American textile and apparel manufacturers are exploring new options to sell their locally made products. As per a Sourcing Journal report, domestic producers are establishing the American market as a hotbed of sustainable innovation. This was particularly highlighted at a US Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) webinar featuring Dr Sheng Lu, Associate Professor and Director, Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delware.  

In 2022, textile and apparel production in the US reached almost $28 billion, shows a report by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. Similarly, data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) indicates, clothing and fabric exports from the country surged by 12 per cent last year to over $24.8 billion from a decade earlier.

Studies show that shoppers have a favorable view of clothing made in the US, and naturally regard these products as more sustainable and socially responsible. The country has access to the capital, talent and resources needed to foster innovation in the space

While analysing data from global fashion companies’ websites between January 2022 and September 2023, Hannah Laurits observed over 15,000 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) of US made apparel were developed with recycled materials. Another 6,000 SKUs made with organic fibers were on sale during that period in the U.S. and internationally. 

While US-made sustainable clothing is popular in the domestic market, more than half of the SKUs made with recycled textiles studied during this time period were sold outside of the country to countries in Europe as well as Canada. The percentage was even higher for clothing made with organic materials, revealing foreign shoppers’ favorable views of the US as a source of sustainable fashion.