A X Armani Exchange

This Armani Exchange location on Kalakaua in Waikiki is big bright and beautiful. It seems much larger than the ala moana location and the products are a little more spread out throughout the store. I live in waikiki, so it’s convenient for me to walk to the shopping centers in waikiki. However, if I had to find parking (and PAY for parking!) in waikiki, I probably wouldn’t come as often.
I’ve found a few things at Armani Exchange that I liked. One of my favorite denim jackets is from here. I love it. Armani Exchange tries to be on the edge of fashion, so some pieces are a little too extreme for me sometimes. The women’s collection is downstairs. There are fitting rooms in the back, near the cash registers and there is sometimes a sale section near the back as well. I’m not a fan of the fitting rooms. I think it’s awkward when there is no door… there is merely a curtain separating your naked body from the rest of the store (and male works attending to you).
This is a pretty high-​end store, like many of the other stores lining Kalakaua. You’re gonna spend a pretty penny, even if you choose things from the sale section. Unless I find something I absolutely love, I don’t usually purchase things from here because I don’t think the quality warrants the price usually.

It isn’t easy being Chad Y. It takes a lot to be this incredibly good looking, food obsessed, amazing writer, and incredibly funny guy that is taking over the world one review at a time…(Ok fine, I expect more funny than useful or cool votes for this review).
I digress.
Heading to Armani Exchange is one of the places I go to find fine threads to don my physique and make me look good. Now, I know what you are going to say…“It’s only black or white” or something to the effect of «bold colors.» Yes, that true… the style is certainly not for everyone and I will be the first to admit that I’m not buying a neon green fitted top anytime soon, but the style is modern and when fitted right can make you look good.
While I don’t tend to shop at the Waikiki location since it is in Waikiki (locals don’t go there unless we are entertaining tourists), it does offer one of the best shopping experiences for an Armani Exchange. The store itself is well laid out over two stores and features most of their collections. They also tend to carry quite a bit of stock so that you often will find yourself going from the Ala Moana store to the Waikiki location to find those items you have to have.
The staff are friendly and helpful. I’ve found that they are cooperative and not pushy. While some stores that are based on commission may keep trying to sell you more and more, the Waikiki location give honest opinions and are looking out for your best interests.
When it comes to finding something special or different, check out the Waikiki location, Armani Exchange definitely has something bold if that is what you are in the market for!
(p.s. I bet 28% of you who read this review thought I wrote «I digest» which means to convert food into energy when I really wrote «I digress» which means to deviate away.)

I’ve been to both the older and newer Armani Exchange stores in Waikiki. Let me just say that there are some very distinct changes overall.
The atmosphere at the previous location was homey and warm. Though it’s a lot smaller in size, I appreciated the ‘hole-​in-​the-​wall’ feel. The newer store is more modern and streamlined, a lot more prominent when you’re driving down Kalakaua Ave. The window displays are bright and showy,
Customer service felt more personable at the older establishment. It could be that the employees were in a smaller space. Service at the newer store was pretty cold and uninviting. Although the store is modernized, it doesn’t make me want to shop around for too long because it makes the casual shopper feel bad for just looking around and not buying anything.
One thing that remains constant is that the selection is always new and abundant. I appreciate that the walls and displays are always replenished and stocked.
I don’t know whether or not people are buying these items constantly or the stock team is genuinely on it, but every time I go to the store, it’s usually just myself and a few other shoppers.
One word: Different

This is my favorite Armani Exchange to shop at. I like how when I’m trying on jeans, the sales people will bring me more when they hear me sighing and crying that my butt won’t fit in the jeans. The best is on Friday nights when some girl is singing on a karaōke machine outside. Child labor I tell you, but it’s entertaining to hear the girl wail.

I have only been to the Ala Moana Armani Exchange store 4 times, but am disappointed repeatedly. Like Lauren K says, the salespeople are totally in your face or totally M.I.A. The ones that are in your face make it obvious that they are on commission. Then there are those who just like to take your items and «lay claim» to the sale. It is very obvious when they are staking claim on the sale. Many times they do not help me at all, but claim my purchase. One guy named Mike helped me, but he was great. He was funny and honest but you could tell he wanted to sell me a lot of stuff. He wasn’t pushy so it wasn’t annoying.
As for product, they do have some very nice pieces, but most of their items are a huge advertisement for the brand. The days (think 1980s) of huge block print letters of «GAP» are over. It just cheapens the Armani name when they do that. I have also noticed that many of their products are made in poverty, or third world-​type nations where the labor is cheap. So why is it they charge so much for their products??? I don’t mind paying a little more, but $ 45 for a tee shirt made in Bangladesh or $ 100 for a button down shirt made in India!!! They also never have my size when I shop there.
If Armani Exchange is supposed to represent style, class for our generation, then they are totally off base.
Try to avoid the brand altogether. I’m not trying to be racist or stereotypical, but it is a guido, immigrant, asian brand. If yuo want to fall into that stereotype, than go ahead, but I say find your own style. The stuff is overpriced for what you get and how it is made.
If you are really looking for Armani Exchange stuff, then go to the outlet at Waikele. I’ve been in Hawaii for 2 years and find the best buys at the outlet Armani as well as other brands like Polo. The tee shirts for $ 16 and other stuff for $ 50 or less. The salespeople there are also a lot nicer and friendly. Joe (a lady) and Jordan are really honest and let me know when a sale is coming up. I have never had a bad experience at any of the outlet stores. Maybe Ala Moana and the other big malls and their shops could learn a thing or two from Waikele.

We were doted on from the time we entered to our warm farewell.
The sales were spectacular.
Staff were willing to give their honest input.
Helped us in our endless search for the size/​color combo.
Knowledgeable and friendly staff.
One of the associates helped me make my decision not to buy an item that would be marked down soon after my vacation.