Ameican Eagle Has Timeless Style With Something For Everyone (American Eagle Outfitters)

Member Name: i_heart_elo

Product:	American Eagle Outfitters
Date:	23/02/09 (246 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reasonably priced, Stores all over the U.S. , Well-Made Items, Low-Key Trendy Styles

Disadvantages: They usually sell the same type stuff every year just slightly updated for the styles of the moment

It makes sense that this store name is called "American" Eagle Outfitters. Apparently it hasn't crossed over the pond yet, and it's a little strange that it hasn't. To see what I'm talking about go to WWW.AE.Com......I guess you can look but not touch??

That being said, they DO deliver to the UK, so you actually can online shop with them to your hearts desire. Before I go into the website and how to get their products, I guess the better idea is to simply tell you about them.

* American Eagle Outfitters - Nicknamed "AE"*

There is an AE store in every single Mall in the United States,literally. You go to a shopping mall out in Omaha, Nebraska....American Eagle. Your visiting Portland, Oregon and need some clothes? Then, go to an American Eagle. Oh, your needing a pair of extra jeans last while your on holiday in Florida? There is an American Eagle within a 20 mile radius.

I guess in a way, they're as popular (or more popular) as "Next" or "Topshop"? I'm not all that familliar yet with loads of stores here in the UK. It's considered more of a "casual" clothing store though. If your looking for dress clothes, you won't find that many here. Yet, if your looking for Sweaters, Jackets, Jeans, Tee-Shirts, Polos, Henley's, Skirts, Shorts, Khaki's, Button Downs, Socks, Underwear, and other accessories for Men AND Women, then you've come to the right place.

American Eagle Outfitters started back in 1977 and a lot of the tee-shirts even show this year printed on the shirts. Most of the men's tee's will have a cursive AE on the breast pocket with '77 underneath it. It may sound a little silly , but it's considered it's own brand of "cool" with most people in their teens and 20's.

The stores throughout the states will generally have the same open loft apartment feel to them with lots of wood floors and wooden shelves. I know it may not matter too much, but it's the easiest store layout to "shop" around.

You'll see large wooden tables with various tee-shirts and jeans stacked on them in all different sizes. Or there will be sweaters all on a some random wooden stand. It's very hard to describe how it's done, but I think more clothing stores especially could take some of the ideas from this store.

*****What's so great about this place?*****

Jeans:

I guess in a way a lot of it is "classic" casual clothing with a trendy edge to it. Same goes with their jeans. Every single person in the states from the age of 15 to 35 has at least one pair of A.E. jeans. The jeans fit most body styles better than others and you can generally pick up a pair for $20.00.

My fave pair of jeans? A black faded wash pair of low riders with a slim leg and very faint bootcut. They have just a touch of stretch to them, so if I gain 5 lbs or lose 5 lbs, they'll still fit me great. I still even have a pair of jeans of theirs I wear to garden that i've had since I was 17 ( yes just over 10 yrs ago) and they're not even that out of 'style" they're just full of holes everywhere now i've had them for so long.

Trust me, if you stopped at an AE store, you would be able to find a pair of jeans you liked. Even if your style is preppy, trendy, sporty, punky, emo, it doesn't matter.They have a jean for everyone.

Tee-Shirts:

Tee-shirts are a "dime a dozen", and can be found everywhere. They range from your basic solid colors to cheezy ones that say " Sex, Drugs, and Sausage Rolls" on the front.

The difference between AE Tee's and everyone elses is that they usually wash them in this "vintage" wash, which gives them this almost going-thread-bare , look. Not all of them are like that, but many are. Plus, they're all made with a primo type of cotton that is ultra soft, where, when you wash them, they get even softer.

I usually get all my tanks and henley type long sleeve tee's here. The tanks they have last forever, and can go with anything, plus like I said, the more you use them, they more worn looking they get while not falling apart =) The long-sleeve shirts are usually slightly fitted, and have extra long sleeves and button halfway down the front. A lot of times they have some sort of very faded looking design on the front of an eagle or some writing you can't really tell what it says. They don't do BRIGHT and bold designs on they're shirts, it's always muted stuff, which personally , I like about them.

Basically, you throw on a tank you paid $10.00 for, and then you throw on a henley you paid $17.00 for, then the Jeans you paid $25.00 for and your ready to either hang around the house, go out to the pub with friends, go run errands or whatever other casual thing you want to do, all for around $50.00 ( 30 pounds).

*****Accessorize Me!*****

The other thing that's extremely handy about AE stores, are the variety and fun accessories they have. They range from Sunglasses, Belts, and Sandals, to Leather Binders, Perfume, and Wallets. Here are some of the accessories of theirs I use right now.

Vintage Leather Carry-on /Laptop/Messanger Bag:
This bag has been through the ringer. Yes it cost me 50.00 , but ....it's well made, always in style, and goes with everything. I can't tell you how many people have asked me if they can steal this bag.

Aviator Sunglasses:
I have the craziest time finding any sunglasses that look good on me. AE has various "Aviator" style of sunglasses that surprisingly , are flattering. Plus they only put me out 7.00 , so if you lose them....just get another pair.

Underwear:
Ha, yes, they sell underwear. Men and Woman's. They're almost all that "hipster" fit for the women, and boxers for me. The designs on them are fun and unique. Like for instance, mine are zebra stripes with polka dots or ones with little faded airplanes on them, or my faves that are just white hipsters with little white angels wings on them.

Some of the guys boxers are hilarious. Like I bought my brother ones that are dark green with brown kegs of beer on them. Or, I got one of my boyfriends a few that had Eagles on them playing poker and lifting weights. I guess those are the "novelty" type of boxers, but they have plain, plaid, and stripey normal ones too, so dont' worry =)

Belts:
Ok they're belts are phenomenal. The only other belts I like better , are ones from Fossil , and those usually put you back about 30 pounds a belt. AE belts will only cost you about 10 pounds each (if that) and range from just your classic brown/black leather, to trendy hipsters or funky leather straps.

Sandals/ Shoes:
They don't have a HUGE shoe selection. At any given time in any season, there will be about 7 styles of shoes to chose from for men and women. In the summer is sandals and flipflops, and in the winter it's boots and booties. Yet, they're all VERY well made and well worth the money. I still wear a pair of leather flipflops I got there when I was 19 and they're not even close to falling apart. I wear them a few times every summer for 10 yrs and I think they cost me 20 bucks. How cool is that?

So ok, you've heard me do the gushing about this place. I guess it doesn't matter if your set in a certain style and do not deviate from that whatsoever. I would stay this leans more towards outdoorsy style than anything else. So if your an ultra trendy Armani or Gucci wearing person, this store will not be your cup of tea. Although, you still would probably like they're leather items and comfy cheap socks etc... Those are classic "everyone" things.

I hope while i'm living in the UK, that American Eagle will open a store up because if not, I'll have to always do a huge shopping spree when I go visit my family back in the states. (Ha, actually i'm not that bent out of shape having to do that....who hates shopping sprees??)

Summary: Jeans, Tee's, Long-Sleeve Shirts, Leather Items, Accessories....this Store has everything