achieved over 300% growth in the past two years through a direct-to-consumer eCommerce model and a focus on versatile, responsibly-made, and timeless designs, with a marketing strategy that emphasizes content and email.
5. Backstage Rock Shop ($2.22M/year)
Matti Lehtonen, the founder of Backstage Rock Shop, got the idea for his business while playing in a rock band and handling their merchandise. He noticed that existing merchandising companies in Finland were doing things wrong, so he and three friends started Backstage Rock Shop with the goal of being the best, most artist-friendly merchandise company in the country. Since then, they have grown significantly, with annual revenue now reaching over $2 million.
How much money it makes: $2.22M/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K
How many people on the team: 5
Case study on Backstage Rock Shop, which grew from $150k annual revenue in its first year to looking at $2M+ revenue in 2020, selling rock bands' official merchandise in over 80 countries, with a growing roster of artists, exclusive items, and a focus on premium quality and customer service.
6. Tradlands ($1.61M/year)
and through collaborations with other brands and influencers. We also prioritize customer service and building relationships with our customers, which has resulted in a high customer retention rate and word-of-mouth referrals. Additionally, we regularly engage with our audience on social media and use targeted ads to reach new customers.
How much money it makes: $1.61M/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 4
This case study showcases the journey of Tradlands, a women's clothing brand generating $134k in monthly revenue, which was started with just $15k, and grew through email marketing, Instagram, and influencer collaborations.
7. Dexpel ($1.44M/year)
In 2009, Sarim, a programmer and digital marketing expert, started Dexpel with a budget of $2,000 and a small A3 printer, laminator, and cutting system. Frustrated with the limited customization options available when shopping for apparel and merchandise, Sarim researched manufacturing processes and discovered that he could create these items in-house. With the introduction of an online customizer, Dexpel became the first company in Pakistan to offer this feature, leading to rapid growth and expansion into a full-fledged facility with over 30 employees. Their revenue has grown from $2,000 per month to $165,000 per year, but Sarim measures success by the team and product line growth.
How much money it makes: $1.44M/year
How much did it cost to start: $3K
How many people on the team: 10
Dexpel, a Pakistani custom print store, grew from a budget of $2,000 for just a few vinyl customization products to over 200+ unique products and $165,000/year in revenue, by prioritizing online sales and developing in-house technology for order fulfillment.
8. Swoveralls ($1.2M/year)
Kyle Bergman, Founder of The Great Fantastic, came up with the idea for his business when he couldn't find sweatpant overalls online or in stores. After discovering a supplier on Alibaba and using Google's Keyword Search Planner to determine demand, he launched his brand and sold over $300k worth of his hero product, Swoveralls, in just 18 months.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How many people on the team: 10
Founder Kyle Bergman turned a personal problem into a viral apparel brand, generating over $300k in sales within 18 months through Amazon and his own website, and raising $108k through a Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaign.
9. Sewing Incubator ($720K/year)
Rocio Evenett, co-founder of Sewing Incubator, came up with the idea after realizing the effects of government-sponsored outsourcing on the American garment industry. After undergoing cancer treatment, she developed a business plan to empower entrepreneurs to develop and manufacture products in the USA. The company has since averaged $60K in monthly revenue and works with influencers on exclusive collaborations.
How much money it makes: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
How many people on the team: 2
Sewing Incubator co-founder Rocio Evenett started a $60k per month sewn product development and manufacturing business in January 2020, offering entrepreneurs and industry professionals the tools they need to launch an American product line, and has plans to create 10,000 jobs in LA while leveraging accessible technology.
10. Hawthorn ($600K/year)
Rob Williams and Tom Lovelace founded Hawthorn in 2014 after realizing the need for low quantity, fully custom clothing manufacturing for start-up brands. They started by tailoring their own muscle fit tee-shirts and expanded to producing clothing for other brands after facing challenges finding manufacturers in the UK. Through their perseverance, they gained industry experience and contacts, leading them to start Hawthorn as a full-time business.
How much money it makes: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5.5K
How many people on the team: 0
This case study follows the journey of Hawthorn, a UK-based custom clothing manufacturer that designs clothes for start-up brands, and offers the lowest minimum order quantity in the industry, producing bespoke orders for as little as 50pcs per design.
11. Leze Apparel Inc. ($540K/year)
out of debt. In just 6 months, we have managed to turn our business around and are projected to generate 3 times more revenue than in 2019. We have experienced steady growth at a rate of 30% every month and have successfully attracted a community of women who resonate with our mission of comfortable and sustainable workwear.
How much money it makes: $540K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 0
This case study features LEZE the Label, a sustainable workwear brand that experienced 30% month-over-month growth and eliminated $180,000 in production debt, sharing insights on their crowdfunding strategy, customer-centric approach, and partnerships.
12. Sene ($480K/year)
Ray Li, the founder of Sene, came up with the idea for his business after experiencing the frustration of finding clothing that fit properly as a slim Asian guy. He wanted to create a luxury brand that offered custom-fit clothing instead of off-the-rack options. After experimenting with different formats and launching a flagship store in LA, Sene now uses data science to provide customers with a custom fit and has become a capital-efficient business with gross margins of 60-65%.
How much money it makes: $480K/year
How many people on the team: 3
Sene founder Ray Li used data science to replace the tailor, developing custom-fit clothing's luxury experience with a digital platform for men and women, generating $800,000 annual recurring revenue through Shopify and adjusting marketing tactics to opt for influencer campaigns focusing on visual photo and video content.
13. ATC Memes ($414K/year)
David Lombardo, one of the founding members of ATC Memes, came up with the idea for the business after realizing that he could create hilarious audio recordings of fake air traffic control transmissions. The idea quickly gained popularity and the ATC Memes page grew from 8,000 fans to over 40,000 in just one week. Seeing the potential, Lombardo and his partners decided to monetize the page by selling merchandise, starting with women's leggings featuring images of airspace. Sales took off, and they expanded their product offerings to include lanyards, hats, bags, and more.
How much money it makes: $414K/year
How many people on the team: 2
ATC Memes started as a social media site for sharing memes among air traffic controllers, which then evolved into an online store called RadarContact.com; offering unique and niche types of merchandise catering to the aviation industry, the site sells various products, including leggings, phone cases, and blankets, and utilizes social media, live videos, and email marketing to attract new customers.
14. Height Of Fashion ($300K/year)
Natalie Matthews, the founder of Height-Of-Fashion, came up with the idea for her online clothing store for tall women after experiencing the frustration of not finding fashionable options for her own height (6'3). Through her personal Instagram account, she gained a following of tall women who were interested in purchasing the outfits she showcased, which validated her decision to start the label. Since launching in 2017, Height-Of-Fashion has doubled in profit, products, and customers, shipping to 15 countries.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How many people on the team: 1
Height-Of-Fashion, an online clothing store for women 5'10" and over, saw double profit, products, and customers YoY, with a notable 43% retention rate, as the founder shares how Instagram, PR, and sports influencers are preferable to acquisition channels like Facebook for a niche market.
15. Blush Boutique Co ($300K/year)
Emilie Casseday, founder of Blush Boutique Co, always had a dream of owning a shop. After a road trip with her dad, she decided to pursue that dream and opened Blush in her basement with just a few pieces of clothing. Through word of mouth, social media, and a focus on providing a quality experience for customers, Blush has grown into a successful boutique in Greeley, Colorado, with consistent sales and a loyal customer base.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How many people on the team: 7
Blush Boutique Co is a successful boutique in historic downtown Greeley, Colorado that started with just a few pieces of clothing and quickly grew to making $25,000 a month with a highly curated and beautiful space filled with quality products and an amazing community.
16. OceanZen ($300K/year)
The founder's passion for marine life led her to notice the environmental impact of plastic waste and fishing nets during her travels. Through extensive research, she found a sustainable way to dispose of these materials and established a swimwear company that uses fabric made from the waste.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 0
OceanZen is a successful sustainable swimwear brand that has manufactured and sold thousands of bikinis worldwide, after being launched by Steph with only $5000 in her final year at university.
17. Yoke Apparel Manufacturing ($276K/year)
Jesse James, the founder of Yoke Apparel Manufacturing, came up with the idea after noticing a lack of action among people with strong opinions on social issues. He and his wife decided to make a tangible difference by moving to Vietnam and starting a clothing manufacturing business that directly hires at-risk locals in vulnerable situations. Despite initial challenges, they have achieved automation and stability after just 2 years of operation, and they are now focused on driving growth and revolutionizing the clothing industry.
How much money it makes: $276K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 30
Yoke Apparel Manufacturing is a comprehensive clothing manufacturing service specializing in low minimum order quantities, with an international customer base generating an average monthly revenue of $23,000 and managing to reach a 24% operating profit.
18. Sustainably Chic ($204K/year)
Natalia's business idea for Sustainably Chic stemmed from her passion for sustainable fashion, which she developed after becoming fatigued with the industry’s wastefulness and unethical practices.
At the time, sustainable fashion was not a popular topic and she felt like no one talked about it.
Motivated by a desire to create an impactful platform and realizing the lack of resources in sustainable fashion, she started her online community to showcase ethical brands, which quickly gained a significant following.
How much money it makes: $204K/year
How much did it cost to start: $3K
How many people on the team: 1
This case study follows the founder of Sustainably Chic, a sustainable fashion blog with 60k monthly visitors and $6k monthly revenue, providing insights on building a successful blog, effective branding, and the importance of value and sustainability.
19. Serena Hannah Athletics ($168K/year)
After discovering her passion for fitness and experiencing the challenges of being a Black athlete, Serena Jenkins-Hannah decided to create a fitness brand that empowers women to shape and tone their hourglass figure. She started by selling her #1 selling item, the Hannah Booty Band System, on Amazon, where she made over $100,000 in sales within a year and a half. However, she faced challenges with Amazon's platform and decided to branch out to Shopify to gain more control over her business.
How much money it makes: $168K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
How many people on the team: 0
Serena Jenkins-Hannah created a fitness brand, Serena Hannah Athletics, that has generated over $100,000 in sales over a year and a half, with $70,000 of those sales coming during COVID-19, through selling their #1 item, the Hannah Booty Band System, on Amazon, and has now expanded to Shopify to add cash flow.
20. Hera Closet ($120K/year)
connect with customers. Since its launch in 2018, HeraCloset has grown into a platform with over 80 brands and global shipping. The future looks promising for HeraCloset as they plan to launch an Arabic version of the store and continue improving the shopping experience for their customers.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How many people on the team: 15
HeraCloset is a successful online platform connecting customers with local Arabian and Khaleeji fashion brands, with over 80 brands selling on the platform and worldwide shipping.
21. Creative Fashion Blog ($120K/year)
Lisa Miller-Mecham, the founder of Creative Fashion Blog, came up with the idea for her business after learning to sew while pregnant with her first child. She started by making a diaper bag from billboard canvas scraps she found while dumpster diving. From there, she built a successful handmade accessories business and eventually transitioned into selling printable sewing patterns, generating over $10k per month.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50
How many people on the team: 1
Learn how this DIY blogger turned sewing pattern maker generates over $10k per month in passive income, and discover her tips for building an authentic brand on a budget.
22. Boutique Rye ($120K/year)
Gia, the founder of Boutique Rye, came up with the idea for her online women's clothing and accessories boutique when she got pregnant with her son and realized she didn't want to teach forever. After working at a local boutique and loving every minute of it, she decided to start her own online business to allow her to stay home with her son. Through live sales on Facebook and giveaways, she organically grew her customer base to over 3,200 people.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How many people on the team: 0
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
23. Garage Gym Barbell Apparel ($84K/year)
Susie Q Aranda, the founder of Garage Gym Barbell Apparel, came up with the idea for her business after experiencing her own health transformation. Starting with personal goals and achievements in fitness, she expanded her passion for helping women and created a line of gym apparel. Through a partnership with a graphic designer and utilizing social media marketing, Garage Gym Barbell Apparel has grown into a successful business, consistently making $7k in sales every month.
How much money it makes: $84K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 0
This case study details a woman who started a women's gym apparel business from her garage, and has since grown consistently, with $7k a month in sales, by retaining customers through personal connections & genuine marketing, and plans to continue expanding with her passion.
24. KAHINDO ($60K/year)
Kahindo Mateene, Founder and Chief Creative Director of KAHINDO, came up with the idea for her luxury sustainable fashion brand after launching a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2014. She repurposed fabric scraps into clutches made by women in her hometown of Goma, Congo. Inspired by her Pan-African upbringing and desire to create positive change through fashion, she rebranded in 2017 and now incorporates original prints and African stories into her designs.
How much money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 1
KAHINDO is a sustainable women's luxury fashion brand that celebrates African fashion and promotes ethical work practices, with annual sales of $60k and wholesale clients like Rent The Runway.
25. Go Mama ($36K/year)
Natalie, a wife, mother, and Service Woman in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, came up with the idea for Go Mama Maternity Activewear during her own maternity journey. Frustrated by the lack of affordable and functional activewear options for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, she decided to create her own line of clothing that supports physical activity and mental well-being. With minimal experience in business and fashion, she conducted extensive research, sourced suppliers from Alibaba, and launched her business, attracting customers through community groups on Facebook.
How much money it makes: $36K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 2
Natalie launched a successful side hustle during her part-time parental leave, designing and selling budget-friendly maternity activewear which generated a consistent $3k per month revenue with a target to grow the business to become a full-time role.
26. Chemo Cozy ($36K/year)
Ellen Hamilton came up with the idea for Chemo Cozy after her late husband, Greg, went through chemotherapy and realized the need for accessible and comfortable clothing for patients. They launched with a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $30k in 30 days, and now have customers in all 50 states and internationally. They have three online stores and have managed to sustain the business without outside funding.
How much money it makes: $36K/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
How many people on the team: 0
Chemo Cozy is a company that produces fashionable and functional clothing for cancer patients during treatments, launching through a Kickstarter campaign that raised $30k in 30 days and now operates through their website, Etsy, and Amazon stores, with customers in all 50 states and internationally.
27. LilKong Brand ($36K/year)
Tramell McInnis, the founder of LilKong Brand, was inspired to start his lifestyle designer fashion brand after growing up in Compton and not having access to high-end designer fashion. Knowing the importance of knowledge and research in the industry, he teamed up with an experienced head designer and built a brand that offers creative and unique clothing options for young to middle-aged individuals with middle to high-class income.
How much money it makes: $36K/year
How many people on the team: 0
Tramell McInnis, owner of LilKong Brand, talks about his start-up experience, challenges faced in choosing the perfect manufacturer and launching a premium fashion brand, and his vision of expanding a young lifestyle designer fashion brand appreciated by middle to high-class income customers with 3-year estimated evaluation of $300K.
28. Sleeves 2 Go ($27.6K/year)
Susan Costanza, the designer and founder of Sleeves 2 Go, came up with the idea for the attachable flutter sleeve after hearing women's frustrations with sleeveless garments. She saw a gap in the market for a fashionable and lightweight solution that could provide coverage and style to the upper arms. Through extensive research, designing, and finding the right manufacturer, she was able to bring her prototype to production and launch an online store to sell her innovative product. She also utilized her background in fashion show coordination to market and sell Sleeves 2 Go at events and trade shows, eventually expanding into wholesale and retail distribution.
How much money it makes: $27.6K/year
How many people on the team: 1
Sleeves 2 Go creates attachable flutter sleeves for women to mix and match beautifully with different types of garments, offering stylish coverage of upper arms of any size or age while simultaneously creating an easy fashion fix-it solution for our everyday wardrobe needs.
29. Smaragdas Art ($12K/year)
Albina, a designer from Moldova, found inspiration in her passion for art and fashion after moving to Greece. With her daughter as her motivation, she started Smaragdas Art, a slow fashion brand that creates unique, handmade, and sustainable jewelry and home decor items. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Albina's creations gained recognition internationally, appearing in magazines and even being presented at New York Fashion Week. Now, she plans to expand her business by opening an atelier in a tourist area of Athens and creating a new collection of sustainable bags.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 1
This case study follows Albina's journey of creating a slow fashion brand, Smaragdas Art, which sells unique, sustainable, and eco-friendly handmade creations, participating in fashion shows and having products featured in high-end international magazines despite starting at the height of the pandemic.
30. Blue Skies & Ko ($12K/year)
Katlyn, the founder of Blue Skies & Ko Boutique, started her business after rediscovering her love for crafting. She initially began hand stamping jewelry as a hobby and started an Instagram account to share her creations. After receiving custom order requests and participating in a local small business event, she realized the potential to turn her crafting hobby into a profitable business. With a focus on positivity and personalized jewelry, Katlyn launched Blue Skies & Ko Boutique, doubling her income within a few months and expanding her customer base across the United States.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
How many people on the team: 1
Blue Skies & Ko Boutique owner turned her crafting hobby into a profitable jewelry and clothing boutique with just $2,000, doubling her income within just a few short months, and offers advice on building a brand through social media, email marketing, and expanding product offerings.
31. ALTRD ($12K/year)
Saara and Stephanie, long-time friends with socially oriented businesses, came up with the idea for ALTRD after realizing the lack of convenient tailoring solutions in the corporate world. They saw an opportunity to connect skilled immigrant women, who were talented at sewing but restrained by cultural and childcare reasons, with individuals in need of quality, convenient alterations. Through running a successful pilot and utilizing platforms like Shopify and Yelp, ALTRD has gained momentum and aims to expand to other cities in the future.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How many people on the team: 0
ALTRD is a clothing alteration service launched by two socially oriented entrepreneurs that connects customers with skilled immigrant women tailors in New York who work from home and has already built an impressive team of 25 experts while making an effort to offer convenient and quality tailoring solutions as well as opportunities for women in need of work.
32. Jess Mi Boutique ($6K/year)
Jessica Carter, also known as Jess Michelle, came up with the idea for her online women's boutique, Jess Mi Boutique, after experiencing frustration with seeing other women wearing the same outfits as her at nightclubs. She decided to start her own boutique to offer unique, classy, and sexy clothes that reflected her personal style. Through research and starting with a budget-friendly wholesaler, she began her business and evolved her clothing items over time to align with her own personal growth and style.
How much money it makes: $6K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 1
Jess Michelle started an online women's boutique catering to dressier styles, and through consistent marketing and dedication, has grown her business from $75 per month to making about $500 in sales per month.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
