The wholesale fashion industry has undergone significant change. The days of sourcing only taking place at packed trade shows are long gone. The most prosperous boutique owners nowadays create an adaptable, online-first supplier network.
This guide explains how to deal with that new reality, providing you with a list of the best wholesale clothing suppliers and a realistic plan of action to create a sourcing strategy that suits your company.
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Marketplaces vs Direct Wholesale Clothing Suppliers
It helps to know what kinds of online wholesalers you will be dealing with before you click. Each has a specific function in your sourcing plan:
- B2B Marketplaces: Imagine these as a virtual trade show floor. They compile thousands of brands in one location, ranging from well-known vendors to independent labels. They’re excellent for finding new products, identifying patterns, and combining orders from several brands into one package. Examples include FashionGo and Faire.
- Direct Wholesalers: Direct wholesalers are distributors or brands that you purchase directly from. Although their selection is more limited and carefully chosen, you frequently receive quicker shipping, a larger selection, and more individualized attention in exchange. Tasha Apparel and AS Colour are prime examples.
- Global Sourcing Platforms: These platforms, like Alibaba, connect you directly with factories. This is where you go for private label, custom designs, or very low-cost blanks. This channel requires more due diligence but offers the highest potential for margin.
Top Online Wholesale Clothing Suppliers for 2025: A Global Shortlist
To make your sourcing easier, let’s examine the major players influencing the market this year, broken down by region.
North America (US & Canada)
Traditional trade shows like LA Showroom, which recently closed, have been largely replaced by thriving online marketplaces.
- FashionGo (US): The industry standard for LA fashion. If you’re a women’s boutique looking for fast-fashion newness, frequent drops, and a massive variety of vendors, this is your starting point. It’s a digital version of the LA fashion district, complete with live streams and online trade events.
- OrangeShine (US): Another powerful LA-focused marketplace that serves as a one-stop store for women’s beauty and accessories. If you require both breadth and a steady stream of new products, this platform is excellent.
- Tasha Apparel (US): A reliable, direct wholesaler for fast-fashion trends. They’ve been around since 2005 and are known for same-day shipping and the ability to buy open packs, which is a huge win for small boutiques.
- S&S Activewear (Canada): For basics and blanks, S&S Activewear (Canada) is a great choice. They are crucial for companies that customize clothing, such as screen printers or companies that sell logo merchandise, and they have distribution centers all over Canada.
UK & Europe
Europe offers a mix of occasionwear specialists and premium branded goods distributors.
- City Goddess (UK): A leader in occasionwear and dresses. If your boutique caters to events, proms, or special nights out, City Goddess offers high-turn styles and a dedicated account manager to assist with your buys.
- Brandsdistribution (Italy/EU): A must-know if you sell branded or luxury goods. This established platform distributes over 120 Italian and international designer brands, offering an authenticated B2B channel for premium inventory.
Australia & New Zealand
For businesses in ANZ, sourcing locally can save a lot of time and money on freight and duties.
- AS Colour (NZ/AU): A cult favorite for premium blanks. Their wholesale tiers are ideal for everything from screen printing to basic minimalist fashion and are renowned for their ethical manufacturing practices and superior fit and fabric. Despite being a global player, they are well-established in this area.
- Whola (Australia): A marketplace that combines regional fashion and lifestyle brands exclusively in Australia. I It’s an excellent platform for ANZ buyers who want to support local designers and simplify logistics by avoiding long-haul imports.
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Your Sourcing Plan: Due Diligence & Logistics
Having a list of suppliers is only half the battle. A successful sourcing strategy involves careful planning.
Create Your Vendor Mix
Don’t rely on a single supplier. The best strategy is to mix and match:
- Start with a Marketplace: Use a large marketplace like FashionGo or Faire for discovery and to test new product categories.
- Add a Direct Wholesaler: Once you find what sells, add a direct partner like Tasha Apparel for faster reorders and lower shipping costs on top-performing items.
- Use a Blank Supplier: If you sell any custom merchandise or athleisure, add a partner like AS Colour or S&S Activewear to your list to get quality blanks without paying huge import fees.
The Due Diligence Checklist
Before you place your first big order, get these details confirmed in writing.
- MOQ and Sizing: Ask about the per-style Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) and whether packs are “open” (you choose the sizes) or “ratioed” (a fixed mix of S-M-L).
- Fabric and Care: Inquire about the fabric blend and suggested maintenance guidelines.
- Image Rights: Verify that you have permission to use the supplier’s photos on your website or social media accounts.
- Compliance: This is critical. You must keep an eye out for country of origin regulations and fiber labeling in the US. Verify that products for the UK/EU have the appropriate CE/UKCA markings and adhere to REACH regulations.
- Freight Math: Examine the differences in price between large-scale imports and domestic shipping. To determine the actual landed cost, include brokerage fees, taxes (VAT/GST), and duties.
- Returns Policy: Get the defect window and the return process in writing. Start with a small test buy to check the quality and returns process before you commit to a major order.
Ready to impress your B2B customers? Start wholesaling like a pro! 🙂
Try our Wholesale Pricing Discount app for free !
Trusted by over 15,000 Shopify merchants
Final Summary
The focus of online wholesale clothing sourcing has shifted from traditional trade shows to creating a flexible, digital network. Using a variety of suppliers is the best approach. For trend-spotting and product discovery, you should begin with sizable online marketplaces such as FashionGo or Faire. Then, include a direct wholesaler for quick restocks on your best-selling items. Then, for fast restocks on your best-selling items, add a direct wholesaler. Lastly, collaborate with a blank clothing supplier for custom designs or luxury basics.
Always check the fabric content and sizing, get your return policy in writing, and confirm the MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) before placing a large order. Understanding regional laws, such as those governing fiber labeling in the US and CE/UKCA markings in Europe, is also crucial.
FAQs for Wholesale Buyers
What are “Net 60” terms and why are they important?
Net 60 is a payment term that means you have 60 days from the invoice date to pay for your order. Platforms like Faire offer this to qualified buyers. This is a huge benefit for small businesses because it improves your cash flow. You can receive, sell, and even make a profit on inventory before you have to pay for it.
Can I use a single supplier for all my inventory?
It’s not the best approach, despite its convenience. Relying on a single supplier exposes your company to risk in the event of a price increase or stock problem. You can lower your risk, safeguard your margins, and guarantee that you always have access to a large variety of products by diversifying and combining your suppliers.
How do I know if an international supplier from Alibaba is trustworthy?
Always start by checking for a Gold Supplier badge and Trade Assurance. Ask for product photos, factory photos, and certification documents. More importantly, order samples! You can’t verify quality or fit from a photo alone. Start with a very small pilot order to test their process from start to finish.
What should I do if my first order has defects?
Immediately contact your supplier with photos of the defects. Most reputable wholesalers have a clear policy for handling Defective on Arrival (DOA) products. Be prepared to provide photos and be clear about whether you want a credit or a replacement.
I want to sell my own custom designs. Where do I start?
Source your blanks from a quality-focused supplier like AS Colour or S&S Activewear, and work with a local decorator (screen printer, embroiderer). For more complex cut-and-sew projects, start with factories on Alibaba. Create a detailed tech pack with all your specifications and start with a very small pilot run (the lowest MOQ they will do) to test the quality before you commit to a full production run.
