Relying on influencers is a risky bet unless you've already got a brand that screams. Sending free clothes works if your product actually has perceived value - most DTC brands sending out samples are just feeding some teenager's wardrobe, getting one low-effort video and zero conversions. The "best" influencers will demand cash upfront, and half of them won't even deliver the ROAS you need for that spend.
Instead of blanket outreach, I'd go for micro-influencers who already post about your niche without any push. Offer them a cut of sales or a flat fee tied to performance, not just product. If your margins can't support that, then the product itself is the problem, not the promotion strategy. Free clothes only works if the influencer genuinely wants to wear them, and even then, the algorithm won't save a mediocre product.
