Garments are usually grouped in two ways. The first is by where and how they are worn: tops, mid-layers, bottoms, dresses and one-pieces, outerwear, underwear, sleep and loungewear, and activewear. The second is by how the fabric is made: knitted (jersey, rib, fleece, French terry) or woven (poplin, denim, twill). If you are building a clothing range, the second grouping matters as much as the first, because it decides which kind of factory can make the garment, how it fits and stretches, which tests make sense, and, for U.S. imports, which tariff chapter it falls under.
The main garment types and what they are used for
| Type | Common examples | Usual fabric | Main use | What to check when sourcing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tops | T-shirts, long sleeves, tank tops, polos; shirts and blouses | Knit for tees and polos; woven for shirts and blouses | Everyday wear, uniforms, merchandise | Fabric weight, neckline, shrinkage, print or embroidery method |
| Mid-layers | Hoodies, sweatshirts, cardigans, sweaters | Knit (fleece, French terry, sweater knits) | Warmth and layering, streetwear, team and company wear | Fabric weight and pilling, rib recovery, drawcord rules for children’s sizes |
| Bottoms | Joggers, shorts, leggings; trousers, chinos, jeans | Knit for joggers and leggings; woven for trousers and jeans | Casual, sport, work | Stretch and recovery, waistband, see-through risk on leggings |
| Dresses and one-pieces | Jersey dresses, jumpsuits, rompers | Knit or woven | Casual and occasion wear | Fit across sizes, lining, fabric drape |
| Outerwear | Jackets, coats, shells, gilets | Mostly woven, often with lining or fill | Weather protection | Seams, trims and zips, fill claims, care |
| Underwear | Briefs, boxer briefs, trunks, bras, undershirts | Mostly knit (cotton or modal with elastane, nylon or polyester blends) | Next-to-skin comfort and support | Waistband elastic, seams against the skin, colour fastness |
| Sleep and loungewear | Pajamas, nightshirts, robes, lounge sets | Knit or woven | Sleep and home | Flammability rules for children’s sleepwear, softness after washing |
| Activewear | Leggings, sports bras, compression tops, training tees | Knit, usually synthetic with elastane | Sport and exercise | Stretch and recovery, colour fastness to sweat, performance claims |
These groups overlap. A jersey jogger is both a bottom and loungewear, and a training tee is both a top and activewear. What matters is that you describe each style precisely when you ask for quotes.
Knitted or woven: why it matters
Knitted fabric is made of interlocking loops, so it stretches and recovers; woven fabric is made of yarns crossing at right angles, so it is more stable and stretches little unless elastane is added. This affects:
- Which factory you need. Knit garment factories and woven garment factories use different machines and skills. A range that mixes knit tees with woven shirts usually needs two suppliers.
- Fit and patterns. Knits can be cut closer to the body because they stretch; the pattern has to allow for that stretch.
- Tariff classification. In the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Chapter 61 covers apparel that is knitted or crocheted and Chapter 62 covers apparel that is not. The same style can fall in different headings depending on how its fabric is made, so describe the construction accurately (see who decides the HTS code).
- How the garment is made. Most knit tops and bottoms are cut and sewn from fabric; some sweaters are knitted to shape instead (see what cut and sew is).
How the garment type changes the rules and tests
Some requirements apply to almost all clothing; others depend on the type and on who will wear it. For the U.S. market, for example:
- Textile wearing apparel generally needs fibre content, country of origin and a dealer identity on the label under the FTC’s Textile Act rules (16 CFR Part 303), and a permanent care label under the Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 423).
- Clothing textiles must meet the general flammability standard in 16 CFR Part 1610. Raised-surface fabrics such as fleece deserve attention.
- Children’s sleepwear has its own, stricter flammability standards (16 CFR Parts 1615 and 1616, sizes up to 14); CPSC explains which garments count as sleepwear and which tight-fitting garments are exempt.
- Hood and neck drawstrings are not allowed on children’s upper outerwear in sizes 2T to 12, according to CPSC guidance, which affects children’s hoodies and jackets.
The tests worth paying for also follow the type: shrinkage and colour fastness for tees and underwear, pilling for fleece, stretch and recovery for leggings and compression wear. Other markets have their own rules, so check the requirements where you will sell.
Using garment types to plan a range
- List the types you want to sell and who will wear them (adults, children, athletes, staff).
- Group them by construction. Styles that share a fabric family and a factory, such as tees, hoodies and joggers in knit, are simpler and cheaper to develop together (see mixing sweatshirts and hoodies in one line).
- For each type, note the fabric, the decoration method, the tests and the labels it needs before you request quotes.
- Start with fewer types made well, then add types that can share suppliers and fabrics.
Knit garments at Knitwear Base
We make knitted garments: T-shirts, hoodies, underwear, loungewear and pajamas, compression wear and yoga wear. If your range also includes woven shirts, trousers or outerwear, you will need a woven supplier for those styles. Send your list of styles through our contact page, and see the Knitwear Talk section for specific fabric, fit and labelling questions.
FAQ
Is there a difference between garments, apparel and clothing?
In everyday use they mean much the same thing. In trade and customs documents, “apparel” and “articles of apparel” are the usual terms, and accessories such as scarves or gloves may be classified separately from garments.
Are T-shirts and hoodies knitted or woven?
Almost always knitted: tees are usually single jersey or interlock, and hoodies are usually fleece or French terry. Compare jersey and interlock in interlock or single jersey.
Sources and further reading
- USITC, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, Chapter 61: Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted
- USITC, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, Chapter 62: Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted
- eCFR, 16 CFR Part 303, Rules under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act
- eCFR, 16 CFR Part 423, Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel
- eCFR, 16 CFR Part 1610, Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles
- CPSC, Children’s Sleepwear (FAQ)
- CPSC, Drawstrings in Children’s Upper Outerwear
Rules and standards are summarised from their official pages for general guidance; this is not legal advice. Check the current version and the requirements of your own market before you rely on them.
