Ever wondered where the shirts, jeans, and jackets lining American stores actually come from? Hint: They're not usually stitched together in the US, despite the American brands on the labels. The world of garment exports is a lot more global than you might think. Behind every rack at a Texas mall or a trendy shop in Brooklyn is a tangled network of factories, designers, and logistics stretching across continents. But not every country has an equal claim to your wardrobe. Only a handful truly dominate this space, and knowing who sits at the top might just surprise you.
The Powerhouses: Who Really Supplies America’s Closet?
If you check inside your t-shirt or jeans, odds are good you’ll see a familiar list of names: China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India. But since the pandemic, something interesting is happening: China, the long-reigning champion of garment exports, is facing real competition. Numbers from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, confirm this shift. In 2024, China still topped the list as the single largest exporter of apparel to the US, shipping textiles worth over $18 billion. But that’s a lot less than their peak in 2018—meaning China’s market share has been sliding while other players climb the ranks.
Bangladesh isn’t letting up either. Their total apparel exports to the US shot up from around $7 billion in 2020 to over $9 billion in 2024, making them America’s second-largest supplier. You’ll see brands like H&M, Gap, and American Eagle producing entire lines in Bangladesh, riding on lower labor costs that help keep fashion affordable. Vietnam is battling for a bigger slice too—exports from there reached more than $8.5 billion. Vietnamese factories churn out a huge range of products: from prom dresses to sportswear. India, Indonesia, and Mexico round out the top players, each with their own specialties—think Indian embroidery or Mexico’s denim legacy.
What’s really interesting is the shifting balance of power. As the US government has slapped tariffs and sanctions on certain Chinese manufacturing sectors, brands are hedging their bets. Don’t be shocked if tomorrow your go-to hoodie suddenly comes from Hanoi instead of Guangzhou. Plus, as Americans want things faster and cheaper, companies are betting big on countries that can scale up and deliver without breaking the bank. So next time you buy a fresh pair of joggers, you might be funding textile workers in Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh, or even outside Asia—in places like Honduras or El Salvador, which have been gaining traction for basics and activewear.
Why These Countries Dominate the Garment Supply Chain
What’s the secret sauce behind these countries’ success? It’s not just cheap labor, though that’s a part of it. Bangladesh, for example, has entire cities like Dhaka dedicated almost exclusively to ready-made garments (RMG). Their government and industry leaders have built deep relationships with global retailers, streamlining regulations so Western brands can place orders, make changes, and ship out millions of pieces smoothly. The factories are equipped for “fast fashion”—they can crank out thousands of shirts on tight deadlines.
Vietnam did something similar, but with a focus on quality and technology. Their garment sector invested in high-tech machinery and workforce training. Vietnamese manufacturers are now known for handling tricky technical wear—waterproofs, active gear, and even performance outerwear. Brands trust Vietnam with complex orders, knowing quality and timelines both matter. It’s common knowledge in the export business: if you want to launch a quick fashion line, try Bangladesh; for top-quality sportswear, ask Vietnam.
Let’s not forget China. Despite recent slips, no one matches their scale. Chinese textile cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen operate like garment megacities—factories, brokers, fabric suppliers, export agents, logistics, all within arm’s reach. The infrastructure, from deepwater ports to a vast labor pool, made “Made in China” a fashion staple for decades. Sure, costs are inching up, and American tariffs have made things tougher, but China’s size and adaptability mean they’re not bowing out just yet.
Now, here’s a tip for anyone in the apparel business: the next big trend could come from “nearshoring.” That means suppliers closer to the US—think Mexico or Central America—are picking up orders so fashion brands can get clothes to market even faster. Plus, with environmental concerns growing, the carbon footprint of shipping a t-shirt halfway around the world is a real issue. Some American brands are starting to weigh those things in their sourcing decisions.
Indian exporters have also found their niche: high-quality embroidery, blended fabrics, and specialized traditional wear. Fashion houses searching for unique, handcrafted pieces often turn to India. Their government launched incentives and modernized port infrastructure, helping exporters cut down delays. This means India’s share is inching up, especially in segments that need skilled handiwork or premium textiles.
Indonesia and Cambodia play supporting roles. They’re small compared to China or Bangladesh, but they offer alternate sourcing for brands that can’t put all their faith in just one country. Cambodia, for example, saw a boost in export orders during times when other countries faced lockdowns or strikes. That adaptability means production rarely grinds to a halt, keeping American racks stocked even during chaotic global events.
Trends, Challenges, and the Road Ahead for US Garment Imports
The garment game is changing—and fast. American shoppers are getting more vocal about worker safety, sustainability, and the environmental cost of “fast fashion.” Back in 2013, after the tragic Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, global brands caved to pressure and started pushing for safer factories. Now, certification schemes and audits are routine, making exports a bit tougher but also improving working conditions in top exporter countries. The world has seen, firsthand, how a shirt can have a story far beyond the fabric.
Another hurdle: logistics and shipping costs. When supply chains got snarled during COVID, it became painfully clear how dependent the US was on countries thousands of kilometers away. Shipping costs skyrocketed, factories missed deadlines, and store shelves went half-empty. Today, brands mix things up more—splitting orders across two or three countries to avoid complete shutdowns if something goes wrong. It’s called “supply chain resilience,” and every big retailer has it on their radar.
US trade policy shapes the whole business. Tariffs on Chinese-made goods shook up sourcing decisions, funneling orders to Vietnam, Bangladesh, and others. When the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal fizzled out, some countries lost tariff advantages, rearranging the pecking order. Meanwhile, new Free Trade Agreements between the US and smaller countries (like Central America under CAFTA-DR) let some suppliers slip in with lower customs fees, making them more attractive for simple basics and mass-market products.
Watch the rise of digitalization. Factories are becoming smarter—with software predicting trends, AI optimizing fabric use, and robots sewing simple seams faster than any person could. This wave of “Industry 4.0” is changing which countries make certain types of products. Countries quick to adopt new tech could take the lead in tomorrow’s export race.
There’s a flip side to all this progress. As wages slowly rise in Asia, some brands could pull manufacturing even closer to America, especially for pricier or limited-edition runs. 3D printing, on-demand fashion, and even “make-on-site” tech in US malls are wildcards the industry is watching. If these catch on, you might someday buy a shirt designed online and made in-store the same day.
For now, though, your favorite jeans are likely to come from Bangladesh, your joggers from Vietnam, and your colorful festival wear from India. China remains king for basics and sheer scale, even as the world’s supply chain gets messier and more unpredictable. Savvy shoppers might even spot patterns: look for “Made in” labels shifting as big brands juggle tariffs, costs, and sustainability goals. Next time you’re out shopping, that label tells a deeper story—one of global trade, shifting alliances, economic power, and the never-ending quest for the perfect fit.
