For a woman, discovering the perfect pair of jeans -- and made in the U.S., to boot -- is akin to finding the Holy Grail. That would explain why my research on this particular American-made product took me an extra week, and could easily take even more time. But, as imperfect as this week's edition may be, it's a start.
Okay. In my closet currently hangs (and usually not for long, as they get a lot of wear) the perfect pair of jeans: Gap brand, "Long and Lean," with a midrise (below the waist, but not of the muffin-top variety), and blessedly long enough for my legs. They have been washed and worn to the perfect level of feel and comfort. And, they were made in the U.S., in December 2004, to be exact. (I know this because Gap tags not only reflect the country of origin, but the date).
Skip ahead a few years. My other favorite jeans are a pair of Gap's "Curvy Flare" style, made in August 2008 ... in Bangladesh. Skip ahead a few more years. October of 2011, to be exact. Gap -- which started out in San Francisco, on a shoestring in 1969, and grew to be an industry behemoth whose four other primary brands are Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta -- has announced plans to close over a fifth of their U.S. Gap stores by 2013, due to declining sales ... while simultaneously expanding its operations in China, tripling the number of stores there.
Way to hang tough, Gap. It's all about the bottom line. But here's the real bottom line: You're still the largest specialty apparel retailer in the U.S., but that isn't good enough. Well, then you're not good enough for me anymore, either. Not when you no longer make your jeans here and, further, opt to retail them elsewhere.
When I started this blog, my goal was to present American-made alternatives to items we regularly use. One of the criteria was that these items had to be attractive. Ladies, we know that no matter how durable and affordable American-made jeans are, we are not going to buy them unless they are both comfortable and flattering as well. I love my country, but I am not going to parade around in a pair of "hee-haws."
Behold a company that gets the G.R.A.C.E. award for producing a pair of jeans that meets all criteria: Diamond Gusset. For 25 years, this U.S. company has been MAKING jeans, starting with growing the actual cotton throughout the southeastern United States. The buttons and burrs are from Kentucky and Tennessee; the hang tags, labels and thread from Tennessee; the pocketing from Mississippi; and the leatherette patch from Alabama. Finally, the jeans are stonewashed and sewn in Georgia, not in foreign sweatshops. You can view the assembly of these jeans via this link: http://www.gussetjeans.com/video/Made_In_Blue_Ridge_Georgia/.
These jeans are also unusual in that they feature a diamond-shaped insert in the crotch for better comfort and ease of movement (hence, the "gusset").
While my research did unearth a number of other companies offering American-made jeans, none of them created their products from start to finish in the U.S., and none featured a pair of jeans for under $100, which has been my preferred price point from the get go. The "Backstage" model featured above is described as a lower mid-rise, just below natural waist, straight leg, but not skinny, stonewashed finish, and sells for $59.95. You can find them here:
http://www.gussetclothing.com/wstretch.html. There are three other women's styles available, including a semi-low rise, boot cut model for $63.95.
Diamond Gusset, headquartered in Bon Aqua, Tennessee, also emphasizes that you can "speak with a real person" during normal business hours: M-F, 9-5; and Saturdays, 10-4:30.
I realize that this home grown company, by its very nature, offers a limited number of styles. You may have to live with these jeans for awhile before they become perfect, weatherworn friends. But -- you can't hurry love.
Part II coming soon: Other U.S. brands of jeans, using imported materials.
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