MOQ by Garment Type: Real Minimums for Dresses, Tees, Denim & More
"Our MOQ is 100 pieces" sounds simple until you realize it means 100 per style, and that some garment types quietly demand far more. MOQ is set by fabric minimums, construction complexity, and trim setup — not by factory preference.
Here are realistic minimums by category, based on how each garment is actually made.
Realistic MOQ by Garment Type
| Garment | Typical MOQ / style | Why |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirt (basic knit) | 50-100 | Simple cut/sew, greige fabric flexible |
| Woven dress | 100-150 | More panels, lining, zippers |
| Knit dress / sweater | 150-300 | Yarn dye lots & machine setup |
| Denim jeans | 300-500 | Denim sold by the roll, wash lab fixed cost |
| Jackets / outerwear | 200-300 | Many components, lining, interlining |
| Swimwear | 100-200 | Specialized fabric, bonding |
| Lingerie | 150-300 | Delicate fabric, fit-critical |
Why Denim Demands More
Denim is woven in long, fixed-width rolls — a single style can consume a full roll before the factory breaks even on fabric. Plus, the wash (stone, enzyme, bleach) requires a lab setup that only pays off across volume. That's why jeans MOQs sit at 300-500 while a t-shirt starts at 50.
Why Knitwear Is Higher Than Woven
Sweaters are made on knitting machines programmed per style, and yarn is dyed in lots. Changing a color or style means re-programming and a new dye lot — both have minimums that push knit MOQs above simple cut-and-sew wovens.
The "Per Color" Trap
Some factories quote MOQ per color, not per style. A 100-piece MOQ at 2 colors may mean 100 of each — 200 total. Always ask: "Is that 100 per style, or 100 per color?"
Matching MOQ to Your Stage
- Testing a concept: start with t-shirts or woven dresses (lowest MOQ).
- Proven demand: move into denim or knitwear at their natural higher minimums — the volume justifies it.
- Mixed launch: pair 1-2 low-MOQ styles with 1 hero style to keep total commitment manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which garment has the lowest MOQ?
Basic knit t-shirts are usually the lowest at 50-100 pieces per style, because cutting and sewing are simple and fabric is flexible.
Why is denim MOQ so high?
Denim is bought by the roll and requires a wash-lab setup per style. Both have fixed minimums that only pay off at 300-500 pieces.
Can I get 50 pieces of a dress?
Often yes for a first order if you use in-stock fabric and skip custom dyeing. Expect a small setup fee rather than a flat refusal. Confirm the factory owns the sewing line before committing.