I have received a lot (a couple) of questions lately from friends, family, and colleagues about how our new administration’s policies might affect the fashion and apparel industry, retail, and of course, my specific company and role.
"Maybe instead of tariffs we tax our billionaires and put that money towards companies willing to invest in developing production in the United States??" - THIS. ALWAYS!
The point about reinvestment is absolutely key. Even IF consumers were suddenly willing to pay more to “buy American” (which they’ve shown time and time again they are not…) they would *also* have to be OK with getting the same or even worse quality because so much knowledge and training and tech have been lost to overseas. The better option doesn’t necessarily exist here anymore (although some pockets and producers absolutely still remain). The consumer will not just have to be willing pay more they will have to be patient. It’s a long and hazy road ahead of us. But the bottom line 100% is we need the government’s support not antagonism!
YES Americans do not want to pay higher prices for American made goods (even if they say they would). I would LOVE to see us regain our footing here in terms of advancing technology in the field - both apparel manufacturing AND textile innovation and development - but it's a long and expensive process, and without government support it just doesn't feel likely to happen.
Jen, this was an incredibly well laid-out summary of what is happening/going to happen in the US in the new administration. As you mentioned, the one silver lining I saw to tariffs was the potential for US manufacturing BUT that is predicated on skilled workforce (yes, making clothes is a major skill which most American's do not have, we cannot even tailor our own garments) AND the ability to pay said workers (another thing the US is typically terrible at).
Totally!! There could be a lot of upside to bringing production back to the US!! But it would require such vast changes to our existing ways that I'm skeptical about how quickly and effectively we can get there. Plus, getting Americans to pay higher prices for made in America? GOOD LUCK.
I don’t have your insider knowledge, but it still seems so obvious to me that prices of goods will go up a lot. Not just fashion- home goods, appliances, everything! And the people who voted for lowering grocery prices will NOT be willing or able to buy these more expensive made in America goods. This is one of the many areas that has me banging my head against the way, saying ‘DON’T YOU PEOPLE GET IT?!??’
100%!! Prices will go up for SO many things, fashion will be the least of our concerns! I mean, the math seems so simple, right? And we know somehow they'll make it all Hillary Clinton's fault, or something.
Thank you for talking about this in a realistic way. A lot of online banter I see starts with the premise that consumerism and capitalism should be thrown out with the bath water but that doesn’t get at the reality of the situation that we are currently in where jobs and livelihoods are concerned.
"Maybe instead of tariffs we tax our billionaires and put that money towards companies willing to invest in developing production in the United States??" - THIS. ALWAYS!
IF ONLY!
The point about reinvestment is absolutely key. Even IF consumers were suddenly willing to pay more to “buy American” (which they’ve shown time and time again they are not…) they would *also* have to be OK with getting the same or even worse quality because so much knowledge and training and tech have been lost to overseas. The better option doesn’t necessarily exist here anymore (although some pockets and producers absolutely still remain). The consumer will not just have to be willing pay more they will have to be patient. It’s a long and hazy road ahead of us. But the bottom line 100% is we need the government’s support not antagonism!
YES Americans do not want to pay higher prices for American made goods (even if they say they would). I would LOVE to see us regain our footing here in terms of advancing technology in the field - both apparel manufacturing AND textile innovation and development - but it's a long and expensive process, and without government support it just doesn't feel likely to happen.
I agree. It’s such a bummer. The time is definitely now to recover what we can, but the window is closing :(
Jen, this was an incredibly well laid-out summary of what is happening/going to happen in the US in the new administration. As you mentioned, the one silver lining I saw to tariffs was the potential for US manufacturing BUT that is predicated on skilled workforce (yes, making clothes is a major skill which most American's do not have, we cannot even tailor our own garments) AND the ability to pay said workers (another thing the US is typically terrible at).
Totally!! There could be a lot of upside to bringing production back to the US!! But it would require such vast changes to our existing ways that I'm skeptical about how quickly and effectively we can get there. Plus, getting Americans to pay higher prices for made in America? GOOD LUCK.
I don’t have your insider knowledge, but it still seems so obvious to me that prices of goods will go up a lot. Not just fashion- home goods, appliances, everything! And the people who voted for lowering grocery prices will NOT be willing or able to buy these more expensive made in America goods. This is one of the many areas that has me banging my head against the way, saying ‘DON’T YOU PEOPLE GET IT?!??’
100%!! Prices will go up for SO many things, fashion will be the least of our concerns! I mean, the math seems so simple, right? And we know somehow they'll make it all Hillary Clinton's fault, or something.
Thank you for digging into the many facets of the impacts of economic and political decisions like this.
Thank you for talking about this in a realistic way. A lot of online banter I see starts with the premise that consumerism and capitalism should be thrown out with the bath water but that doesn’t get at the reality of the situation that we are currently in where jobs and livelihoods are concerned.