Online menswear store
Sell shirts, trousers and casual wear to men through your own website and social media.
- $1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
6,582 US businesses with employees in this field, +9.0% in a year
NAICS 448110 “Men's clothing stores”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
An online shop selling menswear such as shirts, chinos, jackets and accessories. You choose a style focus (for example workwear, big and tall, or casual basics), buy stock from wholesalers or small brands, and ship orders from home.
Your first three steps
- Pick a niche (such as tall sizes, work shirts or event wear) and compare what other online stores charge
- Apply for a wholesale account with two or three suppliers and order a small first batch of stock
- Set up a simple online store, take clear photos and test it with friends, local groups and a small social ad budget
Who pays
Men who prefer to shop online, and partners or relatives buying gifts, often within a style or size niche that big stores serve poorly.
How it makes money
You sell items for more than you paid wholesale. Margin per item covers shipping, returns, website fees and advertising, so a clear niche and low return rates matter.
Skills that help
- An eye for style and fit
- Basic product photography and listing writing
- Inventory tracking and order packing
- Social media marketing
Watch out for
- Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and collecting tax on online orders
- Returns are common with clothing, so set a clear returns policy and budget for the cost
- Unsold stock ties up cash, so start with small orders of each size
- Check your state or county for any business license needed, and HOA or lease rules if storing stock at home
- Read supplier terms on resale, brand names and any online pricing restrictions
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: online menswear store
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online menswear store?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how much stock you buy, how many styles and sizes you carry, and how you set up your website. Starting with small orders of each size helps limit tied-up cash.
How much can an online clothing store make?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on your niche, your stock range and how well you market through your site and social media. Budget for returns, which are common with clothing.
What rules should I check before selling clothing online?
Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and collecting tax on online orders, plus any state or county business license. If you store stock at home, check HOA or lease rules, and read supplier terms on resale, brand names and online pricing.
Other ways to run this business
Similar retail ideas
Online car accessories store
Sell car mats, covers, lights and cleaning kits online, focusing on one niche such as trucks or one car brand.
- $1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online knife and cutlery store
Sell a carefully chosen range of kitchen knives and tools to home cooks through your own website.
- $2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online botanica with pop-up stalls
Sell herbs, candles and devotional items online and at local markets and festivals, without paying for a shop lease.
- $2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online baseball gear store
Sell bats, gloves, helmets and team gear online to players and parents, shipped from home.
- $1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Irish goods festival and market stall
Sell Irish gifts and crafts from a tent or table at Irish festivals, parades, craft fairs and farmers markets.
- $2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online comic seller and con booth
Sell back issues, graphic novels and collectibles online and at local conventions, with no shop lease.
- $1k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Photo: fudowakira0 on Pixabay