Kool Clipz: Clever Earbud Clip, Made in USA
:: Personal cable routing system :: Great prices :: Interchangeable designs ::
Kool Clipz are a clever system that solves the problem of loose-hanging earbud cables. Instead of flapping in the breeze or snagging onto the many appendages of this crazy, busy world, Kool Clips channel your earbud cables to your collar, and then guide them through to the inside of your shirt – which is the best way to maintain your Kool. Using a little bit of friction, your cable length may be adjusted so that you can set your perfect freedom of movement. Made in USA!
It may take a few seconds to realize how this clip system works, and how it may enhance your active lifestyle by keeping your mind off of the fear of yanking out your buds. But really it is a super simple and effective concept… just cross your cables, slide up to the loop at the top, then clip onto your shirt collar. The system works great if you run the cable down the inside of your shirt, and keep your tunes in your pocket. Just set it and forget it. This will come handy for our air traveling, because we are constantly yanking out our ear buds in those tightly confined spaces. Also great for the gym or for exercising.
Not only are they very affordable, the clip designs are interchangeable, and can be fun to trade. The clips have a surprisingly perfect friction connection to the design plates, yet slide in easily. Although they are made of plastic, they feel rugged, solid and flexible – and feel comfortable on the skin.
If you are looking for a good gift for yourself or for your kids, pick up a pack or two of Kool Clipz! You can choose singles or variety packs.
http://www.koolclipz.biz/
http://www.facebook.com/KoolClipz.CEO
Wigwam: Great Socks for All Seasons
:: Great company :: Wide selection + hats :: Reasonable prices :: Since 1908 ::
After discovering Wigwam socks at our local Costco, we were amazed by the build quality as well as the value! Additionally, Wigwam also makes warm knit hats, beanies, wool caps, glove liners and more (some hats may be imported). Wigwam covers all the bases in their sock lines, from Merino Wool comfort hiking socks, to triathlon performance, to snow sport, to work boot crew and foot health comfort socks. They feature comfort without sacrificing style, and source their wool almost exclusively from American wool growers. Our feature image only scratches the surface of what they have available.
We are very impressed by their corporate policy and beliefs, as well as their continuing push towards greener operations (solar heated water, motion sensor lights, recycling, etc). Wigwam is active in Washington DC, lobbying for fair trade and reasonable import limitations.
From their “About” page:
“We care that thousands of manufacturers in this country sacrifice quality for less-expensive labor in other areas of the world, to increase the bottom line. We continue to lobby in Washington D.C. for programs that responsibly limit the quantity of imported products coming into this country while still pursuing a policy of fair trade with our many global neighbors. We care about the environmental, sociological, and financial implications of this policy.”
http://www.wigwam.com/
Hats list on wigwam.com (check here to see imports)
Wigwam Socks on Amazon
Wigwam Hats on Amazon
Wigwam Glove Liners on Amazon
Artex: Winter Caps, Beanies, Scarves, Hats and More
:: Great prices :: Many styles :: Many colors :: Optional embroidery ::
Artex makes a huge selection of warm winter hats and scarves for the whole family, all at fantastic prices. Designs include stretch beanies, headbands, caps, face masks, classic cuffs, jeep caps, bandanas, watch caps, ribbed cuffs, waffle stitch, military beanies, lumberjack jeep beanies, plain cuffs, military/ service hats, high-visibility, and more. Materials include American mohair, wool, acrylic, fleece, Thinsulate, and polyester. Most items made in USA!
Prices are fantastic -they range from $7 for the beanies, to $20-$30 for the scarves! That is what stores are charging for imports, so we have to give Artex a round of applause for providing such a great value, with styles and options for everyone, including babies!
Avoid their imported toddler beanies with the ear flaps, the toddler bucket hats, and the fancier looking Peruvian caps- we can only hope they will try to produce those here, as $15 is unnecessarily low price for these hats and we think they will sell at a higher price.
Artex corporate site: mixed domestic and import, but kudos for great labeling:
http://www.artexknit.com
Hundreds of Artex Items at Amazon (Careful for Rogue Imports)
Nanette Lepore: Bold and Sophisticated Women’s Clothing
:: Signature silhouette :: Bold colors and prints :: Many sale items ::
Nanette Lepore’s clothing line speaks to me (Eric writing here!). Each item has a touch of uniqueness that are often very well executed, and even though each piece is unique, together they form a clear and coherent look. I see so many designers try to express a unique flair, but often they come off as though they have an identity crisis… not Nanette Lepore’s current line!
Worn by many famous celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johannson, Nicki Minaj and Michelle Obama, these clothes can be a bit on the pricey side… but on her website, all prices are listed and many of the items are on sale. Clothing includes dresses, skirts, tops, suits, pants, hats, jackets, coats and more.
Production is mixed import and Made in USA (New York City), however it is very easy to see all her Made in USA items on one big, tall page – the key is to search for “New York” in her search field. Here you go! :
http://www.nanettelepore.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?limit=all&q=new+york&x=0&y=0
Exercise caution when cruising the web for bargains, because many items are imported and perhaps not labeled (they are an international company).
Pendleton: Woolen Clothing, Blankets, Pillows and More
:: Mixed domestic and imports :: Native American and modern mix ::
Pendleton offers a huge range of products – quite a few made in USA with wool from their American Northwest Mills, and more-than-quite-a-few that are imported. We are not here to scold companies that import, but rather encourage them to re-shore their production.
So without further ado, I would like to compliment Pendleton on their sense of design and quality, and simply provide a link directly to a big tall page that only includes their “Made in USA” products (369 at this time), that offer a great list of blankets (and BABY BLANKETS for a reasonable price!), throws, skirts, scarves, shirts and clothing, furniture, pillows, hats, jewelry, bags and accessories, ceramic plates, mugs and bowls, glassware, and even a few cute items for the holidays!
Made in USA Selection on Pendleton.com
Ordinarily we would also link to their products on Amazon, but there are just too many imports there. Let’s applaud their efforts to maintain jobs here, but also encourage them to consider more re-shoring!
All Seasons Uniforms: Great Made In USA Clothing
:: Section devoted to Made in USA :: For men and women :: Near-import prices ::
Who says American clothing isn’t competitive?!?! A quick trip to All Seasons Work Uniforms proves that all the staples can be found at near-import prices! Although their website could use better thumbnail images for the casual shopper, their dedicated page to Made in USA clothing is organized, stocked, and clearly labeled if you know what you’re looking for.
Many of these clothing makers don’t have their own storefronts, so this is the place to get many of these items. GSA Schedule contract holder, so if you are a government agency, get your clothing and uniforms here- but if you are a “civie” you are still welcome to shop.
Categories for men and women include caps, coveralls, coats and jackets, overalls, pants and shorts, shirts and t-shirts (as low as $5!!!) , sweaters, undergarments, letter jackets for athletes, socks, gloves, vests and liners, and specializing in flame-resistant and high-visibility apparel for those on the edge of danger. Fleece blankets are as low as $10!!
Brands include Bayside caps and sweatshirts, Snap N Wear, Topps, ExtremeGard, Propper, King Louie, Union Line, Round House (an American classic at great prices), Earls Stan Ray Apparel (US Groove feature coming soon!), Majestic, Camber, Andrew Rohan (Cotton Cashmere sweaters for men and women at great prices), Windjammer, United Pioneer.
We hear their customer service is good, and their shipping is pretty quick with UPS. Not all their product is Made in USA, but everything on this page is:
http://www.allseasonsuniforms.com
Thanks Paul for the recommendation!
Snoa Sleepwear: Sexy and Warm Sleepwear for Women
:: Sexy, yet warm :: Soft and eco-friendly fabrics :: Elegant :: Reasonable prices ::
Snoa Sleepwear was born from the idea that nightwear and sleepwear can be warm as well as sexy (San Francisco can feel so cold sometimes!). Rave reviews from actual customers confirm that the material and the cut does actually keep you warmer. Some have even worn their flattering sleepwear out on the town, as many of the designs lean towards the subtle side of seductive.
We really love the Brigitta Bed Jacket (center) for its creativity and flowing nature. Designs include robes and wraps, shrugs, gowns and nighties, tops and bottoms, pants and shorts. Most items come in black or white, and occasionally come with a few color options.
Bundle up this winter with Snoa Sleepwear, Made in USA!
http://snoasleepwear.com/
Enter the US Groove Giveaway, one lucky winner will get to choose their favorite item:
http://usgroove.com/us-groove-giveaway-snoa-sleepwear-is-sexy-and-warm/
Winner will be selected Nov.8, 2012 @ 6pm Pacific time
WSI: High Tech Sport and Performance Clothing and Gear
:: Standard and custom colors and printing :: Sport categories :: Protective gear ::
Move over “Under Armour”! WSI has been making performance gear and protective clothing using high-tech fabrics since 1990, and has an IMPRESSIVE collection of sport clothing. Stock items are available to the individual, or if you have a larger order for your team, you may choose custom colors and even upload your own images for sublimated printing patterns and logos over the entire design with complete flexibility of design for your organization. Atta-boy!! Atta-girl!!
Innovative fabrics, such as WikMax and Wikmax HEATR have two different functions: Wikmax keeps the skin dry, and HEATR technology keeps the skin warm, causing your blood vessels to dilate- not only keeping you warmer, but allowing you to burn fat faster than normal clothing. HEATR also helps with muscle recovery and blood flow for quicker warm-up time.
Sport categories include: baseball, softball, hockey, football, cycling, tactical, soccer, lacrosse, snow sports, running, training, and hunting/outdoors (yes, camo sublimated prints too!).
Clothing options include short sleeve and long sleeve shirts, all types of shorts and pants, as well as caps, ear warmers, wrist warmers, arm warmers, socks, gloves, groin protection and more.
Available through their online store and at retailers near you.
http://www.wsisports.com/
WSI Women: Fitness and Warm Clothing From WSI
:: Reasonable prices :: Great looking :: High-tech fabrics :: Wide variety ::
Priscillas Apparel is the official web site of WSI women. Priscilla’s online store uses quality product photography displayed on real models to show the clothing in action (vs. the corporate site showing mostly floating product). WSI clothing blend performance with attractive design, we think this is a great alternate to Under Armor, and since it is Made in USA, all the better!
Two fabric categories have two different functions: Wikmax keeps the skin dry, and HEATR technology keeps the skin warm, causing your blood vessels to dilate- not only keeping you warmer, but allowing you to burn fat faster than normal clothing. HEATR also helps with muscle recovery and blood flow for quicker warm-up time.
Fitness apparel covers the full spectrum: shorts, pants, tops, underwear, bras, yoga pants, pull overs, socks, gloves, beanies, headbands, wrist warmers, ear warmers, scarves, and jackets. We recommend you also check out the WSI page to see the full product line and men’s clothing too.
http://www.priscillasapparel.com/home
To see the men’s and women’s clothing at WSI main site:
http://www.wsisports.com/home
Fox Creek Leather: Jackets, Bags, Boots, Accessories
:: Great prices :: Attractive designs :: Wide variety :: Great gifts ::
Fox Creek Leather is a family run business that makes the full spectrum of leather products and motorcycle leathers for men and women at reasonable prices – all jackets, vests and chaps are covered by their lifetime guarantee! Most all leather products are Made in USA except for a few boots which are clearly labeled.
Leather jackets are in several form factors, including dress jackets. Other products include gloves, belts, wallets, purses, three brands of great affordable boots, hats, motorcycle luggage and bags, trunk bags, tool bags, key fobs, horse gear and more.
Prices are very very reasonable… very impressed with the glove, wallet and belt options. We will always look here first when buying leather products and gifts for friends! Some of the non-leather accessories may be imported, but are clearly labeled.