Mike Apparel manufactures custom streetwear for Chicago brands with a 50-piece MOQ per design, a 2–3 weeks lead time and DDP delivery to Chicago in 4–6 days. Cut and sew, private label, in-house print, embroidery and wash, factory-direct from Sialkot.
Chicago has a long streetwear history from Wicker Park boutiques to South Side independents, and a climate that makes outerwear and heavyweight fleece the biggest categories. Brands here sell hoodies for nine months of the year.
What we do for Chicago streetwear labels
A Chicago brand needs a factory comfortable with ultra-heavy fleece and real winter outerwear at a 50-piece minimum, which most low-MOQ suppliers cannot do. We run 500 GSM fleece and synthetic-fill puffers as standard products and deliver DDP to O'Hare.
Every Chicago client gets a dedicated merchandiser, a fixed block on file and a sample before any bulk run. Read how the whole process works on our how it works page, or see what private label manufacturing covers.
The Chicago linesheet
Chicago orders skew heavy: 400–500 GSM hoodies and crewnecks, sherpa-lined jackets, puffers with 200+ GSM fill, beanies and fitted hats. Boxy silhouettes with stacked sleeves are the default.
- 500 GSM hoodies and crewnecks
- puffer jackets and vests
- sherpa-lined trucker jackets
- fleece sweatsuits
- cuffed and fisherman beanies
Browse every product line: custom t-shirts, custom hoodies, custom sweatsuits, custom tracksuits, custom jackets, custom crewnecks, custom beanies, custom hats.
A typical first order from Chicago
A first run from a Chicago label is usually two products: 500 GSM hoodies and crewnecks and puffer jackets and vests, 50 pieces each, one or two colours, with a woven neck label and hang tag. Sampling both together takes the same 7–10 days as sampling one. Once the fit is approved, most brands extend into sherpa-lined trucker jackets and cuffed and fisherman beanies using the same block, fabric lot and label set.
Shipping to Chicago: DDP, duties paid
Air freight from Sialkot reaches Chicago in 4–6 days via ORD once the run ships, delivered DDP: duties, taxes and customs clearance are paid by us and included in the quote. Sea freight via the rail from the Port of Los Angeles costs less for large runs and takes four to six weeks. Every shipment is packed to your carton spec with size stickers and a packing list, and can go straight to a 3PL or fulfilment centre. Full details on our DDP shipping page.
Sizing for the Chicago market
All blocks are graded to US sizing from XS to 3XL, with oversized and boxy silhouettes graded so a customer buys their normal size. We keep Chicago clients’ patterns and grade rules on file so reorders match. See our US streetwear sizing guide for the measurements we start from.
Next steps for Chicago brands
- Send a briefTech pack, sketch or reference piece plus quantity. We reply within 24 hours, on Central time.
- Sample in 7–10 daysA physical pre-production sample shipped to Chicago, with fabric swatches and label samples.
- Approve and produceSign off, 50% deposit, then 2–3 weeks in production with photo updates.
- DDP delivery4–6 days to your door, duties paid.
Chicago brand? Send your first product idea and quantity. We quote within 24 hours and can have a sample in Chicago in about ten days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the heaviest hoodie you can make for Chicago?
550 GSM brushed cotton fleece. Most Chicago clients settle on 450 GSM, which is heavy enough for winter layering without feeling like a coat.
Do you make winter jackets at 50 pieces?
Yes. Puffers, sherpa-lined truckers, varsity and workwear jackets all run at a 50-piece minimum per design and colour.
How does shipping to Chicago work?
Air freight DDP to O’Hare in four to six days. Sea freight arrives via the West Coast and rail, about five to six weeks.
Can you make beanies to match a hoodie colour?
Yes. Beanie yarn is dyed to the same Pantone as the fleece, and we ship them in the same consignment.
We also work with brands in Miami, Houston, Dallas, and across the rest of the United States, the UK, Canada, Australia and Europe. Compare manufacturing options in our guide to Pakistan vs China vs USA clothing manufacturing.
Last updated September 5, 2026 · Mike Apparel, Sialkot. Pricing and lead times reflect current factory capacity; confirm on your quote.