250 Years of Fashion

America’s Semiquincentennial offers a powerful moment for our industry to come together—reflecting on the extraordinary ways apparel, footwear, accessories, and textiles have shaped our country and global fashion for the past 250 years.

AAFA is a proud supporter of America250, celebrating 250 years of fashion.

Through the lens of America’s 250th anniversary, 250 Years of Fashion offers an inside look at a few of the people, products, and moments that have shaped what Americans wear every day. This platform brings together the stories behind iconic brands and timeless pieces to highlight how fashion has evolved alongside the nation itself and continues to reflect its culture, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Read on for iconic founders and fashion moments that have made an indelible mark in our country’s history.

Bureau Veritas

Founded in 1828, and based in France, Bureau Veritas is the oldest, and one of the largest, providers of quality, compliance and certifications services in the world. Over the past 198 years, Bureau Veritas has had the honor, and opportunity, to contribute to some of the most iconic American brands and structures. Notably the following:

France is America's first, and longest continuous, ally. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to America to commemorate America's centennial. The structural engineer for the statue was Gustave Eiffel (like the tower). Bureau Veritas was Eiffel's quality inspector and certifier.

In 1927 Charles Lindbergh became the first person to fly nonstop from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St. Louis. The Spirit of St. Louis was inspected and certified by Bureau Veritas, prior to the flight, at Muroc Airfield.

Bureau Veritas is honored to be the quality partner with Ralph Lauren for their 2026 USA Olympic Team uniforms.

We are proud of our many contributions to the USA over the past 150 years and look forward to continuing our bright, exciting and historic collaboration. On behalf of the nearly 90,000 Bureau Veritas employees around the world, we wish the United States a very happy 250th birthday.

Columbia Sportswear

Gertrude Boyle was many things to Columbia Sportswear. From sewing the company’s first fishing vest to serving as President and Chair of the Board, Gert helped shape the brand at every stage. Born in Augsburg, Germany, she was one of three daughters in a Jewish family that owned a clothing business. In 1937, her family fled Nazi Germany, carrying what they could and starting over in the United States.

Gert arrived without knowing English but eventually graduated from the University of Arizona, where she met her husband, Neal Boyle. She brought Neal into the family business, then called The Columbia Hat Company, named after the Columbia River near Portland, OR, where her family settled. In the 1960s, Neal took over the company as it shifted from hats to outdoor apparel designed for harsh weather and rugged conditions. Columbia remained a modest operation built on persistence and steady work.

When Neal died suddenly, the company nearly collapsed. Gert showed up every day and refused to be intimidated. People often joked about her bluntness, but they admired her standards. Her favorite phrase was, “It’s perfect. Now make it better.” She cared less about appearances than performance. Would the jacket keep someone warm? Would the seams hold under pressure? Could the gear survive real weather? That practical mindset matched the Pacific Northwest. Rain and mountains do not care about marketing slogans, so Columbia focused on designing products that worked. The company built its reputation on honesty about the elements and gear made to handle them. Its slogan today reflects that approach: “Engineered for Whatever.” Even after Columbia became a global brand, the lessons behind it remained the same: security is built, not assumed.

Gert Boyle’s journey as an immigrant and business leader shaped a company that values resilience, preparation, and durability — because weather can change fast, and good gear should be ready for it.

Fruit of the Loom

Russel Athletic: The Inventor of the Sweatshirt. The breakthrough moment for Russell Athletic arrived in 1926, when quarterback Benjamin Russell Jr. asked his father to develop an alternative to the uncomfortable wool jerseys worn by football players. Perhaps he had no idea that the result would be the classic ribbed-neck sweatshirt—one of the most enduring icons in American sportswear. Made from soft, durable cotton built to withstand rugged wear and repeated washing, it quickly became a staple for athletes. The design also featured a ribbed V-patch at the neckline, originally intended to absorb sweat and reinforce the collar—a functional detail that evolved into an unmistakable signature of Russell Athletic—and a lasting symbol of authentic athletic heritage.

Gap Inc.

Gap was founded in San Francisco by Don and Doris Fisher in 1969 with a simple idea — make it easier to find a pair of jeans that fit with a commitment to do more. In the over 50 years since, the company has grown into a portfolio of brands including Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and its initial commitment to do more has grown into a global ambition to bridge gaps to create a better world.

Over time, the Gap brand's khakis, fleece (especially the logo hoodie), and denim all helped create a shift in American dress toward comfort, informality, and mass accessibility. Specifically, Gap's khakis are associated with the rise of business-casual and "Casual Friday" culture. What makes these items significant is precisely their familiarity. Gap's everyday American staples have become part of how millions of people dress for school, work, weekends, and the rituals in between. The company’s apparel helped define what generations of Americans wore while attending class, going to work, and moving through daily life.

G-III Apparel Group

From surviving the Holocaust in hiding to building an American fashion company that owns brands like Donna Karan, DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld, and Vilebrequin, Aron Goldfarb’s story reflects the determination and entrepreneurial spirit that have long shaped the American experience. Aron was born in 1924 in Bialobrzegi, Poland. While he contemplated becoming an engineer or architect, World War II replaced those ambitions with a fight for survival. Aron was sent to the Pionki labor camp alongside his two older brothers when he was just 15, while another brother survived by escaping to Russia. As they were separated, his father told him: “Maybe you will survive.” Of Aron's parents and six siblings, only he and two of his brothers survived.

After the war, Aron married and began a family. In 1956, he immigrated to New York City with little money and a determination to build a better future. He worked a series of jobs before co-founding G&N Sportswear, a women’s leather outerwear company, in 1958. Though the apparel industry was unpredictable, Aron approached business with the same resilience that had carried him through unimaginable hardship. He built not only a company, but a culture centered around hard work and loyalty. His son, Morris, joined the company in 1972, and the two formed G-III Apparel Group together.

The bomber jacket takes flight: One of the products that helped define the company’s growth was the bomber jacket. Developed for military pilots in the early twentieth century, the bomber jacket evolved into a symbol of American style, known for its practicality and timeless silhouette. As aviation-inspired fashion surged in popularity, GIII brought the style into the mainstream. Soon it became the company’s signature product. Early versions were produced in four sizes and one color, but by the late 1980s, bomber jackets accounted for nearly 90% of the company's business and set the foundation for its IPO in 1989.

GIII had become one of the largest leather wholesalers in the U.S. by the late 1980s. When Morris took the company public in 1989, he helped pioneer the modern licensing model within the outerwear industry - partnering with brands like Kenneth Cole, Nine West, and Cole Haan, while transforming GIII from a leather manufacturer into a global fashion enterprise that generates $3 billion in annual sales and employs more than 5,000 people. The company’s success is rooted in Aron Goldfarb’s immigration story and his determination to build a new life after surviving one of history’s darkest periods. What began with a Holocaust survivor arriving in New York with little more than hope ultimately became a multigenerational American success story built on resilience, opportunity, and reinvention.

Gildan: Hanes

The Everyday Icon and Original T-Shirt by Hanes

Capitalizing on one of the South’s most promising industries, brothers John W. Hanes and Pleasant Hanes each invested in textile businesses in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Before the corporation in 1965, there was a garment in 1901. When manufacturers bisected the traditional one-piece union suit into separates, they created a buttonless undershirt that was simple and affordable. Hanes was among the pioneers who recognized what this quiet, practical garment could become and built their reputation on making it better than anyone else.

When America went to war, Hanes supplied tens of millions of cotton undershirts to servicemen in 1932, putting its signature quality on an entire generation. The white t-shirt eventually shed its status as an undergarment and became a symbol of American youth.

Characterized as the only known merger of two companies bearing the same family name, the brothers’ textile companies had combined more than 60 years of scale, craft, and their American mills. This year, Hanes celebrates 125 years of its rich history in product innovation, and the t-shirt that serves as a universal blank canvas representing affordable American consumption.

Jockey International, Inc.

In 1934, Jockey, then operating as Cooper’s Incorporated, introduced the pioneering Jockey® Short, the first example of what is known today as the classic men’s brief. Devised by Vice President Arthur Kneibler, the product was unique, functional and fashionable for the post-Depression generation ready for something new.

The response was immediate. In January 1935, the Davis Store in Chicago, a subsidiary of Marshall Field & Co., introduced the Jockey Short with displays, posters and a full-size window cutout. By noon, the store had sold out its stock of 50 dozen shorts, and within the next week sold 1,000 dozen more. By mid-spring, the company was producing 3,000 dozen pairs a day.

That same year, Kneibler invented the Y-Front® opening in the sample rooms in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Evolving from the support structure of the original Jockey Short, the Y-Front design became an indispensable feature of Jockey underwear by enhancing the product’s “masculinized support” function. The Y-Front opening also enabled the design of longer-leg Jockey products, including Midway® briefs, Overknees and Longs. The Y-Front brief debuted in 1936.

In 1939, Jockey presented the “Jockey Underwardrobe” at the New York World’s Fair. One of the styles on display featured the Y-Front construction on the Jockey Short.

More than 90 years later, the men’s Y-Front brief remains one of the most recognized product innovations associated with the brand.

Kayser-Roth Corporation

HUE: Color That Moves You

HUE began with an experiment. One night in 1978, in a Manhattan loft, artists Sandy Chilewich and Kathy Moskal bleached a pair of cotton ballet slippers and dyed them a new color—just for fun. That creative impulse sparked a bigger idea: why should everyday essentials be limited to black and beige?

Those early dyed slippers in an array of colors became the first expression of the brand concept—and quickly gained attention from fashion influencers like Vogue and Henri Bendel, signaling something bigger was taking shape. What started as a playful experiment evolved into a new way of thinking about color in everyday life.

From there, HUE expanded into tights, redefining legwear at a time when it was purely functional. Color became the statement turning tights from an afterthought into a core part of personal style and expression.

As the brand grew, so did the vision. HUE extended into socks, leggings, and sleepwear, building a whole world of expressive essentials designed for real life.

Today, HUE continues to prove that color doesn’t just complete a look—it moves you.

No Nonsense: 50 Years of Pioneering Control Top Innovation

In 1976, No Nonsense changed hosiery forever—pioneering control top pantyhose. At a time when women were choosing between restrictive girdles and garters, this innovation delivered: smoothing, shaping, and all-day comfort in one accessible essential.

Emerging in the wake of a recession, the brand was built on a simple belief: quality shouldn’t come at a premium. Designed for working women on the move, the control top offered a polished silhouette without sacrificing ease or affordability. By combining innovation with an accessible price point, No Nonsense made shaping hosiery attainable—quickly becoming a daily essential for women balancing careers, commutes, and everything in between.

In 2026, No Nonsense celebrates 50 years of breakthrough products. What began as an innovation in control top has evolved into the Great Shapes collection, still rooted in the original control with comfort concept and now featuring run-resistant sheers and invisible control styles for modern wear.

For five decades, No Nonsense has remained committed to one thing: innovative, hardworking hosiery at a price that works as hard as the women who wear it.

L.L.Bean

Maine Hunting Shoe – The Original Bean Boot. Leon Leonwood (L.L.) Bean, was fed up with having cold, wet feet when he came back from hunting trips. Unable to find a boot that kept his feet warm and dry, he put a little Yankee ingenuity to work and came up with his own: The Maine Hunting Shoe – the original Bean Boot. By connecting a rubber bottom with a leather upper, L.L. invented a boot that would keep water out, warmth in, and allow him to walk carefully and quietly through the woods. However, it wasn’t a runaway success to start – due to faulty stitching, 90 of the first 100 boots he sold leaked and were returned. Undeterred, L.L. refunded the purchases and came up with his innovative triple stitch, a surefire way to keep the rubber and leather together. In the process, he also established what would become a hallmark of how L.L.Bean does business – earning trust through the promise of “perfect satisfaction in every way." L.L. quickly found out that warm and dry feet weren’t just popular among hunters, they were popular with pretty much everyone who loved spending time outside. Over the next century, the “Bean Boot” became a symbol of rugged outdoor comfort and timeless style from the back woods to the backyard. 114 years after that original batch, The Bean Boot is still manufactured in Maine using the same design and is as popular as ever, with hundreds of thousands purchased annually.

Levi Strauss & Co.

On May 20th, 1873, the world’s first blue jeans, or riveted denim pants, received its official U.S. patent – a day commemorated each year as “501 Day.”

Before Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis created the first jeans in 1873, Levi was a wholesaler of fine dry goods: clothing, blankets, boots, combs, etc. He arrived in San Francisco in 1853 during the California Gold Rush, and by the 1860s and early 1870s he had retail customers for his dry goods throughout the Pacific Rim: in Victoria, British Columbia; La Paz, Mexico; and Yokohama, Japan. Levi Strauss was born in Buttenheim, Bavaria and immigrated to America around 1847. Levi wasn’t a manufacturer, he didn’t have a factory and he had never made a pair of pants in his life. But he knew a good idea when he saw one. The two men applied for a U.S. Patent, and #139,121 was granted on May 20, 1873 for the first “riveted” clothing. An astute businessman and generous philanthropist, his life is the American immigrant’s dream—a man who became a U.S. citizen and built a successful enterprise through his hard work.

New Balance Athletics, Inc.

The Made in USA New Balance 990

The New Balance 990 running shoe debuted in 1982 as the first athletic shoe priced at $100 to reflect the premium quality and craftsmanship of the brand’s Made in USA manufacturing operations. New Balance owner Jim Davis was advised at the time that the shoe would never sell, but the product was well received with 50,000 orders on the books in just six months, significant for that period in the industry.

Originally designed for serious runners, the 990 has become a timeless staple in lifestyle fashion, with New Balance releasing six major iterations (v1–v6) across four decades while maintaining its signature grey, high-quality suede-and-mesh aesthetic. Today, New Balance’s 990 remains a cornerstone of the brand’s robust Made in USA footwear collection and reflects its heritage of purposeful design and meticulous attention to the smallest detail.

For more than 75 years, Made in USA represents the purest expression of New Balance’s “fearlessly independent” ethos that is designed without compromise and constructed with authentic American craftsmanship. New Balance Made in USA footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. Made in USA makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.

Perry Ellis International, Inc.

The story of our founder - George Feldenkreis - is a testament to the "American Dream," fueled by a unique perspective. Growing up in pre-1959 Cuba, the landscape was defined by a close economic and cultural bond with the United States. In the shops of Havana, American quality was the gold standard. Our founder grew up admiring quintessential brands like Munsingwear (est. 1886) and Jantzen (est. 1910). To him, these weren't just labels; they were symbols of American excellence and a lifestyle he aspired to join. When he arrived in the U.S. as a Cuban immigrant, he brought more than just an entrepreneurial spirit—he brought a deep-seated respect for the history of these iconic brands. By the time our founder was in a position to acquire them, many of these "Blue Chip" American brands were flailing or facing bankruptcy. They were on the verge of becoming mere footnotes in retail history. Recognizing their intrinsic value, he set out to save them. He didn't just buy companies; he rescued heritage. Munsingwear & Original Penguin: We took a brand established in the 19th century and re-fashioned the iconic "Pete the Penguin" logo, transforming it into one of the coolest, most relevant sportswear brands in the modern U.S. market. As well as several golf brands from labels under the iconic Munsingwear label. Jantzen: We had preserved a century-old legacy of American swimwear, ensuring the "Diving Girl" lived on. Perry Ellis: Though the visionary founder passed away in the 1980s, we have proudly carried the torch forward, maintaining its status as a cornerstone of American fashion history.

Ralph Lauren Corporation

For nearly 60 years, Ralph Lauren has influenced American style with his enduring creative vision that is deeply rooted in the tapestry of American heritage, landscapes, cultures and artistry. A 2025 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Lauren is a profound testament to the boundless possibilities of creativity, determination and the American dream.

Born in 1939 in the Bronx NY, Mr. Lauren began his remarkable journey in 1967 by selling his first line of neckties from a single drawer in the Empire State Building and subsequently built one of the most iconic global lifestyle brands in the world. Throughout his life, he has been dedicated to protecting America’s cultural traditions, most notably through his commitment to preserve and conserve the 1813 flag that inspired the nation’s national anthem and became the national symbol — “The Star-Spangled Banner” — for generations to come.

Ralph Lauren has sought to inspire the dream of a better life through authenticity and timeless style. Its reputation and distinctive image have been developed across a wide range of products, brands, distribution channels and international markets. Today, the Company’s brand names include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Double RL, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children and Chaps, among others.

Schott Bros., Inc.

Schott Bros., Inc. was founded in 1913 by brothers Irving and Jack Schott, sons of Russian immigrants. Like many immigrant families of that era, the Schotts built their future through skilled labor, determination, and a belief that quality work could create lasting opportunity. Irving and Jack began by making and selling raincoats door-to-door on New York City’s Lower East Side, an area shaped by generations of immigrant workers, small manufacturers, and family-run businesses. That early immigrant foundation helped define the company’s values: durability, practicality, honesty, and craftsmanship. Rather than building a fashion brand around trends, the Schott brothers focused on making dependable outerwear for real people. Their work reflected the needs of a changing America—workers, riders, servicemen, and everyday customers who needed clothing that could withstand use and time.

Schott NYC’s founding story is deeply connected to the immigrant experience in the United States and to the role New York City played as a home for entrepreneurship, craft, and opportunity. Schott NYC’s history also reflects the broader contributions of immigrant communities to American manufacturing. From its earliest days, the company was part of New York’s garment industry, where immigrant labor, craft knowledge, and entrepreneurial ambition helped shape some of the country’s most recognizable apparel businesses. The Schott family’s immigrant background was not incidental to the company’s story; it was central to its character.

The Perfecto® Motorcycle Jacket - designed by Schott NYC in 1928 - is widely recognized as the original leather motorcycle jacket and remains one of the most enduring American outerwear designs. Created in New York by Irving Schott, the jacket was built for motorcycle riders who needed durability, protection, and freedom of movement. Its asymmetrical zip front, belted waist, snap-down lapels, epaulets, and sturdy leather construction gave it a bold, functional design that quickly became a symbol of independence and rebellion. Over the decades, the Perfecto® Motorcycle Jacket has been worn by motorcyclists, musicians, actors, artists, and generations of individuals drawn to its authenticity and attitude. From postwar motorcycle culture to rock and roll, punk, streetwear, and contemporary fashion, it has remained relevant without losing its original purpose or character. Still made in the U.S, it represents Schott NYC’s commitment to American craftsmanship, heritage, and timeless design. More than just a leather jacket, it is a piece of cultural history—an item that helped define the look of the American rebel and continues to stand for quality, individuality, and enduring style nearly a century after it was first introduced.

More than 110 years since its founding, Schott NYC remains family-owned and continues to manufacture many of its most iconic leather jackets in the United States, carrying forward the same values of resilience, utility, and authenticity that began with Irving and Jack Schott.

Spanx, LLC

In 2000, Sara Blakely founded Spanx in Atlanta with $5,000 in savings and a simple idea born from cutting the feet off a pair of control-top pantyhose to get a smoother look under white pants. With no fashion industry experience and a self-written patent, she created an entirely new product category that grew into a billion-dollar brand.

The OnCore High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Short [featured] embodies that founding spirit. Designed at Spanx's Atlanta headquarters, it represents more than two decades of shapewear expertise refined into one garment. Bonded front panels create a smooth, flat midsection, while side panels engineered with edge-bonding technology provide a slimming effect without constricting. Strategically placed shaping zones in the back maintain natural curves and prevent a flattened silhouette, and a double-gusset design adds thoughtful, everyday functionality. The OnCore delivers firm compression that still feels lightweight—staying true to Blakely's original belief that effective shapewear should never sacrifice comfort.

The garment's significance reaches well beyond retail. It was featured in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent design collection and MoMA's 2025 exhibition Pirouette: Turning Points in Design, which highlighted pivotal moments in design history, including the Sony Walkman and Apple Macintosh computer.

From an improvised pair of pantyhose to a spot on the walls of one of the world's most prestigious museums, Spanx's legacy is more than an American innovation story—it's the story of a woman who turned frustration into a product that solved a real problem and empowered millions of women to feel supported and confident.

Under Armour

The Under Armour Compression T helped change the way athletes dress and compete in America.

In 1996, former University of Maryland football player Kevin Plank set out to solve a common problem: cotton T-shirts became heavy, wet, and uncomfortable during practices and games. Inspired by the moisture-wicking compression shorts athletes already wore, he developed a lightweight performance shirt designed to stay dry under pads and uniforms. What began as a solution for football players quickly became a defining innovation in athletic apparel. At a time when cotton undershirts were standard, the Compression T introduced many athletes to moisture-wicking performance fabrics and next-to-skin apparel built specifically for sport. The product helped fuel the growth of performance baselayers across athletics. From youth leagues and high school teams to college and professional sports, athletes increasingly adopted moisture-wicking compression apparel as part of their everyday uniforms. Beyond its impact on sport, the Compression T launched a company that grew from a startup operation into a global athletic performance brand headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.

Nearly three decades later, the Compression T remains a symbol of American innovation: a simple idea born from an athlete's firsthand experience that helped influence the future of athletic apparel and the way generations of athletes prepare, train, and perform.

Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)

Behind every piece of clothing is a human story. The manufacturing of apparel, footwear, and accessories has long been woven into the fabric of America’s 250-year-story, symbolizing industrial growth, job creation, and innovation. Yet the shift to globalized production in the last century revealed challenges in the supply chain and the sometimes harsh reality many garment workers faced. In factories around the world, long hours, unsafe conditions, and limited protections were seen to be all too common.

It was in this context that Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) was founded in 2000 as part of the apparel industry’s effort to respond responsibly, an effort led by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). As an independent, non-profit organization, WRAP promotes lawful, humane, and ethical manufacturing through its certification program, which emphasizes fair wages, safe working environments, and respect for workers’ rights. Today, WRAP serves as AAFA’s official Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partner.

Over the course of this century, social compliance has evolved from voluntary commitments into a more structured system of accountability, with increasing expectations for companies to actively protect workers throughout their supply chains. Throughout this transformation, WRAP has remained focused on one central truth: people—not products—are at the heart of the industry. By staying globally engaged while understanding local realities, WRAP continues to bridge standards and compassion—supporting an apparel, footwear, and accessories industry that honors the people who make it possible.

For these workers, many of whom are women striving to build better lives, responsible production is not an abstract concept—it is deeply personal. It means safer workplaces, fair treatment, and the ability to work with dignity and hope for the future. WRAP’s mission reflects this human focus, helping ensure that workers are not only protected, but respected and valued, which aligns with the AAFA’s core values and resonates with the best part of the American Dream and the ongoing journey that began 250 years ago.

As we celebrate these milestones, we also recognize the industry’s progress has been made possible through ongoing reflection, learning, and activism that continues to drive meaningful improvement.

We also recognize that the story of American fashion is still being written. As part of this semiquincentennial reflection, AAFA is inviting participants to consider the question, “What will our industry look like on July 4, 2076?” through a virtual time capsule that will be opened during America’s tricentennial celebration. AAFA invites contributors and audiences alike to imagine what lies ahead, ensuring that the legacy of innovation, craftsmanship, and impact continues for generations to come.

Follow along with Fashion’s continued America 250 celebration using #250YearsofFashion