"There's a quiet sadness every time I think about White Oak. It's a real loss for the industry, and it represented a level of craftsmanship that's becoming increasingly rare."
Ron Balatbat, Men's Design Director
When denim manufacturer Cone Mills closed its White Oak plant in Greensboro, NC after nearly 112 years, it marked the end of an era that embodied American craftsmanship. For over a century, the plant stood as the heartbeat of American selvage denim production and a cornerstone of textile history.
At AG, we are honored to have acquired a portion of the final yards woven on White Oak’s historic shuttle looms—a rare piece of denim heritage that we carry forward with deep admiration.
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Founded in 1905, White Oak earned a global reputation for producing premium selvage denim on vintage shuttle looms—machines that created tightly woven edges with a distinctive, clean finish. These edges, known as selvage (from “self-edge”), resisted fraying and symbolized a promise: denim that was made to last. As the yarn traveled back and forth across the loom, it wove not just fabric, but stories of durability, beauty, and timeless utility.
Model is wearing Aiden Shirt and Tellis Selvage
At AG, we've always believed that great denim begins with great respect: for the process, the fabric, and the talented craftsman behind them. The closure of White Oak marked the end of an era that defined US made denim. We didn’t acquire this denim to recreate the past—we acquired it to preserve it with purpose.
Our Made in USA Selvage Jean, finished in the Greensboro wash, is our tribute to where this story began. Cut in our signature Tellis silhouette and crafted from 12.5 oz. Greensboro Rigid Selvage Denim, this jean represents the balance of heritage and modernity—timeless construction with a forward-looking fit.
White Oak represents timeless design, enduring quality, and uncompromising craftsmanship. As a brand rooted in those same values, we're proud to carry that legacy forward with one foot in denim's past, and the other in its future.
Learn More | Shop Selvage Denim