Finding a great pair of jeans that doesn't break the bank is a real challenge. You see the Kirkland Signature jeans¹ at Costco, notice the low price, and can't help but wonder about their quality and who is actually behind the label.

Kirkland Signature jeans are made for Costco² by various highly-regarded denim manufacturers. The specific supplier can change, but past producers have included major industrial players known for making jeans for many famous North American brands.

For over two decades, my life has been denim. In my factory, DiZNEW, the core of our business is working with brands to produce jeans that meet their exact specifications for quality, fit, and price.

The question of "who makes what" isn't idle curiosity for me; it's the foundation of the entire apparel industry. The story behind Kirkland jeans is a perfect masterclass in the power of private label manufacturing³, a world where massive scale allows for an incredible intersection of quality and value. Let's pull back the curtain and look at how this really works.

What company makes Costco jeans?

You want the specific name behind the product. The lack of a clear manufacturer on the label can be frustrating when you're trying to figure out if you're getting a good deal or just a cheap product.

Costco does not publicize the specific manufacturer of its jeans, as suppliers can change. However, for many years, industry import records have identified a large Canadian apparel maker, TTY Management Inc.⁴, as a primary producer of Kirkland Signature jeans.

The relationship between a retailer like Costco and a manufacturer is a perfect example of the private label model.

My designer friend, Dean, creates detailed "tech packs" for brands, which are blueprints for a garment. Costco does the same thing on an industrial scale.

They decide on every detail: the exact weight and composition of the denim, the specific "straight fit" measurements, the color of the stitching, and the target cost. Then, they take these specifications to a select group of massive, highly efficient factories and ask for bids.

A company like TTY Management is an industrial powerhouse. You won't see their name on a label in a store, but they have the capacity to produce millions of garments for major retailers across North America.

By placing an order for hundreds of thousands of pairs of jeans, Costco gets a per-unit cost that smaller brands can only dream of. The manufacturer gets a massive, predictable order that keeps their factory running efficiently.

This symbiotic relationship is the secret to how Costco can sell a quality pair of jeans for such a low price. It's not about making them cheap; it's about making them smart.

Who actually makes Kirkland products⁵?

You’ve seen the Kirkland Signature logo on everything from coffee to car tires. It feels impossible for one company to make all these different things, leaving you confused about what the brand truly represents.

Kirkland Signature is not a manufacturing company. It is Costco's exclusive private label brand. Costco partners with hundreds of different expert manufacturers around the world to produce high-quality products that are then sold under the Kirkland name.

The strategy is both simple and brilliant, and it extends far beyond jeans. For almost every Kirkland product, there is a famous national brand that serves as a quality benchmark.

Costco's goal is to work with a top-tier manufacturer to create a product that is as good as, or even better than, that famous brand, but at a significantly lower price point for their members. I see this all the time at DiZNEW.

A client will bring in a benchmark garment from a competitor and say, "I want this feel, this durability, but with my brand's fit and finish." Costco does this across every department.

The Kirkland Benchmark Strategy

Product Category	Famous National Brand	Likely Kirkland Manufacturer Profile
Coffee	Starbucks	A major coffee roaster that also supplies to high-end cafes.
Batteries	Duracell	A leading battery company, sometimes even the same one.
Premium Vodka	Grey Goose	A high-end distillery using similar water sources and methods.
Blue Jeans	Levi's or Lee	A large-scale denim factory with a history of global production.

This isn't about creating knockoffs. It's a strategic partnership. Costco leverages its immense buying power and direct-to-consumer model to eliminate the high marketing and distribution costs associated with national brands.

They partner with the experts in each field to deliver that quality directly to you under their own trusted Kirkland brand.

Do Kirkland jeans run small?

You're standing in Costco or browsing online, ready to buy a pair. But then the sizing anxiety hits. No one wants to buy the wrong size and deal with the hassle of a return.

Generally, Kirkland jeans are known for having a generous, classic "American fit," meaning they often run true to size or even slightly large. You likely will not need to size up, but be aware that slight variations can occur between different production runs.

"Fit" is one of the most important and most difficult things to get right in jean manufacturing. In my factory, a huge amount of effort goes into perfecting the "fit block⁶" and the "grade rules" that determine how a garment's measurements scale up or down across sizes.

Kirkland Signature is a brand for the masses, not a niche fashion label. Therefore, their jeans are designed to fit a very broad range of body types comfortably.

This means the fit profile is typically a classic or regular cut, with more room in the seat and thighs compared to the slim or skinny fits that are popular in high-fashion.

Think of it as a fit designed for comfort and function. If you're used to wearing slimmer-fitting jeans from European or designer brands, you might find the Kirkland fit to be quite relaxed. If you're used to traditional American brands like Lee or Wrangler, the fit will feel very familiar.

As a general rule, stick to your normal size. If you're between sizes, you are probably safe to go with the smaller one.

Are Kirkland jeans discontinued?

You heard a rumor that your favorite, go-to affordable jeans are no longer available. A wave of panic sets in. Finding a reliable pair of jeans is hard enough, and you hate the idea of starting the search all over again.

No, the Kirkland Signature jeans line as a whole is not discontinued. However, Costco continuously updates its inventory, so specific styles, colors, or fits may be retired and replaced with new versions to keep the selection fresh.

This is a standard part of the retail and manufacturing cycle that we call a "seasonal refresh." At DiZNEW, we work on new collections with brands every season.

It's very rare for a brand to keep the exact same garment in its lineup for more than a couple of years without any changes.

They might introduce a new wash, alter the stitching color, or slightly tweak the leg opening based on customer feedback and evolving trends. Costco operates in the same way, just on a much larger scale.

Their internal data might show that a certain dark indigo wash is selling much better than a light "acid wash" style, so they'll discontinue the slow seller to make room for more of the popular one.

They might find that their "Straight Fit" is outselling their "Relaxed Fit" ten to one, so they'll focus their next order on the more popular fit.

So, while the exact pair of jeans you bought three years ago might not be on the shelf today, you can be almost certain that a very similar, updated version has taken its place. The Kirkland jean isn't gone; it's simply evolving with its customers.

Conclusion

Kirkland jeans are a prime example of a successful private label partnership. They are made by expert manufacturers to Costco's high standards, delivering incredible value, though specific styles understandably evolve over time.

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