—an ongoing series spotlighting companies proudly waving the Made In America flag
The legacy of the Made In America label has strong roots in American apparel companies, especially in footwear. American made shoes, boots and sneakers built many a family name. Some of these companies have been hand stitching their shoes in America for decades, and others forced into outsourcing for years, are determined to restore the once thriving Made In America label to your shoes and are offering new lines of Made In America options. The latest in our series, MADE IN THE USA: SHOES AND BOOTS, spotlights some of the best companies making shoes right here in America.
ALLEN EDMONDS SHOES
Allen Edmonds has been making shoes in Michigan since 1936. Although their entire product line is not manufactured here, they have an enormous selection of shoes, apparel, accessories and home goods that are still made in Michigan and throughout the U.S. Allen Edmonds Shoes tend toward the most classic of styles, think hand crafted wingtip shoes, tassel loafers and monk straps, that will last for years with an occasional shoe shine and resoling, which Allen Edmonds proudly offers with their Re-crafting program that brings new life to your favorite pair of loafers. In addition to their covetable line of leather shoes and boots, Allen Edmonds has a full range of Golf Shoes made in America for the most stylish of Sundays on the links. We highly recommend the Dalton Wingtip Dress Boot and the thoroughly modern Neumok Wingtip Oxfords in navy distressed leather.
SPERRY TOP SIDER
Sperry Top Sider got their start making sea faring shoes in America over 75 years ago when Paul Sperry invented the first boat shoe. A sailor in search of a non-slippery shoe to wear on deck, Sperry created the wavy pattern still in use today on the sole of Sperry Top Siders. An icon of preppy style for generations, Sperry has introduced into their product line a Made In Maine collection of their classic boat shoes for men and women. Hand stitched in Maine using U.S. sourced leather, the collection proudly revisits this American icon’s roots. It’s hard not to pick them in classic brown, but go for it and get the red, or, just get both.
LL BEAN
LL Bean, the company that basically invented the phrase Made in Maine, proudly offers hundreds of American made products in their stores and catalogs. Their most iconic American made product, of course, is the trusty, hand stitched in Maine one-at-a-time, Bean Boot. First manufactured in 1912, the Bean Boot has been worn by generations of hikers, hunters, and urbanites, and is known for keeping your feet dry in the wettest of conditions. We like the shearling lined model for a little extra warmth on the coldest of days.
