It is obvious that the majority of American companies are still outsourcing their manufacturing to other countries. Cost reduction is the primary reason as to why they are doing it since labor costs outside the USA are definitely cheaper. However, there are still American made t-shirts manufacturers who are still out there constantly producing apparel and providing jobs to Americans.
What t-shirts are made in the USA? The best American made clothing brands list include the following:
- American Apparel
- Bella+Canvas
- Bayside
- Los Angeles Apparel
- Royal Apparel
There are more companies in the American made clothing brands list. You can be assured that there are plenty of options for you if you want to be guaranteed that you are buying American made shirts.
American Apparel
This is quite a mixed bag since this manufacturer is now owned by a Canadian apparel company, Gildan.
It was founded by a Canadian businessman, Dov Charney about twenty years ago and soon became easily one of the substantial American made t-shirts manufacturer and marketer. However, it did not manage to maintain it’s good financial standing as it went on to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice, in 2015 and in 2016. Gildan Activewear managed this company to purchase in the auction held after the second bankruptcy.
Right now, a majority of its products are produced outside America.
Nevertheless, there are about 10 pieces of clothing apparel that are wholly made domestically, aptly called the USA Collection. They are the following:
- Unisex t-shirt that comes in 3 variants: 100% cotton made, tri-blend, and a 50/50 blend
- Long-sleeved t-shirt
- Women’s 100% cotton made cut t-shirt
- Zip-up hoodie
- V-neck 100% cotton made t-shirt
- Youth t-shirt
- Raglan t-shirt
- Tank tops
Bella+Canvas
Image by threads_screen_print
This company prides itself because of its commitment to ethically producing sweatshop-free, environmentally conscious, and high-quality apparel. Their headquarters and key manufacturing plant are both located right in Los Angeles area itself.
Their t-shirts are exceptional in terms of fit and the feel from the fabric itself and all the way to its durability. They are also popular for their knack of releasing new clothing choices that give its buyers options always.
Just like with American Apparel, they have also production plants outside the USA. However, they still have plenty of American made shirts in their company catalog. Their Los Angeles manufacturing plant even produced about ten million units in 2017.
This company is also the largest dyer and cutter of fabrics in the country which have increased the size of their current workforce which right now is well over 1,000.
If you are on a lookout for a particular t-shirt that is 100% locally sourced and made from one of the leading American made t-shirts wholesale provider, look no further at the Bella+Canvas 3001U. This is their standard unisex t-shirt produced in the USA.
Bayside Apparel & Headwear
If there is one company in the American made clothing brands list who is only producing in this country, then it is Bayside. They even included the tag “Made in the USA” under their brand name which is appearing in their online site.
They make it their business to provide the finest American made shirts and other printable apparel at very competitive prices. They claim that they can do this because they use only high-quality fabric combined with the excellent American workmanship.
They have an automated cutting machine which enables them to always furnish consistent die-cut garments. Also, their own automated and cutting edge Pocket Setter allows them to come out with accurate pockets all the time.
These are some of the variants in their American made shirts catalog:
- Basic t-shirts
- Long sleeves t-shirts
- Roll-up t-shirts
- Ringer t-shirts
- Organic t-shirts
- Performance t-shirts
- Pocket style t-shirts
- Big and tall t-shirts
- Youth t-shirts
- Toddler t-shirts
They also manufacture sports shirts, tank tops, fleece, socks, headwear, aprons, and tote bags.
Los Angeles Apparel
The previous owner of American Apparel Co., Dov Charney, is now in charge of this company which he founded and started in 2016. This makes it one of the newest American made t-shirts manufacturers.
The business model here is also adapted from the owner’s previous company, American Apparel. Aside from being a manufacturer, it is also a designer and an American made t-shirts wholesale provider.
It wouldn’t also be surprised to find out that most of its employees came from American Apparel. Also, pieces of machinery, fabrics, sewing machines, and other equipment were also purchased from the old company during its bankruptcy sale.
Casting this origin story aside, the company focuses on maintaining all of its production on the domestic front and employing workers within the Greater Los Angeles area. They pay fair wages to their workers.
Los Angeles Apparel also purchases only Made in USA textile and yarn products. They are also one of the leading pioneers in using organic and recycled cotton in their manufacturing practices.
Since their owner and founder is also a known designer, their garments are renowned for their classic fit. A great percentage of his designs from his previous company are also offered here.
You may want to check out their LA Apparel 20001 and Unisex TR01 tri-blend t-shirt models.
Other items in their American made shirts catalog which the company has named as Classic Originals are:
- Women’s Fine Jersey 23302TW
- Unisex Fine Jersey Pocket Tee 24006
- Unisex Fine Jersey V-neck Tee 24056
- Unisex Poly-Cotton Tank 50/50 FF08
- Unisex Poly Raglan ¾ Sleeve 50 FF53
They also produce tennis skirts, hoodies, running shorts, leggings, bodysuits, and tote bags.
Royal Apparel
They are headquartered in Long Island, New York.
They started their operations in 1992 and want to be known for their sustainable, innovative organic, and recycled fabrics.
Aside from these motivations, they are promoting American workmanship, comfort, style, and reduced environmental impacts in their American made shirts and apparel.
They are exceptionally proud of their highly skilled workers whose expertise make the quality of their products stand out from the import alternatives and competition.
Royal Apparel only sources for materials eco-friendly materials which make for a great wear for their customers.
They also would like to make their customers feel good about this purchase since they are recycling materials. They have the RPET which is creating a unique soft fiber made from discarded plastics.
They are using sustainable alternative fabrics such as organic type cotton, industrial hemp, and bamboo. These plants do not use as much water, fertilizers and pesticides compared to the common material. These are also among the most rapidly growing plants that are available in today’s market.
Because of these fabric sources, they are coming out with 100% organic cotton, hemp, and cotton blends, bamboo and cotton blends, and eco-friendly tri-blends. These are all part of their organic products catalog.
Royal Apparel includes low impact dyes in their manufacturing processes which reduces the effect on water quality.
Their apparel is assembled by the highly-skilled union workers. The quality produced is very comfortable and people looking for this type are keeping these union workers employed and enjoying higher pay.
In case you are actively looking for a private label manufacturer, Royal Apparel is also undertaking this for select customers. They can handle everything from design and then the shipment to the intended final destination.
Custom labeling is another service being offered by this company.
Aside from t-shirts, they have fleeces, tank tops, activewear, and thermals for men and women. Dresses and bottoms are also part of their catalog aside from kids and infant wear.
Related Questions
Is American Apparel made in the USA?
Since this company is now owned by a Canadian one, Gildan. It is not being tagged as a globally sourced brand. Before, its tees, pants, hoodies, and tanks were being made in the downtown part of Los Angeles. As of today, there is a particular line called Made in the USA which is a capsule collection.
What is the most popular brand of clothing in the USA?
This is the list of the most popular brand of clothing in the US ranked by preference by Americans as of 2017:
- Nike – 51.69%
- Levis – 44.03%
- Adidas – 42.14%
- Calvin Klein – 35.32%
- Converse – 28.66%
- Tommy Hilfiger – 27.11%
- Under Armour – 27.06%
- Ralph Lauren – 24.48%
- H&M – 23.28%
- Zara – 22.24%
What brand of clothes are made in the USA?
These are some of the brands whose clothing are still manufactured in the USA:
- All American Clothing Co. (jeans, and outerwear, and sweatshirts)
- American Giant (shirts, outerwear, and pants)
- Baldwin Denim & Collection (jeans, designer shirts, and accessories)
- Battenwear (outerwear, shirts, sweats, and accessories)
- Buck Mason (jackets, polos, sweaters, pants, and accessories)
- Emerson Fry (blouses, dresser, shoes, and jackets)
- Fair Ends (ball caps)
- Flynn Skye (dresses, tops, jumpers, pants, and swimwear)
- Gamine Workwear (workwear)
- Gitman Bros (dress shirts, sports shirts, and ties)
Is Carhartt clothing made in the USA?
Yes. They are proud to be Made in America by the American worker for the great American worker. They are part of the small 2% of the purchased apparel in the US that are still being manufactured in this country. Their dungarees, duck jackets, and work boots are of excellent quality and tough to match up with.
