Following the ever-changing fashion industry, people can look at your product's features on a website and place an order if they like it. It’s easier to push your sale with just simple clicks. This sounds great in theory, but the downside for fashion owners is that this means literally tons of returns and refunds to process – which has a negative impact on profits.

It is estimated that between 15% and 40% of apparel online sales are sent back as returns. A customer will judge an online purchase based on fit, size, texture, color and quality. Therefore good fit and finish are becoming increasingly important in manufacturing. 

What is garment fitting?

A fit session is a meeting between the designer and technical team where they assess the fit of a collection.

A ‘fit’ model is a representative of the target customer in regards to size and shape, and is present to try the clothes on. The designer will make comments on the overall look of the garments. 

At these meetings, the pattern cutter will be on hand to make adjustments to the garments and to confirm approvals.

6 steps of the garment fit process:

To ensure a perfect fitting session, it is important to ensure the following steps:

1. Standardize & sign off fit blocks: Fit blocks are the foundation pattern for any stylized garment pattern. Before sampling, your factory must develop the fit blocks, which have all of the critical measurements for a perfect fit, then have them signed off by a fit technician, and keep them ready. Moreover, fit blocks can be reused season after season, speeding up and streamlining the fit sampling process.

2. Receive a fit sample: Typically, a factory will send to you a techpack containing related style details such as size ( XS, S, M, L, XL, etc…), sample type (fit/proto/pp, etc.),  category (Mens/ Womens/ Kids), etc. Make sure that all specifications on yours and factory’s specifications are correctly matched.

3. Review the fit sample: This is to ensure that you are measuring the sample in accordance with the desired style details and to double-check that no important point of measurement was overlooked in the spec sheet. Place the sample flat on a large table, grab a measuring tape, and record all of the sample's measurements in your tech pack, then compare these values for each point of measurement, calculate the differences, and record them again.

4. Conduct a fit trial: A fit trial is a first fitting where the item of clothing is tried on a mannequin or dress form. Place the sample on the suitable form size so that it may be tested. Examine and identify the fundamental problems and causes of them, including construction, pattern, specs, and design adjustments .

5. Conduct a fit session: When done on a fit model, you will have to conduct this section to have a more comprehensive view of fit. Which means you test the products in a tangible manner. 

During testing, it’s needed to request that the fit model sit, stand, and walk/lift hands and legs to check the overall fit, ease of body movement, and look and fall of the garment. If the ensemble consists of two parts, fit the top first and the skirt last. This will help your team and note-taker avoid any confusion.

6. Share review comments and feedback: Finally, as a technical designer or product developer, you will go over the changes and record your thoughts as comments and sign-off.  All the sketches must be updated in accordance with the new specifications in the techpack. The spec sheet must reflect all measurement changes.

However, the first time a garment is evaluated for fit is also the first time the team sees the design concept as a finished garment in the correct fabrication and on a live model. Inevitably, all team members will have their own opinions to share so it’s important to be prepared for changes to the product other than those pertaining to just fit and finish.

The Finishing Complete Process

Garment finishing plays a crucial role in ensuring buyer satisfaction. It encompasses essential tasks such as pressing, folding, and packing of garments. After the sewing department, products are forwarded to the finishing department, where several key functions are carried out:

1. Trimming: This involves removing excess hanging threads from the finished garments to achieve a clean appearance.

2. Stain Removal: The department uses various wetting agents to eliminate stains that may have occurred during production.

3. Repairing: Checkers also check for stitching defects in seams, fabric defects in the garment and any other kind of defects that need to be repaired. So, at this stage, checkers segregate the defective garments and defective garments are sent to the repair section.

4. Pressing: Garments undergo pressing to eliminate wrinkles, enhancing their overall appearance and appeal. Depending on the product and production volume, the right pressing equipment is used.

5. Final garment checking: The pressed garments are rechecked for measurement and visual inspection. Shade variation, correct labeling of size, and content labels are checked in this stage. Any faulty garment detected at this stage is sent back for repair.

Effective garment finishing at every stage ensures that products meet quality standards and exceed customer expectations, reflecting the commitment to excellence at every step of the manufacturing process. Once the garment is finished, the complete garment is ready to be checked by quality control and ready for end consumers.

Should you follow these tips for your production? 

• Don't Cut Corners: If you try to skip any step in the process, your product must suffer a lot. It's better to invest in a good quality garment than to try and save money by cutting corners, because you will end up with a garment that is of  lower quality.

• Take technical notes during every session: Provide a ‘Comments’ sheet for each style that is being assessed so that during the session, all amendments by the designer to the garments must be registered, then the faults will be adjusted according to the notes taken at the meeting or the order produced.

• Always be prepared: Keep pins, scissors, and a tape measure handy for quick adjustments or notes. Other items that may be useful include underwear and shoes for the model. For future fittings, remember to provide the same items so that inconsistencies do not occur.

• Communicate With Your Suppliers & Brands: During every meeting and session, may they have some useful information contributing to your production process. By nurturing your communication between parties, you can ensure that your garments are of the best possible quality.

Inflow - an utmost fit and finish clothing production for fashion brands

Ensuring precision in the fashion manufacturing process is key to achieving more profitable production. We cannot completely avoid the negative feedback in the details, but minimizing the faults is essential for fashion brands and manufacturers. Although fitting and finishing are just small steps during the whole production process, they play crucial roles in deciding how your products can satisfy your customer’s expectations and maintain the brand’s prestige.

At Inflow, we have a team full of years of experience in global fashion production and the know-how to get the most out of every garment. With low minimum quantities, our expert fashion production services can produce even small quantities without sacrificing quality, accommodating your budget to create the perfect garment for your brand.

From pre-production to final production quality controls, we take care of everything so that you can sweep away small worries and focus on running your business. We also have a wide range of contacts in the textile industry, meaning we can find the perfect materials to set your collection apart from the competition.

If you are ready to take your fashion production process to the next level, then we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with Inflow today  to discuss your next requirements.