We’ve worn…a lot of leggings over the past year. And who can blame you? They’re the perfect piece of clothing, being both comfortable and versatile. While you can wear them in any season, now that fall has rolled around again, pair them with a tunic and boots, and you’ve got an instant outfit. What could possibly be better?
Are you looking into purchasing a new pair? Or five? Read on to find all of the leggings that are made in the USA.
Complete List of Leggings Brands Made in the USA
Yoga Democracy leggings transfer original artist prints to the fabric of your yoga pants. They do this in an environmentally-friendly way through a waterless dyeing process, and the fabric they transfer it to is made from BPA-free recycled water bottles.
These yoga pants are described as “ultra-comfortable” because they are made from breathable fabric that is also moisture-wicking to keep you at an optimal temperature. They are UPF rated, so you can feel happy about wearing them in the great outdoors. These leggings are well-suited for a long walk with your dog or a hike up to a gorgeous view.
Being so eco-friendly, you may be worried they are difficult to care for, but this is not the case. They are machine washable. Simply hang them up to dry, and they are ready to go again.
All American Clothing Co. is an online retailer that wholesales clothing, shoes, and other goods from a variety of American manufacturers. They have a small selection of basic leggings that are very affordable.
Hyde Organic was a great American made company that makes yoga apparel. Unfortunately, they recently went out of business, but you can still pick up their remaining inventory on Amazon and other retailers.
Clara Sunwoo has designed leggings that are meant to not only be comfortable to wear about the house but suitable to be paired with heels and worn for date night too. This company has a generous returns and exchanges program, making it easier to give them a try and return them if they’re not suitable.
Clara Sunwoo also sells signature slim leggings designed to be worn as an alternative to traditional dress pants. They are designed to still be comfortable but also look professional.
Leggings from Evolve Fit Wear are designed for people going from their morning workout straight into their daily activities. Whether you are hitting up a hot yoga class, jogging at the park, or getting a full-on sweat session with an upbeat cycling class, you will be sure to find something that fits your needs. No need to change to grab coffee with a friend post-workout, either as these leggings are designed with colorful, bold prints.
They have a lot of sizes (everything from extra small to plus size) and length options to choose from. You can also filter by if you want mesh, sparkles, or cutouts.
Good hYOUman has designed high-waist leggings that are made to provide you with ultimate comfort. These are crafted for lounging around the house, a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood, or a light morning yoga session.
This company was started by its founder to honor the memory of his late father. He wants to make those around him feel good while looking good.
To accomplish this, this company pairs with other companies to give back and do good while selling you their comfortable clothing line. So, you can not only feel great in the clothes, but you can also feel great about buying the clothes. They have worked with organizations like Stand Up to Cancer, Boo2Bullying, 21, and many others. They are always looking for new partnerships and ways to give back to the community.
WSI has a small selection of basic, affordable leggings designed for workout performance. They often have several pairs on sale for over 50% discount too.
How To Find Leggings Made in The USA
Since their conception, leggings have been a staple in many people’s closets and come in many different styles and colors. Leggings made overseas are often made with inferior materials and don’t last very long, which is the last thing you want since durability is a huge factor when choosing the best pair of leggings! One way to assure quality is to find and buy leggings made in the USA.
But with most clothing being made abroad, how do you even begin to find American made leggings? Here’s our guide to help you.
What Does “Made in the USA” Mean?
Before you begin your search for leggings, you should understand the term “made in the USA.”
“Made in the USA” is used as a label and is protected by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). For a product to qualify as “made in the USA,” it must be “all or virtually all” made in the USA. This includes every aspect of production, from sourcing raw materials to the actual assembly of the product.
However, it must be noted that the FTC does not do the best job of policing the usage of the label.
Check out our helpful “made in the USA” labeling guide to learn more about the FTC’s guidelines.
Materials
The first step for finding leggings made in the USA is to research the materials used. Understanding where these materials come from can be a huge help in finding products made in the USA. Leggings can be made from materials like cotton, spandex, polyester, and nylon. Some leggings will use one material, like cotton, while others will use a combination of these materials.
Cotton
Cotton is an excellent choice for soft and breathable indoor and loungewear leggings. Finding cotton leggings made in the US should be relatively easy as the USA is the third largest cotton producer in the world. Although cotton is a 21 billion-dollar industry in the USA, China and India still produce a much larger quantity of cotton, so it’s definitely worth double-checking the country of origin before purchasing.
Spandex
Spandex is also known as lycra and is used for its incredible elasticity, making it a great choice for leggings, especially exercise leggings. While spandex was first invented in Virginia, USA, China is now the world’s leading producer of this synthetic material, producing around 75% of the world’s spandex. Most of America’s production of this material has unfortunately shifted abroad, thanks to lower labor costs in China. But you’ll still be able to find companies based in the USA that produce spandex domestically – though to a much lesser extent than China, of course!
Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic material often found in fabric products, such as leggings. Finding polyester leggings made in the USA should be pretty straightforward, considering the USA produces around 1.4 million tons of polyester every year. In fact, two of the top companies that produce the most polyester worldwide are American. However, with that said, keep in mind that China is still the world’s largest polyester producer. So, you may find Chinese polyester in products where companies are trying to cut costs.
Nylon
Nylon is mainly used for sports leggings because of its moisture retention and durability. China produces the most nylon globally, but the USA comes close behind. The USA currently ranks fourth in the world as a nylon producer, which means finding nylon leggings made in the USA can be on the easier side.
Labeling
After researching the materials, the next step for finding leggings made in the USA is to look at the labeling. The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act is there to help determine where products are made. This law requires all companies to be transparent about the fiber content of their textile products and the country of origin. In addition to that act, Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the US Code states that all products made abroad must be labeled with the country of origin on the product’s label or packaging.
These two laws are a huge help in weeding out foreign-made products. So when looking for US-made leggings, you should look specifically for the FTC-protected “made in the USA” label. However, there are a few things to watch out for.
Look out for tricky phrases like “manufactured in the USA” and “designed in the USA.” These labels mean only a part of the production takes place in the United States. Another label to watch out for is “made in America,” where America can refer to either Mexico or Canada.
As previously mentioned, the “made in the USA” label is protected. However, there is no pre-approval process for the label. Therefore, it is up to the companies to determine whether their products meet the criteria to be able to use the label. And ultimately, it’s up to you as a consumer to report any incorrect usage of the label.
Finally, do not be fooled by the use of the American flag on a product. Just because there is an American flag sticker does not mean the product is made in the USA. These stickers are not government regulated, so anyone can use them.
Other Tips
Use these additional tips to find leggings made in the USA.
Visit The Company’s Website
It is a good idea to check out a company’s website to see where its products are made. Usually, if a company makes its own products in the USA, this would be proudly advertised on its website. Check the About Us page or the product page for this information.
Keep in mind that companies are not required to state the country of origin on their online or promotional materials, so if you can’t find the country of origin on a company’s website, it’s best to assume that it’s made abroad.
Call The Company
If you are still looking for information about where the products were made on the website, you should call the company directly and ask. A representative should be able to answer all of your questions.
Leggings Not Made in the USA
During our research, we came across well-known leggings brands that are not making their products in the USA. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve got a list of these too. We’ll keep updating this list as we find out more.
- Alo Yoga – Made in America, Indonesia, Vietnam, Portugal, Turkey, and China.
- Spanx – Manufactured in 15 countries, including Thailand, Israel, and Honduras; the cotton crotches are hand-sewn in North Carolina.
- Lululemon – Mostly China and Taiwan, but also the USA, Canada, Peru, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
- Aerie – Some in the USA, but also China and Pakistan (specifies “imported” on product pages on their website).
- Outdoor Voices – Made in the US, Vietnam, Taiwan, Turkey, and Sri Lanka.
- Old Navy – Just says “imported”. We’ll continue to dig in to find out where exactly.
- Athleta – Made in China, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Guatemala, El Salvador, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Turkey.
- Fabletics – Everything is imported.
