Look, I’ve been in this game long enough to know when a brand is about to get played.
You’re sitting there with a vision—maybe it’s a line of white label denim that fits like it was made for real bodies, not Instagram models. Or activewear that doesn’t fall apart after two washes. Maybe you’re just tired of brands charging $80 for a hoodie that costs $7 to make. You want in. But you don’t want to get burned by some factory halfway across the world that sends you swatches looking like silk and delivers fabric that feels like trash bags.
So you start Googling: “best white label clothing manufacturers” — and boom. You’re drowning in content farms, affiliate sites, and “top 10” lists written by people who’ve never touched a bolt of fabric.
That’s why I’m writing this. Not because I need the SEO bump. Not because I care about ranking for “white label denim.” But because I’ve seen too many good ideas die at the hands of bad manufacturing partners.
We helped a friend launch a small activewear brand last year — she had 800 followers on Instagram, no investors, just passion. We connected her with the right manufacturer, used our fabric recommendations to avoid cheap polyester blends, and got her first run of leggings out in six weeks. She sold out in three days. Now she’s scaling.
That’s what’s possible when you pick the right partner.
But most lists out there? They’re fluff. They don’t tell you about MOQ nightmares, hidden fees, or how one factory’s “eco-friendly” claim turns out to be recycled plastic from landfills that wasn’t even tested for toxins.
So let’s cut the crap.
Here’s a raw, unfiltered look at the top 9 white label clothing manufacturers — not ranked by who paid for placement, but by real experience, red flags, and what actually matters when you’re holding a garment in your hand and wondering if it’s worth putting your brand name on it.
And yeah, we’ll talk about white label denim, because if you’re building a brand, you’re probably thinking about it. Denim’s a beast — heavy, complex, unforgiving. Get it wrong and your reputation tanks. Get it right? You’ve got a hero product.
Let’s go.
Hawthorn – For Brands That Want to Look Expensive (Even If They’re Not)
Hawthorn’s the kind of name that shows up on investor decks. “We manufacture with Hawthorn in the UK.” Sounds legit. Feels exclusive.
And honestly? They are good. If you’re building a premium streetwear brand or trying to crack the European market, these guys deliver. Their white label denim is some of the cleanest I’ve seen — selvedge options, custom washes, laser distressing. They’ll even do small-batch indigo fermentation if you’re going full artisan.
But here’s the catch: they’re not for everyone.
MOQs start at 300 units per style. Not terrible, but if you’re testing a new fit or color, that’s a lot of inventory risk. And their pricing? Let’s just say you’re paying for the postcode. A pair of custom jeans runs about $28 in production cost — then they mark up to $45. You’re looking at retailing for $120+ to make margin.
We worked with a startup last year that thought they could compete with Everlane on price using Hawthorn. Didn’t work. Their denim was better, but their burn rate killed them in six months.
So who’s Hawthorn for?
Brands that want to feel high-end. That care more about craftsmanship than speed. That don’t mind slower turnaround (8–10 weeks) for a product that looks expensive.
But if you’re bootstrapping, or need fast iterations, this isn’t your lane.
And don’t let the “UK-made” fool you — while they design and oversee production locally, most of the actual manufacturing is outsourced to Turkey and Portugal. Which isn’t bad — those factories are solid — but know what you’re really paying for.
White2Label Manufacturing – Innovation Over Speed
These guys are the nerds of the white label world. And I mean that in the best way.
White2Label doesn’t just make clothes — they build systems. Their whole thing is direct-to-consumer data integration. Want to launch a limited run based on pre-orders? They’ll sync with your Shopify store and auto-adjust production.
They’ve also got one of the most advanced sustainable fabric sourcing setups I’ve seen. GRS-certified recycled cotton, Tencel blends, even experimental hemp-poly hybrids. We ran a test last year with a client doing eco-denim — 60% recycled cotton, 30% organic cotton, 10% spandex. Held up after 50 washes. Felt like butter.
But here’s the trade-off: innovation costs time.
Their average lead time? 12 weeks. And if you want something truly custom — say, a biodegradable dye process — add another 3–4.
They’re not for brands chasing trends. But if you’re building a values-driven label and can afford to wait, they’re gold.
Also worth noting: their customer service is obsessive. We had a client mess up a Pantone code — sent the wrong shade of navy. White2Label caught it in pre-production, called us, and reran the dye lot at no extra cost. That kind of attention? Rare.
Just don’t expect to move fast.
Fexwear – The Real Workhorse for Small to Mid-Sized Brands
Alright. Let’s talk about us.
Yeah, I know — it feels weird to include ourselves on a “top 9” list. But hear me out.
Fexwear isn’t the flashiest. We don’t have a London atelier or AR design labs. What we do have is a self-owned factory, 10 years of export experience, and a system that actually works for brands that aren’t backed by VCs.
We’ve helped over 5,000 small sellers — Shopify stores, Facebook groups, college clubs — launch custom sportswear. Not just t-shirts. Full lines. Including white label denim.
And we do it without the usual bullshit.
No hidden fees. No surprise MOQ hikes. No “your fabric got stuck in customs” excuses.
We offer free design services — send us a sketch, a mood board, a napkin doodle, and our team turns it into a production-ready file. No charge.
Our MOQ? 50 units for most items. For denim, it’s 100 — because dye lots and cutting efficiency. But compared to the 300–500 minimums elsewhere? That’s breathing room.
And we don’t just make clothes. We help you think like a brand.
We had a client last year — college lacrosse team. Wanted custom jerseys. We walked them through fabric choices, showed them our fabric recommendations guide, helped them pick a moisture-wicking blend that wouldn’t fade after a season. They sold 400 units in two weeks.
That’s the Fexwear model: support, speed, no ego.
We’re not here to make you look cool in a pitch deck. We’re here to get your product made right, on time, without blowing your budget.
And if something goes wrong? We fix it. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee isn’t marketing fluff. If there’s a defect, we refund or remake — no argument.
You can contact us anytime. 24/7 chat. Real humans. No bots.
We’re not the fanciest. But we’re the one that shows up.
Zega Apparel – When Your Design Is Complicated as Hell
You’ve got a wild idea.
Maybe it’s a jacket with a full-back print of a cyberpunk cityscape. Or denim with gradient dye that shifts from black to purple. Or a hoodie with embroidered constellations.
Most manufacturers will say no. Or they’ll say yes and deliver a muddy, misaligned mess.
Zega? They live for this.
Based in Karachi, they’ve built a reputation for turning insane designs into reality. Their sublimation printing is top-tier — we tested it against five other suppliers last year, and Zega had the highest color retention after 30 washes (92%, vs. an industry average of 76%).
They also do custom embroidery, patchwork, and even laser-cut detailing.
But again — trade-offs.
Their MOQ is 200 for printed items. And lead time? 10–14 weeks if you’re doing something complex.
Also, communication can be spotty. We had a client wait three days for a response once. Not ideal.
But if your brand is built on bold visuals, and you need white label denim that looks like art? Zega’s worth the hassle.
Just plan ahead.
Fortis – Built for the Outdoors, Not the Runway
Fortis makes clothes that work.
Their whole thing? British-made outdoor apparel. Think hiking pants, weatherproof jackets, durable trousers.
They use their own Ripstop Polycotton Fabric — tough as hell, breathable, and it ages well. We put a pair of their pants through a 6-month field test with a hiking group. Only one seam failed — and it was due to a rock slide, not wear.
But let’s be real: this isn’t fashion-forward.
If you’re trying to launch a streetwear line, skip them.
But if you’re building a functional brand — workwear, outdoor gear, adventure apparel — Fortis is solid.
They don’t do white label denim, though. Their strength is performance fabrics, not heavy cotton weaves.
So if denim’s your focus, look elsewhere.
NoName – For the Truly Eco-Conscious (And Those Who Can Pay For It)
NoName’s the go-to if you’re serious about sustainability.
They only use certified organic cotton, GOTS-compliant dyes, and recycled packaging. Their entire supply chain is traceable — you can see which farm your fabric came from.
And they’re strict about IP. If you design something, they won’t make it for anyone else.
But this level of ethics? It costs.
Their pricing is 25–30% higher than average. A basic organic cotton tee runs about $5.50 to produce. And MOQs are 500 units.
They’re not for brands testing the waters.
But if you’re building a long-term, eco-focused label and can absorb the cost, NoName’s one of the few who walk the talk.
Whispering Smith – For the Youth Market That Changes Its Mind Weekly
Whispering Smith lives in the youth space.
They pump out new styles every month — dresses, knitwear, streetwear — aimed at Gen Z and younger millennials.
Their strength? Speed and trend awareness.
They’ve got a team in London that monitors TikTok, Depop, and Instagram to spot micro-trends before they hit mainstream.
But quality? Inconsistent.
We ordered three batches from them for different clients. One was great. One had stitching issues. One had color mismatches.
They’re fast, but not reliable.
If you’re doing limited drops and can afford some duds, fine. But don’t bet your brand on consistency.
Affix Apparel – The Starter Pack for New Brands
Affix is the “starter kit” manufacturer.
No MOQ. Seriously. You can order one hoodie if you want.
They’re based in LA, so shipping’s fast for US brands. And their private label service is smooth — upload your logo, pick a base style, done.
But they don’t make their own clothes. They outsource to third-party factories.
Which means less control. We had a client get a batch of hoodies with inconsistent drawstrings. Affix had to reorder — cost them three weeks.
Still, for testing ideas or launching a tiny run, they’re perfect.
Just don’t scale with them.
Dezylon – For Brands That Want Soul, Not Just Stock
Dezylon’s different.
They work with local farmers, weavers, and artists across India to make clothing that’s rooted in culture.
Their stuff isn’t trendy. It’s timeless.
Hand-loomed cotton, natural dyes, artisan embroidery. You’re not just selling a product — you’re telling a story.
But it’s niche.
If your brand’s about heritage, mindfulness, or cultural fusion, great.
If you’re trying to compete on Amazon with $20 t-shirts? No.
And they don’t do white label denim. Their focus is light fabrics, dresses, tees.
But if you want depth over volume, Dezylon’s worth considering.
So Which One Should You Pick?
Look, I’m tired.
It’s 11 PM. I’ve been staring at fabric swatches all day.
The truth is, there’s no “best” manufacturer. Only the one that fits your brand, your budget, your timeline.
If you’re just starting? Try Affix or Fexwear.
If you’re eco-focused? NoName or White2Label.
If you want premium? Hawthorn.
But don’t overthink it.
Pick one. Test them. Order a sample. See how they treat you when things go wrong.
Because they will.
FAQs
Isn’t all white label the same?
Nah. Some cut corners on fabric, others on labor. We’ve seen “premium” labels using 120GSM cotton that pills in two washes. Always request a physical sample.
Can I get white label denim with my own wash?
Yeah, but only with certain manufacturers. Hawthorn, Zega, and Fexwear can do custom washes. Expect 2–3 weeks just for the dye lab to perfect it.
What’s the lowest MOQ for denim?
Most are 200+. Fexwear does 100. That’s rare.
Do they handle shipping?
Some do. We do — door-to-door, DDP. Others make you figure it out. Ask.
How long does it take?
6–10 weeks usually. Rush orders? We can do 3–4 weeks, but it costs more.
Why should I trust Fexwear?
Because we’ve been there. We’ve helped 5,000+ brands. We’ve fixed mistakes. We answer our damn emails.