Know you Merchandise- Dress Shirt

A Shirt ( also called in US as dress shirt) is a garment with a collar,sleeves with cuffs and full vertical opening with buttons or snaps ( Wikipedia).

Anatomy of Shirt

An amazing website to learn the anatomy of shirt is here. I am reproducing a part of the images from that site.

Collars: Source

Cuffs: Source

Fibers

Mens shirts are available in 100% cotton, Polyester/cotton (6.5-7.5$), 100% silk, Spandax/cotton, 100%  organic cotton, Spandex polyester and 100% polyester.  They are also available in viscose/cotton blend.  

Features of Fabrics

The USP of fabric on which they are sold at can be anti-wrinkle, anti-shrink, breathable, anti-pilling, Eco-Friendly and quick dry. 

Styles

Mostly they are available in Long sleeve and short sleeve. 

Source

The important producing contries are China, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. 

Surface Techniques/Design Features

They can be yarn dyed, plain dyed, printed, tye-dyed, washed, embroidered (Embroidered shirt on 100% cotton  is available for 14-16$ per piece at an MOQ of 1500 pcs), garment dyed or even beaded. 

Fabrics

They are availble in solid colors, stripes or plaids. Important fabrics are broadcloth( A popular fabric 40 x 40, 133 x 72, 100% Cotton - yarn dyed Shirts available at 5-7$ at a moq of 800 pcs), poplin, dobby, twill, herringbone, flannel, valour and batik. Men's oxford is generally made of CVC ( Chief Value Cotton - 60/40 Cotton polyester), 108 x 58, 100D x 32s/2(100% Cotton)

Seasons

They are available for all four seasons. They are available in S, M, L , XL or XXL

Fits


Shirts are available in three different fits: Comfort fits: wider fits for comfort, Classic Fit: traditional fit and  Slim Fit: it sits close to the body.

You can have a look at different shirts here.

Know Your Merchandise- Bathrobes

This is the First of the series that I plan to bring about for the benefit of students, who are preparing for entering into such industries. It would also give a brief overview of the overall category. 

These are mainly used in the hotel industry. A bathrobe is usually made from toweling or other absorbent textile, and may be donned while the wearer's body is wet, serving both as a towel and an informal garment.

The common Types are as follows:

1. Organic Bathrobes: These are made of premium range of organic cotton. These are suitable for both the genders. 

2. Terry Bathrobes: Most of the bathrobes are terry bathrobes. Made of 100% cotton these can be plain dyed and are available in various sizes such as M, L XL or XXL. Their supply price is 5-10$ FOB. These can be made of bath towel, with rectangular shape. These can be woven in jacquard if design is offered. Common yarns used are 21s, 16s and 32s. The weight varies from 380gsm to 700gsm. Sizes are normally 70cm x 140cm, 50cm x 100cm, 40cm x 60cm and 30cm x 50cm. Normally they are available in the packings of 12pcs/bag, 48pcs/carton or any other customised order. Some amazing pictures are available here and here.

3. Waffle Bathrobes. These are made of 100% cotton waffle. These are breathable and quick dry. These are available in various sizes such as S, M, L , XL or XXL. To know more about waffle weave, you can click  here

4. Dobby Bathrobes: These are made of 100% cotton, Quick dry and made of dobby fabric. The yarn is ring spun of 16s made pile for soft feel and 2x20 ring spun yarn for ground or base to give strength. Available in all sizes, they have weight from 350 to 500 GSM. These are available in many colors. Availble in 5-10$ per piece of production. These are wrinkle free, durable and colorfast. 

5. Baby Bathrobe: These are also offered in organic cotton. These can be made of very soft knitted terry. Usually they are with hood. These are also offered in 100% polyester in fleece quality. These are also availabe with contrast piping. Take a look here and here

6. Valour Bathrobe: Velour or velours is a plush, knitted fabric or textile. Velour is a knitted fabric, allowing it to stretch. It combines the stretchy properties of knits such as spandex with the rich appearance and feel of velvet. 

Styles of Bathrobes

These are available in Kimono style, Shawl collar, hooded, luxury, zipper and wrap. . 

Know more here

Market

Welspun is the largest manufacturer of Terry Towel in the country. They sold 313,000 units of Bathrobes in FYI 2010-11

You can view a complete catalog of bathrobes here. A very nice catalog is also displayed here. One size chart can be seen here.

This is an interesting article describing how hotels deal with bathrobes.