10 American Brands Making Denim & Jeans In The USA
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Denim is a daily staple in closets all across America. It’s simple, versatile, and built to stand the test of time. For many of our readers, denim also serves as a much-needed anchor in the quest for a minimalist wardrobe. Is there anything that feels more minimalist than your favorite jeans?
As with many other clothing items we wear each day, there is, unfortunately, a dark side to denim. Manufacturers everywhere compete for rock bottom prices through forced labor and thoughtless environmental practices. Thankfully, many ethical denim brands from around the world are actively fighting back against this trend with thoughtful production and labor practices. And, in the US, this search for ethics and transparency has led to a new wave of American-made denim.
Are you looking for more clothing that’s ethically made, here in the USA? Check out our guide to American-made fashion brands here.
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best For Women
1. Todd Shelton
Best For | Men’s jeans that fit perfectly
Made in USA | East Rutherford, NJ
Product Range | Jeans, pants, tops, sweatshirts
Denim Price | $265–$285
Todd Shelton is creating American wardrobe staples that you’ll proudly wear for years to come. The brand sources fabrics from countries with similar labor and environmental regulation as the USA and the made-to-order approach means that less waste during manufacturing. The casual and classic brand is perfect for the conscious gentleman, and the high-quality wardrobe staples will last a lifetime. We love Todd Shelton’s wide range of washes and varying options for raw, selvedge, and stretch denim.
2. Imogene + Willie
Best For | High and extra high rises
Made in USA | Nashville, TN
Product Range | Men & women’s shirts, pants, jackets, accessories
Denim Price | $225–$295
Imogene + Willie was born in the back of a Nashville gas station. After spending years in a family denim business, Matt and Carrie Eddmenson created the shop in hopes that it would become a destination for like-minded seekers of quality American-made apparel. Today, the brand hasn’t lost a bit of its ardent passion and has a strong follower base that swears by the quality and aesthetic of the brand. I+W stands out for its personable approach to denim, custom hems, and attention to detail. You can visit the brand’s store in Nashville or browse the denim collection for all genders online.
3. American Giant
Best For | Men’s staple jeans
Made in USA | El Paso, TX
Product Range | Men’s and women’s tops, bottoms, and accessories
Denim Price | $150
American Giant believes that a piece of clothing as iconically American as jeans should be made right here in the states. Using American-grown cotton, the fabric is sewn in Georgia and then finished in Texas, making it as homegrown as they come. Their Dakota men’s jeans are straightforward and well-made, available in two washes and slim or straight fits, they just might be the only pair he needs.
4. Loup
Best For | Versatile women’s styles
Made in USA | New York City, NY
Product Range | Jeans, shorts, jumpsuits, outerwear, shirts, dresses, bags
Denim Price | $163–$268
Parisian-inspired clothing made start-to-finish in New York City? That’s our vibe. Loup is a womenswear brand that uses inspiration from icons like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot for fashion-forward pieces we love, like curve-friendly pants and vintage shorts. Loup also offers sizing XXS through 3X, with many pieces that stretch up to two inches bigger than the suggested fit. There are dozens of colors and styles to choose from, however you like to dress in denim.
5. Outerknown
Best For | Relaxed styles
Made in USA | Los Angeles, CA
Product Range | Adult and children’s apparel, accessories, and pre-worn shop
Denim Price | $168–$328
For some of the most sustainable jeans on the market, we’re looking at Outerknown. The California brand manufactures its women’s jeans at Saitex, a sustainable factory in LA that uses the highest environmental and ethical standards to create a truly superior product. While the S.E.A. jeans (an acronym for Social and Environmental Accountability) aren’t made in the USA, they are ethically produced and made from organic and recycled cotton. Each pair is backed with a lifetime guarantee from the brand.
6. Texas Jeans
Best For | Custom inseams for heavy duty jeans
Made in USA | Asheboro, NC
Product Range | Men’s jeans, shirts, shorts, jackets, wildland firefighting apparel
Denim Price | $43–$80
Texas Jeans make made-to-order jeans that have been manufactured in the USA for nearly 50 years. With custom inseams available in most sizes, these affordable jeans are meant to be put to work and worn for life. Their best-selling styles have more room in the thighs and hips, making them ideal for anyone who’s looking for jeans they can move in. Made from American cotton from the historic Mt. Vernon Mills, the customer reviews rave about the texture, fit, and durability of these jeans.
7. American Trench
Best For | Soft jeans
Made in USA | Varies by collection
Product Range | Adult apparel, outerwear, footwear, accessories, socks
Denim Price | $218
American Trench is a Philadelphia-based brand committed to ethical manufacturing. Though they started out making––you guessed it, the perfect trench coat––they have since expanded their collections to include men’s and women’s apparel including outerwear, accessories, and footwear. All of their products are made in the USA, including their Shockoe washed jeans, which are manufactured in LA. Perfect for anyone who wants their denim made from pure cotton (no stretchy blends here!) and soft as butter, these jeans also come with a lifetime of repairs from Shockoe.
8. AYR
Best For | Signature jeans available in short and regular inseams
Made in USA | California
Product Range | Adult apparel including tops, bottoms, jackets, dresses & skirts, and accessories
Denim Price | $145–$245
AYR (pronounced like “air”), stands for “All Year Round,” which is exactly how often they expect you to wear their classic, well-designed garments. Working in small batch production to reduce waste and ensure the highest possible quality for everything they produce, all of their bestselling jeans are made in California. Available in multiple classic washes and up to three inseams, there’s no doubt you’ll find your next favorite pair––just check out the hundreds of five star reviews!
9. Ginew
Best For | Selvedge denim
Made In USA| Portland, OR
Product Range | Jeans, jackets, shirts, outerwear, accessories
Denim Price | $268–$350
Ginew (Gih-noo) is one of the only Native American-owned denim collections in the world. Founded by a husband-and-wife duo, this brand makes jeans with timeless methods and local materials like selvedge fabrics from the Nihon Menpu mill. Every creation from this brand incorporates elements of Native American heritage (specifically Ojibwe, Oneida, and Mohican), and is designed to last a lifetime. We love how Ginew weaves family symbols and teachings into garments using techniques handed down for generations.
Featured image from Outerknown
