Designer Cycling Short in Tencel with Contrast Topstitching
Source:Cycling Short /
Time:2026-09-30
Designer Cycling Short in Tencel with Contrast Topstitching
A Marketing Agency approached us to develop a designer cycling short around a single idea: contrast topstitching, executed in tencel. The capsule was destined for Poland and needed designer finishing that reads designer on the rail while staying repeatable in bulk. This case study records the brief, the specification and the delivery.
The challenge
- Unit costs were too high for a boutique price point
- Fabric hand feel changed between production runs
- Decoration durability failed after two washes
What we specified
| Product | Designer Cycling Short |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Marketing Agency |
| Market | Poland |
| Order volume | 400 pieces across 5 colourways |
| Base material | Tencel |
| Signature detail | Contrast Topstitching |
| Size range | XS-3XL |
| Sampling rounds | 3 |
| Delivery window | 12 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | WRAP |
How it was built
- Reference garments and moodboards were translated into a measurement spec, not just photos.
- Tencel was confirmed with lab dips and a hand-feel approval before grading.
- The cycling short was prototyped on the fit model, then revised twice before pre-production.
- Contrast Topstitching was applied in a controlled process to keep every piece consistent.
- Bulk ran with in-line inspection; a photo report was shared before shipment.
Result
- 400 pieces delivered inside the 12-week window.
- Unit cost held within 1.5% of the approved quotation.
- The a Marketing Agency launched on schedule and reordered the same specification next season.
What we would repeat
Keep one process owner on both sides. Most delays come from hand-offs, not machines.
Planning a similar capsule?
Tell us the quantity, target price and delivery window, and we will build a customisation programme around those three numbers.
