Look, I’ve been up since 5:30 AM dealing with a shipment delay from a factory that swore the sublimated breeches were “ready to go” two weeks ago. They weren’t. Surprise, surprise. I’m tired. Coffee’s cold. But you’re here because you want the truth — not the polished sales pitch — about how to actually find quality wholesale equestrian clothing in 2024 without getting burned.
Let me be straight with you: this isn’t some easy plug-and-play game anymore. The market’s flooded with cheap knockoffs, lazy designs, and suppliers who’ll promise you the moon then deliver moth-eaten polyester. If you’re trying to build a real brand — one riders actually want to wear — you need more than just a catalog and a PayPal button.
You need a partner. Someone who gets it. At Fexwear, we’ve spent years untangling the mess of equestrian supply chains so you don’t have to. And if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re not just another dropshipper hoping to flip generic riding tights for $3 profit. You’re probably building something real. Maybe a boutique line. A riding school uniform. A niche brand for urban equestrians who care about style and performance.
So let’s cut the fluff. Here’s what nobody tells you when you start hunting for wholesale equestrian apparel.
It’s Not About Price — It’s About What the Fabric Won’t Tell You
Let’s get this out of the way: cheap fabric lies.
It looks good in the photo. The supplier sends a swatch that feels smooth, thick, maybe even a little luxurious. You place the order. Then the shipment arrives. You open the box. And within three washes? Pilling. Fading. Seams splitting at the inner thigh. The kind of stuff that gets five-star reviews turned into one-star rants.
I had a client in Sweden last year — smart woman, ran a small riding academy. She went with a “bargain” supplier from a marketplace platform. MOQ was low, prices looked great. She ordered 120 pairs of black breeches. By the third month, half her instructors were complaining about the seat fabric shredding. One had a seam blow out mid-lesson. She had to replace them all. Lost more in reputation than in cost.
Here’s the thing most suppliers won’t tell you: not all polyester is created equal.
There’s the $1.20/yd stuff that feels like a grocery bag after two rides. Then there’s the 80/20 polyester-spandex blend with flatlock stitching, UV protection, and true moisture-wicking — the kind that lasts 70+ washes and still looks sharp. That’s the stuff we use at Fexwear. Not because we’re fancy, but because we’ve seen what happens when you cut corners.
And it’s not just about the base fabric. It’s the lining. The knee patches. The thread count. The stretch recovery. A good riding pant needs to bend, breathe, and stay put — no matter if you’re schooling a hot young horse or competing in the rain.
If your supplier can’t give you a fabric composition breakdown, walk away.
If they won’t send a real production swatch (not a generic sample), run.
And if they don’t test for stretch recovery >95%, you’re buying disposable fashion, not equestrian gear.
The Hidden Cost of “Low MOQ” Suppliers
Look, I get it. You’re starting small. You don’t want to dump $10K into inventory before you’ve sold a single piece. That’s why so many of you fall for the “MOQ 10” trap. Sounds perfect, right?
Here’s the reality: ultra-low MOQs often mean batch inconsistency.
Because the factory isn’t running a full production line, they’re squeezing your order into someone else’s run. Different dye lot. Different tension on the loom. Different operator. Result? One batch fits true to size. The next runs small. Or the color shifts from deep navy to “kinda blue.”
We used to see this all the time with sublimated show shirts. Client orders 30 units. Looks perfect. Orders 50 more three months later. Gets a completely different shade. Now they’ve got mismatched teams, angry customers, and a branding nightmare.
That’s why at Fexwear, we keep MOQs low but stable — typically 30–50 pieces per design. Not because we’re greedy. Because that’s the minimum volume needed to run a dedicated, consistent batch. And we keep the same fabric roll, the same printer settings, the same QC team on it.
You can read more about our approach in our fabric recommendations guide — it breaks down exactly what to look for in performance textiles.
Why “Breathable” Is a Marketing Lie
I can’t count how many times I’ve heard, “Oh yeah, it’s breathable.”
Then you put it on in July. And you feel like you’re wearing a sauna suit.
Real breathability isn’t a buzzword. It’s RET testing — Resistance to Evaporation. Anything under 15 RET is good. Over 25? That’s plastic wrap with delusions of grandeur.
And moisture-wicking? Don’t trust the label. Do the water drop test on the swatch. If it beads up and sits there, it’s not wicking. If it spreads and disappears into the fabric? Now you’re talking.
We test every batch. Not just for look, but for function. Because riders don’t care about your Instagram aesthetic when they’re sweating through a cross-country course.
Your Supplier Shouldn’t Be a Black Box
You send an email. It takes three days to get a reply. The response is vague. No photos. No updates. Just “we are working on it.”
Sound familiar?
That’s not a supplier. That’s a middleman with a WhatsApp account and a prayer.
If you’re going to trust someone with your brand, you need transparency. Not just pretty promises.
You should know:
- Where your clothes are made
- Who’s making them
- What their working conditions are
- Whether they’re certified (BSCI, WRAP, OEKO-TEX — look these up)
At Fexwear, we work with our own factory and a tight network of vetted partners. We don’t just outsource to the cheapest bidder. We visit the facilities. We audit the lines. We know the people.
Why? Because when something goes wrong — and it will — you need someone who answers the phone. Not a bot. Not a forwarded email chain.
I had a client in Australia who needed 200 custom show jackets for a national event. Two weeks out, the zipper supplier failed. Most factories would’ve said “sorry, delay.” We switched to a backup line that same day, reran the cut, and shipped overnight. Because we control the chain.
You can’t do that with a faceless Alibaba listing.
If your supplier won’t give you a factory tour (even virtual), or won’t share certifications, ask yourself: what else are they hiding?
Check out how we build a professional and powerful supply chain — it’s not about scale. It’s about control.
The Truth About “Private Label” vs. “White Label”
Let’s clear this up once and for all.
White label = you slap your logo on a generic product that 10 other brands are selling. Same cut. Same fabric. Same design. You’re not building a brand. You’re renting a look.
Private label = you get exclusivity. Custom fit. Unique design. Your fabric blend. Your stitching. Your packaging.
One is cheap and fast. The other is valuable.
I had a startup in the UK come to us last year. They’d been using a white-label supplier for their “premium” breeches. Then they sent us a pair to analyze. Same exact pattern as a brand in Canada. Same knee patch material. Even the label placement was identical.
They were selling it as “handcrafted for the modern rider.” It was a lie. And their customers knew it.
We rebuilt their line from scratch. New fit. Better fabric. Custom waistband. Now they own that design. No one else can copy it without legal risk.
That’s the power of real private labeling.
And yes, it takes longer. But it builds loyalty. Riders remember how something fits, not just how it looks.
If you’re serious about branding, go private label. And make sure your supplier actually does it — not just says they do.
We break it down in our OEM/ODM private label guide — it’s not just about slapping on a tag.
You Don’t Need a Huge Order — You Need a Smart One
Let me stop you right there.
You don’t need to order 500 units to be taken seriously.
In fact, ordering 500 units of the wrong thing is the fastest way to kill your cash flow.
The smart play in 2024? Start small. Test. Iterate. Scale.
We’ve helped over 5,000 small sellers — Shopify store owners, Facebook group admins, riding instructors — launch with as few as 30 pieces.
Why? Because we know that inventory risk kills more brands than bad design.
You don’t need a warehouse full of riding gear. You need a few hero products that sell out fast, get reviews, and build momentum.
One of our clients in Texas started with 40 pairs of custom-fit breeches. Sold them at a local horse show. Got 37 five-star reviews. Reordered. Added a show shirt. Now she’s shipping to 12 states.
No massive upfront investment. No unsold stock. Just smart, agile growth.
And we made it possible because we don’t treat small orders like charity. We treat them like the future.
Check out our Small Seller Support Program — it’s built for people who want to grow without gambling.
The Sample Is Everything
I don’t care how good the photos look. You must get a sample.
Not a “similar style.” Not a digital mockup. A real, physical, wear-it-yourself sample.
Because photos lie. Colors shift. Fit is everything.
We make fitting samples for every client — even for small orders. Takes about a week. Costs a little. But it’s the only way to know if the waistband digs in, if the fabric sticks to sweaty skin, if the zipper feels cheap.
One client skipped the sample. Big mistake. Ordered 100 show jackets. When they arrived, the collar stood up like a peacock. Unwearable. Had to rework the entire batch.
Don’t be that person.
We walk you through the whole process in our Turn Idea into Real Sportswear guide — it’s not magic. It’s method.
Trends Aren’t Just About Looks — They’re About Function
Let’s talk about what’s actually selling in 2024.
It’s not just navy and black.
It’s earthy tones — olive, rust, deep sage. It’s athleisure cuts — high-waisted, cropped, seamless. It’s gender-neutral fits — because not every rider wants a “feminine” silhouette. It’s eco-conscious fabrics — recycled polyester, Tencel blends, biodegradable trims.
Riders today aren’t just competitors. They’re influencers. They’re lifestyle buyers. They want gear that works in the saddle and at the coffee shop.
And they care about sustainability. Not as a buzzword. As a value.
We’ve seen a 40% increase in demand for GRS-certified recycled fabrics this year alone. Not because they’re cheaper. Because riders are asking for them.
One brand in Germany rebuilt their entire line with eco-performance fabric. Sales went up 60%. Not because it was “green.” Because it performed better — lighter, softer, more durable.
That’s the future.
If your supplier isn’t offering sustainable options, they’re not future-proof.
We’ve got a full breakdown in our fabric guide — including which blends actually work for riding.
Customization Is the New Standard
You don’t need to be Nike to have custom gear.
Today, even small brands can offer:
- Custom colors
- Branded waistbands
- Embroidered logos
- Unique stitching patterns
- Personalized packaging
And riders notice.
One of our clients added a subtle logo stamp inside the cuff of their breeches. Customers started posting about it on Instagram. “Love the little details.” Free marketing.
Customization isn’t a luxury. It’s a differentiator.
And at Fexwear, we don’t charge extra for it. Because in 2024, it’s expected.
Whether you’re doing OEM or ODM, we make it easy. Check out our private label services — we handle everything from label design to packaging.
The Last Thing Nobody Tells You: Delivery Is a Lie Until It’s Not
“Estimated delivery: 3–4 weeks.”
Then it’s 5. Then 6. Then “customs delay.”
Sound familiar?
Here’s the truth: shipping is part of the product.
If you miss a show season, a clinic, a launch date — you lose more than money. You lose trust.
We work with DHL, UPS, FedEx — not just for speed, but for reliability. And because we ship in volume, we get better rates. Pass that savings to you.
We also offer:
- Air shipping (5–7 days)
- Sea shipping (10–20 days, cheaper for bulk)
- Direct FBA shipping for Amazon sellers
And we don’t just ship. We track. Every step. You get updates. No black holes.
Because I’ve been on the other end. Waiting. Sweating. Knowing a client is about to go public with a launch that’s stuck in customs.
Never again.
We’ve got you covered — see our support for Shopify and Amazon sellers, including FBA-ready packaging.
Wrap-Up: Build Something That Lasts
Look, I’m not here to sell you a dream.
I’m here to tell you that building a real equestrian brand is hard. It’s messy. It’s full of delays, surprises, and moments where you wonder if it’s worth it.
But it’s also possible.
You don’t need millions. You don’t need connections. You don’t need to gamble on 500 units of something that might not sell.
You need:
- A supplier who answers the phone
- Fabric that performs, not just pretends
- A process that starts with a sample, not a leap of faith
- A partner who treats your small order like their most important one
That’s what we do at Fexwear.
We’re not the cheapest. We’re not the flashiest.
But we’re here. Every time.
And if you’re tired of being strung along by suppliers who don’t care — I get it.
Because I’ve been there too.
FAQs
Q: What’s your minimum order quantity?
A: We start at 30 pieces per design. No pressure to go big. Start small, grow smart.
Q: Can I customize the fit and fabric?
A: Absolutely. That’s the point. We’ll work with you on fit, fabric, colors, everything.
Q: Do you offer eco-friendly fabrics?
A: Yes. Recycled polyester, Tencel, organic cotton — all GRS or OEKO-TEX certified.
Q: How long does production take?
A: 6–8 weeks from sample approval. Rush options available.
Q: Can you ship to Amazon FBA?
A: Yep. We handle FBA-compliant packaging and labeling.
Q: What if the sample isn’t right?
A: We’ll fix it. No charge. Until it’s perfect.
Q: Do you help with design?
A: Yes — and it’s free. Just send us an idea or a photo.
Q: Are you only for big brands?
A: Hell no. We started by helping small sellers. That’s who we are.
Agree, disagree, or got a wild story? Let’s hear it.