Producing in the US had been a nightmare for years, and TK needed a reliable factory who could create the quality required for Basewear. It was the most common route for outdoor companies: once you get big you move your production to China or Vietnam. For TK, the high minimums were way out of our league - moving overseas would force us to produce way more than we could handle. 

So, Lauren and I said no.

Basewear is produced sustainably, at a socially responsible factory in Colombia.

Once we said no, a stroke of luck came to help us. We met a socially responsible factory in Colombia who puts people first, and focuses mainly on recycled textiles. We visited in 2021, and despite occasional snafus it’s been a joy working with them ever since.

Tariffs are still harmful for many small businesses.

The latest tariffs are by no means a good choice - so many of our fellow small businesses are suffering, and even closing permanently because of the chaotic choices coming from above. Creating your own factory to produce apparel in the U.S. is only an accessible choice for the extremely wealthy, or large corporations. I’ve considered it - but the high risk and complications involved make it inaccessible for a small, grassroots company. Maybe one day.

For now, TK is lucky enough to have the privilege to continue to make Basewear, without having to raise prices. There are tons of other problems to deal with as a small company, but tariffs aren’t an issue, yet.

Basewear pricing is already realistic, so tariffs don't effect us.

Basewear is priced based on how much human labor goes into it - the perfect fit design is not easy to make. This has been true since the start, despite years of many people complaining that it’s “way too expensive for a sports bra”.

As such, the smaller tariffs are something TK can stomach without raising prices. Thankfully, since we're producing in Colombia - we are on the low end of tariff percentages. Tariffs on Basewear will be the same as the penguins on that one uninhabited island.

As our world gets crazier, and more uninhabitable for small businesses - your support is more important than ever.

This year we’re fully transitioning to a member supported model. We won’t be creating any new Basewear specifically for the public this year - and our next production runs of Basewear will only be available to TK Supporters. Non-members will have access only to what is left over once all our members get their Basewear.

In order to survive (and even thrive) this corporate and oligarch run world we live in - we’ve had to get creative to protect our ideals as a small, grassroots, sustainable operation.

Every dollar you spend is a choice. 

For us, being able to offer our membership and Basewear designs to our members is an absolute gift - we’re SO lucky to be able to continue providing insanely comfortable underlayers that don’t sacrifice people or planet.

TK Supporting Memberships make it all possible.

Become a member this season and get access to the remaining inventory we have left for the year. Next year, if we make it that far, it’s members only!

❤️ BK