Made in LA 💙: The Story Behind Every Tee
At Thread Hippie, we couldn’t stand by and watch the graphic tee lose its soul. Once a symbol of self-expression, style, and effortless cool, it had been reduced to cheap fabrics, bad fits, and uninspired slogans. The kind of tees that stretch out after one wash, that say nothing about you, that feel disposable.
But the graphic tee was never meant to be disposable. It’s the cornerstone of American style, the staple of our wardrobes, the piece we reach for without thinking because it always just works. From rockstars to artists, rebels to everyday icons, a well-made tee isn’t just clothing; it’s a statement. It’s art you can wear. And if there’s one place that truly understands that history, it’s LA.
LA & The American T-Shirt: A Love Story
The graphic tee is as much a part of LA as music, film, and rebellion. This city has always been a place where people come to create, to challenge the status quo and make something new. It’s the birthplace of surf culture, punk rock, vintage denim, and the kind of effortless, sun-faded style that never tries too hard. And for decades, it’s been a hub for American garment manufacturing, especially when it comes to knits. While most of the fashion industry moved overseas, LA held onto the know-how, the machines, and the people who could make tees the right way.
From Hollywood to the Streets: LA's Influence on the Tee
From the silver screen to the music scene, the t-shirt has been a quiet revolution in women’s fashion. In the ‘60s, Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin made the plain white tee effortlessly chic, proving that simplicity could be just as striking as couture. The ‘70s saw Debbie Harry transform the graphic tee into a rock ‘n’ roll essential, pairing it with leather and an attitude that shaped a generation. The ‘80s brought Madonna, who took oversized tees and turned them into fashion statements, layering them with bold accessories and fearless energy. By the ‘90s, Kate Moss redefined minimalism with her slouchy tee-and-denim combos, while Winona Ryder and Drew Barrymore embodied the grunge-era cool, making thrifted and lived-in tees the ultimate style staple.
LA has always been the epicenter of these shifts - a city where film, music, and subcultures collide to shape fashion history. And that’s why making our clothes here just makes sense.
Real People, Real Relationships
When we say “Made in LA,” we’re not just talking about a label; we’re talking about an ecosystem of people we actually know. The ones cutting and sewing our tees, dyeing them to the perfect shade, and screen printing our designs. Our garments aren’t bouncing around the globe from factory to factory. They’re made by skilled hands we trust, all within a few miles of each other.
Staying Close to the Process
Made in LA means we get to be intimately involved in every step of the process. We tweak, refine, and perfect each piece - not just on a computer screen, but in real time, working side by side with the people who bring our designs to life. That level of control means we get the details just right: the fit, the fabric, the color, the feel. That way, when you slip on a Thread Hippie tee or sweatshirt, it already feels like an old favorite.
More Than a Place - A Philosophy
Making clothes in LA isn’t the easiest or the cheapest way, but it’s the best way for us. It means quality, integrity, and a commitment to something bigger than fast fashion. Because at the end of the day, we’re not just making tees. We’re making pieces you’ll love, wear, and live in - clothes with soul, made by people who care.
LA isn’t just where we make our tees. It’s why we make them the way we do... because the graphic tee is too important to let it fade into mediocrity.
⚡ Shop our graphic tee collection here.