Designing clothes is no longer limited to sketchbooks or desktop software. Fashion teams today need tools that keep up with fast timelines, remote collaboration, and constant changes in styles and specs. The right app can support creativity without slowing down production.

However, not every design tool is built with fashion in mind. Some focus on visual layouts. Others help with sketches but leave out production details. Choosing the right one depends on how your team works and how far you need the design to go.

This guide walks through the best apps to design clothes in 2025. Whether you're sketching ideas, creating digital mockups, or preparing tech packs, there's a tool that fits your process.

Let's break down your options.

What Makes a Great Clothing Design App

Not all tools are made for the pace of the fashion world. A great clothing design app should help teams move from concept to production without slowing down. It needs to support fast decisions, clear visuals, and simple handoffs across departments.

Look for a platform that covers both creative work and technical execution. Fashion designers need to move between sketching, creating tech packs, and adjusting flat sketches without switching tools. The best software makes it easy to manage styles, patterns, and accessories from one place.

Collaboration also matters. When working on a new clothing line or preparing updates for launch, teams need a user-friendly interface that stays aligned. Real-time edits, instant feedback, and access to trends should all be possible in just a few clicks.

Best App to Design Clothes: Top 7 Fashion Tools for 2025

Choosing the right clothing design app depends on your workflow. Below are the top platforms fashion designers use to design clothes, organize styles, and prep for production:

1. Onbrand AI Design

Onbrand AI Design helps fashion teams generate new concepts, test variations, and plan collections with more speed and control. Use a sketch, reference photo, or text prompt to create polished mockups or on-model visuals in seconds, perfect for early feedback or quick turnarounds.

Designers can remix bestsellers, explore colorways, and visualize trims or cuts instantly. The platform supports fast concepting and reduces friction across teams, helping brands cut up to 50% of physical samples and move through design phases up to 10x faster.

Teams stay aligned in one shared space for sketching, reviewing, and versioning. All visuals and edits sync into Onbrand PLM, so development can move forward with clear direction and fewer delays.

Key Features

• AI concept generation - Create visuals from text, sketches, or photos

• Design variations - Explore new trims, shapes, and colorways instantly

• On-model mockups - Turn sketches into wearable looks for review

• Shared workspace - Leave feedback, track edits, and align as a team

• Visual line planning - Group styles and build out collections in context

• PLM integration - Send approved visuals into development with one click

Cut up to 10+ weeks per year, reduce sampling, and save $1,000s on external resources by using a workspace designed for real collaboration. Try it free today!

2. Adobe Illustrator

Source: adobe.com/products/illustrator.html

Adobe Illustrator is one of the most established tools for creating flat sketches, fashion illustrations, and detailed vector work. 

It's used across the fashion industry for design accuracy and file flexibility. Many technical designers rely on Illustrator to build clean outlines, trims, and layouts.

The platform is highly customizable and allows fashion teams to develop reusable templates, align with print standards, and export production-ready files. It fits well into workflows where Illustrator is paired with another tool for tech packs or line sheets.

Key Features

• Vector editing tools - Draw precise lines, curves, and shapes for garments

• Custom artboards - Design multiple pieces and versions in one workspace

• Brush and pattern tools - Build trims, stitches, and surface prints

• Color libraries - Access Pantone palettes and define brand colorways

• Layered file management - Organize complex garments by section or variation

• Cross-platform support - Use across Mac and PC, with cloud file syncing

Downside

Illustrator doesn't include tools for creating tech packs or managing garment data. It also lacks garment templates, requiring teams to build every design from scratch or rely on third-party libraries.

3. CLO 3D

Source: clo3d.com

CLO 3D is a digital fitting and 3D garment design tool that helps fashion teams simulate clothing on virtual mannequins. 

It's designed for pattern making, sampling, and production planning. Designers can view how clothing fits, flows, and moves in real time.

It's particularly helpful for technical designers working on garments that need precision before cutting fabric. Teams can upload patterns, edit pieces, and apply materials to visualize construction and make faster decisions around shape and fit.

Key Features

• 3D garment preview - See how clothing fits on a geometric mannequin

• Digital sewing tools - Create seams and adjust construction virtually

• Pattern drafting workspace - Build or import pattern pieces

• Fabric behavior simulation - Test drape, weight, and movement

• Rendering options - Create high-res visuals for internal use or marketing

• Custom avatar library - Fit garments to different body types

Downside

CLO 3D takes time to learn and can feel complex for designers focused on early sketching or trend exploration. It's best used alongside other tools that support flat sketching or concept development.

4. Raspberry

Source: raspberry.ai

Raspberry is a lightweight fashion design app built for speed and simplicity. 

It's suitable for early concept work, offering garment templates, drag-and-drop editing, and mobile-friendly tools. Fashion brands use Raspberry for quick idea capture and visual layout planning.

The platform works well for building rough designs or testing silhouettes. Users can apply patterns, adjust shapes, and assemble looks without needing advanced design skills. It's a good fit for fast-paced brainstorming or sketching on the go.

Key Features

• Prebuilt garment blocks - Start with editable templates for tops, pants, and dresses

• Drag-and-drop sketching - Adjust fit, cut, and scale visually

• Basic layer tools - Organize details like collars, sleeves, and trim

• Mobile access - Sketch or edit on tablets and smartphones

• Export as image files - Save designs for mood boards or early concept reviews

• Simple color tools - Try different palettes without advanced software

Downside

Raspberry focuses on speed and simplicity, which limits its support for complex garment structures. It may not meet the needs of teams that require detailed spec control, graded sizing, or advanced construction logic.

5. NewArc

Source: newarc.ai

NewArc is a collaborative sketchbook designed for trend development, style direction, and early-stage concepting. 

It includes AI suggestions for fabrics and patterns, and lets teams work together on shared boards. It's often used by creative directors or teams planning seasonal directions.

NewArc helps gather inspiration, track fashion trends, and organize visual inputs. It also allows users to map out product launches and share ideas in a centralized workspace.

Key Features

• Trend tracking - Collect references tied to the latest fashion trends

• AI fabric suggestions - Get automated ideas based on your sketches

• Shared design boards - Collaborate on seasonal direction and styling

• Visual calendar - Plan collections across weeks or months

• Sketchbook tools - Draw rough outlines and annotate early drafts

• Inspiration tagging - Save ideas by color, category, or material

Downside

NewArc doesn't support full product development. It lacks tools for creating patterns, organizing measurements, or exporting files for manufacturing. It's best used for early concepting, not production.

6. Refabric

Source: refabric.com

Refabric is an AI-based design tool that helps teams generate realistic garment visuals from sketches, text prompts, or reference images. The platform supports early concepting with production-aware renderings that simulate texture, structure, and fit.

Designers use Refabric to test garment variations, create on-model visuals, and present realistic concepts before sampling. It’s suitable for early-stage workflows that require fast iteration and visual clarity for internal reviews or handoff to manufacturers.

Key Features

• AI design prompts - Create garment visuals from written or visual cues

• Production-conscious rendering - Simulate folds, fabric texture, and wearability

• Refinement tools - Adjust cut, color, and garment details

• Inspiration inputs - Upload brand styles or photos to guide output

• Batch image generation - Produce multiple looks or angles

• Visual handoff - Share visuals with teams or manufacturers

Downside

Refabric doesn’t support tech pack exports, pattern creation, or measurement specs. Teams will need another tool to continue development after visual concepting.

7. Fashable

Source: fashable.ai

Fashable is an AI-powered tool for generating clothing visuals from prompts, mood boards, or saved references. The platform is built for concept development and helps design teams explore ideas quickly without manual sketching.

Users can generate new silhouettes, test trends, and create on-model mockups for early feedback. Fashable also includes a creative community where teams can discover reference looks and organize seasonal inspiration.

Key Features

• AI garment generation - Create looks from prompts or visual inputs

• Visual moodboarding - Organize references and trend ideas

• Custom model renderings - Preview garments on digital models

• Prompt library - Access fashion-specific prompt themes

• Concept export - Save visuals for decks or internal reviews

• Design versioning - Track and compare multiple iterations

Downside

Fashable does not include tools for garment specs, pattern development, or manufacturer-ready outputs. It's primarily used for design ideation and creative exploration.

Bring Your Designs to Life Faster With Onbrand AI Design!

Designing clothes isn't just about sketches. It's about moving fast, testing ideas early, and getting your team aligned without wasting time or resources. The right platform helps you design smarter and bring products to market with less friction.

Onbrand AI Design is built for fashion teams that are ready to move at full speed. You can generate mockups, test colorways, and turn early concepts into polished creations in minutes, not weeks.

Teams using Onbrand AI Design report up to 10x faster design turnaround and 30-50% fewer physical samples per season.

Sign up now and get started in seconds. Enjoy a 7-day free trial and start saving time, samples, and $1,000s on external costs!

FAQs About the Best App to Design Clothes

What apps should I use to design clothes?

Apps like Onbrand, CLO 3D, and Procreate are commonly used by fashion teams. Onbrand AI Design stands out for its ability to manage clothing ideas, generate technical sketches, and connect directly to production. You can also browse features like visual libraries and style planning tools to stay organized throughout your process.

Is there an app to help you style clothes?

Yes. Onbrand AI Design makes it easy to style full looks using visual line plans, mockups, and shared boards. These features help teams plan for an online store or organize how fashion products appear across a website. Styling apps are also used to prep for customer-facing channels like a digital shop or seasonal showcase.

What is the best app for designing things?

Onbrand AI Design is the best app for teams designing fashion products. You can customize visuals, fine-tune garment features, and create tech pack-ready assets without switching platforms. It's built for professionals who want to stay aligned, start selling sooner, and collaborate with their team across the globe.

Is Adobe Illustrator Draw good for fashion design?

Adobe Illustrator Draw is helpful for building clean vector lines, surface prints, and outlines. Designers often use it as part of their digital sketchbook workflow before moving into tools like Onbrand AI Design for more structured tasks. It's best for illustration, but doesn't offer other features like sewing instructions or tech pack exports.

Do fashion designers still use inspiration sources like Vogue Runway?

Many designers reference Vogue Runway, trend forecasts, and saved lookbooks when starting new collections. Platforms like Onbrand AI Design let you gather those references into boards or visual plans. This keeps your designs aligned and lets your team search or revisit concepts as the season develops.