Want to Start a Clothing Brand? 8 Traits You Need to Avoid Failure

Starting a fashion business is an exciting journey, but it’s not for everyone. While passion and creativity are essential, there are certain traits that can make it difficult to succeed in this competitive industry. If you identify with any of the following, you may want to work on developing the necessary skills before diving in.

1. You Have a Get-Rich-Quick Mindset

The fashion industry is not a shortcut to overnight wealth. Success sometimes requires years of dedication, patience, and strategic planning. If you're looking for instant profits, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Many emerging designers invest thousands into their first collection, expecting immediate sales. But without brand awareness, marketing, and the right retail partners, those pieces can sit unsold for months. Fashion is a long game—designers like Kate Spade and Tommy Hilfiger spent years building their reputations before seeing real financial success.

2. You Lack Resilience

Rejection, setbacks, and unexpected challenges are part of the journey. If you’re not prepared to bounce back from failure and keep pushing forward, building a sustainable fashion business will be difficult.

​Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, encountered significant challenges in her journey to retail success. After developing her shapewear concept, she faced initial rejection from numerous hosiery manufacturers who were accustomed to dealing with established companies. Undeterred, Blakely persisted and eventually secured support from a mill operator in Asheboro, North Carolina.

Blakely's resilience was further tested as she approached major retailers. She personally demonstrated her product to buyers, notably changing into the shapewear in Neiman Marcus's restroom to showcase its effectiveness. Her determination paid off when Neiman Marcus agreed to stock Spanx products, followed by other prestigious retailers like Bloomingdale's, Saks, and Bergdorf Goodman. ​ 

Her story exemplifies how initial rejections can be transformed into opportunities through resilience. 

3. You Don't Have a Strong "Why"

Passion fuels persistence. If you don’t have a clear purpose behind your brand, it will be challenging to stay motivated when things get tough. Knowing your "why" helps you navigate obstacles with a long-term vision.

If your reason for starting a brand is simply "to make money," you’ll likely lose motivation when challenges arise. In contrast, a designer passionate about sustainability will push through obstacles because they believe in their mission. Patagonia, for instance, built its brand around environmental responsibility, which continues to drive its success

4. You’re Afraid of Hard Work and Risk

Launching and growing a fashion business requires more than just creativity—it takes long hours, financial risk, and continuous learning. If you’re not ready to put in the effort or step outside your comfort zone, you may struggle to succeed.

Many designers dream of seeing their clothes on celebrities or in top retailers, but they underestimate the effort required—finding manufacturers, negotiating with retailers, fulfilling orders, and managing marketing. Even luxury brands like Gucci were once small operations that required years of behind-the-scenes hard work.

5. You Can’t Handle Criticism

From customer reviews to retailer feedback, constructive criticism is a vital part of growth. If you take critiques personally instead of using them as a tool for improvement, you may find it hard to evolve and scale your brand.

A boutique owner might tell you that your designs are too expensive for their customer base, or a buyer might say your quality needs improvement. Instead of feeling discouraged, successful designers take this feedback, make adjustments, and improve their offerings. Even brands like Nike have pivoted designs based on athlete feedback.

6. You Struggle with Adaptability

Trends, technology, and consumer preferences are constantly changing. If you resist adapting to new industry shifts or refuse to pivot when needed, your brand risks becoming obsolete.

Abercrombie & Fitch, once known for its exclusive and controversial image, has successfully reinvented itself . The company has embraced inclusivity and community-focused values, evident in their diverse product range that caters to various sizes and promotes body positivity. They've diversified offerings to include blazers, suits, dresses, and activewear, meeting the evolving needs of modern consumers.

Financially, Abercrombie & Fitch has experienced significant growth. In 2023, the company's stock surged by 285%, making it one of the top performers on the S&P Index. They reported $1 billion in first-quarter sales, marking the best start to a year in the company's history and moving towards their goal of $5 billion in annual sales.

This transformation underscores the necessity for fashion brands to remain agile and evolving consumer preferences to sustain success in a competitive market.

7. You Resist Market Demand

While creativity is important, fashion is also a business. If you’re unwilling to consider market trends, customer needs, or retail expectations, your designs may not translate into sales.

A designer may love creating avant-garde pieces, but if their target market is everyday consumers, they need to balance creativity with wearability. Even high-fashion brands like Balenciaga adjust their collections to include commercially viable pieces alongside their more artistic designs.

8. You’re Not Willing to Learn

Successful fashion entrepreneurs continually educate themselves on business strategies, marketing, and retail operations. If you believe you already know everything or resist learning new skills, your business growth will be limited.

Conclusion

If any of these traits resonate with you, it doesn’t mean you can’t succeed—it just means you may need to shift your mindset or develop new skills. The fashion business isn’t easy, but for those who are willing to learn, adapt, and put in the work, the rewards can be incredible.

At Make Good Fashion, we’re here to guide you through the ups and downs of building a fashion business. If you’re ready to stop holding back and start investing in your brand’s future, we’ve got the tools and support you need. Start by joining our free online workshop on how to increase your brand revenue with retail partnerships! Click here to join!