I’m Torn: American Apparel

June 1, 2009     Posted in Reality

americanapparel.jpg[Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like how we love our BFF, but we just don’t know if we love him like THAT. Or how we love trashy TV, but we’re pretty sure it’s ruining our lives. Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!]


By Alana

I’ve always been baffled by American Apparel. Do I love their array of colorful t-shirts and skirts, or am I absolutely terrified by their unitards/gold lame leggings/sales guys in skinner jeans than mine? How can a store with such awesome clothes also carry things like this? Help, I’m torn.

Love it:

Is anyone else a huge fan of that dress you can wear practically 237 ways? I have one in black and it’s the perfect go-to dress for pretty much any occasion. It looks great as a halter, and can also be worn as a going out top or even a long skirt for more conservative occasions. Plus, as the name dictates, their clothing is all made right here in the US of A. And for all you green fashionistas – cotton from America is exposed to far fewer harmful chemicals than that produced overseas. Clothing with a conscience? Count me in!

Loathe it:

Eww, eww, EWW- have you seen their Yo Mama ad campaign? No one, let alone a lady with a watermelon in her belly, should wear a neon blue jumpsuit. It’s really embarrassing. And to be honest, why should I pay $17 for a t-shirt when I can get one that’s just as cute and probably half the price at Target?

So honestly, what do you all think? Is American Apparel totally hideous or is it quirky cool?

12 Comments on "I’m Torn: American Apparel"

  1. Rachel says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20098:16 am 

    I could not agree more

  2. Ali says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20098:39 am 

    Every Target look-alike I have bought has fallen apart within weeks. The real AA stuff hasn't. You pay for the quality and the responsible manufacturing.

  3. Jess says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20098:45 am 

    I will never give up my AA basics, and I cannot live without. but I agree some of their things scare me and their ads scary but at the same time genius, you don't forget it that is for sure.

  4. bloggingwithaj says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 200911:22 am 

    want the le sac dress. that is all.

  5. zoe says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 200912:51 pm 

    i totally agree. also i really hate how every item from aa SCREAMS aa. people are constantly like oh i like your aa dress or skirt or whatever, i dont like feeling like a walking advert and isn't it nicer to feel like you have something original that people can't place?

  6. Lauren H - The New S says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20092:08 pm 

    yes, totally with you. they're great for leggings and stuff, but seriously? What pregnant woman would want to be in a jumpsuit? that sounds like the least convenient thing ever for someone who's preggers. And at what point does having ads with see through clothing (on actual people) become obscene… because it seems like overt nipple-showing is a little too far if you're just selling clothes (i'm looking at you Abercrombie)

  7. Stacey says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20093:44 pm 

    Oh shut your mouth you big fat phony. If you had any common sense you would know that AA is the best brand ever on the face of the earth and in all of human civilization. Learn some manners for you filthy mouth before you have to wash your mouth out with soap, you dope.

  8. Liz says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20093:53 pm 

    American Apparel is great, as long as you don't wear too much at once. Their clothing can be very basic and I love that, but I also love some of the more ridiculous things I've purchased from them (can you say polka dot hot shorts??).

    And they may have a terrible owner, but buying American is really important, especially in today's economic climate.

  9. Rebecca says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20093:56 pm 

    You forgot to mention the founder of AA, Dov Charney, who is the biggest perv' alive and who has been sued by his employees for sexual harassment a couple of times.

  10. Winnie says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20095:39 pm 

    AA has been praised for not altering their models digitally, but the ads are well, suggestive.

  11. aasucks says:
    Mon, 1st Jun 20099:40 pm 

    um just to tell you, AA exploits american women of colour in lower SES groups. Plus, just because the clothes are made in the US doesn't mean that the cloth is. I believe the cloth is imported from foreign countries, which means that not only are other foreign labour still exploited, but toxins still remain.

    sorry to burst your bubble.

  12. relyt says:
    Wed, 26th Aug 200910:08 pm 

    AA clothes fit better and last longer than anything else in my closet. AA's policies aren't amazing and the owner might be a sexist jerk but as a company AA has proved that an otherwise unpopular business model can prevail in the american economy and to some degree compete in a global market. I'll give them props for that. Also they buy pretty top cut cloth made from organic cotton and dye it in their factory, state side. I don't know my clothing facts good enough to say for sure but I think that means they would be fairly toxin free, "aasucks" person…

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