Why Big Frenchies Is Proudly Made in the USA

Blog-BIG FRENCHIES-Jennifer B-Made in USA-Our Story-Sustainability

"Made in USA" gets printed on a lot of tags. For us, it is not a marketing line. It is the reason the company exists in the form it does today. Here is the real story behind it, what the label legally has to mean, and what your purchase supports.

Key Takeaways
  • Under FTC rules, an unqualified "Made in USA" claim means a product is all or virtually all made in the United States.
  • Making clothes domestically lets us check fair wages and safe working conditions ourselves.
  • Big Frenchies uses organic cotton and compostable packaging, and plants a tree with every order.
  • The brand was founded in 2020 by four friends and carries on the vision of co-founder Eric Lameule.

What Problem Does Made in USA Solve?

The apparel industry is often sold as fun and easy: who does not like shopping? But behind a lot of cheap clothing is polluting production and manufacturing costs kept low through unfair labor practices, including child labor in some supply chains. We stand strong against that. That is why every Big Frenchies product is ethically made in the USA and follows strict global sustainability standards. It costs more to produce this way, but we have never seen that as optional.

What Does "Made in USA" Legally Have to Mean?

The claim is not a phrase brands can use freely. Under the FTC's Made in USA guidance and Labeling Rule, an unqualified "Made in USA" claim requires that a product be "all or virtually all" made in the United States. We manufacture here so we can personally verify fair labor practices across our supply chain, including fair wages and safe working conditions, rather than take a supplier's word for it from across the world.

Who Are the People Behind Big Frenchies?

In 1886, France gave the United States the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of freedom and friendship. Part of our mission is to honor that spirit: manufacturing domestically, using organic and compostable materials, and planting a tree with every order through our partners OneTreePlanted and Tree-Nation.

Big Frenchies started as a conversation between coworkers about creating a sister t-shirt brand to Petite Demon, the French brand founded by Eric Lameule. In 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic, four friends, Eric included, brought Big Frenchies to life. In March 2021, after a series of undiagnosed health issues and a bout of COVID-19, we unexpectedly lost Eric at just 38 years old. He was the leader of the pack, our t-shirt designer, and the one who always walked into meetings with a smile and a dozen new ideas. His wife, Melanie, has since joined the team in his place, and every product we make carries his name forward.

We are still a family company: our products are imagined and created by families, for families. Whether you are finding a gift for a baby shower or a design the whole family can wear together, that is who we make this for.

What Does Your Purchase Support?

When you shop with a domestic, organic cotton brand instead of a bargain import, your money:

  • Supports American workers and local communities
  • Funds a supply chain we can personally inspect, not just certify on paper
  • Plants a tree with every order
  • Keeps Eric's original vision, and his team, going

Read more about our mission and our story, or shop the family organic cotton clothing that keeps it all running.

More Made in USA Picks at Every Budget

Want more options? Here are more in-stock picks from our catalog, from everyday basics to premium upgrades, so you can compare across price points.

100% Perfect Organic Baby Girl Onesie

100% Perfect Organic Baby Girl Onesie

Soft organic cotton onesie for everyday wear.

$24.60 Shop Now →

Avogato Organic Baby Onesie

Avogato Organic Baby Onesie

Soft organic cotton onesie for everyday wear.

$24.60 Shop Now →

Baby Geek Organic Baby Onesie

Baby Geek Organic Baby Onesie

Soft organic cotton onesie for everyday wear.

$24.60 Shop Now →

Believe Organic Baby Onesie

Believe Organic Baby Onesie

Soft organic cotton onesie for everyday wear.

$24.60 Shop Now →

Error 404 Sleep Not Found Organic Baby Onesie

Error 404 Sleep Not Found Organic Baby Onesie

Soft organic cotton onesie for everyday wear.

$24.60 Shop Now →

Beer Shrinks My T-Shirts Mens Organic Tee

Beer Shrinks My T-Shirts Men's Organic Tee

Organic cotton adult tee to match the little one.

$25.60 Shop Now →

Better Together Dad and Child Organic Cotton T-Shirts Set of 2

Better Together Dad and Child Organic Cotton T-Shirts family Set...

Parent-and-child matching organic cotton set.

$42.50 Shop Now →

Have No Fear The French Is Here Dad and Child Organic Cotton Set

Have No Fear The French Is Here Dad and Child Organic Cotton...

Parent-and-child matching organic cotton set.

$42.50 Shop Now →

Strasbourg France Dad and Child Organic Cotton T-Shirts Set of 2

Strasbourg France Dad and Child Organic Cotton T-Shirts family Set...

Parent-and-child matching organic cotton set.

$42.50 Shop Now →

LĂ  Je Suis Au Max Dad and Child Organic Cotton T-Shirts Set of 2

LĂ  Je Suis Au Max Dad and Child Organic Cotton T-Shirts family Set...

Parent-and-child matching organic cotton set.

$42.50 Shop Now →

Bastille Mom and Baby Organic Cotton Family Set of 2

Bastille Mom and Baby Organic Cotton family Set (Set of 2)

Parent-and-child matching organic cotton set.

$42.50 Shop Now →

Vive La France With Eiffel Tower Mom and Baby Organic Cotton Set

Vive La France With Eiffel Tower Mom and Baby Organic Cotton...

Parent-and-child matching organic cotton set.

$42.50 Shop Now →

Its All About The Candy Halloween Mom and Baby Organic Cotton Set

It's All About The Candy Halloween Mom and Baby Organic Cotton...

Parent-and-child matching organic cotton set.

$42.50 Shop Now →

Pumpkin Skeleton Dance Halloween Mom and Baby Organic Cotton Set

Pumpkin Skeleton Dance Halloween Mom and Baby Organic Cotton...

Parent-and-child matching organic cotton set.

$42.50 Shop Now →

Lucky Mama Lucky Baby Mom and Child Organic Cotton T-Shirts Set

Lucky Mama Lucky Baby Mom and Child Organic Cotton T-Shirts family...

Parent-and-child matching organic cotton set.

$42.50 Shop Now →

French Bulldogs Matching Organic Cotton T-Shirts Family Set of 3

French Bulldogs Matching Organic Cotton T-Shirts Family Set (Set of 3)

Matching organic cotton tees for the whole family.

$52.75 Shop Now →

Paris Champ De Mars Matching Organic Cotton T-Shirts Family Set of 3

Paris Champ De Mars Matching Organic Cotton T-Shirts Family Set...

Matching organic cotton tees for the whole family.

$52.75 Shop Now →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is everything Big Frenchies sells made in the USA?

Our Big Frenchies apparel is ethically made in the USA. Some other categories in our wider shop come from partner brands, so check each product page for origin details.

What does the FTC require for a Made in USA claim?

An unqualified Made in USA claim means the product is all or virtually all made in the United States, including its significant parts and processing.

How does Big Frenchies plant trees?

Every order supports tree planting through our partners OneTreePlanted and Tree-Nation.

Who founded Big Frenchies?

Four friends founded Big Frenchies in 2020, including designer Eric Lameule. After Eric passed away in 2021, his wife Melanie joined the team to carry his vision forward.

Sources

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