A Familiar Critique
Last week, Business of Fashion published a piece exploring the continued challenges of manufacturing apparel in the United States.
Rising labor costs, limited infrastructure, and outdated perceptions of scale remain common talking points. And while the hurdles are real, they don’t tell the whole story.
Reframing the Narrative
At Form Department, we believe it’s time for a reframing.
Yes—offshore production offers cost advantages. But what it often lacks is visibility, communication, and control. With domestic development, the payoff is proximity: face-to-face collaboration, faster iteration, and a tighter grasp on ethical standards.
The Value of Proximity
In a time where transparency is more than a buzzword, being close to your product matters. When production is just a drive or a short flight away, teams can see and solve problems in real time. Fit adjustments happen faster. Materials can be tested and approved in person. A production issue doesn’t derail a season—it becomes a Tuesday meeting.
This kind of responsiveness is harder to achieve when time zones, language barriers, and transit delays stand between the problem and the solution.
Founders Leading with Purpose
What we’ve seen: founders launching smarter, smaller, and with purpose—turning to U.S.-based resources not out of convenience, but conviction. They’re building lean lines, staying close to their customer, and investing in supply chains they can stand behind. These are not just products—they are proof points of intention.
Meeting Consumer Expectations
There’s also a generational shift in values. Today’s consumer is more discerning. They want to know who made their clothes, how they were treated, and what impact the process had on the planet. Domestic manufacturing allows brands to tell that story with clarity and confidence.
Yes, It Takes Work
Of course, it takes work. The U.S. manufacturing ecosystem isn’t as plug-and-play as some overseas counterparts. It requires building relationships—often across small and specialized factories. It may mean smaller runs, higher price points, and more hands-on management. But what you gain is a truer sense of partnership. Vendors become collaborators, not just contractors.
Better Products Through Integration
This approach can also lead to better product. We’ve seen brands elevate quality simply by being in the room: watching the first cut, holding the fabric, and talking through each stitch. When development and production are integrated, rather than siloed, creativity and consistency thrive.
A Strategic Choice
The article wasn’t wrong—but it was incomplete. Manufacturing in the U.S. may not be easy, but for brands focused on craft, conscience, and long-term value, it’s a path worth walking.
It’s not about nostalgia or nationalism. It’s about strategy.
Our Role in the Process
In our work, we guide founders through these decisions every day. We map costs, timelines, and supplier options. We introduce the right partners. And we advocate for approaches that support both business health and brand integrity.
Because choosing domestic doesn’t have to mean going it alone.
An Opportunity Worth Taking
So, is U.S. manufacturing a hurdle? In some ways, yes. But for those willing to engage with its complexity, it’s also an opportunity—to build differently, tell a better story, and stand behind every product that leaves the line.
