Starting a clothing business comes with many decisions—but one of the biggest is how you’ll get and sell your products. Two common models are dropshipping and wholesale. Both can work well, but they have big differences in cost, control, and risk.
Here’s a simple breakdown to help you choose the model that fits your brand.
What is Dropshipping?
With dropshipping, you don’t keep any products in stock. Instead, when a customer buys from your online store, you forward the order to your supplier, who ships the item directly to the customer.
You focus on:
- Designing your store
- Choosing and listing clothing
- Marketing and customer service
Your supplier handles the rest: inventory, packing, and shipping.
What is Wholesale?
Wholesale means you buy clothing in bulk, store it yourself (or through a fulfillment service), and ship it to customers after they buy.
You need to:
- Pay upfront for products
- Store inventory somewhere
- Handle packing and shipping
Wholesale gives you more control, but also more costs and responsibility.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Dropshipping | Wholesale |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Very low (no inventory to buy) | High (you buy stock in bulk) |
| Inventory Risk | None | You may get stuck with unsold products |
| Storage | Not needed | You need warehouse space or a service |
| Shipping | Supplier ships for you | You handle shipping (or pay for service) |
| Profit Margin | Lower, but safer | Higher, but riskier |
| Product Control | Limited | Full control over quality and packaging |
| Scalability | Easy to scale | Harder to scale quickly |
Why Many Clothing Startups Choose Dropshipping First
If you’re just starting out, dropshipping offers an easy way to test products and designs without buying inventory. It lets you test styles and niches without paying for inventory upfront—you only pay after you make a sale.
For example:
- Try trendy streetwear for Gen Z
- List size-inclusive basics
- Test custom-printed designs (POD)
There’s no need to stock every size or color—just list the variants, and your supplier handles the rest. And if something doesn’t sell, just remove it from your store—no loss.
When Wholesale might Make Sense
Wholesale may be better after you’ve validated your products and know what sells.
It works well if:
- You run a local boutique or pop-up store
- You want full control over packaging, shipping speed, or garment feel
- You already have storage space or use a 3PL
Buying in bulk also gives higher margins—but you carry the risk if items don’t sell.
How EPROLO Supports Both Models—Without the Stress
EPROLO is a free platform that helps you start, grow, and scale your clothing brand with minimum cost. Whether you prefer dropshipping or wholesale, you can build your store with less work and more flexibility.
Here’s how:
For Dropshipping:
- No subscription fees or platform costs
- Choose from thousands of trendy clothing products
- Auto-fulfill orders with direct shipping to your customers
- Use Print-on-Demand (POD) to create custom designs
- Track orders easily, no storage or packing needed
For Branded Wholesale:
- Buy clothing in bulk with custom labels and tags
- Build your own private label line through EPROLO Branding Project
- Access a trusted supply chain with fast production and delivery
- Get help with logo printing, packaging, and brand design
You can even start with dropshipping, and switch to wholesale later once your bestsellers are clear.
So…Which One Is Right for You?
Here’s a simple way to decide:
| If you want to… | Go with… |
|---|---|
| Start fast with low risk | Dropshipping |
| Test new styles or audiences | Dropshipping |
| Build a brand slowly and scale as you learn | Dropshipping |
| Offer higher-end packaging and full control | Wholesale |
| Buy in bulk for physical stores or events | Wholesale |
| Maximize profit margin (and accept more risk) | Wholesale |
Both paths can lead to success—but choosing the right one for where you are now is key.
Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Choose Just One
You don’t have to commit forever. Many EPROLO users start with dropshipping, grow a loyal customer base, and then shift to wholesale for their top-selling designs.
Curious about doing both? With EPROLO, it’s easy to combine models as your business grows. Build a smart, flexible clothing brand that fits your goals—not someone else’s rules.
FAQs about Dropshipping and Wholesale
Q1. Can I switch from dropshipping to wholesale later?
Yes, and many successful clothing sellers do just that. Dropshipping is great for testing designs and understanding what your audience likes. Once you know which products sell well, you can switch to wholesale to get better profit margins and more control.
Q2. Which model gives me more control over packaging and branding?
Wholesale gives you full control over packaging, labeling, and even how the product is folded or tagged. Dropshipping gives you less control because the supplier handles fulfillment. However, with EPROLO’s branding services, even dropshipping sellers can offer custom labels and packaging, giving your brand a more professional look.
Q3. What if I receive a lot of returns—does dropshipping or wholesale handle that better?
With dropshipping, return policies depend on the supplier. EPROLO, for example, offers a 7-day no-questions-asked return policy for apparel, which protects your customers and your store’s reputation. In wholesale, you manage returns yourself, so it takes more time and resources but gives you full decision-making power.
Q4. Can I do both dropshipping and wholesale in the same store?
Yes, it’s possible—and often smart. You can dropship most products while holding wholesale stock of your bestsellers. This gives you speed and flexibility.
