7/22/20

We frequently receive questions from our valued customers asking us to expand our product range. Questions like "Why do you only sell underwear for men?", "When can I purchase Bamigo boxer shorts with a fly?" and "Why haven't you guys made soft sweaters out of bamboo yet?" are common. Trust us, we share your enthusiasm for expanding the product range, but after you've read this blog, you'll understand why expanding the range isn’t as easy as it might seem.

Being pioneers in our field

In 2014, Bamigo chose to innovate in the world of bamboo clothing. In that respect, we’re something of an odd one out, as cotton is by far the most common fabric used in clothing production. Working with an unconventional material is undoubtedly challenging, but it’s a challenge we relish. Why, though, is developing new products so ‘difficult'? Let’s take a look.

Developing bamboo textiles

At Bamigo, when we commit to developing a new product, we start from scratch. We search for the optimal fabric composition, and each new Bamigo product has a unique mix. To give you a bit of an idea, our socks consist of 78% bamboo, 20% polyamide and 2% elastane, while our boxers feature 68% bamboo, 28% cotton and 4% elastane. It can take months to find the perfect composition, but we know the search is worth it.

Finding suitable suppliers

Finding the right suppliers is also quite task. A supplier of socks specialises in socks and is therefore not suitable for supplying our underwear or T-shirts. Our unique compositions also make finding the right suppliers all the more challenging. Each supplier must develop a unique thread composition, which they develop exclusively for our products.

Sustainability to the max

Before embarking on a business partnership with a new supplier, we want to ensure that they hold the required certifications and meet our strict requirements. We aim to produce all of our products as sustainably as possible. By incorporating organic cotton into the composition of our new products, we have taken the next step in our commitment to sustainability.

Finding the perfect fit

We strive to include at least 50% bamboo in the composition of our products. After months of fabric development, we still don’t have the final product in hand. The product fit requires further perfecting. With underwear, this is especially important, as our products provide the first layer of clothing against your skin. Underwear should not be too loose, but also not overly tight. When the fabric is too heavy, it sags, but when it is too light, it doesn't have enough body. This always presents a tremendous search for the perfect balance, but we know how important it is to get it right.

Testing the bamboo textiles

Ultimately, the best of four worlds must come together: the yarn mix, fabric construction, fit and durability. Once we’ve put a new product together, we carry out wear tests, washing tests and durability tests. Our products only enter our webshop once we know for sure that the quality is optimal. This is the only way we can guarantee our softness for the lifetime of the product. Would you like to learn more about bamboo textiles? Take a look at our free e-book.

 

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