You see Wrangler as the ultimate American cowboy jean, a symbol of rugged independence. But seeing a "Made in Mexico" tag on a new pair makes you question its authenticity. What’s the real story behind the label?

Yes, but only a specific collection. While most Wrangler jeans are made overseas (primarily Mexico), their iconic "Cowboy Cut 13MWZ Rigid¹" line is still proudly produced in the USA from American-sourced denim, a deliberate choice to preserve their core heritage.

This is a strategy I admire and one that many designers, like my colleague Dean, find fascinating. It’s a brilliant way for a massive global brand to stay true to its roots. Wrangler, like its sister brand Lee, is part of Kontoor Brands², a company that has to operate on a global scale to survive.

But they've been smart enough to identify the one product that absolutely must carry the "Made in the USA³" story. It's a testament to the power of heritage in a modern apparel business. They are balancing the economic realities of today with the legacy of their past.

When did Wrangler jeans stop being made in the USA?

You remember a time when almost all Wrangler jeans proudly wore a "Made in USA" tag. Now, seeing them made elsewhere feels like the end of an era, and you're curious about when that big shift happened.

Wrangler never fully stopped. They shifted the majority of their production overseas throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, but they have always maintained production of their core 13MWZ Cowboy Cut jean in the United States.

This wasn't a single event but a gradual transition that affected the entire American apparel industry. Through the late 20th century, the economic pressure to reduce costs was immense. Brands faced a choice: move production to more affordable regions or risk being priced out of the market.

Wrangler, like Levi's and Lee, moved most of its manufacturing to places like Mexico and other Latin American countries. Their parent company, Kontoor Brands, has a major logistics hub in Mexico, which makes it a very efficient choice.

However, they made a crucial strategic decision to keep their foundational product, the original pro-rodeo jean, as a domestically produced item. This wasn't just about sentimentality; it was a powerful branding move. It allows them to say, "The heart of Wrangler is still American," even as they operate as a massive global entity.

Are there any denim jeans made in the USA?

Your search for Wranglers has you wondering if it's even possible to buy any jeans made in the USA anymore. It seems like every brand you investigate has a global supply chain, leaving you feeling discouraged.

Yes, absolutely. While most mass-market brands produce overseas, a thriving scene of artisan and heritage brands manufacture 100% in the USA. These include brands like Tellason, Railcar Fine Goods, Round House, and Pointer Brand, among others.

As someone who runs a denim factory⁴, I can tell you that these American-made brands operate on a different philosophy. They aren't trying to compete on volume; they are competing on craftsmanship.

Wrangler's US-made line is about preserving a specific heritage product. These other brands are about preserving an entire heritage process. They often use premium selvedge denim, invest in vintage sewing machinery, and pay the higher wages that come with skilled American labor.

Their customers are people who are buying a story and a piece of wearable art, and they are willing to pay a premium for it. So you have a choice: you can buy a single, iconic American-made style from a global giant like Wrangler, or you can buy from a smaller company where every single stitch is American. The fact that both options exist is great for consumers.

Are Wrangler jeans made in China?

The term "overseas manufacturing" often brings one country to mind. You might assume that if your Wranglers aren't from the USA, they must be coming from China, like so many other goods.

No, Wrangler jeans are not primarily made in China. The main manufacturing hub for Wrangler outside of the United States is Mexico. This is a strategic decision based on the location of its parent company, Kontoor Brands, and North American trade agreements.

In the world of garment manufacturing, geography is everything. For an American company like Kontoor Brands, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, Mexico is a far more logical partner than China for its core products. The proximity cuts down dramatically on shipping times and costs.

The USMCA (formerly NAFTA) trade agreement makes moving goods across the border very efficient. Furthermore, Mexico has a deep, multi-generational history of expertise in denim and workwear production.

While it's possible that some minor components or novelty items in their vast catalog could come from Asia, the heart of their international production is firmly in North America. This "nearshoring" strategy gives them greater control over the supply chain and allows them to be more responsive to the demands of their biggest market, the USA.

Are Levi's or Wranglers better?

You're standing in front of a wall of jeans, looking at the two biggest names in American denim history. You only need one pair, which leads to the classic question: which one is actually better?

Neither is objectively "better"; they were designed for different bodies and different purposes. Wranglers are purpose-built for cowboys with a higher rise and functional details⁵ for riding, while Levi's offer a more classic, versatile fit for everyday wear.

I always tell designers that the "best" garment is the one that best serves its wearer. Levi's and Wranglers are a perfect case study. The Levi's 501⁶ was the original, a durable pant for miners and laborers that evolved into a global cultural icon. The Wrangler 13MWZ⁷ was developed decades later, specifically designed by "Rodeo Ben" Lichtenstein to meet the needs of professional rodeo cowboys.

Every detail in a Wrangler is functional for riding: the flat felled outer seams won't chafe on a saddle, the back pockets are set higher so you don't sit on your wallet, and the fit has more room in the seat and thigh. Levi's are the quintessential classic jean; Wranglers are a piece of specialized athletic equipment. Choosing between them comes down to what you want to do and how you are built.

Feature	Levi's 501 Original	Wrangler 13MWZ Cowboy Cut
Original Purpose	Durable work pant for miners	Functional riding jean for cowboys
Fit	Sits at the waist, straight leg	High rise, fuller seat and thigh
Key Detail	The original "blue jean" design	Flat seams, high back pockets
"Best" For	Everyday wear, timeless style	Riding, athletic builds, functional use

Conclusion

Wrangler is a classic American brand that strategically keeps its heritage 13MWZ line made in the USA, while using global manufacturing for the rest of its diverse product offerings.

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