American Apparel is an awesome place to go for basics. I can’t even count how many t-shirts and tanks I have from there. And okay, I do own a few pairs of the shiny hot pants…but I can’t remember the last time I wore them (or maybe I can. Those things are priceless.)

But then there’s another side to American Apparel. All of that super shiny, super see-through, super fugly sh”t that I’m not really sure if anyone buys/pretty positive is not acceptable to wear in public. Here’s a few of the best American Apparel items that have ever hit the shelves.

initiating the gallery...

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Halloween is just a few weeks away and it’s that wonderful time of year where you put all your school work aside and brainstorm the best possible costumes. Will you go funny? Sexy? Scary? A crazy combination of all three that will either have you winning a costume contest or not allowed in any group photos all night?

Whatever you choose, make sure to avoid these five at all costs:

1. The Slutty Bumblebee
Firstly, horizontal stripes are a no-no, no matter how much of a stick you are. Secondly, a slutty bug? Really? Of all things? Thirdly, have you ever seen a butterfly flapping around a frat party. No? That’s because it’s real hard to get to the keg in a crowded
room when you have wings.

2. Naughty School Girl
Unless you’re Britney Spears and it’s 1998 and you’re shooting a music video, you’re absolutely forbidden from slipping on this cliche costume. You spent 4 years hating high school, why would you want to relive that on such a sacred night?

3. I’m Drunk?
You ask, “What are you supposed to be??” Usually a bro answers with this. Holding a red solo cup. Real creative. Hold up a mug instead of a red cup and you can easily be “I’m boring.”

4. Devil and Angel
Awww, you and your bestie wanted to do something coordinated. How cute and how entirely unoriginal. At least the plug and socket couple awkwardly making out in the corner are going for some kind of cleverness to their partner costume.

5. Santa Ho
Wrong holiday. Also, think about it, if you wear this outfit now, what will you wear to church on Christmas eve?

6. Sexy _____
Fill in the blank with the most ridiculous “sexy” costume you’ve ever seen and you’ll be eligible to win $100 from American Apparel. That’s enough money to make a whole lotta costumes based on spandex and leotards and v-necks. You could probably even supply the goods for your whole group!

We’ll pick our favorite on Wednesday, October 20th and announce the winner on Facebook and Twitter, which will give you just enough time to whip together a creative and original American Apparel costume. If you need some early inspiration, follow them on Twitter and fan them on Facebook.

According to the old adage, sex sells. Plenty of companies on the market seem to operate under that idea, even ones that it doesn’t really make any sense for (um, how is my fabric softener sexy?). However, with American Apparel – a company known mainly for multi-colored tees, metallic leggings and having porntastic ads – circling the drain, it makes me wonder if the whole “sex sells” thing is just hype.

On one side, the idea that sex sells makes sense. We all want to be attractive and sexy, be surrounded by sexy people, do sexy things and maybe even have sex, so that seems like a pretty solid strategy for trying to sell stuff – appeal to the appetite. Also, the whole basic point of advertising in the first place is to attract people’s attention to a product, and while companies like American Apparel and Abercrombie (anyone remember when their ads were a big deal?) may not be showcasing their clothes as much as how provocative they can be, the ads do attract attention. By that logic, even if people don’t directly but their products because of what they saw in the ads, at least it makes people aware of the brand, and in turn more likely to shop there.

At the same time though, I can’t think of anyone I know who’s ever bought something because they saw it in an American Apparel ad. In fact, I’ve never heard of anyone buying anything from them because they thought it would somehow make them sexier, which seems to defeat concept number one. Also, if the idea it just to be as scandalous as possible to attract attention why even bother with the models? Why not, say, just make shocking accusations about historical figures, or put up a big sign telling people to go screw themselves or – oh! brilliant marketing idea! – be honest and tell people that you have overpriced crap merchandise? (Besides those luxurious t-shirts…mmmmm.) Seems like that would get just as much attention as a porn star in socks. And since their numbers are going down the toilet, it seems that the sexed up ads haven’t done much for their sales.

What do you think? Is “sex sells” tried and true, or is it about as real as the lashes in mascara commercials? Do you buy things because of sexy ads, or do you just ignore them? Duke it out!

As a resident of good ol’ NYC, my out-of-town friends always assume I’m living the Carrie Bradshaw life.  While cosmos do indeed pour out of my sink instead of water, my bedroom doesn’t boast the revolving door of men for which SJP & Co. are famous.  Sure, guys are everywhere- washing your windows in the morning, riding the subway with you in the afternoon, sleeping on your stoop at night- but selecting which ones are actually eligible for your affections is a tad tricky.

You see, everyone knows the gays love Manhattan.  Don’t roll your eyes.  Please, we have Broadway…this is their Mecca.  And across the water we have Brooklyn, a mother ship for hipsters the world over.  They come in droves, sporting their cross-body bags, boasting blasé attitudes and a taste for bands you’ve probably never heard of before.  Wondering what these two groups have in common?  More than you think, and it makes crushing really tough. And I know this phenomenon is spreading like wildfire from coast (Brooklyn) to coast (West Hollywood).

If you think I’m kidding, take a look below and try to figure out which of these boys would like you and which would like each other.

Super Tight Jeans

Deep V-Neck Tees (Preferably of the American Apparel Variety)

General Sartorial Elitism

Interesting Hair

Interesting-er Facial Hair

Severely Unbuttoned Oxfords

Scarves

Thick Rimmed Glasses

Enthusiasm for Bikes

Impossible, am I right?

Well, not totally. That is, assuming you can yank that boy’s iPhone out of his super tight back pocket and take a look at his music collection.  If he’s got Liza Minelli/the Glee soundtrack, he’s gay.  Dinosaur Jr. and Panda Bear?  Totally hipster.

There’s a new plague making its way across college campuses from coast to coast. Take one step into your local incorporated coffee shop, vegan restaurant, Urban Outfitters or American Apparel store and you will be afflicted. (Or blinded by all the neon spandex and overwhelming scent of cigarettes.)

I’m talking, of course, about hipsters.

Don’t know what I’m talking about? Don’t worry’ they’ve even got a Wikipedia page.

I don’t truly despise these people. In fact, some are my dear friends. However, the ones that aren’t my friends are becoming an issue – a taking-all-the-tables-at-my-favorite-coffee-shop issue – and here’s my top 10 reasons that they piss me off. Obviously, not all apply. And obviously there are many, many more.

1. OHMYGOD just because I don’t wear weird clothes doesn’t mean I don’t like good music, too.
Hipsters pride themselves on liking the most unique, underground indie music. And if they like something outside that realm? Well, they like it “ironically.” In fact, I’m pretty sure their entire subculture is based on irony. (Editor’s Note: Maybe Alanis Morisette started the hipster movement?!) They automatically assume if someone is in a polo shirt that their music taste only expands as far as Dave Matthews and OAR. WRONG. Not everyone wears their music taste on their American Apparel sleeves. Get. Real. Check my last.fm; I listen to just as much Arcade Fire as you do and my mom was at Pavement concerts when you were in diapers.

2. The corporations you support are just as bad as the ones you hate.
So, you enjoy taking over Urban Outfitters? Well guess what – UO supported Proposition 8, the recently passed proposition that banned same sex marriage. Urban is owned by the most anti-gay bigot ever. Maybe you should think twice before you go heading over there for your next ironic tee and skinny jeans.

3. Life’s tough. Get a helmet.
Adorn the helmet with Bon Iver stickers. Do what you must, just stop bitching and moaning and sucking down Parliament Lights and PBR cans like it’s your job. You’ve got a trust fund, you unitard-wearing complainer.

4. Hypocritical much?
So, you spend your time hating on people for being judgmental a-holes? While you sit there and judge them based on the fact that they’re wearing mainstream clothing and maybe enjoy rap music? I don’t think that frat boy gives a crap about your life, so why do you care how he lives his?

5. Sports are not the anti-christ.
I like basketball. It’s fun to cheer for things (I know. Enthusiasm. Scary.) and maybe you should try watching it. Just because a lot of people love it doesn’t mean it sucks.

6. People eat animals. They taste real good.
Don’t tell me how my burger came to be. Veganism is your choice, not mine. Do I tell you how your lungs are turning black when you smoke? No. Do I not-so-politely inform you that your skinny jeans are permanently damaging your nerves? Nopers. Don’t remind me that my sandwich was once a living thing.

7.  It’s okay to like things without being ironic.
I’d love to meet a hipster that can openly admit that they un-ironically enjoy Britney Spears or Fall Out Boy. Even just a couple songs. Come on! It’s catchy! I’m not judging you!

8. Starbucks is tasty. Organic coffee tastes funky.
Enough said. Maybe it’s overpriced, but oh my god, I have never had a decent frappucino at an indie coffee shop. Side note: your indie coffee shop is most likely a franchise, too!

9. PBR is gross.
Enough. Said.

10. Smile.
Sunshine, I don’t care what you’re wearing, but for the love of spandex and Ray-Bans, can you please brighten someone’s day and smile? Scowling is super unbecoming.

What’s the one thing you should have in your closet before moving to school?  It’s definitely not a pair of sweats or an oversized tee. But, if you do it right, this very special wardrobe essential can feel just as good.

I’m talking about the cotton dress. The kind of dress you can put on no matter how many pints of Ben & Jerry’s you ate last night and still look like a million bucks, without sacrificing comfort.  This dress is ESSENTIAL for college life.  It can be dressed up with your hottest pair of heels, or dressed down with a pair of flip flops or flats.  Really, it should be called the Endless Opportunities Dress.

If I haven’t sold it enough already, think about this:  Maybe you start to put on some frosh 15 and the band of your kind-of-tight-pre-college skinny jeans are cutting into your flesh.  While you could look like a schlump in a pair of sweatpants with your school team stamped across your tush, you could INSTEAD slip on this dress, a pair of leggings and some cute boots, and look and feel super hot.  Yes, this dress is that amazing.  And the absolute best part? The cotton or jersey material making up these frocks makes them super comfy AND easy to wash.  Which, once you’re doing your own laundry, is a definite MUST.

But first, let’s soak up all the craziness that was this week:

- Tired of Lady Gaga and Kristen Stewart? Don’t worry, so are we. Yeah, they’re making way more $$$ than us, but their acts are getting boring and overused.

- They’re curvy, so what? CollegeCandy asks readers what’s the backlash with curvy, plus size girls. Ladies, beauty comes at every size, no?

- In college…and married?! Say what? Check out one girl’s experience as a married woman in college.

- American Apparel may soon be a thing of the past. Surprised? Not us. And we’ve got 9 (shiny/tight/nipple-baring) reasons why.

- Is it fair to hate on those lucky enough to have unpaid internships? We don’t think so. Put down the Haterade, kids.

- Our resident dude explained why your sexual history is no one’s business but your own.

- Twilight, Harry Potter, Justin Bieber…superfans are taking over the nation (and our nightmares) one creepy YouTube rant at a time.

- Wanna set yourself apart in your freshman dorm room? Start with NOT buying one of these cliche college posters.

- Summer finally (officially) arrived this past week, which means bikinis!! Grab a gym buddy and work out with vigor. And instead of going to a spa or dining out, learn how to make your own facial masks and some delicious (and healthy!) recipes with hard-boiled eggs.

A few months ago, we questioned the sanity of the designers behind American Apparel. Walking into one of their stores is like walking into the brain of someone with multiple personalities: to the left, the perfect hoodie. To the right, a shiny, gold body suit. Wha???

Some might argue American Apparel is a store for everyone (well, everyone but plus size shoppers), but now that rumors are circulating that AA is on it’s way to bankruptcy (holy hell, what are hipsters going to do?!), we’re beginning to think it’s actually a store for no one. At least no one sane.

When it comes down to it, we’re not surprised by this news. Between their pornographic ads, their super shady CEO and well, the crazy sh*t they’re hawking, we’re shocked this hipster haven lasted this long. I mean, really, who’s buying this stuff:

$33 for camel toe wrapped in a bow? I’ll pass.

I guess these pants would come in handy for my slutty Princess Jasmin costume for Halloween next year, but besides that, I’m pretty sure these M.C. Hammer pants aren’t flying off the shelves.

It’s hard to sell a gold lame bodysuit when even the super-skinny model favored by American Apparel’s chief skeez-ball, Dov Charney, looks like a shiny sausage in it. Unzip that thing and who knows what’s going to spill out?

Let’s play a game. It’s called “Think of an event this nipple-baring shirt would be appropriate for.”

It’s bad enough that this exists (without the convenient butt-flap, I might add!), but it’s only worse that American Apparel attempted to turn it into something sexy. There’s nothing sexy about one-piece flannel PJs. Nothing at all.

I’m sorry, how does one (who doesn’t want to expose her nips) incorporate this mesh body suit into an ensemble?

Ah, the ever-coveted polyester, high-waisted, pleated pant with complimentary mom-butt. Every woman’s dream.

Nipple chafing aside, raise your hand if you’d want your guy in a mesh tank.

While I’m not a fan of shiny leggings, there are some girls who can make them work, usually with the help of a butt-covering top. But high-waisted shiny leggings? I predict about .05% of the population in this country can pull these off (that is, of course, assuming they can pull them on).