We’ve noted a shift recently in the way a lot of our favourite brands are operating - using a made to order approach in order to minimise waste and avoid over-production and sales. It’s refreshing to see brands slowing the manufacturing process back down to something that is the antithesis to the rails of excess clothing and endless sales we associate with the fast fashion industry.
Thanks to cheap prices and next-day delivery, we’ve quickly become disassociated with how our clothes are made and where they come from. Whilst made to order means having to wait for your purchase to be made (usually 2-3 weeks depending on the brand) this forces us to appreciate the time and skill that has gone into creating a garment that’s been made to last, not made to fall apart after 5 washes.
Because the item is made after you place your order, lots of brands will offer slight adjustments to their standard sizing meaning you can essentially tailor a garment to your specific requirements. We often overestimate the importance of fit but when something really fits you properly, chances are you’ll enjoy wearing it more and it will sit in your wardrobe for far longer. Cawley Studios pieces are made to order, and delivered within 4 weeks, and will accept made to measure requests. All That is Braw can accommodate adjustments to the length or size of their options and invite customers to email them with any queries and requirements. Lemeul MC also make pieces to specific measurements as well as offering bespoke creations and repairs for life.
East London brand AK Threads have recently switched to a ‘Made to Order’ production method in order to keep waste to a minimum. Each piece is hand made in by FabricWorks, a Female enterprise studio in Limehouse, East London with direct income going to the females at an hourly London living wage. Each piece takes 3 weeks to be made and shipped.
Not only does it make the experience of purchasing an item that bit more special, knowing it’s been created especially for you, made to order production allows small businesses to avoid the overheads of overestimating demand and potentially having to reduce prices in order to clear stock.
So next time you need to add to your wardrobe, why not consider supporting small scale made to order production from one of these brilliant brands. We’ve included them below so you can get to know them more easily.
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