Making Tees in Detroit
Our tees are cut and sewn in Detroit, Michigan, in partnership with Soft Goods Manufacturing — an independent garment factory founded by Josh York in 2017.
Detroit is one of America's great manufacturing cities. For generations it has been a place where skilled tradespeople built things meant to last. Soft Goods is part of that tradition: based in Corktown, the city's oldest neighborhood, run by a tight-knit team who cut, sew, and finish garments every day with a deep respect for the craft.
Like us, they're independent and bootstrapped. They've quietly built a reputation for producing exceptional garments for some of the best brands in the market, all while keeping production rooted in Detroit.
Shifting production to Detroit was a big decision. We would only consider a move to the US if we found a partner who could add genuine value. Once we met Josh, it felt like kismet — not just because we're all from Michigan, but because of how closely our values aligned. The shirt you love stays the same. What's behind it gets better.Anna, co-founder of Plain Jane New York
In conversation with Josh York, founder of Soft Goods Manufacturing
I like the approach you all are taking. Going slow and steady and building community and brand the right way. You care about the product and being sustainable, and you're not rushing things for short-term gains. You value quality and the story behind a product.
People that share our values. When we can make a great and special product together and tell the story of how and why it came to be, that's the best partnership for us.
I did the same thing with my business. I started with t-shirts and slowly built up an assortment. I actually went too wide a couple of times and had to reign it back in. Now we know what we do well and what we don't, and we try to stick within that scope.
Making any clothing is super challenging. There are dozens of inputs that go into a garment, even something as simple as a t-shirt. People expect it to be basic, so it's really easy to notice if anything isn't on point.
Using natural fibers makes it even trickier. Every crop of cotton can behave differently, and you have to account for those differences every time you cut a new tee.
Fabric is the first thing. I hate polyester garments that you can tell are going to pill after a wash or two. A good, tight-knit cotton is my favorite. Construction matters too. Clean stitching and properly finished seams are usually a good indicator that something will hold up.
Collars. Sewing a stretchy rib fabric to a less stretchy body fabric really tripped me up. What finally worked was sewing the collar with a binding attachment on a coverstitch machine instead of a serger. It gave the collar more longevity, making it less likely to “bacon neck.”
Honesty and transparency. There's so much marketing jargon in clothing that it's hard to know what's really true, even for me. Don't overcomplicate it. Be honest about what you're making and how it serves a purpose.
A lot of people don't realize how fragmented it is. You might find a factory that can assemble a garment, but certain yarns or trims don't exist stateside. That means longer timelines and fewer options. Often the best way to get the result you want is to be creative or figure it out yourself.
They're understated and hardworking. We're not flashy and we're not a fashion brand. Our garments aren't for one special occasion. They're what people reach for day in and day out. We've had our clothes worn to proposals and to hospitals when kids are born.
Be with you through all of life's ups and downs, no questions asked.
Made to last
Cut and sewn in Detroit, from cotton grown in the United States.
Shop the teesWhere the cotton comes from, and why it matters — Behind Our Cotton.