Behind the Seams: How Tariffs & Rising Costs Are Affecting Small Brands

Tariff Impact, Freight And Fabric Costs, and What It Means for Heliades

So many of my small business colleagues have been scrambling for months over the impact of tariffs on their businesses and customers, and I figured it was time to give you an update on how tariffs are affecting us here at Heliades.

TL;DR: The good news? Tariff impacts are mostly under control—for now.

But when you zoom out and look at the entire supply chain, the picture is a little more nuanced.

Our Global Fabric Sourcing and UPF Materials Strategy

As you know, when I select materials for Heliades apparel I look for best-in-class. That means sourcing globally and choosing only the highest-quality components.

The Heliades clothing you wear is made from materials produced by our trusted USA, Italy and Taiwan partners.

I choose textile manufacturing partners based on the finest gauge knits, the prettiest most fashion-forward designs, and the safest, most durable and long lasting sun protective fabrics on the market.

Everything we make—and everything you trust to wear against your skin—is held to the highest standards:

• All fabric and logos are made in an OEKO-TEX® certified and BLUESIGN® Partner factory.
• All fabric is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and UPF 50+ certified.
• Each component—fabric, thread, buttons, trims, logos, labels—is OEKO-TEX® certified.

My largest materials cost is fabric. Anticipating potential tariff increases, I stocked up on UPF50+ fabric between November 2024 and early March 2025—along with a healthy supply of buttons.

That said, logos and labels will need to be reordered soon, and we do expect to see an increase in those costs.

Rising Freight Costs and Their Impact on Small-Batch Brands

Let’s talk about freight—because the cost of moving things, both internationally and within the U.S., has been climbing steadily. Whether it’s raw materials coming in or finished pieces going out, every step of the journey is more expensive than it was a year ago.

All the major carriers I work with—DHL, FedEx, UPS, USPS—have raised their shipping rates. And when you're shipping high-quality, UPF50+ fabric across the globe or coordinating small-batch production runs, those rate hikes add up quickly.

To give you an idea: shipping fabric rolls isn't just about weight—it's about volume, dimensions, handling, customs, fuel surcharges, and more. Domestic freight comes with its own set of variables—fluctuating costs depending on carrier demand, and regional service differences—all subject to delays.

Just like with groceries or gas, shipping costs are an unavoidable reality of doing business in a physical product world. The silver lining? When you shop Heliades, you’re not just getting beautifully made sun-smart, safe-for-your-skin, eco-friendly pieces—you’re supporting an independent brand navigating all of this with integrity, not shortcuts.

Why We Choose U.S. Manufacturing and Pay Livable Wages

Because we already manufacture everything here in the USA, we're in a more stable position than many other brands. Some of my colleagues are scrambling to relocate production or navigate sudden tariff hikes. One colleague's Effective Tariff Load jumped to 61%—more than double what she paid in 2023. (She was initially hit with a staggering 176.5% rate but was able to negotiate a partial refund when the tariff rate was adjusted for that country.)

We're thankfully not in that boat—but that doesn’t mean domestic production is without challenges.

The cost to manufacture in the U.S.—particularly here in California—continues to rise. And a big part of that is paying fair, livable wages to the people who cut and sew the clothing you wear. And rightly so.

Our manufacturing partners are incredibly skilled. They take pride in their craft, cutting and sewing each garment with precision, care, and yes—style. Take a close look at our Sun Shawls, Sun Dickeys and UPF Shrugs for example—they are meticulously stitched! Then they clock out and go home to their families. That’s the kind of business I want to run—one that respects the people behind the clothing as much as the people wearing it.

Is it more expensive than going overseas for the lowest bid? For sure. But it’s also more transparent, more ethical and sustainable, and far more aligned with our values. And it’s an investment I’ll continue to make—tariffs or not.

So where does that leave us?

Our Cost Outlook: Rising Expenses Without Tariff Shock

In short: our costs are rising—due to labor, freight, and materials—however we anticipate tariffs themselves are unlikely to have a significant impact on our pricing in the near term.

I hope this explanation is helpful. If you have any questions or thoughts, I’m always happy to hear from you. Thank you, as always, for supporting Heliades and for being part of our sun-smart community.