I used to have the "made in USA = good" prejudice as well, but after looking at garments very objectively, there is a lot of hype to the "USA made" pedigree that is often undeserved.  I think we all get romantic when we think of "made in England, made in Italy, made in USA" etc.  As if our garments were being made by skilled artisans who've been doing it for generations.  Of course those makers exist, but are definitely not the norm.

I have a friend who is a denim designer for a pretty well known company based in LA, as a result of where they manufacture, he's been to various factories all over the world including 3rd world ones like China and Mexico.  He says that shockingly, the worst factories he's seen in terms of quality of work and way the workers are treated, are actually right here in the USA.  And contrary to popular belief, factories in China that produce higher end goods, are quite nice, with the workers being treated very well.  It's only when you get into mass produced products that are made to sell cheap, that sweatshop labor and conditions arise.

on a related note, there was an article in the paper last week about a huge sweatshop garment ring that was busted right here in SoCal.  The workers were from SE Asia and forced to work making clothes (which I'm sure will carry the Made in USA tag), while locked up in a complex that the doors were locked from the outside.

It is difficult to beat Scottish knitwear even though brands like Pringle have moved production to China. I would recommend Johnson's of Elgin and William Lockie. For fine gauge merino wool, John Smedley remains unbeatable.

Last edited by Bishop of Briggs (2010-08-16 09:19:27)

I've got to be absolutely honest with you, I don't pay a lot for my stuff nowadays.  I haven't spent as much as £40 on any single item for a year or more.  No intention of doing so, either.  Shamrockmonkey sells better gear than I can get anywhere in England.  My major purchases were at J. Simons and form the basis of my wardrobe to some extent.  Good quality stuff that will last, like slack jackets.  I haven't bought a new shirt since 2008.

shits been going on for a billion years or so. korea used to be the worst, im told, though the mantle seems to have gone to you-know-who. another racket is (or was, no one seems to care anymore)putting "taiwan", "hong kong", etc tags on mainland china merch, as the same people own the factories on both sides of the straits.

makes sense the camorra are in it. when i was in italy it seems like every corner had a blanket piled with passable-looking knockoff shite.

Yes credit to albam. they manufacture as much as they can in the uk. If They cant get it made here, it's usualy made in italy or the usa. In some cases still from homegrown fabrics or materials.

As far as I know Sunspel are still currently manufacturing in the UK (Derbyshire), and they seem to be trading on that image, for now at least.

The M12 polo is the 'limited' version - slightly more expensive (£60-£65), and Made In England.  I'm not aware of any other FP items being Made in England.

I had two shirts made up for me by Kerry Ford - one is Swiss made Sea Island white cotton (not recommended for trad Ivy style shirt) but the other in a blue herringbone weave which is great.  I was one of his first customers after he opened the new premises about four years ago so I got a good deal - he was anxiously trying to establish a customer base at that time.  I expect he charges a lot more now.  I'm passing there tomorrow - I can drop by and ask Kerry for an indicative price and let you know.

Yes I belive your right pk, Has any body seen the latest offerings from mackintosh ? Quite a contemporary twist, Im sure it will appeal to some.

http://www.oipolloi.com/brands/Mackintosh-308.html

Last edited by nouvelle vague (2010-08-18 07:25:14)