Shopping for the perfect pair of jeans can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for American-produced jeans, the challenge becomes even more extreme.
Most of today’s most well-known jean brands don’t produce their denim in the US, which makes their products less desirable to many consumers.
Why? Offshore manufacturing may make the production process cheaper for companies, but these practices can take American profits overseas or, in many cases, introduce unethical and wasteful practices into the supply chain.
Celebrating American craftsmanship: Fashion brands dedicated to producing jeans in the USA (Credit: Tatiana Kasyanova / Shutterstock)
Some consumers don’t mind these trade-offs if it means a cheaper product, but many are becoming more conscious of the downsides to cheap manufacturing.
While brands like Levi’s and Carhartt don’t produce their jeans in the US, many top denim companies do.
Keep reading for a roundup of nine of the top jean manufacturers with factories right here in the US. Between all the options on the list, there’s something here for everyone!
1. Todd Shelton: Exclusive Men’s Denim Crafted in New Jersey
Todd Shelton jeans are created in a factory based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Focusing on men’s jeans, Todd Shelton offers a variety of wash options for its top seller, the Pro Original (13 oz. selvedge denim jeans).
Todd Shelton: A legacy of quality denim manufacturing in East Rutherford, New Jersey since 2002
The Pro Original has outperformed every other denim fit the company has offered for over a decade.
The Pro Original: Todd Shelton’s longest-running and top-selling product, retails for $275
Beyond the Pro Original, it also offers a number of limited-time seasonal releases that will vary throughout the year.
2. Raleigh Denim Workshop: Artisan Jeans for All, Made in Downtown Raleigh
Raleigh Denim Workshop produces jeans for both men and women in a variety of styles. It makes most of its jeans in the company’s downtown Raleigh workshop, where it employs jean-smiths that use old-school machines that have been sourced and repaired to keep up with the times.
Founded in 2007: Raleigh Denim Workshop, an industrial-chic hub for high-end, handcrafted rustic denim jeans and apparel
Its stretch jeans are produced by a community of American manufacturers who are taught the Raleigh Denim methods before they’re brought on board.
In any case, rest assured that your Raleigh Denim jeans are made in the USA with careful attention to detail and love for the craft.
Signature styles from Raleigh Denim Workshop for women: Surry at $245, Haywood at $245, and Madison at $225
Popular styles for women include the Surry (a mid-rise skinny), the Haywood (high-rise skinny), and Madison (high-rise straight). For men, the top styles are the Martin (thin taper), Jones (slim), Graham (tapered), and Alexander (relaxed).
Raleigh Denim Workshop’s men’s collection favorites: Martin for $225, Jones for $285, Graham for $245, Alexander for $245
3. Dearborn Denim: Affordable, Ethical Jeans for Everyone, Proudly Made in Chicago
Dearborn Denim is the next option on the list, with tons of styles for both men and women. Dearborn Denim is also one of the more affordable options in the “Made in USA” market, with most prices in the $60-80 range.
Dearborn Denim’s debut in 2016: Crafting men’s and women’s jeans in Chicago’s Garfield Park by Robert McMillan
The company aims to prove that ethical manufacturing is possible in the United States, which it supports with its own production based out of Chicago.
Dearborn Denim offers men’s jeans in Tailored Fit, $65 – $70; Slim Fit, $65 – $75; and Relaxed Fit, $65 – $75
Popular options for men include the Tailored Fit, Slim Fit, and Relaxed Fit cuts, all of which come in a variety of wash options.
For women, bestsellers include the Skinny High Rise cut and the Straight Leg cut, also available in a variety of wash options.
Dearborn Denim’s bestseller jeans for women include the Skinny High Rise, $65 – $69 and the Straight Leg, $65 – $67
4. Detroit Denim Co.: Custom-Made Jeans with a Mission, Straight from Detroit
Detroit Denim Co. has an interesting origin story that led to its US-based production. In 2018, when the company was ready to scale up its offering, the team toured denim factories in Colombia to get a feel for the options.
The experience was jarring, with the team reporting on “literal sweatshop conditions” and “smelly sludge pouring out the back.” In short, it decided then and there that outsourcing manufacturing wasn’t the right move.
Detroit Denim Co.: Founded by Eric Yelsma in 2010, specializing in domestically sourced jeans
Today, its jeans are manufactured in a small but mighty factory based in Detroit. Plus, as of 2020, each piece is made-to-order to promote lean manufacturing practices and cut down on clothing waste.
Check out its denim pieces to support an American manufacturer and a sustainability focus.
Customized for you: Detroit Denim Co. jeans, tailored from fabric choice to inseam length and leg size
Because each product is custom-made, you can ensure that your Detroit Denim Co. jeans are exactly what you’re looking for. When you order, you’ll choose cut options, inseam length, fabric, fly, and leg size.
All in all, the company offers over 80,000 combinations to help you mix and match the features that are right for you, your body and your lifestyle. Just use the “Build a Jean” tool to get started!
5. Tellason: San Francisco’s Finest Men’s Denim, Staying True to American Roots
Tellason Jeans are based out of San Francisco, where friends Tony Patella and Pete Searson founded the brand. Their philosophy is simple: since jeans are a historically American product, their manufacturing should be preserved here in the US.
Tellason’s San Francisco story: Founded in 2008 by Tony Patella and Pete Searson, crafting denim down to the buttons, rivets, thread, and leather patches
The company pledges to make its jeans “here and only here, forever,” acknowledging that outsourcing would be cheaper but not worth the implications for the product and American businesses.
Beyond just the denim, the company also uses pocketing, thread, buttons, rivets, and leather patches made in the US.
John Graham Mellor at $230: A Tellason specialty featuring proprietary Kaihara Japanese red line raw selvage denim
Tellason jeans use raw selvedge denim and come in a variety of cuts and washes. The John Graham Mellor is one of its most popular options—a slim straight fit with a button fly and extra heavy pocket bags.
6. American Giant: Redefining Men’s Denim With a Focus on Local Craftsmanship
American Giant: Pioneering San Francisco sportswear and casual attire since 2012, founded by Bayard Winthrop
Next on the list, American Giant was founded based on dissatisfaction with how clothing is traditionally made. It focused on smaller supply chains and selling directly to consumers, which has enabled its success with “made in the USA” values.
American Giant’s Dakota Straight, $138, is a classic pair of straight-leg jeans custom-developed with Mount Vernon denim
For men, the Dakota Straight is the classic option. It’s a classic straight fit made with Mount Vernon denim that offers a 2% stretch. The fabric is woven in Trion, Georgia, and the jeans are manufactured in Los Angeles, California.
While the company offers clothing for both men and women, it currently only offers denim for men.
7. Imogene + Willie: Nashville’s Denim Duo Offering Timeless Styles for All
Imogene + Willie is another great option for American-made denim. All of the company’s denim is patterned, cut, and sewn in the USA and sold out of its shop in the 12 South neighborhood of Nashville. The company’s mission was to make perfectly fitting jeans.
Created in 2009 by husband and wife duo Matt and Carrie Eddmenson, Imogene + Willie relocated its workshop from Nashville to Los Angeles in 2016
The first goal was to sell 250 pairs of jeans in the company’s inaugural styles—the Imogene for women and the Willie for men.
As you can probably guess, that goal was met and far exceeded, and the company now sells a variety of cuts and washes for both men and women.
The Barton Slim Indigo Jp ($235) features an open weave fabric with a button-fly 5-pocket construction
For men, the bestselling denim is the Barton Slim Indigo Rigid Jp, a “year-round” denim with a slim fit that sits right on the hips. With a deep indigo shade that deepens as it wears, these jeans only get better over time.
Inspired by old men’s military chino, Kate Eames ($278) has that vintage look crafted from cotton with washed-down indigo selvage fabric
For women, the Kate Eames style is the most popular denim option. A high-rise trouser inspired by old men’s military chino, the Kate Eames jeans are equal parts vintage and versatile.
8. The Diamond Gusset Jean Co.: Reinventing Men’s Jeans with Unique Comfort and Durability
Next on the list is The Diamond Gusset Jean Co., which has been producing its unique jean concept for men since 1987. The company uses a gusset design sewn into the stride to maximize both durability and comfort.
Established in 1987, The Diamond Gusset got its name from the extra diamond-shaped gusset sewn to the jeans’ crotch area
While many of the company’s early competitors have since taken manufacturing overseas, Gusset has grown stronger than ever and continues to produce its denim here in the US.
Its aim is to provide the most comfortable jeans on the market while continuously focusing on craftsmanship and improvement.
A $67.95-classic five-pocket jean incorporated with The Diamond Gusset’s signature gusset design sewn into the stride for exceptional comfort
The classic Gusset denim is the Regular Fit Industrial Blue, a classic five-pocket jean with the signature gusset and a slightly high-rise waist.
With a traditional straight leg and a comfortable fit, there’s nothing not to love about the Regular Fit Industrial Blue. For this style, the denim is manufactured at Mount Vernon Mills in Trion, Georgia.
9. Shockoe Atelier: Handcrafted Men’s Denim Infused with the Spirit of Richmond, VA
Last but not least, Shockoe Atelier crafts its denim in downtown Richmond, Virginia. Founded in 2012, the company’s mission is to create high-quality handmade jeans using the finest denim on the market.
Founded in 2012, Shockoe Atelier makes meticulously crafted denim and related apparel in its Richmond, Virginia workshop
With a focus on ethical manufacturing, it’s been creating its jeans with inspiration from European tailoring ever since. The company shares that its products, “reflect the fabric of our society and encapsulate the spirit of the multi-cultural American dream.”
The company offers a variety of fits and styles for men, including the Standard Linen Selvedge (standard fit), the Slim Kojima (tapered fit), the Standard Kojima (standard fit), and the Slim Stretch Selvedge (tapered fit).
With these and other options, there’s something for everyone in the Shockoe Atelier shop.
Shockoe Atelier offers men’s jeans like the Standard Linen Selvedge, $215; the Slim Kojima, $250; the Standard Kojima, $250; and the Slim Stretch Selvedge,$225
There you have it! We hope the options on this list inspired you to check out new brands that you may not be as familiar with. While some of the options on this list are well-known in the American manufacturing space, others are hidden gems that we’re so excited to share with you.
While there are classic companies that outsource manufacturing, there are plenty of amazing options that are American-made. Even if you haven’t felt called to pursue American-made products in the past, there’s no better time to invest in businesses in your local area and the country as a whole.
If you have a favorite that’s not on the list, let us know, and we’ll check it out for a future post!