American Apparel

What a fantastic and large location! This is seriously the biggest American Apparel I’ve ever been in! They have a really great selection and staff that are very helpful and friendly but not to the point where they follow you around stalking your every move. I really appreciate that American Apparel’s clothing isn’t made in china and while it may be a little bit pricier than H&M I think you’re voting with your dollar against child labor! It’s refreshing to see a store that has a commitment to paying their employees a fair wage.
American Apparel’s clothing caters the 70’s and 80’s area, so not everything may be what you’re used to. That being said they have some great basics; I adore their maxi dresses and accessories! Take a trip here, you won’t be disappointed!

*Cue Music*
«De de da da da da,
De de da da da da,
The queerest of the queer
The strangest of the strange
The coldest of the cool
The lamest of the lame
The numbest of the dumb
I hate to see you here
You choke behind a smile
A fake behind the fear»
*lyrics courtesy of «Queer» by Garbage
This is the theme song that plays full blast in my mind every time I step foot into this store.
It’s just an odd place. Chalked full of more spandex and leotards than should ever be found in one place, at one time, this place makes me feel like I’m stuck between two realities: ‘Footloose’ meets Madonna’s ‘Hung Up’ video (no disrespect Madge!)
I’m not sure what one person could do with so much hot pink, and so much spandex. On second thought, I don’t want to think about it.

Have you ever been in this store? It’s pretty weird. Unique, but weird.
Let’s start with the workers. I’m pretty sure that the staff is required to wear American Apparel gear, since they all look like the people in the ads. It’s like they were plucked from the pictures that hang on the walls and above the clothing. Each time that I’ve been in this store, I’ve never been asked if I’m doing okay or need a hand. It seems strange that they wouldn’t even greet me on my way in. The only time they talk to me is when I need a dressing room, ask a question, or purchase something. I think I’ve spoken to fellow shoppers more than the workers.
Now, the clothes. It would appear that the clothes are pretty plain, since they are very basic. But each item actually comes in any colour you can think of! It makes it extremely easy to coordinate, layer and match all your clothes. This is one of the most appealing things about American Apparel. I’m not even joking. If you want a neon green pant suit, you can probably find it. A lot of the stuff they have is pretty crazy too. They’ve got everything from acid washed skinnies to full body uni-​tards! I’ll tell you, you won’t be getting bored browsing around through this place. Everything in the store is unique and interesting.
I’m sad to say that a lot of the stuff is over-​priced. I mean, $ 52 for a pair of thin plaid leggings. Does that seem ridiculous to anyone else? Sometimes they have reasonable prices, mostly on their regular t-​shirts or long-​sleeved shirts. It’s the crazier stuff that seems to get expensive. The stuff you really, really want to buy.
It’s such a cool store, though, since they have plain-​appearing clothes. Once you browse around, you realize that everything is actually quite distinctive and exclusive to American Apparel.

This is a supremely weird store, started by a true creep of a man for weirdos who want to spend a bunch of money on pink men’s briefs. T-​shirts sell in the $ 20-​$ 30 range and you can pick up a shiny, gold «body-​suit» for $ 40.
Or you can find the «panty-​time» section for real thrills. That’s how the store started, after all, when the founder was caught abusing himself in the ladies section at JC Penney. Which may or may not be true, but I can respect the fact he’s made money off any sucker willing to buy this stuff. Perhaps he has it all figured out. I don’t know. But nothing in this place excited me…