The ambitious and entirely-American-made U.S. Patent collection just landed in Orvis stores yesterday and I headed up to the Manchester, VT outfitter’s shop on New York’s Fifth Avenue to see the goods first hand. Orvis has long been a favorite of mine and it is the first large retailer (that I am aware of) make such a dedicated push with strictly made in the USA product, which is obviously something I am very excited to see happen. The merchandise mix is made up of companies like Taylor Supply, Grown & Sewn, Stronghold, Schott NYC, Filson, Temple Bags, Wolverine 1000 Mile, Rising Sun, Gitman and a host of other American labels. The U.S. Patent collection is available at the top six Orvis stores (New York, Chicago, Manchester, VT etc.), as well as in the company’s ubiquitous catalog. And word from Orvis is that the sales have far exceeded expectations and the U.S. Patent collection will be expanded in coming seasons. That is great news for everyone involved. [Orvis U.S. Patent available online + at select Orvis stores]
Great to see such great company making a strong push of madein the USA products. Way to go orvis.
Please tell the chaps over at Orvis to start cutting trousers with a size 30 waist.
Excited to drop by. Thanks for the post. Again.
can’t wait to see it all “in the wild”. miners pants esp’. that land rover looking tasty too though http://www.orvis.com/landrover . #zippy
I think that this is a fantastic direction for Orvis to go in. Definitely will inject a bit of life into the company. Also think that they should make a biger deal out of their Gokey boots. Probably my favorite footwear that I own…
That Orvis store, or part of the store, looks way more appealing than the Pasadena store I visited 2 weeks ago. It was mainly fishing gear with a few “relaxed” fit basics. A few nice hats though. Glad to hear the collection is doing well and hope it expands.
To the guy with the size 30 waist:
Orvis makes clothes for adults.
The Taylor Supply jackets are truly awesome.
Wish there were any tall clothes in this collection. Unhemmed at 35″ is just too short.
To the guy with the size 35″+ hem:
Orvis makes clothes for non-giants.
There are a few pants tagged at 30″, but there are no shirts or jackets in the collection tagged as size small. For everyone who is frustrated by the lack of sizes that fit them, please write to Orvis to suggest adding more sizes. They need to know there’s demand for smaller sizes or taller sizes.
Complaining that an Orvis store had too much fishing gear is like complaining that the MET has too much art.
About time Orvis – you’ve always been my favorite, but now there is no question at all.
The chap who complained about there being too much fishing stuff in the Orvis store made my day. Bloody brilliant.
Hopefully Orvis won’t jump the shark like Filson…
In what way has Filson jumped the shark?
Filson has jumped the shark in the way that every uppity design queen in NY is carrying their bags.
Definitely bummed they’re not carrying any small uppers or 30 (or smaller) lowers.
Glad to see the trend towards more American-made goods. Sorry to see that that qualification means excessively high prices. I can’t believe the markups are a consequence of US labor costs.
We used to make the bags for Orvis, but then they realized you can get someone in China to do it for much cheaper… but now Made in USA is cool. Way to lead the charge Michael… Made in USA IS COOL!
Larry, who’s “we”?
NM. I just realized how a link works. I have one of my pops’ old hulme orvis fishing bags that he and I actually use for fishing *gasp!
Dear Size-issue-gripers,
Alteration, alteration, alteration.
Very good to see Orvis getting some well-deserved credit from a wider audience. They’ve been such a great resource for so many years- for people, dogs and home. Solid partnerships and all. Very nice.
The high prices for American made goods are indeed the consequence of high labor costs (among other things). For example; a top quality baseball glove that retails for $199.00 can be made in China for about $35.00, which includes freight costs. That’s almost a 600% markup. Now, that same glove, made with the same materials costs at least $150.00 to make in the U.S.
With a 600% markup, the made in the U.S. glove would be unsellable at $900.00
One way to sell American made products is to price them high enough to make a modest profit, position them properly, and finally market the hell out of them.
Dig it.
My buddy Mike and I were pheasant hunting this weekend outside Boise. He was decked head to toe in Filson. A hardcore shotgunner since age 14 (he’s 39) Mike has the most beautiful 70’s era Beretta BL-4 12 gauge with 28″ barrels, and admitted to dressing in retro clothing like his dad, uncle, grandfather, et al. Asked about his Filson pants and if they were “worth it” Mike laughed at me as if I asked whether oxygen is necessary to sustain life on planet Earth.
“I’m going to the Orvis store after this. They make decent stuff, too.”
I guess “decent” is as praise-worthy as some guys get.