50 Of The Best Made In USA Menswear Items To Buy Right Now
Celebrate the red, white, and blue with U.S.-made gear old and new.
Tomorrow is the 4th of July, which seems to me like as good an opportunity as any to talk about the state of Made in America clothing in 2024. For starters, it’s no secret that the list of brands currently producing even a portion of their range stateside is an extremely short one. Meanwhile, while fleece, denim, and leather are all doable within the lower 48, technical pieces like taped seam jackets simply can’t be made in America anymore because the skillsets and factories no longer exist.
Of course at the heart of this decline (in 1980, 70% of all clothing purchased in America was made here, but today that figure is just 3%) is that since the ‘90s, major labels, particularly the ones responsible for, well, inventing Americana, have for the most part moved production offshore. Some of these brands still do produce special edition, higher priced capsules in America from time to time, but these items hardly make up the backbone of their offerings the way they once did.
So it’s hard not to feel nostalgic for the days when even a K-Mart flannel was cut and sewn in places like Pennsylvania and Ohio, but my fondness for MiUSA products isn’t fueled by some kind of blind patriotism. I know that “Made in U.S.A.” doesn’t imply a product is automatically better—there are plenty of incredible factories overseas and I’m sure some subpar ones here at home. (To the former point, you need not look further than the fact that often the best versions of classic American items are today made in Japan.)
Still, I think there are some undeniable net positives when people in America buy from American brands making products in America. For one, local manufacturing makes it easier for labels to build real relationships with factory workers while paying them a decent wage. It’s also—at least in one major way—more sustainable to purchase products that don’t have make a journey halfway across the world to get from factory floor to your closet. And if you’re getting your USA-made gear vintage, well, the carbon offset upside is even higher.
Ultimately, will buying made in USA clothing today (say, from the below list of 50 great items) lead to a complete resurgence of the clothing manufacturing industry stateside? It can’t hurt, but probably not. The free trade agreements that led companies to outsource in the first place created a snowball effect—with less factories now operating in the U.S., making clothing here, especially at scale, is extremely difficult. Shopping habits and a shrinking middle classic have also created a climate where there are only so many people willing and able to spend, say, $140 on a hoodie or $200 on jeans. So, like it or not, the math of making in America is tough in 2024 if you’re a brand that depends on appealing to a global audience and moving major units.
All of that is to say if you’re someone who wants to invest in more locally-made gear—or are a person who, in the case of vintage, loves an amazing deal on quality menswear—then this list is the list for you. Happy 4th, and enjoy!!!
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The 50 Best Made in USA Menswear Items to Buy Right Now
50. Buck Mason Toughnit Tee, $55
49. Vintage RALPH LAUREN Pleated Shorts, $22
48. Maximum Henry Very Slim Western Belt, $135
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