American Apparel

Purchased a cute dress for my teenage daughter. HAND washed it, hung it on the deck to dry & it STILL SHRUNK — considerably! !!! The snooty manager @ Newbury St./ Boston responded, «we don’t accept returns once something has been washed. «WTH, how would I know it had shrunk an entire size without washing it ?? ZERO help whatsoever. I responded that I would try to address this problem with American Apparel corporate. Her response: «Good luck with that, they won’t help you either». They need a sign informing you that NOTHING they sell should be washed because you’re SOL when it shrinks or falls apart. Crap service, crap product.

Two thumbs up for made in USA! That’s all I have to say about this store. Small selection for men’s. It took me literally 3 minutes or less to finish looking their men’s section. The staff were there, but I was invisible maybe.

During my last visit to this location, I was helped by Erin. She was not only adorable and wore the featured styles well enough to sell them to ANYONE, she was knowledgeable about the products and really took her time helping me find pieces I loved. She is an asset to the team and I will be back strictly to shop with her again.

I bought a hoodie here for a rainy day during my trip to Boston. The staff was ignoring me as a customer and there was one staff that was very rude to someone over the phone in front of me. Seems like proper customer etiquette doesn’t have a impact in this store.

DISCLAIMER! I love American Apparel. I love it as a company, as a person, and as more than friends. This review has ONLY to do with this one specific store; moreover, it’s about one specific incident.
Like all giant corporations (and most things in life), it ain’t perfect; I once received an online order with the wrong item, so I decided to skip the hassle of mailing it back by exchanging it in-​store. The Harvard Sq AmerAppar (which is GREAT) was all about the exchange but did not have the correct item in stock. After I declined their kind offer of matching store credit, they advised that I try one of the downtown stores.
Soon after, I strolled in THIS store (138 Newbury), saw – HUZZAH! – that they had the correct item, took it to the checkout, and waited for a pair of chatty snotty bimbo staff to stop gossiping for one second and take note of a customer trying to give them bidness. They seemed annoyed at the interruption, and, with wrinkled noses like «PSHHH!,» listened to 1.5 sentences of my plea for an exchange before shutting me down with a curt, «You are NOT allowed to return tights.» I said, this isn’t a size or style problem, I didn’t even touch them much less try them on; if you look at the receipt here, you’ll see these are simply the WRONG item.” She robotically repeated «can’t return tights,» so I repeated the «wrong item» bit and explained the Harvard Sq store’s willingness to do the exchange. She said, «Well, I haven’t heard from them, soooo…» «Yeah, uh, that’s cuz they didn’t call you, they just said you might have the item, and you do.» More idiotic back and forth ensued. She basically just plain refused to attempt to understand the situation. Then she suddenly asked, «So do you want these tights or what?» Confused, I asked, «Oh… wait, so you’ll do the exchange then?» «What? No, do you want to BUY THESE.» «UHHH, for full price!!!» «Yeah, do you want ‘em or not?» Ohhhhhhhhh boy. No choice but to surrender. Well, I guess I *could’ve* chosen to drop the wrong, snatch the right, and dash out the store, but I was too frustrated to think clearly.
Despite that tale of woe, the tights situation itself has a happy ending: I decided to give the unwanted little buggers a chance, and they are now amongst my all-​time faves. I peer at them lovingly from across the room and, with tears in my eyes, proclaim: I was searching and searching for something special, but YOU WERE RIGHT HERE, ALL ALONG! Then I blast «My Endless Love» and dance them around the room.
So SUCK IT, 138 Newbury AmerAppar, we’re HAPPY! WE DON’T NEED YOU.

As far as American Apparel’s go, this place is pretty darn good. I’ve never had snooty sales associates, and they sometimes let me bypass the «5 pieces only» rule for the fitting room. Yes, you can get cheaper clothes for the same quality at H&M, but at least you know these are Fair Trade.

As much as I like AA, serisouly this place is one big hipster sterotype. And Im not talking about the clothes. Lets talk about the employees virturally ignoring me and standing in a huge crowd by the registar, gossiping. Not even a smile.
Shame on them.

It’s expensive because it’s great!
Sweatshop free, so everything is made paying workers a lot of money, which costs more, so the clothing is more expensive. The clothing is very high quality. Although I can not afford to buy it a lot, I got three pairs of high-​waisted shorts which are amazing, and I hope to wear often. They seem to be very high quality. Staff is nice, everything is beautiful. It’s a great company, so support it!

Ok AA is kind of annoying and everyone knows that. However, they sell very comfy t-​shirts. I could definitely deal without some of the crazy stuff they have (who needs metallic anything?) However, I walked in the other day and bought a pair of tights. They are the best tights I own and I plan on buying a zillion more. I wish they weren’t $ 25 for tights but that’s not horrible and they are so warm and cozy! These tights have single-​handedly forced me back into the store!

I agree with Capricia’s review! The customer services is non-​existent. On my most recent visit I spent 10 minutes wandering around the first floor and nobody came down to even check on me. I had to go back upstairs and track someone down to come help me. In addition, I don’t know if they have good product selection as I can never find what I am looking for and neither can anyone else working.

I said this when I reviewed the Cambridge AA, and I’ll say it here too. I think when it comes to clothing stores, Unilocal reviewers should really focus more on the layout, particular selection of clothing, and staff of the location they’re reviewing. Obviously it makes sense to take the overall company into consideration, but I know when I read reviews I want specifics about the location I’m reading about!
So, although this isn’t my favorite location to visit when I’m in Boston, I always stop by if I happen to be near Newbury St. I really like the layout of this store and the selection of kids clothes this particular location offers (I always pick up a little something for my cousins, they have the cutest kids things). It’s a two floor store with women’s clothes upstairs and men’s/kid’s downstairs, although a lot of their men’s things are unisex (so women, don’t forget to shop downstairs too!). The staff here is friendly but not overbearing, which I appreciate. I think some customers take it as being ignored, but honestly, I don’t like to be bugged by staff trying desperately to sell me something. I’d rather them just be there when I need them to be, and this is what I enjoy about this particular location.
Quick note: I hope everyone realizes that AA clothing is so expensive because it’s made right here in America. Of course it’s not going to be as cheap as clothing made in China, not as cheap as any other national clothing chain, because every other clothing corporation as big as AA makes their stuff in China… which, bad news for reviewers loving their Old Navy basics more than AA, even the price of things made in China are going up. Jeez.

The most awkward AA I’ve ever been to. I always have better luck at the other Newbury location.
Don’t ask if they have anything. Don’t expect them to help you get anything down. Don’t expect eye contact or any sort of conversation at the cashwrap.
Just don’t.

The line was sooooo slow. Ugh.
I really like AA clothes but have always thought of them as overpriced for what you get. Sigh…
This week I bought a black pencil skirt for work for $ 32, and it fit me really well, can be used as a dress or skirt, and I didn’t need to try it on ahead of time.
I’ll be back, although only for their classic pieces — some of the new stuff is way too hipster for me

My running theme for clothing stores is that I’m 5’1 and slim so it’s hard to find stuff that’s not A. way too long and B. really baggy. AA is definitely good for the basic clothes AND they come in XXS, which fits me like a glove. One of my favorite shirts is from here, and it’s just an xxs grey long-​sleeved vneck, but it is softer than my puppy.
Yeah, the prices are high, but I can get a lot of the items at the outlet store in Wrentham ($ 10 polos, $ 25-​$ 40 jeans/​slacks). The staff here is back and forth. The first time i went in, the girl that helped me at the fitting room was super friendly and adorable and the guy at the counter chatted with me while I paid. The last time I went, they essentially didn’t notice me.

I have a love/​hate relationship with American Apparel. Yes, they have oversexed ads. Yes, some of their clothing is unwearable (I heard two girls discussing whether shiny tank thong bodysuits/​leggings are good for anything but Halloween… I’m pretty sure they’re not). Yes, many of their tees look like they’ve already gone through the wash 25 times (I don’t get it). But their cotton is ridiculously soft and ridiculously comfortable. Perhaps if they marketed themselves as having really comfortable basics, some with a bit of a stylish twist, I’d be an even bigger fan; however, they do have an air of hipper than thou that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The staff wasn’t overtly rude to me, but clearly I wasn’t worth talking to. They chatted amongst themselves while ringing me up, only giving me a reluctant, «thanks» as I was leaving.
Attitude aside, the prices are (mostly) not bad at all and I still can’t get over how soft and comfortable the thermal leggings and raglan shirt, which I bought to wear as pajamas, are. I was also a bit amused that such a progressive company doesn’t have recyclable bags, but I digress.

I like super soft T shirts and so does my dog.
My pup has short hair and I am concerned about her freezing her tail off on cool mornings when she walks for an hour…
…enter American Apparel. While the staff watched me stand by the counter waiting for help for an eternity (minus one star) they let my dog try on a T shirt and they called upstairs to see if they had the color I wanted
I am not a fan of dogs in clothes, but my pup will be warm and super cute in her new shirt

Went in here today looking for a solid color everyday kind of dress and to piqué my curiosity about what all the hoopla was for.
I gotta say, I kind of giggled when I went in. The whispy thin girls moved their mouth muscles for me a bit and floated off, leaving me to stare bemused at the racks of incredibly boring and/​or ugly clothing. I mean, really. What the hell is the point? I can understand when brands use AA shirts for their stuff because they’re admittedly soft and nice, but a whole store just for these plain shirts? And frightening shiny leggings? And bathing suit tops that I’m not convinced would cover even one of my boobs?
It’s like the ultimate mecca to the ironically dressed hipster – so cool that I don’t need labels or shampoo, but so above you that I’m gonna pay 30 bucks for my statement. Like it.

American Apparel has a rainbow of basic clothing items, this we know.
The employees would rather talk about politics and who likes who than help me get things down from the high racks. This we discovered.
4 stars for having things I need, 2 stars for not caring much if I get it.
(4+2)÷2=3

Sure they have over-​sexed ads, but whatever the clothes are wearable and that’s the important part.
I don’t understand where all this bitching about the items being overpriced is coming from? Yes, I will agree this applies to a few of the items, but most of the tees are anywhere from $ 15 — $ 25, which is very reasonable, especially considering how well they hold up through multiple washes and wears. I think this place is great for basics. I just bought a huge weekend tote there too and it was only $ 34. I don’t think their underwear, socks, jeans, cardigans, bathing suits or leggings are unreasonable either. A lot of their items are cheaper than the crappily made rip-​off basics you find Urban Outfitters carrying, a place that for some reason gets much less flack for their overpriced clothing.
I also don’t understand where all the bitching about bad service is coming from? Maybe I have just been lucky, but I’m usually in there about once a month and everyone has been really friendly with me at the register and in the dressing room. I’ve never needed sales floor help so I can’t speak for that. And they definitely weren’t acting like they were too awesome to bother giving positive customer service to someone walking in not looking like a «hipster» (I f’ing hate that word). Most of the time I go in there it’s after work or during my lunch break and I am head to toe business casual.

There is only one reason that anyone should purchase anything from American Apparel: if you are attending a costume party, and need a retro sportswear outfit, (and don’t mind paying a whole lot for it).
This is exactly what i was there for. I was at a Dance through the Decades, and my friends and I each chose a character from ‘Wet Hot American Summer’ to dress up as. I knew that AA was going to be the best place to find a ringer t, short red running shorts, and knee-​high tube socks. The three items cost me about $ 50, but I’ve made a point of wearing them more than once. (For instance, I got plenty of laughs water skiing in my shorts!)
If you’re going here to seriously shop for something, that’s just dumb. I know fashion is cyclical, but leotards and spandex are far from returning.

Fuck this place. Seriously.
I never thought a closet full of Old Navy-​esque tees and tank tops could infuriate me so much. Well, not to say that I’m surprised, but more that I just never thought about it. I digress. I can best relate the dynamic of this store to the basic 8 color box of crayola you got when you started preschool. You’ve got your basics, but not a whole lot of options other than layering more shit on top of already existing shit. No one wants the 8 color, you gotta get the 96 with the sharpener. I’M NOT SETTLING FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN 96 CRAYONS WITH NAMES LIKE INDIAN RED AND FLESH.
If I wanted a poorly made solid colored tshit (this is not a typo) I would come here, or maybe even if I was going to be screenprinting something, but fuck guys. I mean, where did people get the idea that this place is for artsy people or alternanerds? Wearing solid colors all over your body makes you look like a Mondrian, colorblocked and boring. Stirrup pants are for waify self-​deprecating hipster girls, no thanks American Apparel. Not to mention that all the racks are labeled with stupid 3″ tall pictures of what’s on the rack. Pretty sure I don’t need a diagram of your turtleneck, AA. I can look at it on the rack, can’t I? Well maybe if I were blind… no wait.
And yes, I did use the word «stupid» to describe an inanimate object.