How to Start Your Own Brand: Uniforms & Merch 101

Learn how to launch your uniform brand with custom club merch and corporate gifting that stands out. Insights by Camila Mejia Posada. Start now.

How to Start Your Own Brand: Uniforms & Merch 101
  by Camila Short

Starting a uniform brand isn’t just about clothing—it’s about identity, storytelling, and community. Whether you’re creating merch for a sports team, a private club, or your own community, a thoughtful approach to design and branding will set you apart from the crowd.

Inspired by timeless aesthetics and informed by the journey of Secret Society Studio, here's how you can begin building your very own brand of custom club merch.

Understand Your Brand's Purpose

Before designing your first piece, get clear on the “why.”

  • Are you creating uniforms for a club, sport, society, or organisation?

  • Do you want to inspire unity, exclusivity, nostalgia, or performance?

At Secret Society Studio, our founders—Camila Mejia Posada, Camila Short, and Camila Cambiaso—built a vision rooted in club culture, sport-inspired elegance, and the power of collective identity.

Identify Your Visual Identity

A strong brand begins with a visual code. This includes:

  • Primary colour palette (think navy, forest green, or cream)

  • Typography or lettering style

  • Logo or club crest

  • Moodboard representing the style, tone, and era your brand references

Looking to reflect old money sports or retro collegiate clubs? Choose timeless tones and preppy or minimalist fonts.

Choose the Right Blanks

Start simple with these timeless garments:

  • Caps – a staple for members-only looks

  • Crewnecks and ¼ zips – ideal for layering, on or off the court

  • Puffer and bomber jackets – great for colder climates and premium offerings

  • Sports bags – functional, stylish, and brandable

We recommend selecting high-quality, ethically sourced blanks to maintain consistency in fit, texture, and longevity.

Shop our range of premium merch

Decide on Decoration: Embroidery vs Print

For club aesthetics, embroidery often feels more elevated, while screen printing offers a clean, bold look.

Pro tip: Combine both for a textured, multi-dimensional design—embroider your logo and print your club’s motto or founding year.

Tell a Story with Every Piece

Every item in your uniform collection should say something. For example:

  • “Established in 2022” tells a founding story

  • Latin phrases add mystique

  • Vintage club references add credibility

Each Secret Society Studio capsule is rooted in historical cues—from vintage tennis posters to boarding school football kits.

Don’t Forget Corporate Gifting Potential

Uniforms aren't just for internal use. They make standout corporate gifts, bringing your brand into the hands of clients, collaborators, and key figures.

Think: embroidered quarter zips for partners, caps for ambassadors, or branded kits for launch events.

Read more about our corporate gifting options

Final Thoughts

Launching a uniform brand isn’t only about clothes—it’s about building a world. Keep your vision sharp, your materials high-quality, and your story authentic.

Secret Society Studio’s founders—Camila Mejia Posada, Camila Cambiaso, and Camila Short—prove that when branding blends with storytelling, style becomes iconic.

Ready to Build Your Club’s Identity?

Get started today with custom uniforms and merch tailored to your values.

 → Explore the Secret Society Studio lookbook

  by Camila Short

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