People these days are more conscious than ever about where products are made. We all need clothes – but the clothing industry is widely producing more waste than people may realize. Thankfully – it’s never too late to start thinking about how the clothing we buy is made. So, what are some popular clothing brands that are made in the USA?
Many brands pride themselves in being made in the USA. This often means goods are of higher quality, made under fair working conditions, and better for the environment. These brands are often more expensive but produce items you can stand behind and that will last. Emerson Fry, Esby, and Mate the Label are just a few American-made brands.
In this article, we will go over 18 clothing brands made in the USA and cover some great made-in-the-USA brands for men. Finally – we’ll touch on why you should choose American made in the first place.
18 Popular Made in the USA Clothing Brands
With hundreds of thousands of clothing brands to choose from when it comes to shopping – the sheer volume of options can be daunting. If you’re unsure where to start, check out any of the 18 companies below – all of which pride themselves in being made in the USA. Some of these brands may already be on your list of go-to’s, or you might just discover a new favorite!
1. Aliya Wanek
Aliya Wanek was founded in the Bay Area in 2016, a womenswear label focusing on the relationship between one’s identity and style. Their mission: is to create comfortable, stylish clothing as ethically and sustainably as possible. Aliya Wanek offers day-to-day basics in colorful and neutral options, super comfy casual wear, and items that can be dressed up. Even today – many of the garments available are still sewn by Aliya.
2. American Giant
Another Bay Area company – American Giant, is driven by the simple idea, “Make things better. Make better things.” American Giant was formed with the creation of a hoodie and later grew into producing t-shirts and jeans as well. The company prides itself on creating high-quality, durable, not disposable clothing that is built to last. American Giant stands for conscious consumerism and supporting their workers and their communities.
3. Big Bud Press
Big Bud Press is a Los Angeles-based company specializing in unisex, everyday goods. They pride themselves in their high ethical and local manufacturing standards, openly stating that they are sweatshop-free and independently audit all manufacturing facilities. At least 98% of the fabrics used at BBP are grown domestically, with most of their knit and woven materials being made in L.A. For colorful basics for anybody – check out Big Bud Press.
4. The Buffalo Wool Company
The Buffalo Wool Company has spent the last 12 years developing a supply chain to bring together small mills, local designers, and large ranches. Their goal was to preserve one of America’s greatest symbols – the buffalo – while upholding the U.S. economy through American-made goods. The Buffalo Wool Company offers cozy outerwear and accessories – hats, gloves, socks, scarves, etc. — all made from buffalo wool, leather, and silk.
5. Carhartt
Carhartt is a real American classic – their goods being eponymous with hard work. Carhartt is headquartered in Michigan, where they take responsibility to their workers and communities seriously. Carhartt believes so strongly in their products’ quality, craftsmanship and performance that they offer a built-to-last commitment – offering to repair or replace any item that doesn’t meet your standards.
6. Elizabeth Suzann
Elizabeth Suzann is on a mission to make clothing feel like home. She creates garments that induce magic to the senses – softly flowing fabrics in colors that calm the mind and fibers that bring you back to earth. Suzann prioritizes celebrating the joy of creating a garment from scratch – which she does from her studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
7. Emerson Fry
Emerson Fry makes clothing that is consciously and purposefully made to last – a dream in the fashion world. This company strives for zero waste with made-to-order garments and limited production runs. E.F. uses natural, recycled, deadstock, organic, eco-conscious fabrics, and plant-based and low-impact dyes. Emerson Fry offers fashion-forward women’s wear made with love in studios from New York to L.A.
8. Esby
Esby is a woman-owned, small batch clothing company based in Austin, Texas. Esby’s garments are designed at their home studio and produced ethically and sustainably across the USA. Using all natural materials that are sourced from throughout the world. Esby offers a full line of womenswear and a smaller unisex/men’s line.
9. Gamine Workwear
The goal at Gamine Workwear is simply to create honest work clothing. Their products are made using 100% natural textiles that have been slowly and thoughtfully developed, tested, and produced. Garmine’s garments are produced in Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, aiming to have the lowest possible impact. Gamine hopes their comfortable, practical designs will be loved for years.
10. Hackwith Design House
Hackwith Design House opened in 2010 with the goal of producing versatile but unique clothing that will last. Along with their versatile ready-to-wear women’s collection, Hackwith also continually releases small limited edition and limited-run garments. Everything you see is sewn in-house in their Minnesota studio. Hackwith Design House has a simple and clean aesthetic for the style-conscious woman.
11. LACAUSA
LACAUSA is an L.A.-based company committed to creating quality garments under ethical working conditions in their factories in Los Angeles. LACAUSA – which is Spanish for “the cause” – offers a wide range of womenswear and an entire line of activewear as well.
12. Loup
Loup is a Parisian-inspired women’s wear collection founded in 2009 in New York City. Their passion – is to help women find the perfect fit with ease. Loup takes pride in being a small company that can oversee every aspect of the design and creation process. As a business practice – they like to keep things transparent and streamlined. Loup offers a large line of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories.
13. MATE the Label
The motto at Mate the Label is “Clean from seed to skin.” They believe in eliminating as many toxins from their products as possible. Mate the Label prides itself in its products being free from pesticides, microplastics, formaldehyde, carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors. Their clothing is produced sustainably in L.A. and offers a large line of comfy classics for women, as well as a smaller line for men and an all-organic line for kids!
14. Ramblers Way
Ramblers Way – headquartered in Walpole, Maine – produces sustainable men’s and women’s wear from ethically sourced premium Rambouillet Merino wool and Pima Cotton. With the goal of consuming less – Ramblers Way chooses renewable fibers for all of their garments – offering a wide variety of sustainable produced wool and cotton items for both men and women.
15. Sugar Candy Mountain
Sugar Candy Mountain is an environmentally and socially conscious company that makes a huge effort to leave as small of a footprint as possible. Their timeless designs are meant to last in the style department. While using techniques – such as French seams – that are meant to help them hold up to years of use.
16. Two Days Off
Two Days Off is a carbon-neutral, independently woman-owned lifestyle brand that is committed to creating thoughtfully crafted clothes that will last. TDO’s garments are designed for longevity and made using sustainable and ethical materials and procedures in small batches in L.A. Two Days Off prioritizes using natural materials sourced from within the United States to further their commitment – all of their products are shipped plastic-free!
17. Wigwam
Everybody needs socks – so why not invest in a pair proudly made in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA. Wigwam is continually working to reduce the carbon footprint at their manufacturing facilities and support local by sourcing their wool from American yarn spinners. Wigwam has been dedicated to producing superior socks for over a century!
18. Wintergreen Northern Wear
These days, most of the outerwear on the market is produced in facilities overseas. Thankfully – Wintergreen Northern Wear gives you an option for outdoor apparel made in Minnesota since 1987. For jackets, coats and other outdoor essentials made in the USA – check out what Wintergreen offers.
10 American Made Jeans Brands
The most classic jeans brands that are eponymous with being American made – Levi’s, Wrangler’s, and Lee’s – are, sadly, no longer made in America. With the low labor costs found overseas, most jeans companies have sent their production elsewhere. Thankfully – there are a few companies who still believe in American made superiority.
1. B SIDES
Though B Side’s boasts more than just jeans – and long history behind the brand – their American-made denim collection is top-notch. With Denim sourced from family-owned mills in Georgia and North Carolina – B Sides hopes to create the favorite pair of jeans you’ll be wearing for years to come.
Billiam Jeans
Billiam offers a unique model – all their jeans are custom-made just for you. Offering several styles to choose from – for men and women – once you select your design, you will have a follow-up appointment to get your own precise measurements. Since no two bodies are the same – what could be better than a pair of jeans made precisely for you?
Crawford Denim Co.
Crawford Denim is a small-batch, hand-crafted denim brand sharing its family legacy through simple designs. Crawford Denim offers jeans and other artisanal clothing made in Southern California, USA.
Dearborn Denim
Ethically manufactured apparel since 2016 – Dearborn Denim believes that a good pair of jeans should last for years and be a pleasure to wear. Dearborn is a small family-run business that offers their customers classic jeans cuts at fair prices. Everything they make is designed, cut, sewn, and finished in their Chicago, Illinois factory.
Detroit Denim Co.
Detroit Denim Company is on a mission to create the world’s most sustainable pair of jeans – right in Detroit. They promise exceptional quality, using responsible materials to create a made-to-order pair of jeans – only after you place the order.
Ginew
Ginew – pronounced Gih-noo – is the country’s first Native American-owned denim collection. All of their goods are manufactured responsibly in Native America with a commitment to not exploiting the Earth, Land, or the people making them.
Imogene + Willie
Imogene and Willie started with the small goal of producing one perfect pair of jeans for men and one for women – with everything being made in the USA. Although the brand has since expanded – everything is still made with intention in small batches – helping to avoid unnecessary waste and keep each garment’s integrity intact.
Loup
This small New York-based company offers a full line of women’s wear – including numerous styles of jeans, overalls, and denim jumpsuits.
Railcar Fine Goods
Railcar Fine goods touts quality products handmade in small batches in their El Monte, California workshop. Their small team of sewers and leather workers produce clothes of the highest quality that will stand the test of time.
Raleigh Denim Workshop
Raleigh Denim Workshop offers American-made jeans you will love to wear every day. These jeans are made in Raleigh, North Carolina and offer a style and fit for everybody.
10 American Made Clothing Brands for Men
Below you will find ten of the best American-made clothing brands that specialize in lines aimed toward men.
American Trench
American Trench is a Philadelphia-based fashion brand that offers a full line of men’s apparel and accessories proudly made in the USA. It all started with a trench coat, but the company has since grown into offering everything from socks and underwear to everything you need in your wardrobe. Another cool thing about this brand is that each item comes with a description of exactly where the item was made.
Brave Star Selvage
Brave Star Selvage has been manufacturing high-quality, affordable, American-made selvage jeans in downtown L.A. since 2012. Ten years later – in addition to jeans – their offerings have increased to also include jean jackets, t-shirts, sweatpants and sweatshirts, and other accessories.
Freenote
Freenote aims to create quality menswear produced in the United States. Items are inspired by authentic American culture and timeless style icons and are made with the finest materials and the highest level of craftsmanship. Jeans, t-shirts, and outerwear – each garment is cut, sewn, and finished in California.
Glenn’s Denim
Glenn’s Denim offers handcrafted jeans and jean jackets made in New York by master denim artisan – Glenn Liburd. Glenn’s offers several different styles of jeans, pants, and jackets.
L.C. King Manufacturing Co.
L.C. King Co. was founded more than 100 years ago, in 1913, in Bristol, Tennessee, to fulfill a need for tough, durable clothing. L.C King now offers a full line of ready-to-wear workwear and casual wear, as well as a small batch collection.
Round House Jeans
Round House has been around since 1903 and is the oldest and largest maker of made in the USA jeans. At well under $100 a pair – I don’t think you’ll find a better deal on American-made denim any time soon.
Shockoe Atelier
Shockoe Atelier has been putting out ethically manufactured apparel in Richmond, Virginia, since 2012. Inspired by European tailoring – Shockoe aims to embody a new style of American Workwear. This brand is so confident in its product that they offer free lifetime repairs and a guarantee on all of our clothing for rips, tears, and blowouts
Tellason
Tellason is a proud American company that produces not only their apparel right here in the USA – but even their pocketing, thread, buttons, rivets and leather patches are American-made.
Texas Jeans
Some people will say – it doesn’t get more American than Texas – and with Texas Jeans, it couldn’t be more true. Even though their durable apparel is manufactured in North Carolina, Texas Jeans couldn’t be more proud of their American roots.
Todd Shelton
Todd Shelton clothing was founded in Manhattan in 2005 – being established among its clientele as a brand for minimalist basics. Today – their factory ten miles outside of NYC is the home to all brand operations. Todd Shelton’s clothing is made in America from imported fabrics.
6 American Made Shoe Brands
It’s harder than ever to find a shoe brand that manufactures shoes 100% in the USA – in fact, 98% of the shoes sold in America are made overseas! Below you will find 6 brands that produce their shoes at least in part in America or offer lines of American-made products.
Allen Edmonds
Allen Edmonds is an American-based manufacturer of premium men’s shoes – creating timeless, custom-made casual and dress shoes since 1922.
Frye
Frye Boots – which these days is much more than just boots – has been around for a long time. Since 1863, while production has spread far and wide, Frye still offers their made in USA boot collection.
Kepner Scott Shoe Company
If you’re looking for shoes for a little one – Kepner Scott Shoe Company has been proudly manufacturing children’s shoes in Pennsylvania for over a century.
New Balance
New Balance is the only major shoe company to make or assemble a significant amount of athletic footwear in the United States at their facilities in Maine and Massachusetts. Definitely, something to consider when it comes time to purchase your next pair of sneakers.
Oak Street Bootmakers
Oak Street Bootmakers believes in the quality and longevity of their products – crafting footwear that is 100% recraftable and 100% made in the USA. This means from sourcing to manufacturing – everything is American-made. And these shoes can be re-soled time and time again – exponentially increasing the life of their products. Unfortunately – for now, men’s footwear is their only offering.
Russell Moccasin Co.
Russell Moccasins are custom fitted and made to measure the highest quality leather in the world. Footwear is made in Berlin, Wisconsin – and as a one-of-a-kind shop with everything being made to order, you can expect to wait a bit for your order to arrive.
Affordable Clothing Brands Made in the USA
American-made brands are often synonymous with being more expensive – but the reasons should be somewhat obvious. You might have to pay a premium price, but you’ll get a far superior product that will last much longer. Of course, some brands are more expensive than others, and a few options are more affordable.
Carhartt offers high-quality, durable goods for the whole family. Items that will last and that the company stands behind if anything happens to go wrong. Ramblers Way offers a large variety of quality items that will last at a wide range of prices. Jeans can often be one of the most expensive clothing purchases we make – but jeans should also last for years – making it more worth the investment. Dearborn Denim offers men’s and women’s jeans for under $100. Other affordable made in America brands for men include Brave Star Selvedge and Round House Jeans.
Another great option for getting high-quality, American-made goods is to shop for sales. If you’re willing to buy off-season items, you can often get garments for significantly reduced prices. And just about every company will have a sale at some point. If you look for basics or pieces with timeless designs – you won’t have to worry about your clothes being out of style even if you buy something from “last season.”
Why Wear Clothes Made in the USA?
It’s all too easy to fall prey to the fast fashion industry – cheap clothes and accessories that, upon first glance, look cute – what could be the problem? It just so happens. There are many. Supporting fast fashion brands isn’t good for the planet or its people. Most of these companies want to make lots of money quickly and don’t care much about whose expense. The environment suffers, and the conditions of the people producing these goods is, more often than not, unsafe and unfair.
Beyond ethics – these clothes don’t tend to last. Of course, there’s always an exception, but many of these brands use cheaply made fabrics and methods. Meaning – you won’t necessarily spend a lot up front – but it will start to add up with the repeat purchasing you’ll need to do once your clothes fall apart.
Unfortunately – due to the legal requirements – or lack thereof – in many foreign countries, it is much cheaper for brands to outsource their production. And not only when it comes to fast fashion. Many high-end brands outsource their production overseas as well due to labor costs being so low. These companies keep their prices to the consumer high – increasing their profits – but not necessarily providing higher-quality goods.
Below you will find four great reasons to buy clothes made in the USA. So next time you’re on the hunt for new duds and ask yourself which brands you want to support – you’ll have the answer.
Higher Quality Goods
Brands that advertise themselves as “Made in the USA” pride themselves on high-quality products and unmatched craftsmanship. Often made in smaller batches – with much more attention to details – American made goods are created by people who take great pride in their trade.
Many made in America brands will stand behind their goods, guaranteeing their quality. There is a lot more ability to oversee what is going on in production, so it’s easier to stand behind their work. Many of these companies advertise their quality guarantee with lenient return or replacement policies and lifetime warranties in some cases. These brands want to build a reputation and a clientele that will return for their superior products year after year.
Fair Wage and Labor Practices
Many apparel companies outsource their production overseas due to lenient labor laws and low working wages. These systems enable fast fashion companies to produce large amounts of clothing extremely cheaply – but at a cost to their workers. There are tons of sketchy factories around the world – including ones that will exploit children – with dangerous and inhumane working conditions. Purchasing clothes from companies that use these factories supports these practices.
Facilities in the United States work under many regulations – ensuring employee safety and that working environments are fair. These laws eliminate a huge ethical dilemma and ensure workers make a fair wage. Many brands made in the USA put extra effort into the transparency behind their production methods. This way, you can see exactly where and how your clothes are being made.
More Sustainable
Another selling point for American-made clothes is that they tend to be more environmentally friendly. Many companies make a specific effort to shrink their carbon footprints or achieve carbon-neutral or negative statuses.
While some companies will still source materials from other countries – many American made brands also pride themselves in using homegrown materials. Supporting local growers and textile producers isn’t only a patriotic move – it’s also much more sustainable. A huge amount of fossil fuels is spent on transporting goods from overseas. If more companies use nearby suppliers, carbon emissions will shrink dramatically.
Self-Satisfaction
With all that being said, it seems plain to see that buying clothes made in the USA would provide a much higher level of self-satisfaction. Helping the planet by purchasing locally made clothing is an easy way to impact and decrease your carbon footprint.
Initially – the clothes may cost a bit more. But it should be helpful to know that they’ll also probably outlast every piece of fast fashion in your closet. There are plenty of affordable made in the USA brands to frequent and don’t forget to look for sales. Knowing that you aren’t supporting companies that exploit and endanger human rights and lives will feel good every time you wear your American made clothes too.
Conclusion
I think it’s safe to say that we should all be paying attention to where the products we buy come from – especially when it impacts the environment and so many other people. It may not seem obvious at first – but being more thoughtful and intentional about where we purchase our clothes can make a big difference. Thankfully – made in the USA brands are becoming more and more popular. Which brand from above will you choose to shop at first?