American Apparel

The employees here are extremely rude and carry themselves so high up. I’ve been to many of they’re stores before and employees are usually very helpful and kind but I came to this location while walking around town with my boyfriend on a rainy day. Figured I’d stop in to try a skirt on that I’ve had my eye on. I was obviously not looking best after being rained on but as soon as I walked in the employees were looking at my boyfriend and I as if we had no business here and as if I came with intention to steal. I paid no attention to it at first and went on looking for the skirt I came for. I found my size and asked one of the employees if I could use the dressing room and she looked at me with so much judgement. She led me to the dressing room and as I was changing she was standing outside the dressing room and folding clothes but obviously waiting on me and it made me feel rather uncomfortable. I liked the skirt and would have tried a different size on, but I would rather take my business elsewhere so I just gave the skirt back and left. Yes the employees were very well dressed-​clogs mini skirts and large fur coat but this isn’t a high fashion store and there’s no reason to treat me as if you’re better because I actually have to go out in public in everyday clothing.

Do not shop here. I left feeling less than human and extremely manipulated by the dishonest employees and rude «manager» at this location.
So after recently buying a ton of new stuff online at American Apparel, one of my hoodies didn’t fit. I decided to return it to the store. Upon arriving at the store I discovered their return policy was exchange only, no big deal.
The entire transaction was a disaster.
It began with the cashier sniffing my merchandise and scrutinizing the exchange I was about to make. I asked if he could hold the item at the register while I looked around, and due to the cash wrap being covered in unfolded merchandise he was unable to do so in case my item got lost in the clutter.
After looking around I found something to swap, I stood beside the register for at least 20 minutes while «Dylan» fumbled through paperwork since the online warehouse had sent the merchandise without a tag.
During this time two other women were rang up before me so he could figure out how to process the return.
I wasn’t even mad about this. When I checked out, my items were rang up incorrectly. The white tank top I had gotten off the sale rack rang up full price instead discounted for 40%.
I did not notice this until I walked outside the store because the cashier had not given me a receipt. Upon the realization that my total seemed higher than I calculated I walked back inside to get request a physical copy of my receipt.
I reviewed the transaction and noticed immediately that I had been charged in error. Once I realized the mistake «Dylan» had made, I asked very politely if I may reverse the transaction due to the fact he had overcharged me.
«Dylan» refused. He also initially denied that the item was even on sale despite having a yellow tag.
When I continued to request a refund he made up some lie about the machine being unable to process refunds or void transactions.
The cashier went on to say, «Our system is unable to process refunds at all… not all systems are alike we don’t do that.»
So being skeptical, but remaining calm I asked if I were to ask the corporate office about this situation would I receive the same information. This was not a threat this was simply an inquisition to verify that their policies were shared throughout the company.
He responded,“Call Corporate all you want.“
I took a deep breath. I did not want to give any reason to validate the shitty and dismissive attitude and treatment I was receiving, furthermore, by acting like the «angry black woman.»
It sucks because if I had been the sweet older white woman who purchased skinny jeans for her 14 year old daughter moments earlier whom I watched «Dylan» and the other associate stumble over one another to make sure that they assisted her… we would not be having this conversation.
So I stood there… helpless…as Dylan proceeded to speak slowly at me in a condescending manner and explain that he would now be putting my erroneous purchase on a gift card and that I should be honored to purchase more merchandise with the store credit I was getting from a transaction error he had made. He adjusted the discount that originally wasn’t given and I found a scrunchy that he had initially forgot to ring up.
This entire experience was the absolute worst. I was able to speak with a delightful store manager at the Hawthorne location who was apologetic, and professional. She told me to come in right away for the refund the previous employee told me they «could not process.»
Having worked as a corporate retail manager I can honestly say I’ve never witnessed nor received such a piss poor sales experience. I live almost on top of American Apparel at the Indigo, but will continue to shop online due to this ridiculous event. Never again.
Shop at Hawthorne.

Clothes for sex workers & the frat boys who hire them. Or that’s what you might gather from their ads. I guess their «ethical business model» is cool with consistent objectification of women. Beyond this, the clothes are sometimes poorly made (bad stitching, twisted fabric, etc.) & generally overpriced. Hipper-​than-​thou staff is par for the course.

If I’m going to pay a ridiculous amount of money for extremely basic clothing, even if its well made, I expect a hug and a kiss on the way out the door. This location won’t even say hi when you walk in.
When I went up to check out, the girl standing there (literally just standing there) asked another girl a few feet away where the cashier was. Second girl said I don’t know. And that was that… until the cashier came back to the register a minute or two later without being alerted from the other two girls. And this is pretty much what happens every time I’m there.
I know American Apparel stores that have very engaging employees so I really don’t understand why this store has to employ such entitled snobs. Oh well, I guess now I know how uncool I am.

Oh my GOD!!! I walked in and immediately was amazed at all of the different articles of clothing. It was an inedible buffet of shirts, pants, headbands and myriad other wardrobe accessories.
If I ever need another shirt I might go here, but the prices are a little high.

It was kinda painful standing in line behind the pitiful hipster as he clutched the bra and panty set and asked the clueless sales girl what size he should get for his girlfriend. This hilarious conversation about his girlfriend’s boobs went on for what felt like forever because my feet were starting to hurt because I was just standing there with nothing better to do than eavesdrop. Really, with all the employees standing around, nobody can come to the second register? Finally! She is a small! Now we have to stand around and figure out if there is a box somewhere to put this fine lingerie in. There isn’t.
Meanwhile, the top that I had them put on hold for me a mere two hours earlier is nowhere to be found. Swell. Luckily there is one left on the floor so it’s not a huge deal. I was just annoyed at all the waiting around and then the more waiting around.
I rarely shop at American Apparel because for the most part I don’t care for overpriced tee-​shirts, leggings and crappy service. This visit was for a specific item and mission accomplished.
H&M has a far better selection of tees and legging and the service there is friendlier.

Great clothes, great service :) This establishment is pricey though.

It’s crazy how this shop stays in business considering how consistently RUDE and ALOOF their staff is. If you know what staples you need, then make a mad dash for them and get out. Not that the staff will even notice you were there! I can only imagine how well they would do if you didn’t dread the experience of going there!

I loved this American Apparel! The location is really cool. Although it is a tad small (and you do bump into things without thinking), it’s jam packed and easy to see all the things you like to. The fitting rooms are also very compact.
The staff was gooorgeous. Because of that, I was a little embarrassed to talk to them, but they were very friendly and explained all the deals of the day. I walked out very pleased.

I guess I really do like this store, and I have a few reasons why:
1) Cute simple styles
2) In a variety of sizes, and if they don’t have my size they’ll deliver it to me free of charge.
3) Very friendly staff (I’m a little chubby girl and never has anyone here snooted at me or ignored me, assumed I wouldn’t buy anything crazy, or sexy).
4) Leggings, Leggings, leggings!
I am giving them good ratings because despite complaints I see in other reviews, the employees are welcoming and the sizing is amazing. Also extra point because all the mannequins right now are styling my long-​curly-​black-​hair.
Not the best or cheapest store, but a place I often find myself lingering.

Stopped in here to get a pair of tights for my Halloween costume. I love going to American Apparel for my Halloween specific tights because they specialize in quality tights that are made in a variety of colors.
I am not sure what is going on this specific location but when I was there this past week my experience flat out sucked!
I have been to a # of these stores and I would have to say that the one in Santa Ana, CA and Toronto, Ontario CA are the best so far.
This particular location to start off with, lacked space, I constantly ran into display racks and the store wasn’t stocked with all the lines of clothing options.
To solidify the 1 star, the service from the apathetic cashier really sealed the deal. «ummm hi, like can I help you?» Well I dunno, I am only standing here at your cash wrap, ready to check out with my bank card, holding a pair of tights that are actually labeled wrong, but are the ones that I want anyway, so ummmmmmmm yes you can «like» help me.
uh DUH!

I’ve been following this brand online for years and love it! American made (being liberal I emphatically endorse this now for many reasons), basic, unique, and affordable. I was so surprised when I went into this shop. The selection seemed a little small, but what really got me is that I FINALLY saw the infamous hipsters… working there. It was like Pretty Woman in reverse or something. It wasn’t that the staff was rude or anything… They just made me feel uncomfortable and inadequate to shop there. I heard billy joel’s «You can’t dress trashy until you spend a lot of money» echo through my mind.
I’ll just shop online. I’m sure the tourists will eat it up though!

I don’t love the poor service, high prices, low quality, snarky unattractive hipster staff who dress like fashion rejects, their no return policy, or how overcrowded the shop is.
What I do love is how fucking hot my wife looks in their clothing, especially the sheer slutty stuff.
So I continue to shop here. hating myself for it, but loving my wife’s boobies too much to quit.

Like most people, I love the made-​in-​america clothing and the simple colors and designs.
And like most people, I hate that they have extremely high prices.
I’m annoyed that the stores are so small and carry hardly any menswear.
Last week I popped into this location, saw several shirts that might just fit the bill. Came in this week, and they’re all gone, «sent back to the warehouse.»
No sales, no Fall/​Winter surplus alongside a meager selection of Spring/​Summer.
For the love of god, it’s 40 degrees and drizzling out, and all they’ve got in the store is a few short sleeved mens shirts.
This has to be a joke.
Sorry American Apparel, your time is over. Next.

I’m kind of surprised to see this many reviews totally bashing the service here. Obviously, you’re not going to find great service here, but in my experience it’s certainly not one or two star-​worthy. Someone has always greeted me as I walked in, there’s almost always someone waiting at the fitting rooms to get you set up in one, and the cashier is usually quick and non-​offensive. If anything, the people here are annoyingly attentive rather than aloof.
I like this location more than the one on Hawthorne. It’s larger and seems better laid out: everything isn’t compressed into a tiny little column of a store.
Complain about American Apparel if you must, but you can’t really complain about well-​fitted basics made in the USA. Well, I guess you can complain about the price.

God bless you, you sparkly weirdos. V-​neck stirrup legged jumpsuit? Not this season. Cap sleeved scoop back romper? Don’t really have the shoes for that. Unisex grid-​print rugby bikini? Get the hell away from me. Thigh-​proof pantyhose available in every color, on the shelf every season? I’ll take three.
When shopping, you look for bits and pieces. If you don’t know the difference, you’re probably wearing flip flops right now. American Apparel is fantastic at makin’ bits. Basic shirts. Cardigans. Those ubiquitous hoodies. Leggings. Hosiery. Underwear. (Avoid the bras, though. I strongly disagree with how Dov Charney defines a «Large» pair of tits.) When it comes to pieces, I’m just not cool enough to rock a Nylon Spandex Stretch Floral Lace Long Sleeve Mini Dress. Neither are you, so please don’t try. And don’t even get me started on this «Let’s bring back the scrunchy and acid washed everything and are harem pants ironic yet?» nonsense. Shit makes me have uncomfortable 6^th grade flash backs.
Clearly, I am not your target demographic. But we can still hang out every time I fart too many holes in my tights. When your design department tires of cocaine and «Clarissa Explains It All» reruns we can negotiate that extra star.

I want to like this place, the stuff is made in the US, they pay fair wages and is sweatshop free, but I can’t get past the snarky staff and the poor quality of the garments. My hoody wore out way too fast for what I paid for it.
For my money, I’m going to Patagonia instead, much better quality, still sweatshop free…

I flew in from California totally unprepared for the chilly, soggy Portland air & hit the streets my first day in jeans & a tank top. Alright for a bit, but I started to get cold when I stopped walking, so I decided to hit up American Apparel to get a simple hoodie for the duration of my trip.
I walk in, rubbing my arms because it’s so cold outside, & start scanning the racks for what I had in mind. I find some sweatshirts, but not what I’m looking for. In a very polite voice I ask the guy on the floor nearest me where the zip-​up hoodies are. He sounds straight-​up PISSED OFF that I bothered him to ask such a thing when there is NOONE in the store besides myself & he isn’t even stocking or doing any kind of work-​related shit. He literally waves his hand in the direction of the rack, glares at me, & turns back to his conversation with a new girl that he is clearly trying to bone:
«Yeah I’m in a band. I play {instrument}. We have a show coming up… The show starts around 9ish? I’m not sure when we go on. You should totally check it out! we’re like indie-​folk-​rock yaddadaayaddaadyaadadad»
Seriously? I mean… I’m used to American Apparel peeps living in their own little hipster universe. We have that in California too. But this was just ridiculous.

I just got back from the location in SW right off of Burnside. I was there for a specific shirt but also to see if anything else caught my eye.
When I asked about the shirt I was told that they had never heard of it and I must be mistaken (i’m not) so when I asked if they had anything similar the sales woman told me just to look around, she was helping someone. Now maybe it’s because I was in mostly black or maybe I didn’t pull out my credit card fast enough, but I was ignored for the next ten minuets until I finally left the store.
No one offered to help, no one even smiled in my direction. I’ve never been very into American Apparel and this visit hasn’t changed that opinion. Maybe the sales people should try and help their customers instead of talking about their weekend plans with each other. Just a thought.

The major complaint I hear about American Apparel is that it is too expensive for what it is. Almost as often I hear people complain that the clothes fall apart. I think that these are both accurate appraisals, but come on people is it really possible to have sweatshop free apparel come out of America as a decent product. When little fingers are working quickly and accurately under the pretext of a life or death situation, your purple hoodie is just going to come out a lot better, plain and simple.
Regardless, it is nice to be able to buy a variety of basics in every size and color under the sun. Also, the dude underwear is pretty good.