Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Haberdashery for a clothing brand is the set of elastics, tapes, cords, lace and other textile trims that recur across the collection and build a recognisable look. A new brand needs a small number of well-chosen articles: a standard base for the functional parts and 1–2 branded details, for example a logo elastic or a tape in the brand colour. This way the collection looks finished and costs stay under control.
Why haberdashery is part of the brand identity
Buyers notice haberdashery without thinking about it. A boxer waistband with a woven name, a sweatshirt cord with metal cord ends, a hanger loop in a contrasting colour – these are the details by which people recognise a brand even before they see the label. At the same time, poorly chosen haberdashery is a common cause of complaints: an elastic that slackens after a few washes, or a cord that fades faster than the fabric.
So the choice must start with function and only then move on to the look.
Haberdashery for a clothing brand by product type
| Product | Basic haberdashery | Branding option |
|---|---|---|
| Sweatshirts and hoodies | hood cord, elastic hem, neck tape | cord in the brand colour, logo cord ends |
| Sports bottoms | wide waistband elastic, cord, cuff elastic | elastic with a woven logo |
| Underwear and pyjamas | narrow knitted elastic, lace, straps | elastic with the brand name |
| Shirts and dresses | hanger loop tape, bias binding, lace | printed tape inside the collar |
| Jackets | herringbone tape, elastic binding, hook and loop | logo tape along the zip or the hanger loop |
| Accessories and bags | handle tapes, cords, hook and loop | woven patterned tape |
The functional base
Elastics
Decide which widths you will use across the whole collection and stick to them. For example 30–40 mm for waistbands, 10–15 mm for cuffs and 8–12 mm for underwear. Consistent widths simplify cutting and allow you to order larger quantities of one article. For softness in underwear and children's clothing knitted elastic is used, and for firmer waistbands woven elastic.
Cords
On hoodies and sportswear the cord is very visible. Choose a thickness that suits the eyelets of the style and check that the cord ends fit properly. Round or flat cords in the fabric colour or in contrast are the easiest way to give character to a basic style.
Tapes and bindings
Herringbone tape inside the collar, grosgrain ribbon on the waistband or a satin tie on pyjamas finish the product on the inside. Buyers in the premium segment pay attention precisely to the inner finishing.
Branded details
Not everything needs to carry a logo. A better approach is to choose one recurring element and make it to order:
- jacquard logo elastic – a classic on underwear, boxers and sports bottoms;
- printed tape – inside the collar or along the zip seam;
- cord in your own colour – matched by Pantone to the brand colour;
- a hanger loop tape with the name – a small but visible detail on shirts and jackets.
Branded haberdashery combines well with the brand's other carriers – a woven neck label, a cardboard hang tag and a metal logo plate. See how to combine them in the labels section.
How to plan haberdashery for the first collection
- Make a list by style. For each product, record the type of haberdashery, the width, the colour and the metres per piece.
- Consolidate recurring articles. If three styles use a 35 mm black elastic, that is one article with a total quantity.
- Define a palette. Haberdashery must go with all the fabric colours – sometimes tone on tone is more practical, sometimes a neutral contrast.
- Ask for samples. Sew a prototype and wash it several times to check shrinkage, colour and stretch.
- Order the branded details in good time. Custom articles require design and sample approval, so start with them.
Common mistakes of new brands
- too many different widths and colours, which make the order more expensive;
- choosing the cheapest waistband elastic, which loses its stretch;
- cords without a colourfastness check in washing;
- a logo on every detail, which overloads the look;
- ordering at the last minute, without time for a sample and a test.
Tests before the run
Before series sewing starts, check the haberdashery together with the fabric, not separately. The minimum set of checks is:
- shrinkage – wash the prototype according to the care symbols and compare the length of the elastic and tapes;
- colourfastness – especially with dark cords and tapes sewn next to a light fabric;
- elastic recovery – stretch the waistband repeatedly and see whether it returns to its original position;
- ironing – some synthetic tapes and laces do not tolerate high temperatures;
- comfort – the edges of tapes and laces must not scratch the skin.
Record the results in the tech pack. That way, with the next collection, you will know which articles have been tested and can be ordered directly.
What determines the price
The price of haberdashery for a brand depends on the material, width and density, the complexity of production (jacquard, print, plain), a special colour and the quantity. Branded articles also involve a one-off preparation – design, sample, sometimes machine set-up. Instead of guessing, send a request for a quote with the full list and you will receive a specific offer.
Polkom – haberdashery for clothing brands
Polkom is a Sofia-based manufacturer and wholesaler of garment accessories with over three decades of experience and more than 10,000 articles. In the haberdashery category you will find elastics, tapes, cords, lace and hook and loop, and to order we make articles with a logo and in your brand colour. We make samples quickly and deliver throughout the EU. Send the list of styles via the contact form and we will help you put together the haberdashery for the collection.
