Garment technologist
Advise fashion designers and help turn designs into clothes that people want to wear.
About the job
What it's like
Do you know your cottons from your silks? Then you may love working as a garment technologist – helping turn designs into clothes that people want to buy and wear.
In this role, you'll select and source a range of fabrics for a fashion designer to use. You'll show them how their ideas can be produced in the most efficient and sustainable way.
Garment technologists have specialist knowledge of production methods, such as stitching and pattern cutting. You'll also know lots about different textiles and their properties, as well as manufacturing processes for clothes. You'll keep a close eye on the current fashion and retail trends.
The design and buying teams will rely on your expertise through all stages of product development. You'll get involved from design to testing and then manufacturing the clothes for the shops.
Your tasks might include:
suggesting changes to designs
advising on suitable fabrics
making sure that the clothes are made in the best way possible
checking that the garments can be produced within the budget
overseeing fabric testing and fittings of first samples
responding to product queries and analysing product returns or faults
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
UK Fashion and Textile Institute (UKFT) – learn about the largest network for fashion and textiles in the UK
British Fashion Council (BFC) – discover this not-for-profit organisation that focuses on responsible growth, innovation and amplification of the British fashion industry
The Textile Institute – explore this membership organisation that promotes professionalism in all areas associated with the textiles industry
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- analysing
- time management
- taking initiative
- implementing ideas
- attention to detail
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- creative
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Design and Manufacture
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Fashion and Textile Technology (Home economics)
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Practical Craft Skills
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Skills for Work: Textiles Industry
There are a couple of routes you can take to become a garment technologist.
University
A degree may be helpful for getting into this job. You could study subjects, such as:
Textile Design
Fashion Technology
Clothing Studies
Use the My World of Work course search to find degrees.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you find a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Fashion Technology
Fashion: Design and Production with Retail
Fashion and Textile Technology
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You'll get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Fashion and Textiles Heritage.
Through work
You may be able to start as a garment technology assistant after earning a qualification in fashion or textiles. You'll do further training on the job to become a garment technologist.
Use the My World of Work job search to look for garment technology assistant vacancies.
Getting work experience or volunteering in a relevant role can help you build the experience you’ll need to become a garment technologist. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
Some courses will ask to see a portfolio of work. This could include things like material research, flat sketches of garments, mini quality tests or notes on any work experience you've done.
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