Furthermore, 87 percent of those consumers say they want to buy American to support the economy. And 38 percent believe American clothing is better made.
"The bottom line is that Americans get it," said Steven Capozzola, media director for the Alliance for American Manufacturing. "Buying American-made products means supporting good-paying jobs and strengthening our economy."
But the Cotton Inc. survey found that only 4 percent of apparel available in stores is made here.
And therein lies the problem.
Last Friday, the U.S. Labor Department released figures that showed manufacturing jobs were up 50,000 in January. However, it also found jobs in the apparel manufacturing sector fell from 148,500 in December 2011 to 146,000 last month.
"Apparel has had a very tough time," Capozzola says.
The good news is that the trend of wanting American-made clothes has the potential to boost the economy. But it's not going to happen overnight. We all have to want better-made pieces and let go of fast fashion so the demand for American-made products will be there.
So, at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, we are not going to just cover the trends, but also pay special attention to the work of designers who manufacture their clothes in America: especially Nanette Lepore, Milly, and Philadelphia's own Ralph Rucci.
Because it's more important than ever that we don't just look American, but try to buy American as often as we can.
Contact fashion writer Elizabeth Wellington at 215 854-2704, ewellington@phillynews.com, or @ewellingtonphl on Twitter.
