Aeropostale vs. Abercrombie: Which brand should you buy?

Aeropostale focuses on affordable, trendy, and casual clothing for teens, with a vibrant, playful aesthetic and frequent sales. In contrast, Abercrombie & Fitch targets young adults with higher-quality, refined casualwear, emphasizing a timeless American style, premium materials, and a higher price point.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your personal style and budget.

Aeropostale: The Affordable & Trendy Teen Favorite

Aeropostale is the go-to mall brand for teens and young adults looking for fun, casual, and budget-friendly fashion. The brand is built on trendy essentials like graphic tees, hoodies, and comfortable jeans that capture a youthful, relaxed vibe. It appeals directly to shoppers who prioritize affordability and want to keep up with current styles without a significant financial investment.

• Product mix: A wide range of casualwear, including graphic t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, loungewear, and denim. The focus is on comfortable, everyday pieces with a sporty and accessible feel.
• Price point: Highly affordable, with most items priced between $10 and $50. The brand is known for constant promotions, clearance events, and buy-one-get-one deals that make it extremely budget-friendly.
• Quality: The quality is consistent with its low price point. Most items are made from standard cotton blends and polyester designed for regular, casual wear, but they may not offer the longevity of more premium brands.
• Fit & Sizing: Sizing can be inconsistent. While offering a broad range, some shoppers find certain styles run slightly small or large, so trying items on in-store is often helpful.
• Shopping experience: The online and in-store experiences are straightforward and heavily focused on promotions and sales. It's a no-frills environment designed for shoppers looking for a good deal.

Aeropostale is perfect for budget-conscious teens and young adults who want trendy, comfy clothing for everyday life and aren't looking to make a long-term wardrobe investment.

Shop Aeropostale: aeropostale.com

Abercrombie & Fitch: The Polished & High-Quality Classic

Abercrombie & Fitch offers a modern, sophisticated aesthetic focused on premium materials and timeless style. The brand has successfully shifted its target audience to young adults who appreciate well-made, versatile basics that blend classic American style with current trends. From their perfectly fitting denim to cozy sweaters, Abercrombie positions itself as a provider of elevated everyday wear.

• Product mix: Offers refined casualwear, including high-quality denim, knit sweaters, classic polos, structured outerwear, and stylish basics. The color palette largely consists of neutral, versatile tones.
• Price point: Mid-range to premium, with basics starting around $20 and outerwear or denim often exceeding $100. The price reflects a higher standard of materials and construction.
• Quality: A strong emphasis is placed on quality materials such as soft cottons, durable knits, and sustainable fabrics. Abercrombie clothing is designed to be more durable and hold up better over time.
• Fit & Sizing: Known for having consistent and flattering sizing, particularly in their jean collections. Most clothing runs true to size, making for a reliable online shopping experience.
• Sustainability: The company has invested in sustainability through responsible material sourcing, reducing waste, and improving supply chain transparency, which is a major draw for conscious consumers.

Abercrombie is ideal for shoppers willing to invest in a versatile, high-quality wardrobe built on classic pieces that feel modern and are made to last.

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch: abercrombie.com

Aeropostale vs. Abercrombie & Fitch Comparison

Price Comparison

The most significant difference between the two brands is price. Aeropostale is undeniably the more budget-friendly option. With jeans often on sale for under $30 and graphic tees around $10-$15, it's designed for shoppers who need affordable options. The brand’s business model thrives on sales, clearance racks, and multi-buy offers.

Abercrombie & Fitch operates in a mid-range to premium pricing tier. A pair of their popular jeans can run from $80 to $100, and a basic sweater could be $60 or more. While they have sales, the discount percentages aren't typically as deep as Aeropostale's. You are paying for higher quality materials, a more consistent fit, and a more classic style.

Quality & Materials

Quality directly correlates with the price difference. Abercrombie invests in superior fabrics, resulting in softer, more comfortable, and longer-lasting garments. Their denim feels substantial, sweaters are cozier, and the construction is solid enough for years of wear. You can feel the difference in the material and see it in the craftsmanship.

Aeropostale uses more basic materials like standard cotton blends and polyester to keep costs down. The clothes are perfectly functional for casual, everyday wear and are aligned with fast-fashion trends. However, they are not designed to be long-term investment pieces and may show wear, pilling, or fading more quickly than items from Abercrombie.

Product Selection & Style

Aeropostale’s style is youthful, playful, and heavily influenced by current teen trends. Expect bright colors, prominent logos, lots of graphic tees, and a generally sporty vibe. The clothes are perfect for school, lounging, and casual weekends.

Abercrombie & Fitch offers a more mature and refined aesthetic. Its style is a modern take on classic American casualwear, with an emphasis on neutral color palettes, minimalist branding, and flattering silhouettes. These are pieces you can easily dress up or down, suitable for a casual office environment, a weekend brunch, or a night out.

Fit & Sizing

One of Abercrombie's biggest strengths is its fit and sizing consistency. They offer a huge range of sizes, multiple length options for pants, and a signature "Curve Love" fit for jeans that provides extra room in the hip and thigh. For the most part, their items run true to size, making online ordering reliable.

Aeropostale’s sizing can be less predictable. While they also offer a wide selection of sizes, shoppers sometimes find that items run small or that the fit varies from one product category to another. This can make it more challenging to find a perfect fit without trying clothes on first.

Sustainability & Ethics

For shoppers concerned with environmental impact, this is a clear differentiator. Abercrombie & Fitch has placed a public emphasis on improving its sustainability practices. This includes initiatives for sourcing sustainable materials, ethical manufacturing, and working toward greater supply chain transparency.

Aeropostale's sustainability initiatives are not as prominent. As a brand operating in the fast-fashion space, its focus is primarily on producing trendy styles at a rapid pace and low cost, which generally does not align with sustainable manufacturing practices.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on what kind of shopper you are. Both brands are excellent at what they do, but their specialties are distinct.

Choose Aeropostale if:

• You are shopping on a tight budget or looking for great deals.
• You want fun, trendy, and casual clothes that reflect current styles.
• You're a teen or shopping for one.
• You need comfortable, everyday basics like hoodies and graphic t-shirts.

Choose Abercrombie & Fitch if:

• You are willing to invest more in higher-quality, durable clothing that will last.
• You prefer a more classic, timeless, and sophisticated style.
• A consistent, flattering fit - especially in jeans - is really important to you.
• You prioritize brands that are making efforts toward sustainability and ethical practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Abercrombie or Aeropostale cheaper?

Aeropostale is significantly cheaper than Abercrombie & Fitch. Its entire business model is based on affordability and frequent sales promotions, with most items priced under $50.

Which brand has better quality?

Abercrombie & Fitch undoubtedly has better quality. It uses more premium materials, emphasizes superior construction, and designs clothes to be more durable and long-lasting.

Does Aeropostale or Abercrombie run small?

Abercrombie & Fitch generally runs true to size and is known for its consistent sizing. Aeropostale sizing can be less consistent, with some shoppers reporting that certain items run small.

What style is Aeropostale known for?

Aeropostale is known for a very casual, youthful, and sporty style. Think trendy graphic t-shirts, comfortable activewear, hoodies, and accessible denim targeted primarily at teenagers.

What style is Abercrombie known for?

Abercrombie is known for its timeless, elevated, and classic American casual style. The aesthetic is more refined and sophisticated, with well-fitting basics, neutral tones, and minimal branding.

Which brand is better for jeans?

Most shoppers would agree that Abercrombie & Fitch is better for jeans due to their high-quality denim, consistent sizing, and wide range of inclusive fits like the popular "Curve Love" line. The investment results in a more flattering and durable pair of jeans.

Is Abercrombie more sustainable?

Yes, Abercrombie has demonstrated a stronger and more public commitment to sustainability. They have numerous initiatives related to sourcing eco-friendly materials, reducing their environmental footprint, and ensuring ethical factory conditions.

Do both brands have sales?

Yes, both brands have sales, but their strategies differ. Aeropostale features near-constant promotions, clearance deals, and deep discounts as a core part of its pricing. Abercrombie has seasonal sales and promotions, but its base prices are higher, and a sale is more of an event.