Aerie vs. Aeropostale: What's the difference?

Aerie is known for its focus on comfort, body positivity, and high-quality intimates and loungewear with inclusive sizing. In contrast, Aeropostale offers trendy, sporty, and highly affordable casual apparel like graphic tees and hoodies targeted primarily at a younger teen audience.

Let's compare these two popular brands to help you decide where to spend your money.

Aerie: The Leader in Comfort & Body Positivity

Owned by American Eagle Outfitters, Aerie has carved out a distinct identity by championing comfort, inclusivity, and unretouched marketing campaigns. The brand primarily serves teenagers and young adults who value self-expression and comfortable, well-fitting essentials. Aerie's "REAL" campaign, which promotes natural beauty standards, has deeply resonated with consumers seeking a positive and authentic brand experience.

• Product mix: The core of Aerie's collection is intimates, loungewear, and activewear. This includes a wide array of bras, underwear, sleepwear, leggings, and swimwear designed with soft, flexible materials.
• Price point: Prices are generally in the $10 to $50 range. Bras typically cost between $20 and $40, underwear is often sold in bundles but averages $8-$15 per pair, and popular leggings or joggers sit around the $40-$50 mark.
• Quality: Known for superior comfort, Aerie uses soft and durable fabrics like cotton, modal, and microfiber. The construction of its intimates and loungewear is designed for everyday wear and holds up well compared to fast-fashion alternatives.
• Sizing/Fit: Aerie is a leader in inclusive sizing, offering most items in sizes ranging from XS to 3X. Its commitment to body positivity is reflected in fits that are comfortable and flattering across a diverse range of body types.
• Sales: The brand runs frequent sales and promotions, with popular deals like "10 for $35" on underwear and seasonal discounts on swimwear and leggings.

Aerie is the go-to choice for high-quality, comfortable essentials, from intimates to activewear, backed by a strong message of inclusivity and body positivity.

Shop Aerie: ae.com/aerie

Aeropostale: The Hub for Sporty & Affordable Teen Fashion

Aeropostale has long been a staple in American malls, catering to teenagers and young adults with its trendy and highly affordable casual clothing. While its peak popularity was in the 2000s, it remains a go-to for shoppers seeking a youthful, sporty aesthetic without a high price tag. The brand's identity is built on accessible, trend-driven pieces like graphic tees, hoodies, and jeans that appeal to a budget-conscious, fashion-aware demographic.

• Product mix: Aeropostale's collection centers on casual apparel like graphic tees, logo hoodies, sweatshirts, jeans, and shorts. They also offer a smaller selection of accessories and basics.
• Price point: Price is a key selling point, with most items falling between $10 and $40. It's common to find graphic tees under $15 and hoodies or jeans under $30, especially during a sale.
• Quality: The quality is consistent with its fast-fashion price point. Fabrics are primarily standard cotton blends and polyester, designed more for current trends than long-term durability.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is more traditional, typically running from XS to XL with some extended options available online. Fits generally stay true to size for a junior's or young adult silhouette.
• Sales: Aeropostale is known for constant discounts, BOGO (buy-one-get-one) deals, and an extensive clearance section where shoppers can find deep savings.

Aeropostale remains a top contender for teen shoppers looking for sporty, on-trend clothing at some of the most competitive prices in the mall.

Shop Aeropostale: aeropostale.com

Aerie vs. Aeropostale Comparison

Price Comparison

Both brands target affordable price points, but their value propositions are different. Aeropostale is almost always the cheaper option, with graphic tees often selling for under $15 and jeans for under $30. Its business model relies on high-volume sales and constant promotions to offer trendy pieces at very low prices.

Aerie's items, like a $45 pair of leggings or a $30 bra, are slightly more expensive, but the price reflects a clear step up in material quality, comfort, and construction. While both brands are budget-friendly, Aeropostale competes on upfront cost, whereas Aerie focuses on providing better value through quality and fit.

Quality & Materials

Aerie has a distinct advantage in quality and materials. The brand built its reputation on exceptionally soft fabrics that feel good against the skin, using comfortable cotton, modal, and seamless microfiber blends in its intimates and loungewear. The garments are designed to be durable for frequent wear and washing.

Aeropostale uses standard materials like polyester and basic cotton blends that are typical for fast-fashion retailers. While perfectly suitable for casual wear, the clothes are not designed for long-term durability and may show wear, fading, or pilling more quickly than Aerie's products.

Style & Aesthetic

The style of these two brands is worlds apart. Aerie's aesthetic is built around a cozy, relaxed, and "real" vibe. Their collections feature soft colors, minimalist designs, and comfort-driven trends like flared leggings and oversized sweatshirts. The overall feel is geared toward self-care and everyday ease.

Aeropostale's style is sportier, younger, and more extroverted. You'll find bold graphic tees, prominent logos, vibrant colors, and trendy denim fits. Its aesthetic is a direct reflection of casual teen fashion and focuses on recognizable, easy-to-wear school and weekend outfits.

Fit & Sizing

Aerie is a clear winner in inclusive sizing. With a standard range from XS to 3X in most items, Aerie makes a dedicated effort to fit a wide variety of body types. The marketing and product development are centered on this inclusivity, which is a major draw for many shoppers.

Aeropostale's sizing is more traditional, typically offering XS through XL. While there are some extended sizes, the range is much more limited. Its fit models are tailored to a standard junior's or young adult body type.

Sustainability & Ethics

As part of American Eagle Outfitters, Aerie is vocal about its sustainability goals. They have initiatives focused on using recycled fabrics, reducing water usage, and promoting ethical supply chains. Their "Real Power" and "Aerie REAL" campaigns also promote social good through diversity and body positivity, which aligns with the values of many modern consumers.

Aeropostale operates more like a traditional fast-fashion retailer and is less transparent about its manufacturing processes and environmental initiatives. While they have made some efforts, sustainability and ethics are not central pillars of their brand marketing.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right brand really depends on what you're shopping for and what you value as a consumer. Both brands are successful because they know exactly who their customer is.

Choose Aerie if:

• You are shopping for bras, underwear, loungewear, or activewear.
• Comfort and soft, high-quality fabrics are your top priorities.
• You need or want inclusive sizing options that cater to more body types.
• You support brands that champion body positivity, diversity, and sustainability.

Choose Aeropostale if:

• Your primary focus is budget, you want trendy clothes at the lowest possible price.
• You are looking for trendy graphic tees, logo hoodies, and casual jeans.
• You love a sporty, youthful, and casual aesthetic.
• Longevity isn't a major concern, you'd rather have fashionable, quick style updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aerie or Aeropostale cheaper?

Aeropostale is generally cheaper. Its business model focuses on offering trendy apparel at very low prices, with frequent sales and deep clearance deals. While Aerie is still affordable, its prices are slightly higher to reflect better material quality and construction.

Which brand has better quality?

Aerie has significantly better quality clothing, especially in its core categories of intimates, loungewear, and activewear. Its fabrics are softer, more durable, and designed for superior comfort compared to Aeropostale's fast-fashion materials.

What is the main style difference between Aerie and Aeropostale?

Aerie's style is comfortable, cozy, and minimalist, with a focus on relaxed fits and soft colors. Aeropostale's style is sporty, youthful, and trendy, featuring bold graphic tees, logos, and vibrant colors aimed at a teen audience.

Does Aerie have more inclusive sizing?

Yes, Aerie has a much more inclusive size range, typically offering products from XS to 3X. Aeropostale's sizing is more traditional, mainly offering XS to XL.

Is Aerie owned by American Eagle?

Yes, Aerie is a sub-brand owned by American Eagle Outfitters, though it has grown into a major retailer with its own standalone stores and distinct brand identity.

What age group is Aeropostale for?

Aeropostale primarily targets teenagers and young adults, typically between the ages of 14 and 22. Its style and price point are tailored to high school and college students.

Which brand is better for back-to-school shopping?

It depends on your needs. For comfortable basics, leggings, and undergarments, Aerie is an excellent choice. For trendy, affordable outfits like graphic tees and jeans, Aeropostale would be better.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Aerie has a stronger and more public commitment to sustainability initiatives, including the use of recycled materials and ethical production goals. Its parent company, American Eagle Outfitters, regularly reports on its environmental and social goals.