What Made in the USA Clothing Really Means: Royal Apparel’s Story
Royal Apparel didn’t begin as a massive manufacturer or a marketing concept. It started in the early 1990s, on a single desk in Manhattan’s Garment District, with two people, a deep curiosity for American fashion, and a growing realization that something was missing from the industry.
That “something” was commitment.
Seeing the Gap & Choosing the Harder Path
Our founders saw firsthand how quickly the apparel industry was changing. As brands chased cheaper production overseas, quality, craftsmanship, and domestic manufacturing were becoming afterthoughts.
Instead of following the trend, they followed their passion.
They traveled to Southern factories to learn the craft from the ground up, not from behind a desk, but hands-on. Knitting. Dyeing. Cutting. Sewing. Every step of the process. They learned directly from mentors across styling, production, and supply chain management, absorbing knowledge from every corner of the industry.
The phrase “it takes a village” wasn’t a metaphor… it was reality.
And that foundation still defines Royal Apparel today.
Built in the USA and Still Here by Choice
By the end of the 1990s, much of the fashion industry had moved production overseas. We didn’t.
Through passion, determination, and sheer will, we’ve stayed true to our DNA and have never left our Made in the USA mission behind.
Today, Royal Apparel offers the largest collection of U.S. made apparel in the industry, producing garments that balance contemporary design with the grit and pride of American craftsmanship.
More Than Parts and Pieces: How Royal Apparel Makes Better Clothing
At Royal Apparel, we don’t see a shirt as a set of components. We see it as a product of care.
Each garment is created with:
- Premium materials
- Contemporary design sensibility
- The skill and pride of American tradespeople
Because Royal Apparel is factory direct, we maintain close control over every stage of production. This allows us to refine quality, reduce waste, and deliver stronger value to our customers.
All of our garments are made using domestic and imported yarns (depending on availability and market conditions) without compromising performance or feel.
Two Quality Checks (Because One Isn’t Enough)
Quality at Royal Apparel isn’t assumed. It’s verified.
Every garment goes through two separate quality assurance checks:
- The first inspection happens when the apparel is made, ensuring construction, consistency, and fit meets our standards.
- The second inspection happens again at the warehouse, before products are shipped out.
This double quality process ensures our customers receive apparel that feels intentional. Never rushed, overlooked, or disposable.
From Private Label Roots to Industry Leader
Royal Apparel’s early years were rooted in private label premium knitwear, supplying luxury stores, national fashion brands, and leading retailers.
As our brand evolved, it expanded into the wholesale blank apparel industry, bringing the same craftsmanship and attention to detail into timeless, versatile essentials designed to be worn, printed, styled, and lived in.
That evolution helped us become a leader in American-made and eco-conscious garment production.
Worn by Brands, Creators, and Culture
Royal Apparel garments are trusted across industries for reliability and quality.
Our apparel is worn by:
- Musicians and artists
- Wellness and lifestyle brands
- Entrepreneurs and startups
- Fortune 500 companies
- Tech firms
- National parks and museums
- Breweries, wineries, restaurants, and retail chains
These are garments designed to work as hard as the people wearing them.
Investing Back into American Craftsmanship
Growth at Royal Apparel has always been intentional.
As our company expanded, we reinvested directly back into our people and infrastructure:
- Expanded headquarters in Long Island
- Increased production capacity in Pennsylvania
- Opened our new West Coast Distribution Center in California
- Upgraded computer systems and high-tech manufacturing equipment
- Continued workforce growth across facilities
Made in the USA, Made to Last
From a small desk in Manhattan to one of the most respected American-made apparel manufacturers in the country, our journey has come full circle.
Our mission remains unchanged:
Create well-made garments, support domestic manufacturing, and do right by both people and the planet.
Because at Royal Apparel, Made in the USA isn’t a trend.
It’s a promise that’s been kept for decades.
