Lingerie and underwear are close-to-skin goods where fit, fabric comfort and hygiene packaging drive returns and repeat sales. Bras in particular need a full size range and careful grading, so check sizing depth and sample quality before committing to stock.
UK wholesale apparel distributor with no minimum orders
Polish online wholesaler of women's clothing with no minimum order value
Polish fashion wholesaler with a REST API, product files and a Shopify app
German-registered supplier of blank promotional apparel for printers and wholesalers
UK supplier of own-brand and licensed nightwear, underwear, socks and hosiery
Bras are the hardest item in this category because they need both band and cup sizes, and the grading system differs between the UK, US, EU and other regions. Ask which system the supplier uses and request a size chart with measurements. A limited cup range leaves out customers and increases returns. Briefs, boxers, shapewear and loungewear use simpler letter sizes, but stretch and rise vary a lot between cuts, so measure samples. Men's underwear is largely a basics trade with steady reorders, while women's lingerie has a stronger fashion element.
Check fibre content, particularly in the gusset and lining. Cotton and modal are breathable, nylon and elastane give shape, and lace adds style but can irritate or snag. Look at seam placement, elastic quality, underwire casing, hook-and-eye fastenings and strap adjusters, which are the usual failure points. Wash a sample and check shrinkage, stretch recovery and colour bleeding, since light shades and lace are prone to defects. Underwire should not poke through after washing.
Underwear is typically non-returnable once opened for hygiene reasons in many shops, but consumer rules differ by market, so check what applies. Ask whether items are individually bagged and sealed with hygiene stickers, and whether any item sold as new has been opened or handled. This also affects what you can accept back from customers, so decide your own returns policy before buying.
Fibre content and care labels are required in many markets, and the rules vary by country. Chemical limits such as REACH apply in the EU to dyes, finishes and certain trims. Skin-contact items should be free of restricted substances, so ask for test reports, especially for coloured or printed items and for any product with antibacterial or compression claims.
Basics sell year-round. Lingerie peaks around gifting occasions and the winter holidays, with matching sets and nightwear especially strong. Order ahead of peaks. Suppliers often sell by pack with a set ratio of sizes, and bra size runs are weighted towards the commonly bought sizes, so ask for the ratio.
Margins and risk
Basics have steady margins; fashion lingerie has higher markups but more markdown risk when sizes do not sell. Branded lingerie is counterfeited, so ask for proof of authorised supply.
Questions to ask
Bras need band and cup size combinations and sizing systems differ between regions. Ask for a measurement chart and a wide size range, and expect more returns from poorly graded lines.
Many retailers refuse opened underwear for hygiene reasons, but consumer rules vary by market. Check your local rules and set a clear policy.
Look at elastic recovery, seam finish, underwire and fastenings, and wash it to test shrinkage and colour. Check the fibre content against the label.
Yes, popular brands are copied. Ask for proof of authorised supply and compare labels, packaging and stitching with genuine items.
WholesalersCatalog currently lists 5 suppliers for this search. Each profile shows a Trust Score, so you can see what has been checked before you get in touch.
The largest groups are in United Kingdom (2), Poland (2) and Germany (1).
Among suppliers that publish a minimum order, the lowest is no minimum and the median is no minimum. Minimums can vary by product, so confirm them with the supplier.
1 supplier here lists dropshipping (20% of this page).
Check the company registration and street address, ask for trade references and start with a sample or small order. Be careful with suppliers who only accept untraceable payment methods. The Trust Score on each profile shows which of these signals we could confirm.
