Huang Lim / 09 July 2025 / Categories: Product and Brands, Brands, Clothes

James Perse Made In The USA or so I thought

These days some production of garments has shifted to Asia

Few items of clothing serve me better than a James Perse spaghetti strap vest. I wear one almost every day as a base layer under my clothes. The cotton elastane so soft yet stretchy and controlling I can wear it with or without a bra, and comfortable enough to wear in bed if I want to. Also long enough, critical for me as I have a long body, to wear with leggings and work out clothes. I hate T shirts and vests that ride up, or even worse curl up, I tried a Hanro cotton elastane vest, I paid about 50 bucks and the cotton kept curling up at the bottom and I was constantly pulling it down. But despite the high price tag of James Perse customers are happy to pay for good ethics and quality long lasting garments could this be a brand riding high on a reputation based on the past when you look a little bit deeper?

Let’s go explore.

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James Perse are definitely more expensive, if not the most expensive basics. A plain and simple cotton stretchy vest retails for around £90 I know it’s a lot but since you cannot buy great cotton staples anywhere anymore I find myself thinking I’d rather have one or two items that I wear love and do the job magnificently than keep buying cheaper garments that just don’t hit the mark.

Once you’ve invested you’ll understand what I mean. Like really well made underwear a few fantastic base pieces you wear everyday will transform the look and feel of all your other clothes.

James Perse garments in the past were predominately made in the USA. A brand signature. And yet there is quite a bit of discussion on forums about the fact it is now widely published online, manufacturing for James Perse has shifted to China.

I’ve read on different forums, Reddit: Quora and Purseforum customers discussing their expectation of James Perse is made ethically in the USA and even though they have 15, 20, 25 pieces they love all made in the US garments are slipping in saying Made in China or Made in Vietnam. I guess it was inevitable so I don’t know how long the beautiful textiles long term customers have become accustomed to will last. I guess the answer is to just be aware and check where your garment is made before purchasing. On the upside I’ve also read garments being made in Japan with luxury textiles being sourced from a Japanese textile manufacturer A Girls Co for specific items like their elevated lotus T shirt. And Japanese manufacturing is less risky and protects workers better than other countries human rights records. Japan definitely offers better protection for workers against discrimination and clothes manufactured in Japan today are considered higher quality especially when it comes to craftsmanship and precision and attention to detail. Although not the case in the 1950’s and 1960’s when “Jap Crap” was regarded in much the same way as Made in China is today. Japan has been an industrialised nation for a lot longer than China. So Made in USA still hold much greater appeal and something I am always on the look out when purchasing my James Perse spaghetti strap vest.

The answer may lie in buying secondhand and avoiding new James Perse garments altogether. Not just because they are considerably cheaper but because the older stuff is simply better quality with better heritage.

It may just be as word has spread of the amazing quality you’ll find at James Perse, greed and profit has taken over and the highest of standards customers absolutely love have been replaced by the constant quest to lower production costs and desire to improve commercial margins for more profit.

And we all know eventually this profit centric model is not sustainable. High prices for lower quality goods doesn’t endure in the long run.

The vest I just bought does say Made in USA on the label but I may have just got lucky or found an item of old stock.

Composition 94% supima cotton, 6% Lycra and the cost was $75 dollars. That 1% extra Lycra content makes a big difference if you like a snug fit. Not tight though still super soft and comfy. James Perse does get the balance just right. When it comes to sizing the tanks run quite big. I am about a 6 sometimes an 8 US and I buy a James Perse 1 which fits me perfect.

Interestingly they have stopped putting where specific garments are made on their website so if this matters you have to send an email and ask the question about the garment or what you like before purchasing. The customer service email for James Perse is assistance@jamesperse.com they assure us all a response within 24 hours.

FYI the reviews on Trust Pilot are not as glowing as this one with a lot of “loyal customers” reporting strict time guidelines and very poor customer service if you have a genuine issue.