Would You Pay More for American-Made Menswear? This Indie Designer Thinks So

A New Era for Manresa: Embracing American Craftsmanship

Since 2017, Manresa has built a loyal following for its classic American workwear. From sturdy chore coats to stiff selvedge jeans and burly fleece pullovers, the Bridgeport, Connecticut-based brand has always embodied a New England-inspired aesthetic. Now, with the release of its summer collection featuring tees, flannels, sweats, and shorts, the brand is taking a bold step forward by making all of its clothing (except for its Canadian-made rugby shirts) entirely made in the USA.

This move comes at a time when trade wars and tariffs have disrupted global fashion supply chains. At the same time, there's a growing movement to support and revive the once-vibrant American apparel industry. For founder Mike McLachlan, this shift isn’t just timely—it’s the culmination of a long-held vision to build a brand that reflects his values and craftsmanship.

Why Bring Production Back to the U.S.?

McLachlan explains that he was inspired by the quality and control seen in Japanese brands. “I’m jealous of how technical they are and the level of craftsmanship they’re able to achieve by doing a lot of things in-house,” he says. He wanted to replicate that kind of control over the production process, ensuring every detail met his standards.

Challenges of Domestic Production

Despite the appeal of producing domestically, it wasn’t an easy path. Two years ago, McLachlan began exploring U.S. factories but found them unresponsive. “They just want really large customers. They want high efficiency and high margins, which we're not able to give them with a 100-piece run,” he recalls. Reaching out often led to no response, as factories typically require much larger orders.

Differences Between U.S. and Overseas Factories

Working with U.S. factories presented unique challenges. “In America, you go to make your vision of a shirt, and you have certain details laid out, and they come back and say, ‘We can't do this kind of seam here or we can't do this kind of embellishment here.’ You need to work within their capabilities,” McLachlan notes. In contrast, overseas factories were more flexible but often prioritized speed over quality.

Building a Domestic Supply Chain

Manresa has since developed a domestic supply chain, led by Leonor, a production specialist from Bridgeport who previously worked on technical figure skating uniforms. She now handles the cut-and-sew wovens, supported by industrial sewing machines and a large-format pattern printer. The rest of the products are made in the U.S., except for the rugby shirts, which are still produced in Canada.

Impact on Pricing

This shift inevitably affected pricing. McLachlan admits the brand was initially nervous about how customers would react. However, he found that people understand the value of quality. For example, a nylon baggy short increased from $95 to $170, yet sold more than the previous version.

What’s Next for Manresa?

The brand is preparing for its early August collection, which includes many items McLachlan had long wanted to produce domestically. One exception is a reproduction of the 207 raw selvedge denim jeans, which required sourcing American denim. While they faced challenges with minimum order requirements, they eventually found a supplier in Pennsylvania—Tuscarora Mills—that produced a batch exclusively for them.

Exciting New Releases

The Oysterman sweater and Bittner coat are also in the pipeline. The Oysterman will be made from Scottish Shetland wool and produced in New York, while the Bittner coat will feature two new colors. Both pieces reflect the brand’s commitment to quality and durability.

A New Customer Experience

McLachlan believes these changes will redefine how customers experience the brand. “If you buy something from us now, knowing that we've controlled every aspect, you won’t need to buy it again,” he says. He compares it to vintage Made in USA Patagonia Baggies that still hold up after decades. To reinforce this, the brand offers a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, similar to L.L.Bean’s approach.

A Vision for the Future

Ultimately, Manresa aims to create products that last, offering both quality and value. By focusing on American craftsmanship, the brand is not only supporting local industries but also delivering a better experience for its customers. As the fashion world continues to evolve, Manresa stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful, high-quality design.