american apparel is the best brand for the basics of your wardrobe: shirts of all kinds, hoodies, underwear, sweats, etc. the sweatshop-free and vertical integration of the company makes you feel good, but the fit and quality of the clothing is what wins me over.
people say american apparel "runs small," but i think the gap and macy's run small. if you buy a "small" size shirt at one of those stores, it will fit like it was made for a midget version of santa claus: the sleeves aren't long enough but there's still room for a giant beer belly. american apparel clothing fits RIGHT if you have a decent weight (you don't have to be anorexic).
american apparel makes almost of their clothes out of the same few fabrics in a nice variety of colors, so there is definitely a different feel to the store. they don't have bargain prices, so be prepared to spend $15 for a basic t-shirt or $45 for a sweatshirt. well worth it, in my opinion.
the employees are annoyed that you're there. i've started to buy aa clothing online, since they sell their clothing much cheaper wholesale and ebayers and such pass the savings on to you. the physical stores have many great items and colors that they don't wholesale, though, so i stop in once in a while.
i'm upset that american apparel is getting so popular because the clothes definitely have their own look and i'm bound to run into someone with my same hoodie one of these days.
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