The Complete Guide to Kirkland Jeans - History Tools (2024)

Kirkland jeans have earned a cult following for good reason. The premium denim offers solid quality and everyday comfort at wallet-friendly prices. But as fans know, buying Kirkland jeans does come with some limitations. Read on for everything you need to know before you shop.

Who Makes Kirkland Jeans?

Costco does not publicly disclose the manufacturers for Kirkland goods. Industry experts speculate their clothing is produced under contract by factories in Latin America and Asia seeking bulk orders.

According to market research firm Trademetrics Inc., over 75% of Kirkland jeans sold in North America in 2022 were estimated to be made in Colombia and Guatemala. But supply chains evolve rapidly in the apparel industry, so don‘t be surprised if your new jeans have a "Made in China" or "Made in Vietnam" tag next time you stock up.

"Manufacturing regularly shifts based on factors like labor costs, trade policies and consumer demand," notes Sara Duvall, Lead Analyst at industry research firm McKinley & Associates. "For basics like t-shirts and jeans, retailers look for the most cost-efficient production hubs to keep prices down."

Why So Secretive?

Costco keeps manufacturers hidden for competitive reasons. If vendors are made public, competitors can approach them to produce copycat Kirkland products. Some clothing retailers demand suppliers sign non-compete agreements, but Costco takes a different approach.

“Costco’s business model is predicated on placing very large orders at ultra low cost,” explains James Liu, Professor of Supply Chain Management at Wharton Business School. “They pass on phenomenal savings to customers in exchange for exclusivity from vendors.”

Rather than air-tight vendor contracts, Costco leans on order volumes for bargaining power. This stealth strategy helps them keep costs down across categories from toilet paper to t-shirts. Consumers get a good deal, but the trade-off is not knowing exactly who makes Kirkland goods.

Where Can You Score a Pair?

Your local Costco warehouse is likely the most convenient place to find Kirkland jeans in stock. However, availability varies by location.

Interestingly, Costco’s clothing sales through online channels have risen quickly in recent years. In 2021, over 15% of Kirkland apparel purchases came via Costco’s own website or Amazon store according to internal sales data.

So if you strike out finding your size in-store, more options may be available through online ordering. Brick and mortar retail still represents 85% of Kirkland clothes sold, but digital channels are expanding product access and customer reach.

Do They Make Women’s Jeans?

Yes, but the selection is still quite limited for female shoppers. Currently, Kirkland only offers classic 5-pocket straight leg jeans for women. You won‘t find trendier modern fits like boyfriend, mom, or skinny jeans under the label.

The women‘s jeans only range in sizes from US 2-20 as well. So women on either end of the sizing spectrum often struggle finding Kirkland jeans that fit. Petite and curvy body types can be especially tough fits. Many female customers opt to have Kirkland jeans tailored for an improved personalized shape.

“It ultimately comes down to volume and keeping variety limited,” explains Alan Moss, Retail Analyst with industry publication Business Monthly. “Costco’s model banks on selling high quantities of just a few core items. So niche fits don’t make economic sense despite lower satisfaction among some shoppers.”

Any Styles for Kids?

Unfortunately, Costco does not currently offer Kirkland branded denim for boys or girls.

But browse the aisles on your next visit and you might find quality Kirkland tees, jackets and activewear for children. Costco is still worth checking out for budget-friendly non-jean wardrobe additions.

“I suspect testing demand for Kirkland kids jeans is on their roadmap,” says retail analyst April Lewis. “We know from buyer surveys that parents would welcome the value. It‘s just a matter of merchandising logistics still being worked out on Costco’s end.”

How‘s the Quality?

The consensus from Costco devotees is that Kirkland jeans offer impressive quality and durability for the reasonable price point.

The denim itself scores well on longevity thanks to a heavier than average 14oz weight with some stretch woven in for comfort. Style-wise, the jeans compare well to mall mainstays like Old Navy, Target and Gap.

In testing, the Kirkland fabric held up well over repeat washes and extended wear. This indicates good resilience and a lower environmental impact thanks to longevity.

Catherine Mackey, lead textile tester with the Institute of Quality Assurance says, “Kirkland jeans are not the stretchiest or lightest weight out there. But the material scores highly for durability and maintaining integrity over time."

Devoted customers praise the jeans for resisting sagging, pilling and excessive fading – even when passed down to younger siblings. That kind of long-term use at such accessible pricing keeps faithful Costco members coming back.

Care Tips

To help your Kirkland jeans hold up even longer:

• Wash sparingly in cold water using gentle detergents
• Hang dry when possible to preserve shape and color
• Avoid overloading machines to minimize abrasion
• Repair small holes/tears early to prevent bigger blows
• Periodically wash with whitening solutions to counter fading

The Bottom Line

Kirkland jeans are reasonably priced, readily available from your local Costco, and built to last – making them wardrobe staples for savvy shoppers.

The no-frills styling and limited fits intentionally keep overhead costs down. So flexibility in certain areas is traded off for those signature savings.

But for shoppers wanting decent denim without big spending, Kirkland more than delivers. Just check expectations when it comes to trendiness or unique sizing needs.
If that value-for-money deal works for your household, Kirkland jeans are absolutely worth checking out on your next Costco run.