The Journal.
How to Make a $12.98 T-Shirt... in the U.S.
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.
19:22
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Quick takeaways
- Reviving U.S. clothing manufacturing, as exemplified by American Giant, faces significant challenges in rebuilding supply chains and sourcing materials domestically.
- The collaboration with Walmart highlights how strategic partnerships can innovate affordable American-made products while addressing broader industry issues like factory closures.
Deep dives
The Significance of U.S. Manufacturing
The podcast highlights the importance of manufacturing clothing in the United States, using a Walmart shirt as a case study. The shirt, priced at $12.98, is notable for being entirely produced in the U.S., from the cotton cultivation to the final sewing. This situation is increasingly rare, as less than 4% of clothing purchased by Americans is now made domestically, a sharp decline from 95% in the 1960s. The conversation sheds light on how manufacturing has moved overseas due to cheaper labor and trade agreements like NAFTA, leading to significant job losses in various communities.
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