Gracious May

Children's Shoes Made in the USA

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Cute Shoes for Wide Feet! (Women’s)

Cute Shoes for Wide Feet

Finally, ladies!! We have cute shoes for wide feet, and not only wide feet, but feet up to size 15! We are so excited to announce that the Gracious May Fuchsia Mama Jane is available in wide and an expanded size range. We have added women’s size 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, and 15 to our list of available sizes. We have also included a wide or medium width option for our women’s shoes!

Cute Shoes for Wide Feet

Our Fuchsia Mama Jane Shoes are a classy Suede flat that is high on comfort! These women’s shoes for wide feet combine the classic mary jane silhouette with a beautiful brass buckle.

Our cute shoes for wide feet are designed for comfort as well as style (yes! You can have both!!)! Our Mama Janes feature a cloud sole and plush insole with gel cushion at the heel and toe. What’s more is that each pair comes with a 3 year limited warranty! When was the last time your shoes came with that!?

Here at Gracious May it’s our goal to make beautiful footwear for all! Whether you have wide feet, average feet, small feet or big feet: we take our years of experience in the shoe-making realm and translate it into a quality pair of shoes for you.

All of our women’s shoes for wide feet are made by hand in the USA! Gracious May is located in the Dallas, Texas area. Our team of artisans works right here at our HQ to cut and craft each pair of shoes. When you purchase from Gracious May, you are providing jobs for people right here in the USA!

Our Made in the USA Shoes for wide feet are available in Fuchsia pink, with more colors coming down the pike! Whether you are buying these shoes for work or home, this shoe is for you!

Shop Gracious May’s Cute Shoes for Wide Feet today!

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2

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NEW!!! Leather Sandals Made in USA

Meet the Artisan Leather Slide: Gracious May’s NEWEST shoe STYLE for Women!!!  These Slide-style leather sandals are made by hand at Gracious May HQ outside of Dallas, TX.   A functional brass buckle adds the perfect finishing touch to these leather sandals.  The buckle closure is also adjustable, making accommodations for wide or narrow feet.

The Leather: We have used vegetable tanned leather from Wickett & Craig to create these Leather Sandals for women.  Wickett & Craig is one of the last remaining leather tanneries in the USA.  This leather is designed to get better and better with age.  This means that these leather sandals will develop a rich patina as you wear them for months and years to come.

The Buckle: A brass buckle adds a perfect accent to our made in the USA Leather Sandals.  The buckle is fully functional, allowing you to loosen or tighten the strap to create your perfect fit.

The Craftsmanship:  These women’s sandals are made by hand at Gracious May HQ in Dallas Texas area!  We hand bevel, apply dying techniques to the edges, and then finish it all off with a special mink oil treatment.  This gives our sandals a water and stain resistant finish!  These sandals for women are Made in the USA!

The Sizing:  Our Made in the USA Leather Sandals for Women are available in whole sizes 5-15.  For half sizes we recommend ordering up!  The leather will be stiff for the first few wears, but, with time, will soften and mold to the shape of your foot.

Our made in the USA Shoes for Women are currently made to order and require 1-2 weeks to be completed

Shop our Made in the USA Artisan Sandals HERE!

Leather Sandals Made in the USA by Gracious May

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalm 68:19

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Children’s Clothing Made in USA

Gracious May American Made in USA Children's Girls Clothing
Luxe Fur Vest and Classic Chestnut Moccasins by Gracious May! SHOP>>

Gracious May’s Children’s Clothing is Made in USA! We designed our children’s clothing to be high quality, timeless, and complimentary to our Made in USA footwear collection. Our first children’s clothing launch was in 2011. Since then, it has grown to features Minimalist outfit staples, knitwear, specialty boutique style clothing, and formal wear for girls. Gracious May’s Children’s clothing is Made in USA and has something special for nearly every occasion! Enjoy the tour and we hope you leave with something you love! SHOP NOW!

Made in USA Girls Shirts:

American Made in USA Girls Clothes and SHoes
Frosting Pink Tunic and Gray Fringe Boots>>

Gracious May’s Peasant Style Tops for girls are classic and vibrant. These American made shirts are designed with every day in mind: trips to the coffee shop with mom, play dates, parties, and more! We designed this girls top in both short sleeve and 3/4 sleeve. Multiple color options are available, CLICK TO SHOP in pure white, pink, red, chambray blue, and Liberty of London Floral! (size range 0-6)

Made in USA Girls Skirts:

Made in USA Children's Clothing
Gracious May Head to Toe! Skirt // Vest // Tunic // Leather SHOES>>

Gracious May’s Perfect Twirls Skirt is designed to be an ideal match to our tunic tops. It’s a super pretty skirt that is perfect for those fun mommy-daughter dates, or even a birthday party! These American Made Girls Skirts are fluffy and perfect for twirling! SHOP in sizes 0-7 HERE!

Made in USA Stretch Knit Dresses for Girls!

Children's Clothing Made in the USA
Vintage Lace Anywhere Dress and Hazelnut Moxie Janes>>

The Gracious May Anywhere Dress is designed to – you guessed it – go anywhere! This soft knit girls dress can be dressed up or down: family pictures, daytrips, coffee with grandma! This dress will keep your girl feeling both comfortable and pretty all day! This American Made Girls Dress is available with lace on the bodice or plain and simple! SHOP in sizes 0-12 HERE

Made in USA Silk Gowns for Girls:

American Made in USA Formal wear Pure WHite Silk Gown for Girls
White Silk and Lace Gown and Silk Shabby Chic Mary Janes>>

The Gracious May Silk and Lace Gown is available in 3 colors; pink, white, and ivory! This American Made girls formal wear is available in infant-through girls size 8. This dress is available in infant and little girl sizing making it the perfect for a variety of special occasions; Flower Girl, Baby dedication, junior bridesmaids, and more! Shop in Sizes 0-8 HERE.

Made in USA Girls Tutus!

Children's Clothing Made in the USA
Frosting Pink Tutu Skirt and Silk Bow Mary Janes>>

Are you looking for a fluffy tutu skirt for your ballerina-girl? Look no further than Gracious May’s Signature Tiered Tutu Skirt! These American made girls skirts are available in Pink, White, Ivory, Mocha Brown, and Hot Pink! These Skirts are ideal for birthday parties, weddings, flower girl outfits and more! SHOP in Girls Sizes 0-12 HERE!

Made in USA Girls Clothing
White Petals Gown>>

The Gracious May Satin Petals Gown is the perfect classic dress for your girl! This girls gown is made of a satin fabric with roses embroidered all over. The pink flower at the waistband is removable. This girls dress ties with a satin sash around the waist. Perfect for Flower Girls and formal occasions! SHOP NOW in SIZES 0-8!

Gracious May Made in USA Girls Clothing
Luxe Fur Vest and Chestnut Moccasin Boots>>

Add a touch of Luxe to her outfits with Gracious May’s Faux Fur Vests for girls! This Gracious May Vest is available in either Ivory or Hazelnut Brown (click on the color links to shop). The Hazelnut Brown version of our Faux Fur Vest is a bestseller at GraciousMay.com!! These vests are so versatile and add the perfect finishing touch to every Autumn Ensemble! Size range 6 mos-10 yrs.

That concludes the tour!! Thanks so much for reading, and thanks so much for shopping our Made in America Girls Clothing! Your purchases support ladies here in the USA and we are so grateful!!! All our our clothing is made (from cut to finish) in the USA. We use use a combination of imported and made in the USA raw material sources for our clothing.

SHOP MADE IN USA GIRLS CLOTHES TODAY AT GRACIOUSMAY.COM!

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Bible // Psalm 62:8

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Made in the USA Barefoot Shoes for Women

Barefoot Leather Mary Janes for Women

We are SO THRILLED to announce to Gracious May Barefoot Collection for women! Our premier collection features 3 exclusive styles: the Mary Jane, the Moccasin, and the Big Fringe Boot! Each pair of our Barefoot Leather Shoes are hand made here at our headquarters in Texas, USA!

Leather Shoes for Women with a Wide Toe Box By Gracious May

A wide toe box is a standard feature for our Barefoot Shoe Collection. This allows the toes to fully splay (spread) when walking and standing!

What is a barefoot shoe?  A barefoot shoe is one that does not constrict or impede the foot’s natural range of motion.  A barefoot shoe is one with a wide toe box that allows the toes to fully splay (spread out) as you walk.  A barefoot shoe features a super flexible sole (not stiff!) which encourages a natural and healthy gait and allows you to feel the ground surface beneath you.   A barefoot shoe is the next best thing to actually walking in your bare feet!

Women's Leather Barefoot Grounding Shoes with Suede Sole

Our Barefoot Shoe collection is completely flexible! The soles are suede or leather with the option to add a minimal Vibram rubber outsole for extra protection on wet terrain!

Gracious May Leather Barefoot Shoes are made of soft and pliable suede or leather.  We do not use any man-made plastic stiffeners in the body of our Barefoot shoes.  This means these leather barefoot shoes for women will take the shape of your foot as you walk.

The sole of our barefoot shoes for women is made of either suede or oil tan leather. If you would like a layer of flexible rubber on the sole, simply select “Vibram Outsole” and we will add a thin Vibram rubber to the exterior of the sole. These sole options were chosen to provides traction and durability without the stiffness of a traditional rubber sole.     Our Barefoot shoes are designed to fit wider in order to avoid any constriction of the foot’s natural movement.  This naturally makes them a great option for wider feet as well.

Barefoot Shoes for Women

These soft-bodied shoes accomodate a wide range of foot widths. Looking for cute shoes for wide feet? No problem with these shoes!

For our mary janes, the ankle strap fastens snug with an adjustable buckle feature, again, adding versatility to the fit and accommodating feet that are narrow, medium, or wide.  The ankle strap on these barefoot mary janes allows your foot to confidently move from heel-to-toe, without the anxiety of having them slip off!  A removable insole lines these shoes, allowing for comfortable wear if you are new to to the barefooting movement.  For experienced barefooters, you can remove the insole, or save it for when you wear these mary janes on man-made pavements and concrete surfaces.

The removable insole provides shock absorption for when you wear these shoes on man made surfaces such as concrete or pavement.  The insole on these barefoot shoes also makes them great for beginners in the barefooting shoes movement.  They are totally flexible while adding a little bit of padding.  This is helpful for those who are transitioning away from heavily padded, traditional footwear into barefoot shoes.  The Insole also provides insulation for these barefoot shoes for winter month. This insole slips in and out, allowing you to wear them according to your preference.  Another reason we include the removable insole is to make these barefoot shoes for winter and cooler temperatures.  The extra layer will add a temperature barrier on cold days, while still allowing for plenty of flexibility in the sole!

Earthing Grounding Shoes

With a suede or leather sole, our Barefoot Collection makes for a great grounding/earthing shoe option!

Our Barefoot Shoe Collection is designed for grounding (also called earthing)!   With a suede or leather outsole, the Gracious May Barefoot Collection features the perfect shoes for grounding.  Just be mindful that if you choose to add the layer of Vibram rubber to the suede or leather outsole, the grounding function of these mary janes may be compromised.  When using these shoes for grounding, be sure to take out the removable insole that these barefoot shoes come with.

Gray Suede Moccasin Barefoot Boots Women by Gracious May

Looking for a barefoot shoe for winter? Check out our Barefoot Moccasin Boots for women!

Gracious May Barefoot Shoes for women are available in whole sizes 5-14!  If you are a half size, please order up. Because of their soft body and adjustable ankle strap, these shoes naturally accommodate a majority of foot widths from narrow to wide. Finally: cute shoes for wide and narrow feet!

Barefoot Moccasins For Women

Gracious May Barefoot Shoes for women arrive packaged in a  22″ square handkerchief.  This packaging is designed to eliminate waste, allowing you make something functional out of what would otherwise end in a landfill!

These shoes are made by hand in the USA and shipped from Gracious May HQ in the Dallas TX, area!

Barefoot Shoe Features
Barefoot Mary Janes for Women

Shop Gracious May Barefoot Shoes for Women HERE.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

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American Made Shoes for Women

The Mama Jane: Gracious May’s American Made Shoes for Women!

If you have been searching for an American Made Shoe for women, pause a moment for the Gracious May Mama Jane! With moms (and ladies in general) wanting simplicity and function now more than ever, we think the Gracious May Mama Jane™ is a timeless answer to modern footwear needs! Here are a few features that we’ve packed into our American made Women’s Shoes!

Click on the images in this post to shop the shoes!

From Grace:

Gracious May made in USA Clothing Brand
Wearing my Hazelnut Mama Janes>>

The Gracious May Mama Jane is so special to me. I believe the Lord really gave me the ability to create a shoe that fills a gap in the women’s footwear market. The Mama Jane is an all-in-one women’s shoe, if you will. They are a work shoe, a dress shoe, and a casual shoe all in one! To be honest, I am on my feet nearly all day here at Gracious May HQ and if I don’t choose the right shoes the fatigue I feel throughout the day is overwhelming! It’s kind of crazy how much a good pair of shoes impacts your work day, isn’t it? Anyway, as a working woman I have learned to be careful about the types of shoes I wear. When designing the first official Gracious May women’s shoe, I wanted a feminine flat that would be comfortable enough for me to wear all day and that would ease the fatigue I sometimes feel when I’m working long hours in the studio. I am so happy to say that these leather flats do JUST THAT!! Each pair of our women’s shoes is made here at the Gracious May HQ in the Dallas, TX, area. My team and I have 10 years of American (USA) manufacturing experience behind us and we strive to put that experience into creating truly excellent shoes for you! There is a handcrafted, artisan feel about each pair, simply because that’s what we put into making these shoes. I plan to write a little bit more about the Mama Jane here on the blog, so definitely subscribe and stay tuned for more updates. Continue reading this post for the ins and outs on our American Made women’s shoes!

Double cushioned heel, arch support, and shock absorption!

American Made Ladies Shoes

The Gracious May May Mama Jane is Gracious May’s first official ladies Shoe! These women’s shoes are made in USA and we designed them to be the most comfortable shoes for ladies on the market! So many of our customers are saying they are just that. These leather flats were designed to relieve foot and heel pain, as well as fatigue we often face as ladies who are on our feet all day!

To unpack these shoes for you, we are going to start with the sole, which is a cloud soling. To show you what we’ve invested into the insole, we have an example for you in the image above. The heel is double cushioned, with an extra layer of gel comfort, again, at the heel and at the ball of the foot. These shoes are genuine leather upper, meaning they are going to take the shape of your foot after just a couple of wears. They come with our blister free guarantee, meaning you will not have that painful break-in process that comes with most stylish flats. These shoes are designed to fit comfortably, like a glove, from the very first wear!

Ultra Comfortable Insoles

The Gracious May Mama Jane is available in four colors at GraciousMay.com, with sizes ranging from 5 to 11. The color list is always expanding, but we currently offer these flats in: Hazelnut Brown, Gray, Black, and Blush Pink! These women’s shoes run true to size and will stretch a little with wear (because of that great genuine leather upper!), so order accordingly.

Genuine leather body means these shoes take the shape of your foot!

Gracious May American Made in USA Womens Comfortable Leather Flats

Shop the Mama Jane in three colors NOW!

Durable!

These made in USA Ladies Shoes are built to last! The body of these women’s Mary Janes is genuine leather. A premium quality Brass Buckle on the strap adds a timeless flair. The strap features a bit of stretch, making them easy to slip on and off. Because they go dressy or casual, the Gracious May Mama Jane is the perfect shoe for the busy mom! Our American Made leather shoes for Ladies are designed to be classy and durable.

NO Blisters!!

Every pair of Gracious May Mama Janes™ comes with our Blister Free Guarantee™. When was the last time a shoe company guaranteed that? We mean it! We sourced the softest leather for our Made in USA Ladies Mary Janes. The Gracious May Mama Janes™ are both durable and comfortable WITHOUT the painful break-in process!! Our American Made women’s shoes are designed to be a cut above the competition.

Cloud Sole Comfort!!

These Gracious May Ladies Mary Janes feature an anti-fatigue cloud sole for all day comfort! The footbed is designed to absorb shock and boost energy. Perfect if you are on your feet all day! Because of this, they also make the perfect feminine work shoe. Our American Made women’s footwear will make you feel like you are walking on a cloud!

American Made Ladies Shoes
Hazelnut Mama Jane™>>

This is what Gracious May Customers are saying about their Mama Janes™!

Made in USA Ladies Shoes Gray Leather Mama Janes

These USA made shoes are going to rock your boat. Comfy, beautiful and stylish.

Leah F.
Hazelnut Mama Janes

Just wanted to let you know that my shoes arrived and I love ’em. Not only the most comfortable shoes I’ve owned in a long time, they are also the cutest!

Jane Z.
Made in USA Ladies Shoes

My shoes just arrived in the mail. I love them!!!! So incredibly comfortable!!! Thank you!I love my shoes! They are amazing!

Karin N.
Made in USA Ladies Shoes

I love my Hazelnut Mama Janes! They are amazing! I just ordered gray and black

Nichole B.
American Made Footwear Made in usa ladies shoes by Gracious May
All of Gracious May’s Ladies Shoes are MADE IN USA!!

CLICK to Shop the American Made Gracious May Mama Jane at GraciousMay.com!

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

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I tried a 10 item wardrobe for 10 days… here’s how it went!

10 Piece Minimalist Wardrobe Experiment

Shop made in the USA Shoes and Clothes at GraciousMay.com

This spring I experimented with a minimalist 10 item wardrobe. I chose 10 of my favorite pieces of clothing, and for 10 days wore only those pieces. As part of the USA wardrobe movement, my major push is quality over quantity. I love the idea of seeing how much can be done with a few high quality pieces! I am not a minimalist, but for 10 days I played a minimalist and was surprised by what I found out!!!

Here is what was in my 10 Item Wardrobe:

If you have been following here at the Gracious May blog, you will know that I am a huge advocate for buying made in the USA clothes whenever possible, then thrifted/2nd hand beyond that. Click to read more.

  1. Black Shirt (Made in the USA)
  2. White Shirt (Made in the USA)
  3. Denim Button Front (Thrifted)
  4. Pink Button front (Thrifted)
  5. Blue Cardigan (made in the USA)
  6. Denim Jacket (Made in the USA)
  7. Army Green Jacket (Thrifted)
  8. Blue Chinos
  9. Black Chinos
  10. Denim Skirt (2nd Hand)

**I did not put any limits on shoes or accessories, however I wore either my black or hazelnut Mama Janes daily!

What I expected out of a 10 piece minimalist wardrobe:

I expected to feel bored and unable to create a polished look with so few options. As a reference point, I probably have 30-50 items in my wardrobe on a regular day. Going minimalist and parring down to just 10 had me skeptical.

Here is what actually happened when I wore only 10 items for 10 days:

I loved it!! I chose 10 of my favorite pieces that were in a easy-to-mix-and-match color pool. Making sure the 10 pieces went well together allowed me to mix and match any item. I actually ended up dressing better on a daily basis! Here is a full list of some important things I learned during my 10 Piece Wardrobe Experiment…

What I learned during my 10 days with a minimalist wardrobe:

  • Quality is important. After wearing some of these clothes on repeat (and subsequently machine-washing on repeat) I was shocked at how quickly the lesser-quality items were wearing out. It made me realize that quality is essential to simplifying. Having a 10 piece wardrobe on a long-term basis is possible, but you’ve got to choose clothing that is built to last.
  • Less stress. I had less options, and only my favorite items to choose from which cut out the “what am I going to wear” stress-point in the morning.
  • I realized the full potential of simple styling tweaks! Adding a belt, tucking it in, layering. Simple adjustments made every outfit feel fresh, despite working with only 10 pieces!
  • By repeatedly wearing the same thing every day, I was able to pinpoint what was I did not like about the way the item fit. For example: the skirt I chose sat just a little too high on my waist for my liking. This will help me to avoid buying mistakes in the future.
  • At the end of 10 days with my 10 piece wardrobe, I didn’t want to be done. There were so many options and the simplicity was refreshing!! Plus, having the extra space in my close was a perk ;).

Bottom Line from my 10 item wardrobe challenge:

My mission for quality over quantity is totally bolstered and I will be downsizing my wardrobe! I would say that a 20 piece wardrobe would be more of what I would downsize to long term. Why 20 instead of 10? Because I would need to add: a formal outfit option, another skirt or pant option and a couple of active-wear pieces in order to suit my needs

My-made-in-the-USA-Wardrobe-Movement-buy-American-Made-Clothes-and-SHoes

As I mentioned at the start, we have founded the USA Wardrobe Movement here at Gracious May. It is all about reviving US manufacturing through purposeful wardrobe choices. The USA Wardrobe Movement aims to cultivate an appreciation for quality and a willingness to invest in US Made products. If every US citizen incorporated 1 made in the USA item into their outfit every day, we would stimulate 313,000 US jobs!!

Grace // owner at Gracious May and founder of the USA Wardrobe Movement

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5

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Plead the cause of all.

“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

Proverbs 31:8-9

•••

“If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?”

Proverbs 24:12

••••

 #125kperDay 

180movie.com

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Baby Clothes Made in USA!

Baby Clothes Made in the USA
Madison in Chestnut Moccs>>

Are you looking for Baby Clothes made in the USA? The TOP 3 Made in USA Baby Clothing Brands are right here at GraciousMay.com! Gracious May, Snugars, and Bushka Bag are the three major brand labels here at graciousmay.com. With over 300 styles on site now, Gracious May is a leading provider of American made baby clothes. All of our baby clothes are made in the continental USA and shipped from our headquarters in Dallas, TX.

Gracious May, Snugars, and Bushka Bag are the three major brand labels you will see at graciousmay.com. These three brands are what we call our “in-house labels”. These are three brands that have been designed, developed, and manufactured by the Gracious May Team in the USA. Read on for more about our top 3 Made in the USA Baby Clothing Brands!

Gracious May:

Baby Shoes Made in the USA

Since 2008, Gracious May has specialized in Made in the USA Shoes for baby and toddler. From soft soled shoes for infant and new walkers, to a durable collection of rubber-soled toddler and big kid shoes: Gracious May has you covered! With over 90 different made in the USA shoe options for boys and girls, GraciousMay.com is a one-stop shop for Children’s Shoes Made in the USA!

Gracious May Baby Clothes and Shoes made in the USA
Frosting Pink Tutu Skirt and Silk Bow Mary Janes>>

With demand snowballing for baby and toddler shoes, we wanted to create a head-to-toe option for our buyers! In 2011 we launched the Gracious May baby and Toddler Apparel line. Each clothing design has been carefully designed to create a beautiful and high quality garment. The Gracious May children’s clothing line is designed to coordinate with Gracious May shoes for a complete head-to-toe look!

Snugars:

Snugars Baby Headbands Made in the USA

Snugars is a Gracious May sister-brand specializing in Made in the USA hats, headbands, and legwarmers for baby! The Snugars line offers sizes from 0-12 years, so toddler and child can also enjoy these one of a kind accessories. Each piece from the Snugars collection has been handmade in the USA since 2009! These baby hats and headbands make an exquisite and thoughtful gift for baby boy or girl!

Bushka Bag:

Bushka Diaper Bag Made in the USA

In 2011 the Gracious May team launched the Bushka Diaper Bag! This Made in the USA diaper bag is truly something special. In addition to being a stylish diaper bag, the Bushka unfolds into a diaper changing station for baby! Over the years we have expanded the Bushka line to feature made in the USA Baby Blankets, bibs, and Handbags!

Gracious May is your one-stop for Made in the USA Baby Clothes!

With over 300 styles on site now, GraciousMay.com is one of the leading providers of Made in the USA baby clothes. Here at Gracious May we put a huge emphasis on quality as well as design! We believe it is worth it to invest in producing our items in the USA and make every effort to deliver something truly special and valuable to our customers.

Shop Baby Girls Clothes

Shop Baby Boys Clothes

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Psalm 127:3

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US Manufacturing and the Covid-19 Pandemic: 3 Lessons

On February 26th I launched the USA Wardrobe Movement blog series. It recaps my personal efforts to quit shopping fast fashion, give my wardrobe a purpose, and support fellow brands who are manufacturing their products in the USA. When I launched in February, I had no idea how important this message would become. As I’ve thought about how the USA Wardrobe Movement relates to our current pandemic, there are a few things that I want to remember. In this post I am writing about US Manufacturing and the Covid-19 pandemic: 3 lessons I don’t want to forget.

1. Serious problems emerge when a country outsources over 90% of it’s consumer goods.

Serious problems emerge when a country outsources over 90% of it's consumer goods. graciousmay.com/blog Click To Tweet

In the past 6 weeks we have seen supply chains with China and other countries crimped amidst a world wide crisis. Because of cancelled flights, cargo planes are less able to bring shipments from overseas. Additionally, foreign countries are putting export bans on certain types of personal protective equipment (face masks). As a result, the USA has seen shortages on items like face masks, medical gowns, and various other types of personal protective equipment (PPE). I mentioned in part 1 of My Made in the USA Wardrobe that within 50 years (about 1/2 a lifetime) the USA has gone from manufacturing 97% of consumer goods (clothes and shoes) to just 2%. Serious problems come when a country over-outsources. The past 6 weeks have shed a bright light on that.

2. Buying Made in the USA products supports an infrastructure that will serve you in time of crisis.

Buying Made in the USA products supports an infrastructure that will serve you in time of crisis. graciousmay.com/blog Click To Tweet

Dallas, TX custom furniture company, Massoud Furniture, has stepped up and dedicated a portion of it’s task force to manufacturing hospitals gowns.

There is a remnant of manufacturers across the USA that have been able to shift operations from clothes (or other products) to Personal Protective Equipment. Were it not for these companies, things like face masks, hospital gowns, and other PPE would be nearly inaccessible during this pandemic. Seeing these US Manufacturers stand in the gap during a time of crisis has reinforced my belief that buying made in the USA products whenever possible is so important. Shopping USA made supports an infrastructure that will serve you in time of crisis.

Organic Cotton Made in the Face Masks

Glory Wraps, a company that specializes in Made in the USA Chemo Wraps, has ramped up production of general use face masks as the American people are advised to wear face coverings in public.

3. In uncertain times, quality becomes essential, not just preferential.

In uncertain times, quality becomes essential, not just preferential. graciousmay.com/blog Click To Tweet

In part 3 of My Made in the USA Wardrobe, I talked about buying what is built to last. This doesn’t sound very intellectual, but here it is: I’m glad I never built a wardrobe on distressed clothing trends. The day may come when we will actually have to wear our clothes until they are worn slick. Our grandparents did (and they knew how to buy the right quality for it!). Where will we be if we invest in clothes that are poorly made and “pre-distressed”? It’s important to buy what is built to last. Buy clothes that can be worn long term, and buy shoes that are designed to last.

Our day to day habits can revive US Manufacturing!

Join the USA Wardrobe Movement

Your wardrobe choices can be a tool for change. Big, positive change. #USAwardrobe Click To Tweet

As I evaluate the current landscape, my question is: will we return to our old “normal” after the dust settles? Will we return to buying quantity over quality and bypass local businesses for a better price? Or, will we be purposeful with our buying power; realizing that every time we spend a dollar we are making an investment? Not only shoes and clothes, but how they are being made.

With God’s mercy, there is time to turn the tide. I am hopeful and excited to continue sharing about made in the USA products an brands here on the Gracious May blog!

-Grace // Owner and Founder at Gracious May

“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3

“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” Luke 12:42

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walk in love… with every order!

While supplies last, every order from GraciousMay.com receives a Custom Gracious May Laptop Sticker!

I began the process of ordering these Gracious May Laptop stickers before any of the C-word craziness kicked up, but the Lord knows how to work all things together for good. This verse from Ephesians 5 could not be a more timely reminder of the One we are to look to as an example of love!

The beautiful Amy Kirk of Ahni Art reached out to me about creating these stickers for Gracious May. I’ve been a huge fan of her Bible-based art for the past 8 months and was so excited for the opportunity! She took one of my favorite Gracious May photos and illustrated it, adding a hand lettered portion of Ephesians 5:2. While supplies last, we are including one of these stickers in each order from graciousmay.com! Thank you all so much for your support. Each and every order is a gift to us!

-Grace

Perfect for laptops, water bottles, or simply anywhere you need the reminder!

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2

Made in the USA Product of the Week!

Fashion fashion Face Masks by Glory Wraps put a fresh spin on what has become a day to day essential for many! These fashion face masks are Made in the USA and available in several stylish (and fun!) prints. Shop today!

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