American Flannel Thirty-five years ago, 70% of the clothes we wore were made in this country. Today, that number is less than 2%. In my view, that's a grim statistic, and what it says about who we've become as a people - at least, with regard to our relationship with the business of making things - is not flattering. @sKurutz has written a terrific book called American Flannel, that chronicles, among other things, the challenge of making a flannel shirt in this country, the old fashioned way. It's a great read, and modesty aside, a very timely conversation. Check out the whole thing here - bit.ly/TWIHI380 or on @Apple, @Spotify or your favorite podcast app.
@mikeroweworks I have a full-length cashmere winter coat I bought in the late 80s made in the USA. Will never part with it, full Tony Soprano and still mint.
@mikeroweworks “The business of making things…” has such a nice ring to it. I’m old enough to remember when things were made for quality, and the desire to do something well at the same time. That’s missing in many ways now. But not totally…and we can feel it when it’s not mass produced.
@mikeroweworks And all those who say that outsourcing is great can't answer the question of what to do with all those outsourced.
@mikeroweworks I have a dirty job for you, the directors, producers of your shows. NPR is in severe need of being cleaned up. A public radio that isn't unbiased needs fixing. Nominate a new CEO to take it over and America will make it happen. @elonmusk @realDonaldTrump @marthamaccallum
@mikeroweworks You can't find clothes made here. And womens clothes are all crap. Practically see thru & thin & don't last. Frustrating
@mikeroweworks Wow! OK when American workers want to work for 10 cents an hour like Chinese workers do, then maybe shit can be made in America again. Face it big American companies buy cheap labor abroad because Americans won't pay what it costs for American workers to make the exact same thing
@mikeroweworks Good clothing is hard to find.
@mikeroweworks Labor unions play a big part in this as well.
I have shopped at Talbots for 30 years. The quality year after year has stood the test of time. Season after season, the colors match so I can continuously add to my wardrobe. That is until the last 5 or so years. There has been a noticeable decline in the quality. The sizes fluctuate. The cashmere is thin. It's no longer the brand it championed to be. Made in Vietnam. Cheap and overly expensive now.
@mikeroweworks I still have my flannel shirts from high school and college years. I took care of them and they are still beautiful pieces.