There are several jeans manufacturers selling jeans in the United States. But not all of them actually make their jeans in the USA. Some don’t even use American-made denim. So how do you know you’re buying all-American jeans? What are the top jeans brands made in the USA?
Several brands make denim jeans in factories located in the USA. These include Todd Shelton, Round House Jeans, and Texas Jeans. Todd Shelton imports their denim from Japan. Other brands use denim woven in the United States, among them Round House Jeans, Texas Jeans, and American Giant.
In this article, you’ll find out which brands make their jeans in the United States. You’ll also learn which manufacturers use denim fabric made in the USA.
Jeans Brands Made in the USA
Jeans have been a part of American history since the late 1800s. Introduced as hard-wearing working pants for miners in the Californian Gold Rush, jeans were the brainchild of Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis.
Although they were designed with miners in mind, they weren’t the only group who wore jeans. Nor were they the ones who made jeans a household name. Instead, it was youthful rebellion and the adventurous exploits of the American cowboy that catapulted denim jeans to worldwide fame.
James Dean, an American actor, wore a pair of jeans in the 1955 film, ‘Rebel Without a Cause’. In so doing, he helped launch denim jeans to a generation of young Americans eager to break with the traditional clothing favored by their parents. Jeans became the epitome of American teenage angst.
But that isn’t the only link to the American way of life. Long before James Dean became a rebel, cowboys were wearing denim jeans down on the ranch.
Cowboy is a colloquial term for ranch hands. Working long hours, often in a saddle, they, too, needed heavy-duty pants that could withstand the rigors of life spent corralling horses and branding cattle.
Thanks to TV shows like ‘Bonanza’ and ‘The High Chaparral’, their daily exploits were transmitted to the masses. Jeans, cowboy boots, spurs, and a large-brimmed hat became synonymous with the American wild west.
Because of this, jeans are still regarded as part of the culture of the United States. Seen to be a true-blue American product, you could be forgiven for thinking that all jeans are made in America by American companies.
Unfortunately, that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, the top brands of jeans aren’t made in the USA. Levi’s, Lee, and Wrangler are the big three names in jeans production. But, their factories are based outside of the United States. Apart from a limited line by Wrangler, they all produce their jeans abroad.
The reason for this is simple economics. Producing jeans in the US can be expensive. To keep costs down and jeans affordable, the big three outsource the manufacturing process to other countries.
All is not lost, though. Some companies do make jeans in factories based in the United States. Let’s take a look at some of the better-known ones.
1. Detroit Denim Co, Michigan
Working out of a small factory in Detroit, Michigan, the Detroit Denim Co makes all of their jeans within the United States. The company uses local craftspeople to custom-build your jeans by hand, using your measurements to ensure the perfect fit.
Their website states they are on a “mission to make the world’s most sustainable jeans”. It’s a promise they are taking very seriously and it starts with consumption. Unlike other manufacturers, they don’t mass produce their clothing. This saves on storage and reduces the likelihood of overproduction.
Instead, they work on a per-order basis. They only start cutting the denim when an order for jeans has been received and processed. The denim they use is also sustainable. They use bankrupt stock, end-of-bolt runs, and fabric destined for landfill whenever they can.
Known as deadstock, this leftover denim is sourced from fabric warehouses within the United States. Places like the old Cone Mills plant are based in North Carolina. Before it closed in 2017, they were the supplier of denim for Levi’s jeans.
Custom-built, all-American jeans from the Detroit Denim Co don’t come cheap, though. A pair of hand-made jeans averages at or around $300. One thing you can be sure of, though, is that they are built to be durable, so they should last for years.
2. Raleigh Denim Workshop, North Carolina
Based in North Carolina, the Raleigh Denim Workshop specializes in hand-crafted jeans made from raw denim. You’ll know you have an authentic pair of Raleigh Denim jeans because all the jeans smiths sign their work on the inside of the front pocket.
Having saved and rebuilt some old jeans-making equipment, the company began as a two-person team. They made their denim pants in a small warehouse in Raleigh. They have a bigger workforce but are still working out of Raleigh, North Carolina.
You can go and visit their warehouse and watch the talented jeansmiths working on new denim pants. You can talk through the design of your jeans with one of the owners.
Victor Lytvinenko takes the time to chat with customers about their personal styles before making jeans designed specifically for them.
As you’d imagine, personal service from the top man in the company comes with a price tag. This level of customer service will set you back around $5000. There is a money-back guarantee if you don’t like Lytvinenko’s design. So far, no one has ever asked for a refund.
3. Round House Jeans, Oklahoma
Everything available for sale on the Round House Jeans website is made in the USA. Based in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Round House has been in business since 1903. They are currently the oldest manufacturer in the state. Having said that, not all their products are made in the USA.
All of their jeans are made in America. But if you buy a pair of overalls from a third-party retailer, you might find they were made outside of the US.
Not having their overalls made in America enables the company to keep its US-based factory running. That way, they can continue to make their jeans on US soil. According to their website, retailers depend on a guaranteed supply of their overalls, making multiple manufacturing sites a necessity.
Having all their eggs in a US-based basket could put them out of business. However, the company does insist on one thing. Regardless of where their products are made, they all use American cotton.
4. Shockoe Atelier, Virginia
Based in Richmond, Virginia, Shockoe Atelier not only makes jeans within the United States but also offers free repairs for the lifetime of those jeans. Their jeans are classic in design and hand-crafted to a high standard.
The company was originally known as Shockoe Denim because they only made jeans. These days, they have turned their artisan sewing skills into other items, including vests, shirts, and outerwear. They dropped the denim and changed it to Atelier, a French word meaning workshop or design studio.
Shockoe Atelier makes designer jeans using raw denim. Their jeans offer a refined, low-maintenance product that oozes American heritage, with more than a touch of modern luxury.
5. Texas Jeans, North Carolina
Click on the Texas Jeans website and you will immediately see their credentials. A sliding header proudly proclaims their jeans are made from American denim and are made in America.
In fact, the denim they use is woven at the Mount Vernon Mills in Georgia. It’s one of the last remaining denim mills in the United States. The mill uses American cotton, making Texas Jeans one of the few makers still producing 100% American jeans within the USA.
Based in Asheboro, North Carolina, Texas Jeans are part of the Fox Apparel group, a company that also produces battle fatigues for the US military. They are a true-blue American company with the USA close to their hearts.
Texas jeans are synonymous with work wear and are affordable. Unlike other US-based jeans manufacturers, they haven’t gone down the designer prices road. You can currently get 2 pairs of their jeans for $99.
6. Agave Denim, California
Agave Denim is located in Los Angeles, California. Their jeans are described on their website as “at the confluence of coastal California living and modern luxury”. These are fun-loving designer jeans.
Denim for Agave Jeans is sourced from within the United States where possible. Their jeans are also cut and sewn inside the USA. Their style is classic American jeans but upgraded to encompass quality living.
Each pair of Agave jeans is finished by hand. It’s a process that makes every pair unique. It also gives them a designer-level price tag. You’ll find many pairs of jeans in the Agave range at or around the $200 mark.
7. Bullet Blues, Florida
Based in Coral Springs, Florida, Bullet Blues uses American denim to make designer jeans for men and women, and their website states that Bullet Blues uses “100% American craftsmanship and resources”.
Their focus is on quality, durability, and sophistication. Every piece in their collection is made with care and attention to detail, all to ensure you look and feel great.
Although the company headquarters are in Florida, they also have a base in Los Angeles, making t-shirts and button-up shirts.
8. Diamond Gusset Jean Company, Tennessee
Founded in 1987, the Diamond Gusset Jean Company uses a diamond-shaped gusset in their jeans, giving their denim pants extra comfort and durability. It also gives them a unique brand.
Also known as Gusset, their website proudly states that their jeans are made in America. Every step of the production process, from cutting through to finishing, is performed on US soil.
The company sources its denim from more than one location. While some of the denim they use is woven at Mount Vernon Mills in Georgia, some pants use denim made at the Cone Denim Mills in Mexico.
9. L.C. King Manufacturing Co, Tennessee
Founded in 1913, LC King Manufacturing Co is one of the oldest family-owned jeans factories in the United States. They still have a factory store and make their jeans on American soil using American denim.
Based in Bristol, Tennessee, they make a range of clothing from denim, cotton drill, and duck fabrics. Designed to be hard-wearing work wear, they carry jeans, overalls, and work shirts. Prices vary from around $90 to $200, depending on the garment.
The company is still owned and operated by the King family. Now in their fourth generation, they still strive to meet the standards of the founder, Landon Clayton King.
10. Todd Shelton, New Jersey
Founded in 2005, Todd Shelton originally set up shop in downtown Manhattan and became known as a jeans brand offering minimalist style.
Today, they operate from a warehouse in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Where they make and distribute their jeans. Making them one of the few American Jeans companies still producing jeans in the USA.
Although they make their jeans on US soil, they don’t use US denim. They use denim imported from Japan. Todd Shelton jeans are designer apparel and come with a high price tag. You’re looking at paying between $260 to $300 for a pair of their jeans.
Where Are Wrangler Jeans Made?
Although Wrangler is one of the best-known brands of American jeans, they don’t make all their jeans in the US. Most of their range is outsourced to other countries. If you buy your Wranglers from a big box store like Walmart, they were probably made outside of the USA.
However, the company is taking steps to change that. Wrangler has a company commitment to using 100% sustainable cotton by 2025. To meet that goal, they introduced a new range of jeans that would be cut and sewn within the US.
The product is known as the Rooted Collection and it has been available since 2019. These are limited-edition jeans using 100% American-grown cotton from places like Georgia, Alabama, California, North Carolina, and Texas.
As of the time of writing this article, the Rooted Collection is only available on the Wrangler website. However, there has been talking about expanding availability to third-party retail stores at some point in the future.
This range of sustainable, American-made Wrangler jeans is priced at around $99 to $120, making them a nod to Wrangler’s reputation as the maker of classic, stylish jeans for everyone.
Are Levi’s Jeans Made in America?
The answer to this one is mostly no. Most Levi’s jeans are made outside of the United States. Like Lee and Wrangler, Levi’s moved their jeans production to other countries to reduce costs.
You’ll find that Levi’s uses factories, labor, and resources in places like Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. The reason is simple. Raw materials and cheap labor are easier to come by, enabling the company to lessen their overheads, improve profits, and provide affordable jeans.
However, until recently, Levi’s had a Made in the USA collection. Based in Texas and using North Carolina denim, this was a range of 100% American-made jeans. Unfortunately, the link to the website page no longer exists, suggesting that Levi’s no longer carries this particular collection of denim pants.
You can still find some Levi’s jeans that were made in America. They tend to be vintage or second-hand. The company offers gently used and vintage Levi’s for sale on its website. So technically, you could say Levi’s still sells jeans made in the US.
Popular Jeans Brands in the USA
There are several popular jeans brands in the USA. Most of them are also the best-known jeans in the world. Let’s take a look at them.
Diesel
An Italian brand founded by Renzo Rosso in 1978, Diesel jeans have been popular since the 1990s, thanks mostly to an imaginative and artistic advertising campaign.
Diesel grew rapidly throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s. By 2010, the company had a retail presence in 80 countries, making it a truly global enterprise.
Today, Diesel jeans are among the most expensive in the world and is considered a high-end manufacturer that exudes quality and style.
Lee
Lee Jeans have been around since 1889. They are one of the big three names in the world of denim. The other two are Levi’s and Wrangler.
Founded by Henry David Lee in Salina, Kansas, the company became a household name in 1913. Their jeans and overalls were aimed at hard-working farmers, railroad workers, and mechanics.
The company mascot, a doll named Buddy Lee, helped catapult the company to further heights. He was subjected to various daring and dangerous situations, all of which he survived, literally by the seat of his pants. Or rather, thanks to his Lee jeans.
Levi’s
The brainchild of Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis, Levi’s were the inventors of the world’s first pair of denim jeans. They revolutionized work pants by reinforcing the pockets with metal rivets.
The company was founded in San Francisco back in the 1870s. By the 1980s, they had 63 plants within the USA, all making their famous jeans.
Unfortunately, the last American factories were closed in 2003, leading to Levi’s jeans being produced in other parts of the world.
Pepe Jeans London
Established in 1973, Pepe Jeans was founded in Portobello, London. Known for their famous range of skinny jeans, the company is constantly redefining denim and its role in modern fashion.
Today, Pepe Jeans have a worldwide presence and a range of jeans to suit every shape and size. They are currently working towards reducing their environmental impact to produce more sustainable jeans.
True Religion
Made using a five-needle thread with two stitches per inch, True Religion’s innovative Super T Stitch revolutionized the making of jeans. So much so that they had to redesign the industrial sewing machines normally used to sew denim.
They hit the ground running in 2002 and haven’t looked back since. Born in Los Angeles, the company is associated with quality, craftsmanship, and style.
True Religion jeans carry an instantly recognizable horseshoe design on the back pockets. Their bright designs are the epitome of classic style with a large dose of the modern can-do attitude.
Wrangler
Wrangler’s western style jeans hit the market back in 1947. Designed by Rodeo Ben, they became the go-to jeans of professional rodeo cowboys. Their popularity led them to be endorsed by the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association in 1974. To date, Wrangler is still the only brand to win that accolade.
Known for their strength and durability, Wrangler jeans have always had a strong relationship with cowboys and riding horses. So much so that in 2005 they teamed up with the American Quarter Horse Association to help design the Ultimate Riding jean for women.
Wrangler, Levi’s, and Lee are known as the big three when it comes to jeans. Of those three American companies, Wrangler is the only one currently producing a range of jeans made in the USA.
Do Jeans Made in the USA Use American Denim?
Jeans made in the USA aren’t always made from denim made in America. Some USA-based manufacturers use denim imported from Japan. These include Tellason and Todd Shelton.
Japanese denim is considered to be the best denim in the world. This is why high-end brands like Todd Shelton use it in their designer jeans. It’s not exactly sustainable, though. Importing denim to the US from Japan can increase the environmental footprint of the jeans.
Other brands making jeans in the USA use imported denim from Mexico. One such company is Dearborn Denim, based in Chicago, Illinois. The distance the denim has to travel is a bit shorter, but there is still a bit of an environmental impact nonetheless.
The good news is there are several jeans makers based in the US that use American denim. All American Clothing from Ohio, Schaefer Outfitter from Texas, Texas Jeans from North Carolina, and American Giant from Texas all use denim made in the USA.
If you want your jeans made from denim woven in the US, check with the brand before purchasing their jeans. Either check the care label or email the company and ask them where they source their denim fabric.
Conclusion
Being a USA-based manufacturer of jeans doesn’t always mean the garments are made in the USA. Levi’s and Lee are famous American companies, but their jeans are produced elsewhere.
Wrangler has a Rooted Collection that is made in the US. But it’s a limited range, making up only a mere fraction of their jeans inventory.
For all-American jeans made within the US, you need to look toward smaller companies. Brands like Texas Jeans and American Giant make their jeans in the US. They also use American-made denim.