It’s nearly 2017! Labor issues should be a thing of the past, yet there’s still tremendous need for improvement.

At Standard Apparel, we aren't waiting for the industry to change, we're trailblazing a new path for others to follow.

First, let's imagine the typical situation for a garment factory worker.

She assembles garments in sweatshop conditions because she’s lacking educational opportunities.
Being part of a large family, her ability to work is essential and she must avoid pregnancy for fear of losing her job.
Denial of medical care, scarce periods of rest, and forced overtime will make her susceptible to lingering afflictions like depression, bladder and kidney problems, Occupational Fatigue Syndrome, and body pains.
She often worries for her family’s safety as their neighborhood is ridden with crime.

Now imagine another scenario.

She’s paid nearly double the average amount in her country and has opportunities for advancement.
She’s free to start a family and receives a three month fully paid maternity leave in addition to her two weeks paid vacation.
She can take advantage of an annual educational stipend for her children’s books and supplies each school year.
She can plan for her future with monthly company contributions to her retirement account, or college fund if she's interested in seeking further education.
She’s excited to relocate to an affordable home in a safe neighborhood that her company is constructing for her and her coworkers.
Her company empowers and values her through holiday parties, health fairs, and soccer tournaments that embrace the sense of community she seeks.

This is Standard Apparel.

While the industry struggles to provide for both the consumer and the employee, we continually meet the needs of both. But how is this so?

Complete vertical integration

The average retail garment sold in the United States passes through anywhere between three to five “middlemen” before it reaches the final customer. And each time, there's a mark-up. The mark-ups make it difficult for manufacturers to increase workers’ wages and benefits because they create a downward pressure on costs of production.

We offer everything you need from start to finish - fabric buying, cut and sew, garment dyeing, and design. Without the mark-ups, our garments are affordable for you, but even better, we're able to take care of our valued employees.