Starting an online clothing business is a viable business idea, but it’s no easy feat. With stiff competition and a seemingly limitless number of suppliers, it can be difficult to stand out from the rest.
That’s why it’s so important to find the right wholesale women’s clothing vendors. Below, we’ll take you through what to look for, plus a list of suppliers based in Canada, China, the UK, and the US.
Best wholesale women’s clothing vendors by region
- Wholesale women’s clothing: US
- Wholesale women’s clothing: UK
- Wholesale women’s clothing: Canada
- Wholesale women’s clothing: China
Wholesale women’s clothing: US
Here are some of the best women’s apparel wholesalers in the US:
1. Faire
Used by more than 100,000 independent brands, Faire connects sellers to retailers in the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe. With the Faire app, retailers can automatically sync their Faire products with their Shopify store.
Makers and manufacturers on Faire’s marketplace list their products among a range of categories, including women’s fashion. You can also check out Faire Showroom, which features curated premium fashion if you’re looking for higher-quality, trendy apparel products.
2. Bloom Wholesale
The US women’s wholesale clothing company Bloom sells fashion apparel at affordable price points in both standard and plus sizes. The LA-based wholesaler buys quality items from local designers and then distributes those items to buyers with their own clothing lines and stores. Each week, the website features new finds. There’s no minimum order size, and you get flat rate shipping on all orders—along with a three-day grace period for returns with full refunds.
3. LA Showroom
LA Showroom is another vendor based in Los Angeles that sources items from global designers and manufacturers. Like Bloom, its website has new designs every week. In addition to apparel, you can also purchase wholesale footwear and accessories. Each vendor lists its own minimum order requirements, and shipping also varies.
4. Magnolia Fashion Wholesale
Miami-based Magnolia Fashion Wholesale sells trendy women’s wholesale clothing. Each product style is sold in a pack rather than individual units, and packs are not customizable. Magnolia offers two- to three-day shipping in the US and can also ship internationally (rates and shipping times vary). Like Bloom, there’s no minimum order requirement so long as you… . Its physical store has an order minimum of 12 pieces. In either case, you can test out its products without a big commitment.
5. Tasha Apparel
LA-based Tasha Apparel sources from “the most popular hotbeds” for fashion across the country. According to the supplier, it offers competitive prices 50% to 80% below wholesale. Expect trendy pieces that are “fun” and “flirty” and typically come in packs of six units. There’s no minimum purchase amount, but all items are sold in packs/bulks of usually six pieces. Orders over $300 ship for free on the same day. It also has a dropshipping option.
6. Wholesale Fashion Square
Next on our list is a great destination for wholesale women’s boutique clothing. Wholesale Fashion Square has a range of apparel offerings, accessories, and makeup—all sourced from the LA area. Products are mostly available in bundles of three or six. Wholesale Fashion Square ships internationally and has no minimum order requirements.
Women’s wholesale clothing: UK
Here are some of the best women’s apparel wholesalers in the UK:
1. Babez London
Babez London is a fashion-forward wholesale ladies’ clothing company based in the UK. You can purchase products in packs, ranging from three to 12 units per pack. Its website features new styles every day. It ships internationally, and there’s no minimum spend, but you do have to buy a pack instead of an individual unit.
2. Catwalk Wholesale
You can find wholesale women’s dresses, tops, bottoms, and skirts for your fashion brand at Catwalk Wholesale, which specializes in going-out apparel and fashion. Catwalk Wholesale has discounted items, sometimes priced as low as £1.
Catwalk Wholesale has no minimum order requirement. Qualifying orders to the UK and US get free next-day delivery, while international shipping typically takes a few days. It also has private labeling options.
3. City Goddess
Offering wholesale fashion women’s clothing, City Goddess was cofounded by fashion designer Mina Melikova. Its products typically come in packs, or “lots,” of five to seven units each. You can’t choose what comes in each pack, or what sizes each pack covers. If you want to order just one unit, you’ll need to go through its business-to-consumer (B2C) platform, Goddiva. City Goddess also has a £150 minimum order requirement.
4. J5 Fashion
J5 Fashion ships internationally and also offers private labeling. Successful brands like Nasty Gal, ASOS, and PrettyLittleThing use J5 Fashion for wholesale purchasing. If you’re not ready to pull the trigger on an entire order, you can always order a sample first. The items are trendy and constantly updated—don’t be surprised if you find something new every time you check back.
5. Mia Fashions
Another Nasty Gal supplier, Mia Fashions has also provided cheap wholesale women’s clothing for Boohoo and Missguided. The UK-based wholesaler sells on-trend, celebrity-inspired fast fashion. It ships internationally, and orders over £400 ship for free within the UK. Local orders predictably arrive sooner—as fast as just one business day. International customers are more at the mercy of carriers and time.
6. Missi Clothing
Missi Clothing has regular and plus sizes—everything from dresses and jackets to knitwear, leggings, and organic t-shirts. Clothing is sold in packs, and there’s no minimum order requirement.
Women’s wholesale clothing: Canada
Here are a couple of the best women’s clothing wholesalers in Canada:
Alanic
Though mostly focused on active and casualwear, Alanic has a little bit of everything. It’s also one of the best wholesale vendors for women’s clothing in Canada. You can purchase already-made styles or work with the supplier to source a manufacturer to bring your own designs to life. Though it’s vague about the details, Alanic promises flexibility when it comes to minimum purchase amounts.
COCO & tashi
Another one of Canada’s wholesale women’s clothing vendors, COCO & tashi is based in Montreal. It sells a range of women’s apparel and fashion, including stylish casual wear and functional outerwear. You can order packs of six or seven units, and each pack comes with one or two units in every size. You’ll also need to be prepared to fork over at least $400 to meet its minimum order requirements.
Wholesale women’s clothing: China
Here are some of the best women’s apparel wholesalers in China:
1. Dear-Lover
Dear-Lover ships internationally, and while technically there’s no minimum order requirement, you might have to pay extra fees on orders under $99. So beware when ordering samples. Dear-Lover also has a dropshipping model if holding inventory isn’t your style.
2. FashionTIY
China-based FashionTIY has super affordable, trendy wholesale women’s apparel along with accessories, hair extensions, footwear, and other items to help you diversify. You can even venture into home goods with FashionTIY. Extra busy entrepreneurs can browse and order products on the go with its dedicated mobile app, something not many others can boast.
3. Wholesale7
Specializing in Japanese- and Korean-inspired wholesale women’s fashion, Wholesale7 has a large selection of styles to choose from. In addition to designing and manufacturing its own items, Wholesale7 also sources from other suppliers and designers—most at affordable price points, offering decent profit margins. All items are shipped within 24 hours of placing your order, though shipping times vary depending on the destination. Wholesale7 also has a dropshipping model.
4. Yaaku
Rounding out the list of China-based ladies’ fashion wholesale suppliers is Yaaku in Guangzhou. Yaaku’s designs are also inspired by Japanese and Korean culture—perfect for serving those markets and other fashion-forward customer segments. Yaaku has no minimum order requirements.
How to choose the best wholesale women’s clothing vendors
There's no one-size-fits-all in business, but use these steps as a guide to get started in women’s fashion:
1. Focus on your customers
Keep your customer base in mind and source clothing that matches their style. Research trends and which influencers your target audience follows to understand which styles will resonate with them the most.
Consider adjacent product offerings—such as accessories and shoes—if you plan to grow your business and expand beyond women’s clothing. As you scale, it can be helpful to find a supplier that can grow with you.
2. Go local
Knowing where your supplier is based is important because it impacts cost. Namely, shipping, taxes, and duties can quickly add up and threaten your margins. Look for local suppliers that can provide the items you’re looking for affordably.
3. Check quality
A study by First Insight found that 53% of consumers consider quality the most important factor when making purchases.
To check quality, you can browse reviews of the supplier or order samples to see the apparel products for yourself.
4. Stay on budget
At the end of the day, the point of doing business is to make a profit. If your wholesale fashion items are priced too high, you’ll have a difficult time finding a price that makes you a profit that customers are willing to pay. Likewise, go too cheap, and you risk your reputation and customer satisfaction.
Compare pricing across multiple vendors, but don't only focus on the lowest price. Calculate potential profit margins and consider any volume discounts offered. Inquire about minimum order quantities (MOQ) and whether mixed orders of different styles are allowed. Look for vendors who offer flexibility as your business scales.
5. Read reviews and ask questions
A great vendor understands that timing and proactive communication is everything. They deliver on time and keep you updated on new fashion industry trends, potential issues, and opportunities.
Read reviews to understand potential vendors’ average lead times and how they handle rush orders. You can also reach out to vendors with specific questions and ask for references to verify their reliability.
Understanding payment terms with wholesale vendors
- Payment deadlines
- Early payment discounts
- Flexible terms
- Credit terms and limits
- Late payments and penalties
You’ve landed an amazing deal with a new wholesale vendor. Before you sign that contract, understand the following common payment terms:
Payment deadlines
As you start working with wholesale vendors, you’ll see terms like “Net 30” or “2/10 Net 30”. These are shorthand terms for payment expectations. Net 30 means you have 30 days to pay the full invoice amount. 2/10 Net 30 offers a 2% discount if you pay within 10 days; otherwise, the full amount is due in 30 days.
Early payment discounts
Early payment discounts might seem small at first glance, but they can add up to substantial savings over time. If you're able to consistently pay early on $100,000 worth of annual purchases with a 2% discount, you're looking at $2,000 in savings. That's a meaningful amount you can reinvest in your business or use to increase profit margins.
Flexible terms
Remember that your wholesale vendors are partners in your business success. They want you to succeed, so you'll keep ordering from them. Don't hesitate to discuss your needs, whether it's extended payment terms or volume discounts. Open dialogue often leads to mutually beneficial arrangements.
Credit terms and limits
Credit terms and limits act as a financial buffer for you and your vendor. They allow you to order stock without immediate payment, giving you time to sell products before the bill comes due.
However, it's important to use this credit wisely. Maxing out your credit limit can strain your relationship with vendors and potentially impact your business credit score.
Late payments and penalties
Read the fine print to understand how late payments might affect your credit terms or limit future orders. Examine the vendor's policies on late payments, including any grace periods and associated penalties. Look for specific late fees, such as a percentage of the outstanding balance or a flat fee. Check if interest is charged on overdue amounts and at what rate.
If you find yourself in a tight spot, communication is key. Many vendors are willing to work out a solution if you're proactive. Some might offer extended terms or installment plans. Be aware that late payments often come with penalties, typically 1–2% of the monthly invoice amount.
Seasonal buying tips for wholesale women's clothing
- Analyze market trends and demand
- Plan ahead
- Time your purchases strategically
- Build relationships with seasonal suppliers
- Manage stock for seasonal sales and promotions
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare for seasonal fluctuations:
Analyze market trends and demand
Fashion moves fast. Trend lifecycles came and went every 20 years in the past. Today, with the rise of fashion microtrends, they are gone faster than you can say, “TikTok made me buy it.”
To stay ahead of the game:
- Monitor TikTok and Instagram for fashion forecasts.
- Analyze past sales data to identify consistent performers.
- Keep an eye on celebrity and influencer styles.
You don’t have to just follow trends blindly. The idea is to blend trending items with styles that have done well in your store. That way, you can keep your inventory fresh and exciting.
Plan ahead
Fashion revolves around seasonal trends, which dictate styles sold and when customers buy. Start with the essentials for each session, then add trendier pieces to keep things interesting.
Consider:
- Core items that sell year-round (classic jeans, basic tees)
- Season-specific must-haves (sundresses for summer, coats for winter)
- Trendy pieces to attract fashion-forward customers
Create a flexible inventory plan that accounts for these variables. You can use the 80/20 rule: stocking 80% of proven sellers and 20% of new or trendy items to mitigate the risk of unsold inventory.
Time your purchases strategically
Align your buying schedule with the fashion industry’s calendar to ensure you have the right products stocked. Look for early-bird discounts and pre-order opportunities from wholesale suppliers.
Consider purchasing core items in advance and leaving room in your budget for trendy pieces closer to the season. A good rule of thumb could be spending:
- 50% of your budget on the upcoming season
- 30% on the current season (for those last-minute shoppers)
- 20% on timeless pieces that sell year-round
Many successful retailers follow a modified version of the 4-5-4 calendar, making smaller, more frequent purchases to keep their inventory fresh and reduce the risk of markdowns.
Build relationships with seasonal suppliers
Collaborative relationships with suppliers can keep you ahead of the competition. Together, you can share forecasts, plan for future inventory, and design items together.
Some other ways to win over suppliers are:
- Be reliable. Pay on time, every time.
- Show interest in their business. Ask about new lines and give feedback.
- Share your successes. Let them know when their products are hits.
If you do it right, you might just score perks like first dibs on new collections or flexible payment terms.
Manage stock for seasonal sales and promotions
Effective stock management during seasonal transitions can impact your profitability. With retailers investing over a trillion dollars a year in their markdown programs, strategic planning is important.
Try this timeline:
- 6–8 weeks into the season. Offer subtle discounts (10–15% off).
- Mid-season. Bump it up to 20–30% off slower-moving items.
- End of season. Go big or go home with 40–50% off to clear the decks.
Not everything needs to be on sale. Timeless pieces can stay full price because they are always valuable. Off-season items can be the main focus of your markdown program.
Wholesale women’s clothing vendors FAQ
What is the profit margin for wholesale clothing?
Profit margins for wholesale clothing typically range from 50% to 100%, depending on the product and market positioning. However, these margins can fluctuate based on factors like brand recognition, quality, and order volume. The brand recognition or quality of a product can influence the perceived value and convince a consumer to pay more.
What percentage do distributors take?
Wholesale clothing distributors generally take anywhere from 20% to 40% of the retail price. The percentage can vary based on industry, product type, and the distributor’s specific services.
Should I do private label or wholesale?
Choosing between private label and wholesale depends on your business goals, resources, and target market. Private labeling offers higher profit margins and brand control but requires more upfront investment and management, while wholesale provides established products and lower initial costs with possibly slimmer margins. Wholesale is a good way to get started, but when multiple sellers offer the same branded product, competition to offer the lowest price can lead to thinner profit margins.
How do I buy new clothes wholesale?
- Decide the products you want to sell.
- Research and vet suppliers.
- Inquire about order minimums.
- Reach out to the supplier of your choice.
- Place an order as a wholesale customer.
How do I choose a clothing wholesaler?
- Decide on the products you want to sell.
- Research suppliers that have the products you want.
- Compare your options.
- Reach out to the suppliers to negotiate the best deal.
- Move forward with the best supplier for your business.
Can I put my own label on wholesale clothing?
Yes, you can put your own label on wholesale clothing, depending on the wholesaler’s policy and your agreement with them. You can do this with suppliers that offer private labeling.
