Overproduction is a serious problem for many industries – from food to fashion. But there is a solution called
made-to-order.
The make-to-order strategy means that a brand produces a certain item once the customer places the order.
Buying products that are made-to-order means less waste as a result of production. The reason for that is simple. Manufacturers start the production process once an order comes in. This helps them eliminate excess costs, material, inventory, and even production processes.
Additionally, buying made-to-order products leads to more customization. Yes, you can have a dress tailored for you. And yes, those shoes can be orange instead of purple. Isn’t that amazing? Well, it does not always work exactly this way, but you got my point.
Of course, this leads to yet another advantage – lower return rates. Why would you return something that is tailored for your size, preferences or needs?
The only factor that usually discourages people from buying made-to-order products is time. Yes, time is precious, I know. But time is not always a factor when it comes to consumption. Do you really want something? Do you find it necessary and will you love it? If yes, then wait for it. As cliché as it might sound,
good things happen slowly.
Now, here are five made-to-order fashion brands from all around the world to consider next time:
MumsHandmade (Greece)
Mumshandmade is a Greek fashion brand founded in 2013. The label was inspired by the owners’ personal experience, namely their mums knitting beanies and cardigans for personal use. All the products they offer are made-to-order and handcrafted by Greek artisans. The brand uses eco-friendly yarns mainly composed of recycled materials.
Sene (the US)
Sene‘s slogan is “Sizeless clothing for all bodies”. The brand is made-to-measure, thanks to SmartFit – a fitting algorithm that serves all shapes and sizes. The measuring process takes about a minute and the production requires two weeks. The brand offers products ranging from jeans to jackets.
Ouisa (the US)
Ouisa is a New York-based but French-inspired brand for minimalists. Its focus on ethical and sustainable practices includes the usage of “high-quality fabrics made with low-impact dyes and materials such as bamboo, TENCEL™ Modal, certified eco-friendly cotton, and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified textiles.” At the same time, the brand operates on a made-to-order model and products are shipped in approximately 4 to 6 weeks from purchase.
Chalsie Joan (the UK)
Chalsie Joan is a British slow fashion brand founded by designer Chalsie Williamson. The label’s pieces are eclectic and vintage-inspired. Each is made in Williamson’s home studio using locally sourced and deadstock fabrics. The models are size inclusive and can be made to the exact measure of the buyer.
Esse (New Zealand)
Esse was founded by Alicia Tsi, who quit her stable job because of her love for fashion. Classic silhouettes, earthy tones and timeless designs – this is Esse. The brand is also committed to transparency and ethical labor practices: “Through creating a transparent supply chain and two-way dialogue, we want to create a community of people who care about every step of the process as much as we do,” says Esse’s website.
