The Journey of Designing an Allmade Shirt
Designing a new Allmade shirt—or any product for that matter—is an intricate process, but it all begins with identifying the gaps in the market. Our focus is always on what Allmade stands for and how it connects with you, the customer. While it’s easy to get lost in the aesthetics, the design process often starts with one of the most fundamental elements—fabric.
Beyond Fabric: The Full Story of Allmade
Allmade isn’t just about making great shirts; it’s about telling a complete story. Fabric plays a huge role in that, but just as important are the ethical and social aspects of production. We’re transparent about where we manufacture and the social impact of our factories. If a factory isn’t doing something positive for the community, it’s a no-go for us. Customers fall in love with not only the fabric and design but also the integrity behind the production process.
Learn more about Allmade manufacturing and factories here.
Establishing the Perfect Fit
When we first partnered with our wholesale supplier, SanMar, one of our main goals was to standardize the fit across the brand. We started by perfecting the fit of our basic tri-blend tees, which are the core of our product line. Standardizing the Unisex fit came easily, but the Women’s fit took more work. That’s how the AL2015 Women’s Relaxed Tri-blend Scoop Neck Tee—also known as the “Unicorn Tee”—came to life. We designed it with a relaxed, universal fit that would flatter all body types, staying true to Allmade’s inclusive ethos. This shirt, in particular, has quickly become one of our top-selling women’s styles.
The Importance of Fit and Market Research
When it comes to fit, we don’t leave anything to chance. We take a data-driven approach to ensure that our products fit as many body types as possible. To perfect the fit of each garment, we use advanced body forms from Alvanon. These forms are incredibly precise, taking into account everything from regional differences in body types to subtle variations in measurements. Using these forms ensures that our designs fit real people comfortably, even if they gain or lose a few pounds.
Color Trends and Global Events
Color is another key aspect of design, and SanMar has been tracking color trends for over two decades. The colors people gravitate toward often reflect the mood of the world. For example, during COVID-19, we saw a shift towards softer, more reflective colors as people turned inward and sought comfort. These trends aren’t just about fashion; they’re influenced by everything from global events to political climates. For instance, pink became a massive trend thanks to the Barbie movie, and election years often see a spike in sales of red, royal blue, and white garments.
Challenges in Sustainable Design
One of the biggest challenges we face is balancing sustainability with practicality. We’re always striving to use more recycled materials, but sometimes those materials don’t perform as well as traditional ones. However, sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Even if we can’t achieve 100% eco-friendly materials in every product, we always aim to do better than before.
Another challenge is maintaining high standards in both product quality and social responsibility. Allmade is a brand built by decorators for decorators, so there’s a high bar for everything from dye migration to printability, and so a priority of ours is to take action on customer feedback and constantly improve.
What Makes a Successful Allmade Product?
At the end of the day, the success of an Allmade product comes down to three key factors: social responsibility, sustainability, and what’s happening and/or what’s needed in the market. We strive to create products that meet the highest standards in all three areas while still offering a great product for you!!
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