Your first 3 SKUs: how many styles, colors, sizes?

Launch 2–3 styles in 2 colors each — not 6 styles in 1 color. Same total units, very different outcomes: fewer shapes means a clearer brand story, easier photography, and reorder data you can actually read. Across our client launches, the pattern is consistent — one style becomes 50%+ of sales, and colors within a proven shape outsell new shapes.

The math that matters

Plan	Total units	Risk profile
6 styles × 1 color × 100	600	6 bets, no depth; a winning style sells out and you can't reorder fast
3 styles × 2 colors × 100	600	3 bets with a color hedge on each; winners restock at 300-pc pricing
2 styles × 2 colors × 100	400	Lowest cash-in; best for creator-led brands with a defined aesthetic

Choosing the three shapes

1. One "banker": panto or square — shapes that fit 80% of faces and carry your brand's default colorway.
2. One "signature": the shape that looks like nobody else — this is your press photo and organic-reach engine.
3. One "bridge": a softer variant of the signature for customers who want the look with less commitment.

Sizes: start with one

One well-chosen size (e.g. 49–52 lens for opticals) covers most faces. Offer a second size only after sell-through proves the shape. Read our sizing guide for how the 52□18-145 numbers map to real faces.

Decision checklist

1. Can you describe each style in one sentence without mentioning another brand?
2. Do your 3 styles share one material family and hardware set? (Cheaper, more coherent.)
3. Is at least one style photographable on a face from your own audience?
4. Can you afford to reorder the winner within 45 days?