USA-Made & Eco-Friendly Apparel: Why It Matters and How to Choose the Right Blank Apparel

In today’s wholesale apparel market, customers are not only looking closely at just the looks of a wholesale item, but also how a blank apparel item is sourced and made. From ethical production to environmental impact, USA-made and eco-friendly apparel has shifted from niche to necessity. Let’s dive into why USA-made and sustainable apparel matter as well as brands that are leading the way in sustainability and ethical production.

Why USA-Made Apparel Matters for Wholesale Buyers

Supporting USA-made Apparel is important for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, buying USA-made blank apparel supports the hard work of wholesale companies who are prioritizing domestic production and higher labor standards. Additionally, this also creates more jobs within the US. However, the benefits of buying USA-made wholesale clothing go beyond feel-good sourcing. Domestic production typically means more consistent quality control, which is critical when buying wholesale apparel in bulk!

Another key advantage when buying USA-made apparel is supply chain reliability. With fewer overseas shipping delays, USA-made blanks are easier to restock. This eliminates any issues in the future when ordering more blank apparel and accessories in the future.

Carbon Footprint & Reduced Shipping Emissions

USA-made apparel often has a lower carbon footprint due to reduced transportation distances and fewer overseas shipping requirements. Shorter supply chains help minimize fuel consumption and emissions while also improving delivery timelines. For brands focused on sustainability, domestic manufacturing supports both environmental goals and operational efficiency.

Why Eco-Friendly Apparel Matters in the Wholesale Clothing Industry

Like USA-made apparel, consumers are seeking out more eco-friendly wholesale apparel and brands more and more these days. Traditional wholesale apparel production can consume lots of water, energy, and chemicals, whereas sustainable blank clothing does not. The shift to more sustainable tactics and ethical apparel production helps create more eco-friendly materials, cleaner dyes, and responsible manufacturing.

Notably, brands are incorporating and using more sustainable fabrics in their apparel. Sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton and recycled polyester help alleviate environmental impacts while also offering premium and soft fabric alternatives. Many eco-friendly companies also incorporate non-toxic dyes, which also helps lower environmental impacts.

Consumer Trust & Brand Storytelling

Choosing USA-made and eco-friendly apparel allows brands to build stronger consumer trust through transparent sourcing and ethical production stories. Customers increasingly value knowing where and how their clothing is made, especially when it aligns with their personal values. Sharing these details helps brands stand out while reinforcing authenticity and credibility.

Understanding Apparel Certifications & Sustainability Claims

If you’re in the market for eco-friendly and sustainable styles, it’s important to know and understand the various certifications and labels. Not all labels and certifications mean the same thing, so let’s break down the various sustainability certifications. 

GOTS Certification (Global Organic Textile Standard)

The first certification to familiarize yourself with is the Global Organic Textile Standard, GOTS. If a style is GOTS certified, it means the style meets environmental and social criteria across the entire supply chain, from the raw material to finished style. A wonderful example of a GOTS certified style is style #400. The Organic T-Shirt from SoftShirts was made with sustainable materials and sustainable manufacturing. In fact, the Organic T-Shirt contains 100% GOTS certified cotton.

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certification

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is another wonderful sustainability certification in the apparel space. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 makes sure styles and wholesale companies are tested for harmful substances. A wonderful style that meets the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is style #5400. The Heavy Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt from Gildan has a nice, classic fit, ribbed cuffs and collar, and a taped neck for comfort and durability. This long-sleeve is available in 20+ colors as well as sizes S-3XL.

WRAP Certification (Ethical Manufacturing)

Another certification to note and keep your eyes out for is Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production, WRAP. WRAP ensures and verifies ethical manufacturing practices. A bestselling and WRAP certified style here at CSO is style #SP12. 12" Solid Cuffed Beanie from Sportsman is 100% acrylic and was made with socially conscious manufacturing. This beanie is available in 30+ colors and is one size fits all.

Fair Trade Certified™ Apparel

Lastly, a great certification to check out and be on the lookout for is Fair Trade Certified™. Fair Trade Certified™ verifies and ensures that the brand supports fair wages and safe working conditions. If you’re looking for a Fair Trade Certified™ style, check out style #EC5300. The Reclaimist Hooded Sweatshirt from Econscious is incredibly soft and also has a recycled content external woven layer. This hoodie also comes in four classic colors and is available in sizes XS-2XL!

Eco-Friendly Fabric & Material Options for Blank Apparel

Lots of brands now offer eco-friendly fabric and material options. Let’s discuss some popular fabrics below!

Organic Cotton: A Sustainable Choice for Blank Apparel

A true fan-favorite amongst printers and consumers is organic cotton. Organic cotton is ethically produced without harmful pesticides and chemicals. Organic cotton also reduces environmental impacts while providing a soft and high-quality alternative to conventional cotton. A popular style made with organic cotton is style #EC1075. The Fashion T-Shirt from Econscious is made with 100% organic ring-spun cotton and comes in five different colors. This t-shirt is also available in sizes S-2XL.

Recycled Polyester: Durable & Eco-Friendly Performance Fabric

Another top-tier and eco-friendly material is recycled polyester. Recycled polyester is made up of post-consumer plastic waste. Recycled polyester still offers that great, durable fabric option while reducing landfill impact. If you’re in the market for a recycled polyester style, check out style #88632. The Men’s Recycled Polyester Performance Pique Polo from North End is not only made with eco-friendly and recycled polyester, but also is moisture-wicking and has UPF 40+ protection. This polo is available in four sleek colors as well as sizes S-5XL.

Hemp & Bamboo Blends: Renewable & Low-Impact Fabrics

Hemp and Bamboo blended apparel are other eco-friendly fabrics to check out! Hemp & Bamboo blends are renewable fibers that require less water and chemicals to produce. If you’re in the market to try a bamboo blended t-shirt, check out style #6904. The Bamboo Tee from LAT side seams, an EasyTear™ Label, and coverstitched sleeves and bottom hem with side vents. This t-shirt is available in six colors as well as sizes S-2XL.

Print Compatibility with Sustainable Fabrics

Sustainable fabrics can pair exceptionally well with common decoration methods when matched correctly. Organic cotton works seamlessly with screen printing and DTG, while recycled polyester is ideal for sublimation and performance-focused printing. Understanding fabric composition ensures consistent print quality without compromising sustainability goals.

Brands Leading the Way in USA-Made & Eco-Friendly Wholesale Apparel

Whether you’re a printer, fashionista, or consumer, the right blank apparel can make all the difference. Below are some standout brands that have been making waves in both USA-made and eco-friendly apparel.

USA-Made Wholesale Apparel Leaders

Many brands have shifted from outsourcing manufacturing or production in different countries to right here in the United States. However, there are a couple of brands that truly make US manufacturing and production a top priority. Check out these top-tier USA-made blank apparel brands below. 

Bayside notoriously produces and creates all of its apparel right here in the US. Bayside creates high-quality apparel that’s comfortable, durable, and locally made. If you’re looking for a wholesale t-shirt made in US from start to finish, check out style #5100. The USA-Made Heavyweight T-Shirt from Bayside is made out of 100% cotton, has shoulder-to-shoulder taping, and double-needle stitched sleeves and bottom hem. This t-shirt is available in 15+ colors as well as sizes S-5XL.

Another brand that produces its apparel here in the US is Classic Caps. If you’re in the market for US-made accessories, Classic Caps is the brand for you. Classic Caps produces top-tier caps and accessories that work effortlessly with a variety of printing techniques and customizations. For instance, check out style #USA100. The USA-Made Trucker Cap from Classic Caps has snapback closure, structured, and a classic max performance sweatband. This trucker cap comes in six sleek colors and is one size fits all.

Eco-Friendly Wholesale Apparel Leaders

There are quite a few brands that have started to prioritize more eco-friendly tactics and manufacturing. However, a few blank apparel brands have really stepped up and have made great strides in the wholesale apparel industry. These brands below offer premium eco-friendly wholesale clothing. 

Econscious is one of the great leaders in producing and providing eco-friendly apparel to its customers. Econscious was truly built around certified sustainable textiles. If you’re looking for a style that will look as good as it feels purchasing, then check out style #EC5305. The Reclaimist Crewneck Sweatshirt is made out of 60/40 recycled cotton/recycled polyester fleece and is made in a SEDEX SMETA audited factory. This sweatshirt is available in sizes XS-2XL as well as four different sleek colors.

Next Level Apparel is another brand that has made sustainability a top priority. Next Level Apparel has shared that they are committed to ethical sourcing and are transparent of their production tactics. Read more about Next Level Apparel’s commendable efforts here. If you’re looking for a wholesale t-shirt that has been sustainably manufactured, check out style #6200. The Festival T-Shirt from Next Level Apparel is a bestseller and for good reason. This t-shirt has a nice, relaxed fit, side seams, and an easy tear away label. This t-shirt comes in 20 different colors as well as sizes XS-3XL.

Lastly, Comfort Colors, who is a proud member of the Gildan family, has also made wonderful strides in sustainability. According to Comfort Colors’ website, “Our Pigment Pure™ process produces earth-friendly colors - by using 3 times less water, taking 40% less process time, consuming less energy and requiring zero salt.” If you’re in the market for a wonderful sustainable style from Comfort Colors, check out style #1717. The Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt from Comfort Colors is made with Respect Proud member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and is made with OEKO-TEX certified low-impact dyes. The clean pigment dye colors are also salt free. This wonderfully made t-shirt is available in sizes S-4XL as well as 60+ colors!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying USA-Made & Eco-Friendly Apparel

In order to order the right US-made and/or sustainable style, avoid these commonly made mistakes. Firstly, make sure to find the right fabric that is most compatible with your customization or printing technique. On that note, always order a sample and test out your printing techniques on your sustainable or US-made style to make sure it’s a perfect match. Lastly, be proud of the work you’re doing in supporting US-made and sustainable efforts and share this with your customers. Taking the extra time to discover high-quality, eco-friendly, and locally sourced wholesale apparel is something to be proud of.

Cost vs. Long-Term Value of Sustainable Apparel

While USA-made and eco-friendly apparel may come at a higher upfront cost, the long-term value often outweighs the initial investment. Higher-quality materials, better durability, and stronger brand perception can lead to fewer returns and greater customer loyalty. Over time, sustainable apparel supports both responsible sourcing and consistent business growth.

Shop USA-Made & Eco-Friendly Wholesale Apparel at Clothing Shop Online

US-made and eco-friendly apparel is more than just a trend, and it’s certainly not going away any time soon. Whether you own a t-shirt business, partake in DIY projects, or are just looking to give your wardrobe a refresh, choosing ethical and locally made apparel strengthens your brand, projects, or wardrobe. Be sure to shop for all of your sustainable and US-made apparel needs at Clothing Shop Online today!