Aeropostale Jeans vs. American Eagle: Which brand should you buy?

While both brands target a similar teen and young adult audience, Aeropostale primarily focuses on trendy, budget-friendly basics, making it the go-to for shoppers prioritizing affordability. In contrast, American Eagle positions itself with a stronger emphasis on high-quality denim, a superior fit, inclusive sizing, and more robust sustainability practices, usually at a slightly higher price point.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your denim needs.

Aeropostale: The Budget-Friendly Teen Favorite

Aeropostale is known for its casual, youthful clothing that is accessible and highly affordable. The brand targets teenagers and college students with trendy apparel perfect for everyday wear. Their core appeal lies in providing fashionable basics like jeans, hoodies, and graphic tees that won't break the bank, making them a fixture in teen wardrobes and back-to-school shopping lists.

• Product mix: A wide range of casual basics including jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear, and accessories. The overall style is laid-back, comfortable, and simple, with fits that cater to classic teen trends.
• Price point: Extremely budget-friendly. Jeans are often available for between $20 and $40, especially during frequent sales and promotional events.
• Quality: The focus is on affordability, so the jeans are typically made from basic denim blends. They are suitable for everyday casual wear but may not offer the same longevity or premium feel as higher-priced alternatives.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing can sometimes be inconsistent and may run slightly small. The range of fits and sizes is more limited compared to competitors who specialize in denim.
• Sales: Known for constant promotions, deep discounts, and seasonal clearance events, especially around back-to-school season.

Aeropostale is the ideal choice for shoppers on a tight budget who want to keep up with current casual trends without a major financial commitment.

Shop Aeropostale: aeropostale.com

American Eagle: The Denim Fit & Quality Expert

American Eagle is a dominant force in the casual apparel market, best known for its extensive and high-quality denim collection. The brand is celebrated for pioneering inclusive sizing and offering comfortable, well-fitting jeans in a massive variety of styles, washes, and innovative fabrics. Their aesthetic is classic Americana fused with modern trends, appealing to young adults who value quality, fit, and self-expression.

• Product mix: Denim is the star, but they also offer a wide selection of tops, sweaters, outerwear, and activewear under their popular Aerie sub-brand.
• Price point: Mid-range, with jeans typically priced between $40 and $70. Frequent sales and a strong rewards program make them more accessible.
• Quality: Renowned for durable, high-quality denim that uses comfortable stretch technologies like AirFlex+ and Ne(x)t Level Stretch. The construction is solid, designed to hold its shape and last for years.
• Sizing/Fit: This is where the brand shines. American Eagle offers one of the most inclusive sizing ranges on the market, with options from 00 to 24, various inseam lengths (x-short to x-long), and curvy fits.
• Sustainability: The company has invested heavily in sustainable practices, using responsibly sourced cotton and eco-friendly manufacturing processes to reduce water usage.

American Eagle is built for shoppers who see denim as an investment in comfort, fit, and style, and are willing to pay a bit more for quality and size inclusivity.

Shop American Eagle: ae.com

Aeropostale vs. American Eagle Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear price difference between the two brands. Aeropostale is the much more budget-friendly option, with jeans regularly priced well under $50 and often dropping to the $20-$25 range during sales. This makes it an incredibly attractive option for young shoppers or anyone needing several pairs of affordable, casual jeans.

American Eagle sits at a higher price tier. A pair of jeans commonly retails for $50-$70, although frequent "buy one, get one 50% off" deals and clearance sales can bring the price down significantly. The higher cost generally reflects better materials, more sophisticated construction, and a wider array of fits and sizes.

Quality & Materials

American Eagle holds a strong advantage in quality. They are known for their proprietary stretch fabrics that provide comfort and shape retention. Jeans from AE feel softer, more substantial, and are built to withstand more wear and tear. The stitching, hardware, and fabric conditioning are noticeably more premium.

Aeropostale's denim is functional and serves its purpose for casual fashion, but it's typically a more basic blend of cotton and elastane. The fabric may feel thinner and might be more prone to stretching out or fading over time. For shoppers prioritizing long-term durability, American Eagle is the more reliable choice.

Style & Aesthetic

Both brands follow casual, youthful trends, but with different approaches. American Eagle offers a greater diversity of styles, from '90s-inspired baggy jeans to modern skinny fits, in a huge range of washes. Their aesthetic is versatile and can easily be dressed up or down.

Aeropostale leans more toward classic, simple styles. Their designs are reliably casual and a good fit for everyday school or weekend outfits. While they offer popular fits like flare and mom jeans, their variety of washes and specialty details is generally more limited than American Eagle's.

Fit & Sizing

American Eagle is the undisputed winner when it comes to fit and sizing. Their commitment to inclusivity means shoppers can find jeans for nearly every body type, with sizes ranging from 00 to 24, multiple lengths, and dedicated "Curvy" fits that add extra room in the hip and thigh. This extensive range makes it easier for customers to find a perfect, confidence-boosting fit.

Aeropostale's sizing is more standard and limited. They don't offer the same variety of lengths or specialized fits, and some shoppers report that their sizing can run small or be inconsistent across different styles.

Shopping Experience

Both brands offer straightforward physical and online retail experiences. American Eagle's website, however, is more robust, featuring detailed fit guides, customer reviews with photos, and specific measurements that help guide online purchases. Their in-store staff is also often well-versed in helping customers navigate the myriad fit options.

Aeropostale's experience is more bare-bones and promotion-driven. While easy to navigate, their product pages offer less detailed fit information, making online shopping a bit more of a gamble if you're not already familiar with their sizing.

Sustainability & Ethics

For environmentally conscious consumers, American Eagle is the better option. The company has public sustainability goals as part of its "Real Good" initiative, focusing on water conservation, using sustainable materials, and reducing carbon emissions. Aeropostale has provided significantly less public information about its environmental impact or ethical manufacturing policies.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to what you value most in a pair of jeans: price or performance.

Choose Aeropostale if:

• Your budget is your absolute top priority.
• You need trendy, casual jeans for everyday wear and aren't concerned about them lasting for multiple years.
• You love finding great deals and want to buy several items without a big spend.
• You fit well into standard sizing and don't require special lengths or fits.

Choose American Eagle if:

• Fit and comfort are the most important things you look for in jeans.
• You struggle to find jeans that fit you well and need inclusive sizing options like curvy, tall, or short.
• You are willing to spend more for a higher-quality, more durable pair of jeans that will last.
• Sustainability and ethical production are important factors in your purchasing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aeropostale or American Eagle cheaper?

Aeropostale is significantly cheaper than American Eagle. Their jeans are regularly available for $20-$40, while American Eagle jeans typically start around $50 at full price.

Which brand has better quality jeans?

American Eagle is known for having higher-quality jeans. They invest more in durable denim, comfortable stretch fabrics, and better construction, which contributes to their longevity and superior fit.

Which brand is better for curvy figures?

American Eagle is much better for curvy figures. They offer a specific "Curvy" fit designed with more room in the hip and thigh, preventing waistband gaps. Their extensive stretch fabrics also provide a more comfortable and accommodating fit for different body shapes.

Do American Eagle jeans fit true to size?

Generally, yes. American Eagle jeans are known for fitting true to size. Because they offer so many different styles, technologies (like Ne(x)t Level Stretch), and fits (like curvy), it's always best to read the size guide and reviews for the specific pair of jeans you're interested in.

Do Aeropostale jeans run small?

Some shoppers find that Aeropostale jeans can run slightly small or be inconsistent between styles. If you're buying online, it's a good idea to check their size chart and consider sizing up if you are between sizes.

Which brand has more styles to choose from?

American Eagle typically offers a wider variety of styles, fits, and washes. Their collection is more extensive, including everything from skinny jeans to baggy '90s cuts and a wide spectrum of modern colors and distressed finishes.

Does American Eagle or Aeropostale have better sales?

Both brands have frequent sales. Aeropostale's sales often feature deep percentage-off discounts that make their already low prices even lower. American Eagle's most common promotion is their "buy one, get one 50% off" jeans sale, which offers great value if you plan to buy multiple pairs.

Which brand feels more "teen" focused?

While both brands are popular with teens, Aeropostale's branding and lower price point make it feel more exclusively targeted at a younger high school audience. American Eagle appeals to a slightly broader range, from high school students to college students and young adults in their twenties.