For the past 25 years, the price of clothing has steadily declined, making fast fashion more accessible than ever.
However, proposed across-the-board tariffs could be a significant force reversing that trend, potentially ushering in an era of more expensive apparel.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently remarked that “access to cheap goods is not the essence of the American dream.” While some may agree, the reality is that affordable consumer goods—including clothing—have been a cornerstone of household spending for decades.
A shift away from cheap fashion could align with priorities from both ends of the political spectrum. Many supporters of former President Donald Trump’s policies, including those who favor economic nationalism, see tariffs as a way to strengthen domestic manufacturing. Meanwhile, critics of fast fashion, particularly on the left, have long argued that inexpensive, disposable clothing comes at a steep social and environmental cost.
If the US were to pivot away from reliance on imported garments, rebuilding domestic manufacturing infrastructure would be a significant hurdle. Industry veteran Karuna Scheinfeld notes that over the past 30 years, much of the apparel supply chain—from fiber production to garment assembly—has been dismantled to keep prices low for North American consumers. Reconstructing that infrastructure could take decades, not years.
Although some domestic apparel production still exists, it is often small-scale. Mitch Gambert, who runs New Jersey-based Mel Gambert shirtmakers, says he relies on imported materials for almost every aspect of his business, from fabric to sewing machines. If broad tariffs are imposed, the cost of these imports will rise, forcing price increases on American-made goods as well.
Over the past two decades, inflation-adjusted clothing prices have dropped by roughly 50%, while unit consumption has doubled, according to Kristy Caylor, CEO of textile companies For Days and Trashie. Brands like H&M and Zara pioneered fast fashion, but companies such as Shein and Temu have taken affordability and accessibility to new levels.
Higher tariffs could push consumers toward purchasing fewer items, potentially leading to more mindful shopping habits.
“Everybody could be more thoughtful and mindful,” Caylor suggests.
However, this shift may not necessarily lead to a resurgence of US garment manufacturing.
Technological advancements, such as 3D printing, offer some potential for domestic apparel production. Phil DeSimone, Chief Product Officer at 3D-printing company Carbon, believes certain items, like shoes, could be produced in the US using these methods. However, this does not necessarily translate into large-scale job creation.
“The factories that come back won’t look like what we all think a factory looks like,” he says. “They won’t have thousands of jobs.”
Axios and Business Insider contributed to this report.
