We often get asked, whereabouts are Frankster's shorts made? To put it simply, we produce in China. Why? Well, in this guide, we'll give a clear and honest answer about the ethical standards of our manufacturing partners and the quality of the garments they use in our shorts. Transparency is key for us at Frankster, and we want you to know what goes on behind the scenes in our business.
Made in China: Let's Talk About The Elephant In The Room
When you ask someone what they think about fashion labels produced in China, the majority of the time their heads swiftly go towards fast fashion, sweatshops, and all the nasty things in the fashion industry. This isn't the case for every brand. Especially not Frankster.
Our quality and responsibility have always come first. We've chosen to work with manufacturers that are ethical and transparent in their employee wage reporting and supply chain partners. If we weren't aware of what is going on in their business, we guarantee we would never partner with them.
So why not produce everything in Australia? All the designs in our store are created in Australia and produced in China. That's solely down to the fact that China is just a better option all round. This isn't because they severely undercut costs or their production line never stops. It's because China's textile industry is far more developed, with better access to premium fabrics, superior workmanship, quality trims, and skilled labour, advantages that allow us to deliver the quality and efficiency our customers expect.
Why China? Here's What Makes Our Partners Stand Out
Our partners in China give us an advantage that helps our shorts stand out among Aussie blokes. Without them, we wouldn't be where we are today. Some of the reasons why they're the best out there for our shorts are:
Top-Tier Quality That Rivals The Best Brands
Before launching Frankster, we tested a wide variety of shorts, including samples from Australia and a variety of overseas countries. Our Chinese partners stood out for their extremely high quality of material, which has also been used by luxury and premium global fashion brands.
Many customers still think that apparel "Made in China" is less durable. This is an outdated idea because the textile and manufacturing industry has changed a lot in recent years. It is now more expensive and of higher quality than before.
Lower-end brands have moved their production to countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India due to lower costs compared to China. The best quality apparel brands, on the contrary, have started manufacturing in China. Even luxury fashion labels trust Chinese factories to make their clothing.
We chose China for this very reason. We do not want to take shortcuts or settle for less. Rather, we want to work with market players who meet high standards. The factories we work with follow strict quality controls. They use premium materials and skilled craftsmanship. This helps us produce shorts that are durable, comfortable, and look great.
Expert Craftsmanship In Every Stitch
Having skilled craftsmanship available throughout the year has truly helped us grow Frankster significantly. The factories we work with use some of the best finishing techniques worldwide. If you've purchased a pair of Franksters, you can tell the shorts are perfectly sewn, allowing you to move freely and stay comfy in them all day. This is all thanks to our offshore production team.
Premium Fabric That Feels Like Butter
Low-quality fabric wears out quickly. It feels like sandpaper against the skin. We made it our mission to avoid anyone who used this quality of fabric.
Our Chinese production partners use some of the best fabrics globally. The material for Frankster garments, including men's active shorts, comes from trusted ethical suppliers. Our premium cotton is blended beautifully to give you a "buttery soft" texture. Unlike what is referred to as 'fast fashion,' our shorts stay soft after years of washing.
Quality Trims That Won't Let You Down
Chinese craftsmen are skilled at producing high-quality trims. The buttons are securely fastened, so they don't fall off easily. The zippers run smoothly, giving men the trust they need. The elastic bands retain their stretch and provide a comfortable fit. We knew all of this would be important to our customers, and we needed to find a partner to match our demands.
Lightning-Fast Turnaround Without Compromising Quality
We don't chase trends here at Frankster. Fast fashion isn't our style, and we'd prefer to have our shorts available year-round. This does mean that fast turnaround times are crucial to keep our business running, accommodating seasonality and growth. China's manufacturing infrastructure supports this better than onshore production. Our shorts move quickly through the design and finishing phases. Stock remains sufficient. This helps us respond swiftly to sales demands. When a particular style becomes popular, we increase production without long delays. That's why you will rarely see "sold-out" messages on our shorts. If you do, we make sure those items are restocked within just a few days.
Scale & Infrastructure We Simply Can't Get In Australia
We need to produce thousands of high-quality shorts to fulfil customers' needs. This requires high-performing, modern infrastructure that Australian local factories cannot provide. Onshore facilities are limited in size, equipment, and workforce.
China, on the other hand, offers the scale and reliability we need. Their factories have extensive infrastructure, advanced machinery, and skilled workers. Together, these three factors enable them to produce large quantities without sacrificing quality. This helps us deliver thousands of shorts to our valued customers, including you, on time.
So, Why Not Make Everything In Australia?
Supporting local manufacturing is just as important to us as everything we've described in this article so far. We would love to make Frankster shorts in the Australian manufacturing industry, but unfortunately, it's just not viable for our business. This is due to several factors:
- The currently limited production capacity in Australia does not meet our needs.
- The factories here cannot produce the large volumes we require quickly.
- Onshore production also comes with much higher costs; it is three times more expensive.
We are still a small brand and cannot afford these costs at the moment. In the future, when we're at a larger scale of production, we plan to produce special editions locally here in Australia.
The Frankster Difference
We're confident that we've chosen the best manufacturing partner to help us deliver premium shorts. Our China-based partners share our mission and work hard to produce shorts that you can feel good in, not something you'll chuck out after wearing once.
The result of this careful approach to quality speaks for itself. We've sold over 10,000 pairs and earned more than 1,000 five-star reviews. A growing crew of Aussie blokes choose Frankster because they simply won't wear anything else.
Our range features a variety of styles, sizes, and colours for every occasion, whether you're relaxing on the couch or hiking on the weekends. Check out our Men's Shorts, Chino Shorts, or Active Shorts, all come with a 100-day guarantee and free shipping. Once you try Frankster, you won't go back. We promise.
