Not many clothing brands have stayed as true to their roots as Stan Ray. Founded in 1972 by Earl Beard in the small Texas town of Crockett, it began with a simple mission: make hard-wearing workwear in the USA. After surviving layoffs at Kalman Machine Co, Earl struck out on his own, buying a few machines and launching Earl’s Apparel.

His two principles were durability and domestic production - not out of patriotism, but a desire for quality he could control. From his hometown in Crockett,  strategically placed between Houston and Dallas, Earl started making painter pants and fatigue trousers that quickly gained a reputation among tradespeople across Texas.

But Earl’s gear wasn’t just for builders and painters. His OG-107 fatigues ended up in surplus stores and, eventually, in the hands of Japanese vintage collectors. Japan’s fascination with American style in the post-war era made Earl’s rugged trousers cult items, eventually leading to direct orders from Tokyo shops like Beams.

While many American workwear brands moved production offshore, Earl stuck to his roots - and it paid off. Japanese demand for authenticity and craftsmanship kept his factory alive. Today, over 50 years later, Stan Ray is still run by Earl’s family, with his son Larry managing the same factory where it all began. Some pieces are made abroad now, but the core range - painter pants, fatigues, jackets - is still made in Texas, often by the same hands that started it all.

If you’re after honest, well-made clothing with real heritage, you’re in good company.