The Journal. How to Make a $12.98 T-Shirt... in the U.S.
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Jan 3, 2025 Bayard Winthrop, Founder of American Giant and a trailblazer in American clothing manufacturing, discusses the revival of U.S. apparel production. He shares the challenges of bringing manufacturing back home after decades of outsourcing and the impact on local communities. Winthrop explains how his partnership with Walmart facilitated the creation of a $12.98 t-shirt, balancing affordability with quality. He also addresses the complexities of supply chains and tariffs that threaten the resurgence of American-made clothing.
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The $12.98 T-shirt
- Walmart sold an American-made T-shirt for $12.98.
- This patriotic shirt was unusual due to its low price and American origin.
Decline of American-Made Clothes
- In the 1960s, 95% of clothing bought by Americans were American-made.
- This drastically dropped, impacting manufacturing towns and causing job losses.
American Giant's Origin
- Bayard Winthrop, founder of American Giant, was frustrated with outsourced production.
- He started American Giant, focusing on American-made knitwear like sweatshirts.