American Eagle: my shopping heaven (American Eagle Outfitters)

Member Name: gemzeh

Product:	American Eagle Outfitters
Date:	16/02/09 (252 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pretty and practical comfortable clothes with great value for money

Disadvantages: Only available in the US, and you can come away from a shop looking like you are sponsored by AE

If you're taking a trip to the States and have an interest in funky and comfortable clothing, I recommend you stop by American Eagle. American Eagle also ship to the UK, but as I'm unable to pay for the postage at the moment, I'm trying to avoid it! I have to say though, that I remain very tempted.

What is American Eagle?

American Eagle is an American clothing store chain that specialises in casual clothes for both men and women. The clothes are quite "young" - they are really funky, and yet also somehow incredible wholesome! I think they are the sort of clothes that you can imagine teenagers wearing when they go to college, as they look comfortable and on trend, and are perfect for slouching about in! American Eagle's website and advertising also feature impossibly good looking young people casually wearing immaculate clothes, looking as if they are having the time of their lives - so this is also the image AE wants to project of its brand.

What are AE clothes like?

American Eagle sells a variety of mostly casual clothes, shoes and accessories, in sizes that, when I visited, ranged from XS to XL. Like most shops, they sell seasonal clothes, so depending on the time of year of your visit; they will either sell flip-flops or winter shoes, etc. However, they seem to sell hooded tops all year round! The hooded tops deserve a special mention I think, because they keep me warm and are available in quite a large selection of designs and colours. I bought a purple hoodie in the summer that has ¾ length sleeves, has double pockets on the front, buttons and is very cosy. It doesn't look like anything I've seen in UK shops, which is what makes it attractive to me. Over the years, I have bought a series of tops, 'shopper' bags, flip-flops and accessories from American Eagle. I haven't bought any bottoms from the shop as I was so enamoured by the tops and accessories, but I'm sure I will get some shorts on my next visit as I've been checking them out online and coveting them.. The website is great if you want to get more of an idea of the clothes sold http://www.ae.com, and if you're a bit of a geek like me and want to plan your purchases!

Though I am mainly interested in the clothes that I can buy and wear myself, I have to admit that they do have a great range for men too. My boyfriend has come away from AE with some pretty cheap (but gorgeous) shirts and tops from just one shopping trip, and he normally can't find much to buy when clothes shopping.

Is it good value for money?

I go to America fairly every few years, and make sure I check out an American Eagle store on each visit, sometimes even twice. The clothes are great value (particularly when there is a decent exchange rate). As I knew I'd be visiting this shop before I left the UK, I also did a google search for American Eagle and found a 20% off voucher, which I printed and took with me to the store. To my delight this voucher was accepted, and so everything I bought was just incredibly cheap! My hooded top for example worked out at about £12 (before the 20% off voucher), and I wear it so often that the cost per wear of this item is virtually nothing. The clothes are of a really good quality, and I have tops I bought in 2001 that I still wear regularly, and that have perfectly retained their colours and no holes or snags have developed in them at all.

What is the shopping experience itself like?

As with most shops I have been to in the US, the sales assistants were incredibly friendly and helpful, and not too in-your-face. There is quite a lot of room generally to move around the shop, decent changing rooms, and a sensible layout to make it easy to browse the clothes. There was also quite a relaxing atmosphere, which means that myself and my boyfriend were able to get on with our browsing quietly, with neither of us feeling the need to leave due to too many people, loud irritating music, or witchy sales assistants (which sadly usually happens to both of us in places like Topshop in the UK). Overall, I think the shop provides a calm and casual shopping experience.

Are there any drawbacks to shopping at American Eagle?

I personally love the AE brand and clothing, but some people might find it too wholesome and also object to looking like a walking advert as lots of AE's clothes and accessories have the AE label emblazoned on them. I think the logo is quite funky though and that it adds to the clothes, but it is a matter of personal preference!

Also, obviously the biggest drawback is that American Eagle don't have any shops in the UK, which essentially means this is only for you if you're going to the US. If you do manage to get there though, it is great as not many people in the UK will have the clothes which means you can end up with some really unusual and eye catching outfits that are unlike anything anyone else has.

Summary: Ah if only they were in the UK!