According to a new article from the Los Angeles Times, being “Made in America” has become a double edged sword in the fashion industry after the election of Donald Trump.
Some members of the international fashion community have come to see American-made clothing as a symbol of the new President, who they openly disdain, leading to calls for a boycott of US-made goods.
Ironically, prior to the 2016 election, American-made brands were known for craftsmanship and style, appealing to a niche group of left-leaning customers in both the US and abroad, who valued quality basics over fast fashion. But now, thanks to Trump’s divisive rhetoric, that perception is changing, and many of these brands could lose their cool among their prime demographic, leaving people like GQ editor, Jonathan Wilde, to wonder, “Is ‘Made in USA’ in danger of becoming ‘Make Made in USA Great Again’?'”
As for bringing apparel manufacturing jobs back to the US, one of the greatest challenges will be training America’s unskilled labor force, who would also require higher wages, which would lead to higher retail prices, which American’s have proven time and again they’re unwilling to pay. On the flip side, some American-made brands are hoping that Trump’s promise to renegotiate trade deals and raise tariffs will make their products more cost competitive and slow the deluge of imported clothing that’s driving over-consumption.
You can read more about the Trump made in USA conundrum at The LA Times.
