You check that little tag on the back of a shirt for size, maybe even for material, but do you check for where that shirt was made?

Chances are it will not say “Made in America.”

The issue of imported versus domestically produced clothing has been discussed for years. There are advocates and there are opponents on both sides, but regardless of their views, most are familiar with the debate.

Some students, like sophomore in social work Katie Seavey, don’t give much thought to where their clothes come from — fit, style and cost are more likely to influence a purchase.

“I buy what I like, usually what’s on sale,” Seavey said.

T.J. Appling, a senior in communication, said he does not particularly care where his clothing is made, but stated it was “more than likely [made in] China.”

The history of American clothing manufacture has slowly evolved with the changing technology and economy from hand-stitched, custom clothing to domestic mass-production factories to overseas mass-production factories. This move to offshore factories has largely occurred in the last 40 years.

According to Cynthia Istook, associate professor in textile and apparel technology and management, the move overseas was prompted by the lower cost of production in less developed countries.

Cheaper materials and labor help lower costs. In turn, manufacturers can sell clothing to consumers for less, while still reaping large profits.

Although low overseas production cost is good for manufacturers, Istook explains that cost and quality are not necessarily related. When compared to American clothing, “[quality level] depends on the product … Sometimes [the products] are even better quality.”

In the business world, low cost and high quality equal a good product. It seems like simple economics, but the clothing industry’s continued use of less developed countries as production houses for cheap clothes is causing some to argue that offshore production is unethical. Worries of bad working conditions and loss of American jobs are two major issues in the ethics debate.

“I’d rather buy a quality product from Europe or America than a mass-produced product made by children in a sweatshop,” Natasha Herting, a senior in industrial engineering, said.

Seavey also expressed concern about the use of sweatshops and said that she would support a move of factories back into America. Appling agreed that moving more production back into the United States could be a boom to the American economy.

But Istook said neither issue is a real concern.

“[Sweatshops are] a problem in some countries, but generally U.S. manufacturers have a watchdog system to try to control them,” she said. “They try to manufacture responsibly.”

She went on to say American companies typically avoid any of those countries that operate sweatshops.

As far as expanding American manufacture, Istook gave an example from her experience in the textile industry.

“I have visited many factories in the U.S. that couldn’t find people to work for them,” she said. “The [workers] that are still doing this labor are aging out, they’re older women. The reality is that many [Americans] don’t want to do that kind of work.”

If any manufacturing is returned to the States, Istook believes it will be characterized by custom clothing within the costly niche clothing market.