Can American Apparel Afford to Keep Making Clothes in the U.S.?

Manufacturing in the United States has declined drastically. More and more laws have been set in place, restricting production. As we learned, New York’s garment district is undergoing massive changes, causing many manufacturers to move elsewhere or shut down completely. In addition, prices of garments increase because it is harder for the pieces to be made. However, the same product produced in another country is likely to be less expensive because they do not have nearly the same amount of regulations our country does on the work force. Other countries have poor working conditions and low pay. Thus, the garments are made for cheaper and are able to be sold at much lower costs.

In addition, we as consumers play a major role in the production. We live in a society where people want items in their hands as soon as possible. Fashion trends are coming quickly and leaving even quicker. Thus, stores have to bring in items and sell them rapidly. Therefore, the products being sold are typically of lesser quality and value in order to keep up with the consumers. On the other hand, there still are products of higher quality and value. These name brand items take more time, money and effort to create. This means that people will hold on to these items for longer.

There is a ton of opportunities in fashion and I believe many more opportunities will arise. Fashion provides jobs in all areas, from manufacturing to retail and everything in between. Additionally, with technological advances such as the 3D printer, many more opportunities for people with a wider range of interests will become available.