jeans and a t-shirt.

I’m frequently asked, how do I know what should be made in America? While my mission with this site (and the A-list!) is to help you find brands and items that you love, it is also to make the shopping process easier for you. And while I wish I could provide you with an exact list of items, similar to the DIRTY DOZEN, it’s just not that easy – yet. But when I think about it, there are two items that I believe should always be made here.

Jeans and a t-shirt.

This is inarguably the quintessential American uniform. Why is that? We do tend to be more casual here. But the fabrics and items are also classically American. T-shirts became common due to military issue in the late 1890s (US servicemen started wearing them regularly following the war) and Levi Strauss invented jeans (which are really just denim pants reinforced with rivets) for gold rush miners in 1873. The primary material for both items is cotton – and the US is still the leading producer of cotton. I don’t think that’s something we can ignore. This is a classic look, and it should be made in America.

(ps – that other American staple? The chambray? It’s denim. Same rule applies!)

Some of my favorites:

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