It is for this reason (2.x markups) that I am working on an ecommerce startup idea. I like the idea of selling actual product, making actual revenue and knowing what your margins will be.

While manufacturing your own clothing is much more involved and logistically complicated, its relatively easier to become an online retailer and buy clothing at wholesale from existing brands and sell that. That also helps me mitigate my risks (my domain knowledge is technology and not apparel manufacturing/sourcing).

On a side note, I am currently looking for co-founders. I have a technical background and have almost completed coding the site. If you are interested, my email is in the profile