People often expect their clothing from their latest fast-fashion haul to be mostly made in China. While this used to be the case, the once blossoming trade relationship has, for a number of reasons – both political and economical – stagnated over the past decade. This economic turbulence has resulted in many clothing brands turning to new solutions.
One of the countries that stood out the most was Mexico. Not only is it geographically closer to the United States – making it logistically desirable – there are some very favorable trade agreements that help lower the manufacturing costs of clothing.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the most popular clothing brands that are made in Mexico, and discuss how you can potentially follow in their footsteps and start manufacturing your clothes in Mexico.
What are the benefits of manufacturing clothing in Mexico?
Mexico has always had a strong reputation for producing garments that are both stylish and well-made, but it’s only recently that the world has caught on in a serious way. In fact, in recent years the Mexican textile and apparel industry has boomed so rapidly that the country is now the eighth-largest exporter of clothing in the world.
This success didn’t just come by chance. Thanks to a great ecosystem of free trade agreements, low production costs and a skilled labor force, more and more companies are now opting for garment production in Mexico.
List of Popular Clothing Brands Made in Mexico
People often associate clothing made in Mexico with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. There are a number of clothing brands that choose to manufacture in Mexico, including:
- Levi’s
If I were to ask people to name the most iconic American brands, I imagine Levi’s would make that list. A mainstay in the world of denim jeans, they’ve been producing their clothing for more than a century now with no signs of slowing down.
Levi’s keep their consumers coming back with their fit, their design, but perhaps most importantly their quality and durability.
Today, about two-thirds of Levi’s jeans are produced in Mexico. While a significant percentage of these supply the Latin American markets, the rest are mostly exported to the United States and Canada.
- Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret is another multinational brand that needs no introduction. They’re one of the largest lingerie retailers in the United States, and have been in a dominant position in the industry for decades. While many of us know Victoria’s Secret for their provocative advertising, they back this up through the quality of their products.
The brand has even expanded its offering to everyday undergarments, sleepwear, sports, and swimwear. Whether you’re looking to hit the gym or go to bed, Victoria’s Secret seems to have it all, and many of these products are produced in Mexico to an incredibly high standard.
Manufacturing a luxury clothing brand does not have to come with a heavy price. There are various clothing manufacturers in Mexico that you can choose from that can produce luxury, expensive-feeling apparel for your customers, and Victoria’s Secret is the perfect example of this. Depending on the image of your brand, you can even select from sustainably-sourced materials and ethical labor.
- Under Armour
Under Armour is probably one of the most well-known brands that pioneered moisture-wicking synthetic fabric and popularized it worldwide.
When they first launched, people were amazed at how effective they were at keeping you cool and dry – even during intense exercise. The brand was so successful that they managed to stay competitive with the big brands like Nike and Adidas, even when they launched their own lines of moisture-wicking apparel.
Today, innovation is still at the forefront of Under Armour’s branding strategy. There is a long pipeline of growing products lined up for launch, from sun-reflecting fabric to clothing with scent control. If you have an innovative product, you don’t necessarily have to sink in huge capital to build cutting-edge manufacturing facilities. Under Armour ultimately achieved their success by partnering with a manufacturing vendor in Mexico.
- Nike
Nike is the world’s largest athletic apparel company – no matter where you are in the world, you will inevitably bump into their iconic “Swoosh” log, with their ‘Just Do It’ mantra not far behind. Surprisingly, Nike didn’t start off as a brand in modern terms. They actually started off as a retailer for the Japanese shoe brand, Onitsuka Tiger.
It was only when the collaboration with Onitsuka Tiger ended that Nike signed a deal with a shoe factory in Mexico to manufacture under their own name. Today, while Nike manufactures its products all over the globe, it owns no factories. Instead, Nike outsources the manufacturing to different vendors and focuses on the other aspects of its business, confident that their manufacturing partners are able to keep producing shoes and clothing that will satisfy their demanding customer base.
Moving Your Clothing Manufacturing to Mexico
There are many possible routes to manufacture apparel in Mexico, many of which we have discussed in other articles, but the easiest approach is to simply contact an existing manufacturer that already has the facility and manpower in place. This way you’ll be able to talk to a supplier that you know has the skills and the facilities you need, cutting down on the risk.
If you want to find a trusted garment making partner in Mexico, we are here to help! At Zipfox we have shortlisted some of the best clothing manufacturers in Mexico. Click below to browse our curated list of partners.
