No matter whether you check your closet as a consumer, or sell clothing as a fashion retailer, it is evident that the majority of apparel sold in the US today is imported from other countries. In 2021, approximately 97% of the apparel sold in the United States is imported rather than domestically made.

As a small business owner, it could be confusing and chaotic to figure out where to import apparel from and how to do so. As an American consumer, do you ever wonder how each item in your closet made its way to your wardrobe?

Here are some resources to help you understand the “who, when, where, how, what, and why of apparel” listed by different countries. These countries are key suppliers to the US market and US consumers. Each of them has their strengths and weaknesses in their textile sector, and is at different stages in term of their textile sector development. You will find out whether the textile sector is a key industry to that particular country, whether the country is a key player in the global fashion market, how the US started to do business with this country, and how to import apparel to the U.S. from this country.