Trump’s Fashion Tariffs Are Here — And It’s About to Get Real for Your Closet and the Industry

New Trump fashion tariffs are shaking up the global fashion supply chain, and that could mean higher prices, slower drops, and major brand pivots.

As US President Donald Trump revealed his new tariff policies, fashion stocks immediately plunged, with Ralph Lauren’s shares falling 7% in after-hours trading.Bing Guan/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Alright Talkers, we need to talk — because things are getting serious in the world of fashion and politics, and it’s all thanks to a new round of Trump fashion tariffs that just dropped like a bombshell.

According to CNN, in a press conference straight from the White House Rose Garden, former President Trump announced the most aggressive set of tariffs we’ve seen in nearly a century. A blanket 10% tariff on all imported goods? Sure. But for countries that are major fashion hubs — like Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and China — it’s way worse. We're talking up to 49% tariffs in some cases.

And if you’re thinking, “Cool, but how does that affect me?” — let me break it down for you.

Fashion Stocks Are Already Feeling It

Right after the announcement, the market freaked out. Shares in big-name brands like Lululemon dropped more than 10%, while Nike and Ralph Lauren slid about 7%. That’s a major move in just hours. And it wasn’t just those guys — brands like Tapestry, Capri Holdings, and PVH (which owns Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein) were all down too.

The reason? These brands rely heavily on overseas manufacturing, especially in places like Vietnam and China. So if the cost to import goods from those countries skyrockets, their profit margins take a hit — unless they pass the cost on to us.

Lululemon is another company impacted by Trump's announcement, with shares dropping over 10%.Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Where Your Clothes Come From Matters

Let’s be real: about 98% of clothing and 99% of shoes sold in the U.S. are made abroad. That cute jacket or pair of sneakers you’ve been eyeing? Odds are it’s coming from one of the countries now slapped with heavy tariffs.

Take Nike for example — they made half of their shoes in Vietnam just last year. Or Swiss sneaker brand On, which makes a wild 90% of their shoes there. Those production costs just went way up. And that means either brands will eat those costs (unlikely), or prices are going up for us.

Even “Made in the USA” Isn’t Safe

Some people might think, “Well, I’ll just buy American-made.” Good thought — but here's the thing: even U.S.-based production relies on imported materials. Fabrics, trims, zippers, dyes — a lot of it comes from overseas. So even domestic manufacturers are going to feel the squeeze.

Even luxury brands like LVMH (Louis Vuitton’s parent company) that have opened U.S. factories to be closer to their customers are going to feel this. They still get tons of their raw materials and components from abroad.

LVMH operates three Louis Vuitton factories in the US — in San Dimas and Irwindale, California, and Johnson County, Texas.Michael Buckner/WWD/Getty Images

What This Means for Us

This is where it really hits home. These tariffs could lead to:

• Higher retail prices across the board

• Slower drops or fewer new releases from your favorite brands

• Delays in production or shipping

• More brands pressuring their suppliers to cut costs, which can have ripple effects all the way down to farmers and textile mills

And for shoppers who are already dealing with post-pandemic inflation, that’s a rough combo.

Who’s Most at Risk?

Brands that already raised prices during COVID and supply chain disruptions — especially luxury and athleisure — are in the hot seat. While high-end shoppers might not blink at a price hike, those “aspirational” shoppers (aka people like us who splurge sometimes) might not be down to pay more for the same item.

The fashion industry’s been juggling a lot: climate responsibility, labor rights, tech innovation — and now, an economic curveball that could seriously reshape where and how our clothes are made.

Bottom Line

The Trump fashion tariffs are more than just a policy move — they’re a seismic shakeup that affects everything from runway to retail. Whether you’re a casual shopper, a fashion lover, or someone running a clothing business, this is one of those moments where politics meets your closet.

Let me know in the comments: Are you already noticing price hikes? Would you change your shopping habits because of this? And do you think this could finally push more brands to make things in the U.S.?