What should a first bundle look like?
Twenty pieces, weighted towards what sells everywhere: roughly half jackets — Detroits and Active Jacs in brown and black — a quarter double knees and carpenters, and the rest shorts or tees depending on season. Mixed sizes with the middle of the range heaviest. It is a test, so keep it broad.
How do I set the colour mix?
Half Carhartt brown and black, then moss, navy and the faded tans, with one or two scarce colours as the standout pieces. Brown and black move fastest in every market; the rest are what make a rail interesting.
Which sizes?
For jackets, medium and large heaviest, then small and XL. For pants, 32 to 36 waist. Measure your own customers if you have sales data; otherwise this spread covers most Western markets. Korea and Japan skew smaller.
How does season change the brief?
Autumn and winter bundles: lined jackets, lined pants, henleys, K126s. Spring and summer: shorts, K87s, unlined jackets, cropped pieces. Order six to eight weeks ahead of the season to allow for freight.
What grade should I ask for?
Mostly Grade A source fabric for a retail rail, with a few Grade B pieces carrying visible repairs for the rework-minded buyer. Tell the supplier your mix; a good one will send you photos of every piece before you commit.
How do I use the first order to improve the second?
Track sell-through by category, colour and size for four to six weeks. Whatever sold out, double; whatever sat, halve. Then set a standing monthly brief — that is where per-piece pricing improves and where the supplier can hold stock for you.
We grade 97 pieces by these rules
Everything written here comes from grading and reworking Carhartt every day. Browse what's in now, or message us and we'll send photos and measurements of anything.