American Apparel might be sinking, but American-made apparel is rising fast. As the spotlight intensifies on fast fashion’s dark side, domestically made goods are tempting consumers. The prices of made-in-the-USA goods might not be as mouthwatering, but you don’t get the same craftsmanship or quality in a sweatshop. And you won’t have to wash off the smell of guilt, either.

Billykirk

In a country where people value their children only slightly higher than their prime rib, it’s no surprise that great leather is plentiful. Billykirk, a bicoastal leather goods company, makes classic leather and canvas accessories with an emphasis on tradition and quality. “It’s not so much that [our products are] made in America (though we are proud of that fact) but rather made with integrity,” says CEO Chris Bray. Many of the brand’s bags, belts, shoes and wallets are handmade by Amish leather makers, a community famous for their precision and quality. “We want our items to get better with age and be passed down through the generations. Sadly, we live in a throw away society and are mired in a fast fashion rut that does little to help our environment or foster sustainability and fair wages.” billykirk.com

Schott NYC

The Schott leather jacket has appeared on most teenage bedroom walls, draped over icons from Marlon Brando to Bruce Springsteen and the Ramones. A brand that encapsulates the American dream, Schott began in 1913 when Russian immigrants, Jack and Irving Schott, started selling their unique leathers door-to-door. The pair had a number of much-copied firsts, from inventing the leather motorcycle jacket to deciding that a zipper belonged on outerwear. The brand remains in family hands and over the ensuing century has maintained the same dedication to both American manufacturing, and Americana cool. schottnyc.com