It’s On: Heritage 1981 vs. Urban Outfitters

December 3, 2009     Posted in Fashion, Style


By Jasmin

When you think Vintage Fashion, what comes to mind? Soft v-neck tees, your favorite jeans, flashy mini-skirts, and something that sparkles, all with a retro feel?

The thought makes you drool, doesn’t it?

Everyone loves vintage fashion. Those unique items are like the one-of-a-kind antiques of fashion, and with trends circulating as they do, it makes sense to covet the old and fabulous. But short of raiding grandma’s closet or spending hundreds at some small over-priced vintage boutique, where can you load up on the retro?

Allow me to recommend a few good places. Their goods may not be on-of-a-kind, but they are certainly a retro and cool kind all their own.

Urban Outfitters
Since 1970, Urban Outfitters has been the leader in “vintage” apparel. Selling everything from hats to wall hangings, UO is what some consider to be one of the most successful retail chains in the world. And let’s not forget that Richard Hayne, President of Urban Outfitters (and Free People, for those of you that shop there as well), made Forbes 400 list in 2008. So, yeah, it’s safe to say the UO is profitable, not to mention personable and attentive to their customers.

What can you expect to find in UO Stores? Well, in their over 140 locations, you’ll find unique clothes in a very similar setting. Urban Outfitters aims to keep its stores very simplistic and edgy. They’re made to feel earthy, like warehouses, with not too much frilly, goo-goo crap. They leave the focus where the focus should be: on the goods.

Here are the numbers.
Dresses: $ 38.00 – $398.00
Camisoles: $24.00 – $32.00
Jeans: $54.00 – $68.00
Cardigans/Sweaters: $42.00 – $98.00
Shirts: $48.00 – $58.00
Graphic Tees: $15.00 – $48.00
Accessories: $12.00 – $48.00

Then there’s Heritage 1981.
While there’s not much history of the individual store, what we do know is that the company is a product of the Forever 21 giant, which owns and operates over 50 stores across the country. And with a HUGE consumer base, they can expect to keep expanding.

With the introduction of Heritage 1981 (no, it was not created in 1981, contrary to the misleading name), the Forever 21 corporation was able to attract a whole new market.  Featuring cute tops, tight dresses and sexy shoes, Heritage definitely has the goods. So while not as popular as Urban Outfitters, nor as wealthy, Heritage brings strong competition with vintage, retro, colorful and, well, you tell me what you think of the prices.

Here are their numbers.
Dresses: $22.90-$29.90
Camisoles: $5.90 – $16.90
Jeans: $19.90 – $26.90
Cardigans/Sweaters: $24.90 – $39.90
Shirts: $18.90 – $24.90
Graphic Tees: $10.90 – $18.90
Accessories: $3.80 – $22.80

If you’ve been shopping exclusively at Urban and haven’t yet checked out Heritage, I recommend you do. You might just find the same super soft cotton tees and fun fedoras at a more wallet-friendly price. And if there isn’t a Heritage 1981 or an Urban Outfitters nearby, they both have online stores chock full of their cuteness (and they also happen to look almost identical… weird.)

So tell me, ladies: which store do you prefer and why?

25 Comments on "It’s On: Heritage 1981 vs. Urban Outfitters"

  1. Kelly - University o says:
    Thu, 3rd Dec 20097:16 am 

    Def Urban Outfitters. Anything from F21 will only last one wash, and the sheer size of the store scares me.

  2. Lauren - University says:
    Thu, 3rd Dec 20098:03 am 

    I dunno. Urban stuff isn't that great of quality either. And everything is SO expensive there. I never realized Heritage was supposed to be like Urban (i thought it was an Abercrombie knock off) so I'm excited to try it out!

  3. J says:
    Thu, 3rd Dec 20098:18 am 

    I'm not too fond of either of their clothing, but Urban Outfitters has great stuff for apartments.

  4. Jackie says:
    Thu, 3rd Dec 200910:07 am 

    IDK I bought a sweater at Heritage before I knew it's F21 (hate that store with a passion) and it fell apart after 2 or 3 washes. Seriously?

  5. Jasmin-University of says:
    Thu, 3rd Dec 200912:28 pm 

    My dilemma is that Heritage (I've never bought anything out of there) is a product of F21, which seems to be a problem for you guys too–and the fact that UO is just ridiculously high. BUT something to consider is that if it only cost you $12 bucks and you get oh I don't know 5 wears out of it, you've probably gotten your money's worth. Not saying that you should buy cheap, but just consider the trade off. If you can spend $36 on a shirt and wear it 10 times or $12 on it and wear it 5, which would you choose? Also consider the fact that you could buy 3 cheap shirts for the price of 1 expensive and wear each of them 5 times, making your money stretch a little bit further. Just food for thought.

  6. Little J says:
    Thu, 3rd Dec 20093:45 pm 

    The choice is easy for me… definitely Urban Outfitters. I'm not comfortable with the religious affiliations of Forever 21 and the organizations they choose to donate to, so I refuse to spend my money there.

  7. jlynn says:
    Thu, 3rd Dec 20098:17 pm 

    I don't think they're really comparable in terms of style. Heritage is preppier than Urban, which offers more edge. If comparing Urban and Forever in general, neither have that great quality but Forever is cheaper, therefore I'm leaning towards F21.

  8. Zoe says:
    Fri, 4th Dec 20094:11 pm 

    I love the stuff at UO but the prices just make me back right back out of the door, I'm interested to hear of a cheaper version!!

  9. Emily says:
    Wed, 9th Dec 20095:56 pm 

    I've had good experiences with Heritage, plus they also carry guy's clothes.

  10. Vanessa says:
    Mon, 28th Dec 200910:52 am 

    I definitely agree with Emily, I've never had a bad experience with Heritage.

    What clothes from Heritage are you all buying that they're falling apart after a few washes? Take care of your clothes! Simple treatments can make all the difference, like washing shirts and sweaters inside-out to protect the material.

    I will concede, however, that F21 quality is generally bad.

    I suppose it's mostly a matter of cost vs. 'quality' as many of you seem to put it. Either choice – Heritage or Urban – is great. :)

  11. kyle says:
    Mon, 18th Jan 20101:43 pm 

    all you yahoos are rebars. i have just discoverd heritage a few months ago and still happly making shopping sprees there. i have gotten some blazers and other outwear from them and they are some good buys. ihave bought some jackets that are from 200-700 dollars.i dont wash i dryclean and the difference between them is the price nothing else sure i love name brand and dont mind putting the extra for that but soon relizing that when you see a good buy and basicly the same thing its worth it.

  12. brett says:
    Tue, 19th Jan 20109:21 pm 

    You all seem to only where you clothes a few times. Im a guy, have gotten clothes from both stores. They are both the same quality, probably made in the same factory in china with different labels put on it. I have worn both of them hundreds of times, and they both will last. Heres the thing, heritage is new, havent had it for as long, but everything there is 1/2 as much as urban. Same clothes, better price. Try it out, you wont regret it.

  13. tom says:
    Sun, 24th Jan 20101:13 pm 

    heritage is better and cheaper

  14. chanychan says:
    Tue, 9th Feb 20106:54 am 

    This is for only those with style!!! 20% OFF AT KARAMALOOP.COM!!!!!!! NEW SPRING CLOTHING HAS ARRIVED AS WELL AS NEW G SHOCKS!!!!! ENTER CHANYCHAN87 AT CHECKOUT!!! GO AHEAD AND TAKE A LOOK. IT DOESN’T HURT TO LOOK!!!

  15. BigPapa says:
    Fri, 19th Feb 20102:12 pm 

    i like Urban outfitters better but they're way more expensive…however, i've bought 4pairs of mens Hertiage 1981 jeans that fit perfect but the damn things literally fell apart after 3washes…and these are $30+ jeans… and it just wasnt one of the jeans that fell apart it was all 4…the fabric pulled apart and ripped open… i dont recommend anyone buy their jeans, its a waste of money…

  16. AD says:
    Wed, 24th Feb 20109:34 pm 

    I def like heritage, well atleast for tops. I've gotten pea coats cardigans flannel shirts and they all look great with my true religion jeans. I would def reccommend shoppong there. Great prices! I still like urban outfitters tho.

  17. jon says:
    Sun, 11th Apr 20107:21 pm 

    im a guy an people say im sort of a hipster my first pick was always UO but when i walked into heritage i felt a warm feelin…the cloths are great an the prices are even better so i just have to say heritage is a big plus in my book

  18. Lyss says:
    Tue, 27th Apr 20106:11 pm 

    Heritage, Heritage, Heritage!!! Hands down.

    For those of you mud wrestling in your clothes, you should probably shop at the home depot for clothing but I have been shopping at Heritage for years now and many of my favorite shirts that I bought during my first venture are still intact. Yes, it is cheap clothing and cheaply made but if you take care of your clothes, you can get a hell of a bargain at this store. During my last trip, I spent 80 dollars on 12 articles of clothing from shirts to jeans and sweaters. That's less than 8 bucks a pop. That 80 bucks got me through a semester…now onto summer wardrobe!

  19. brad says:
    Tue, 11th May 20107:04 am 

    i like both, but usually can't afford the high prices at urban. i love Heritage mens!!

    heritage is the same quality as UO brands (BDG, silence & noise, etc.). i've bought BDG before, and had them rip/fall apart after a week, and at the same time, i have a pair of heritage jeans that i've been wearing for a year now.

    the BDG were $48, and the Heritage were $18.50.

  20. Sarrraa says:
    Mon, 24th May 20105:20 pm 

    Dry clean dry clean dry clean! I love Heritage/F21 but will buy a few pieces here and there from UO (usually more vintage looking and more interesting).

  21. ippokratis says:
    Sat, 8th Jan 20112:41 am 

    Hi. how can i buy wholesale for my shops?

  22. nicole says:
    Fri, 2nd Sep 20117:00 pm 

    i really like urban outfitters.
    more interesting stuff, and a way bigger selection.
    heritage is good, but if you want the full on vintage look go to uo
    and uo 's sales are really good.

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