STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

halah · Kenneth Cole

What do you think of American Apparel?

bestwhensimple · Nine West

American Apparel sells clothing that is made in America, not in sweatshops. Their stuff is really plain, without any printing or decoration. They're pretty good for basic stuff, like cotton tees and dresses. I don't like their ribbed stuff, though. It's not that nice.

HTH!

luckylily · Gucci

I love American Apparel. I like the fit, quality, and quantity of styles and colors among the line. They are great basics and great for layering.

I'm also really concerned about sweatshops and I have a personal ban on several other brands because of their use of sweatshops. I like that American Apparel is showing that you can pay your workers a proper wage and benefits without sacraficing your morals. Some people don't like them because the founder is a bit unconventional, this doesn't bother me tho. If you do a google search on American Apparel you'll find a lot of interesting articles about him and the brand.

Lilykind · Hermes

I do like AA, but you pretty much get what you pay for with them. I kinda wish I hadn't bought my $32 sweatpants because I got MUCH nicer Juicy ones a couple weeks later at Shopbop that cost $41.50 shipped. However, I do like their basic tees. I also like their boybeaters since they come in a million colors.

Definitely worth checking out since you have one so close. The closest one to me is about 5 blocks away.

tara t · Marc Jacobs

i have a few AA things that i really like. they seem to hold up & wash well. but yes, they are v. plain.

cc · Marc Jacobs

I think they are good for basics although I've had mixed luck with them (a black v-neck tee which fits great but faded pretty quickly and a hooded sweatshirt which shrank a lot).

Re AA's ethics, while the factory workers seem like they get treated relatively well, the head of the company is apparently a lech and there were some sexual harrassment suits filed against the company and there are claims that he has told employees to only hire attractive young women. I am pretty sure all or most of them were recently dismissed but there was a really weird article in Jane Magazine in which he supposedly he engaged in a few lewd acts in front of the report. There was also an article in Business Week this summer and he didn't come off very well. Anyway I don't know how much of it is true although he doesn't deny getting involved with a lot of his employees. So that's the other end of the coin.

Maddie · Coach

How long are their shirts? I have a long torso and don't like the look of actual long shirts like the C&C ones but can never find anything that actually covers the top of my pants.