Old Navy's 'Americana collection' isn't true to Old Glory

These patriotic tees are imported

These patriotic tees are imported

Ralph Lauren (rightly) got in hot water in 2012 for dressing U.S. Olympic athletes in Chinese-made uniforms for the opening ceremony of the London Games.

So how is it that Old Navy gets away with outfitting American consumers in its imported ‘Americana collection’ every year?

It takes a whole lot of cynicism to peddle $5 American flag tees each Fourth of July knowing that not one stitch of them is sewn in the United States. But that’s what Old Navy, a “quintessential American brand,” as one company executive called it, does summer after summer.

Much if not all of this year’s Americana collection is made in Vietnam. (Old Navy’s Bruce Springsteen “Born in the USA” graphic tee? Birthed in Nicaragua.)

Of course, Old Navy is hardly alone in waving the white flag on U.S. manufacturing: some 97 percent of apparel purchased in America is from someplace else. But Old Navy is among the most shameless of opportunists, promoting the Americana collection thusly:

“Nothing says Americana like a flag tee (not even apple pie)! Pop on our newest version featuring 50 states and 5 territories for 1 big party in the U.S.A.”

How do you like them apples?

Cynical, sad and true

American companies import products for various reasons, but lowering costs often is paramount.

And U.S. consumers have become conditioned to expect ever-lower prices, even though that strategy has contributed to the hollowing out of American manufacturing, jobs and communities and a vicious cycle whereby American-made options often are no longer available.

Only last year, the pandemic exposed shortages of U.S.-made N95 masks and ventilators that put the lives of Americans at risk and weakened our national security.

Of course, Old Navy’s imported flag tees don’t rise to that level of danger, but they are an important symbol of how shallow patriotism can be.

It dishonors the American flag and the Republic for which it stands when it’s so casually affixed to products that aren’t made here.

I called Old Navy customer service and asked whether the company had any products made in the USA. Michelle told me no.

I wondered whether the Americana collection might be printed domestically. As far as she knew, Michelle said, that work is off-shored, too.

It’s cynical and sad and true how Old Navy has manipulated Old Glory lo these many years, with a generous assist from too many U.S. shoppers.

The American flag, bought and sold out for five bucks.