Assigned my students in my politics of international trade class to look at where their clothing was made. Really fun and interesting assignment. Some quick patterns based on 140 students. (1/13)

The most common country of origin was China, but not by much. Vietnam and Bangladesh were also common. I'd guess students had clothing made in 60 countries. (2/13)

There are a lot of countries that never appeared as textile producers. In Africa and the Middle East only Ethiopia (1), Egypt (1) and Jordan (2). In South America, only Peru showed up in our data. In Central Europe and former Soviet Union, only Georgia appeared once. (3/13)

The majority of pants and skirts were made in Asia. Jeans in Indonesia, pants and skirts in Vietnam and China. Turkey had some production as well. Leggings in China. (4/13)

T-shirt production was very global. A number of Asian producers as well as a bunch on Central America producers (Guatemala, El Salvador...) as well as Peru. But these Central America producers only produce shirts and underwear. (5/13)

Jackets and Hoodies were a mix of low wage countries (mostly China and Vietnam) as well as middle income countries like Mexico and high income countries like Taiwan. Broad range of countries. (6/13)

Shoe production was an interesting pattern. Lower end show production was dominated by China and Vietnam. Almost no low end production outside of Asia. But there is a mix of high wage countries (US, Italy, UK, and Germany) producing shoes as well. (7/13)

Up to this point I haven't mentioned India or Pakistan in the global textile trade. They barely show up in the data thus far! (8/13)

Underwear is the weirdest mix. You see India and Pakistan appear with Haiti. Sri Lanka appears a few times as does Myanmar. I'm sure this is about very low end production and global underwear quotas. But it is a mix that is very different from other textiles. (9/13)

Most students couldn't find where there socks are made. Which is interesting. But there was a fair amount of U.S. socks. Straight out of Travels of a T-Shirt book. To get around quotas you import almost complete socks (and sew the toes closed). Made in the USA? (10/13)

Necklaces and watches are mostly made in rich countries (Switzerland) but the big exception are the digital watches like Apple watch. Assembled in China but with a global supply chain. (11/13)

A few students noticed that their skin care products, contact lenses, and perfume are all made in developed countries. Yep, capital intensive production. (12/13)

This is a fun assignment for the students, and actually a fun one to grade. I recommend it! (13/13)