The average American household spends $1,800 on clothes per year. For each individual, that averages out at around 70 pieces of clothing—and from San Francisco to NYC, those number add up. In fact, across the nation, that equals almost 20 billion new pieces of clothing being bought every year.
How much of that is made in the USA? About 2%. An incredible drop from the 1960s when 95% of clothing was American Made. So, whether you’re looking for t-shirts, hoodies, menswear or womenswear, you’ll have to look long and hard in the 21st century.
Obviously, over the last few decades, more and more companies have been outsourcing materials and manufacturing garments from abroad in an effort to reduce production costs. This takes jobs from American people and sends US dollars out of the USA. We believe that American made still means something and we strive to support every company that shares that belief.
For that reason, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite American-made workwear brands that tell you exactly where their materials come from, where they’re manufactured, and most importantly, whether its US workers stitching together your work clothes!
Carhartt
Carhartt was founded in the Detroit area way back in 1889 by Hamilton Carhartt as a workwear brand. Today, it is one of the most recognizable American-made clothing brands both in the US and the world thanks to a recent boom in popularity. They also produce stylish outerwear, casualwear and sportswear for just about any occasion. Most of Carhartt’s clothing is manufactured in the US, in Tennessee and Kentucky specifically, where they use materials from local American companies. However, a lot of their materials also come from Mexico. Carhartt labels their American-made clothes with a ‘Made in the USA’ logo, so if it doesn’t have that logo, it isn’t solely made in the US.
Camber
Camber USA is 100% American made and sold exclusively to the US wholesale trade market. Based in Pennsylvania, Camber has been operating out of the same factory since the company was founded in 1948. They specialise in heavyweight outerwear and active clothing for industry and sport. All Camber products are handmade in the USA and every single product proudly carries the Made in America logo. It’s among the best American workwear brands available
Bayside
‘From Dirt to Shirt’, Bayside proudly advertise themselves as ‘The True American Tee’. All their products are made on American soil and have been since the company began in 1995. Bayside are passionate about creating American made Tees and committed to creating more jobs and opportunities in America, for Americans. They also offer a broad range of workwear options, including work pants, work shirts, and shorts.
Benchmark FR
Benchmark FR was founded in 2002 by an engineer and a fashion designer, and quickly became a market leader . Since then they’ve been manufacturing high-quality flame resistant clothing using their own innovative materials. They guarantee flame resistant clothing for the life of the garment and boast an impressive less than 1% return rate on their products. Benchmark FR are one of the few fire resistant clothing companies in the States that can boast the claim American Made, which is why they proudly manufacture all of their garments in the USA, with 95% of those coming specifically out of Santa Anna, California.
ExtremeGard
ExtremeGard makes freezerwear clothing to keep you warm in cold circumstances, meaning it is an ideal choice for anyone working in walk-in freezers and coolers, in the meat or dairy business, or anyone working outside in cold temperatures. Producing two specific lines that cater to both temperatures 0 and -50, they provide the protection you need to continue performing any task under any temperature. All of ExtremeGards products are proudly made in the USA and their main manufacturing facility can be found in Tennessee. They’re freezewear dungarees are particularly popular.
Snap’N’Wear
Snap’N’Wear has been a leading supplier of high quality industrial clothing, work apparel, uniforms and outerwear for over 70 years. Established way back in 1943, Snap’N’Wear is a division of the Corp. that operates out of Mount Vernon, New York. You don’t stay in business for 70 years without producing a great product, which is exactly why you can trust Snap’N’Wear clothing for all of your workwear needs, they even provide sizes up to 7XL, catering to everyone no matter how big or small. Despite all this, not everything Snap’N’Wear produces is American Made, with many of their materials and products coming from outside of the USA.
Stan Ray Apparel
‘Tried and True since 1972’. Stan Ray Apparel is a family run company that hails from Texas and produces hand-stitched and sewn clothes designed for workwear and everyday living. Stan Ray Apparel is known in the USA as an honest, all-American, family run business that prides itself on craftsmanship. The company’s pants are recognized throughout the world for being both durable and fashionable, which is why there’s been a recent surge in popularity for these all purpose pants.
Gung Ho Apparel
Just like Stan Ray, Gung Ho Apparel is also under the umbrella company of Earl’s Apparel. Meaning they’re run by the same hard-working American family and they produce hand-stitched clothing for hard-working Americans. All of Gung Ho’s clothing is manufactured in the USA. They produce fashionable and durable pants that would feel good and offer protection at work and would both feel and look good just about anywhere else.
Round House
Round House is the largest manufacturer of American-made jeans and overalls in the United States. Round House’s rich history dates all the way back to its founding in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1903. For over a century, Round House has been sewing hand stitched American clothing for the early railway pioneers of the United States, the American military of World War II, the cultural youth movement of the 60s which popularized denim and the hardworking American people of this century and the last. Their award-winning iconic American made bib overalls and coveralls are unlike any other. Round House is an all-American brand that creates iconic clothing by combining American history, tradition, and culture.
Union Line
Union Line was founded in 1907 by the Rubin brothers and it has the same values today that it was built upon then: to be a family first company that cares about its workers and their families.
Since 1907, Union Line has woven itself into the fabric of twentieth century America by being active and playing a part in some of the most important parts of US history. Union Line manufactured some of the first non-riveted jeans used by United Auto Workers, manufactured military uniforms for the US Army in World War II, and manufactured fire resistant jackets for the New York Fire Department. When you buy Union Line you can be sure of two things: high-quality clothing that is 100% USA Union made clothing by Americans for Americans.
ASW Jackets
ASW Jackets, also known as American Spiritwear Jackets, have cut their own style of jackets in the USA and became one of the most recognized brands for sporting events in the states. Based in Booneville, Arkansas, ASW Jackets proudly produce only American-made jackets and clothing for their customers. They even offer sizes from XXS to 5XL on many of their clothing, meaning they cater to everyone regardless of size. ASW Jackets have become a symbol of American sportswear since they began and we hope they will continue to be for a long time to come.
King Louie America
King Louie America has been a symbol of American quality and value since it began way back in 1937. King Louie will offer a wide line of clothing including fashion, performance, active wear, outerwear and workwear, tailoring to every customer’s needs, all year long. The proud American company only manufactures Union and USA made clothing meaning why you buy King Louie you are supporting true American labor. Although times may change, King Louie’s values haven’t, and their longstanding tradition of producing everything in the USA is the reason they are the number one supplier of Union Made in the USA apparel today.
For more information on our favorite American-made brands, check out the store or contact us today.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.