Aeropostale vs. American Eagle: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Aeropostale is known for its budget-friendly, casual, and sporty clothing targeting a younger teen audience, with lower prices and frequent sales being its main draw. American Eagle offers slightly higher-priced, more quality-focused apparel celebrated for its extensive and inclusive denim selection, appealing to teens and young adults looking for durable, versatile style.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right casual brand for your wardrobe and wallet.

Aeropostale: The Budget-Friendly Teen Favorite

Aeropostale has a long-standing reputation as a go-to retailer for affordable, trendy fashion primarily targeting teenagers. Its aesthetic is laid-back, sporty, and comfortable, making it a perfect match for casual everyday wear. The brand has focused on a revival in recent years, solidifying its place with a young, budget-conscious customer base that wants easy-to-wear pieces without a hefty price tag.

• Product mix: Heavily focused on casual basics, graphic tees, hoodies, jeans, and activewear.
• Price point: Very affordable, with most items falling between $15 and $50. The brand is known for aggressive sales and clearance events.
• Quality: Materials are generally basic and geared toward comfort and trendiness over long-term durability. Great for seasonal pieces you might not wear for years.
• Style & Aesthetic: Sporty, colorful, and youthful. Very casual, with an emphasis on logo-heavy designs and easy-to-match separates.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers standard sizing that generally runs true to size. However, it lacks the extended and specialized sizing options found at competitors.
• Sales: Extremely frequent. You can almost always find a promotion, "buy one, get one" deal, or significant sitewide discount happening.
• Return policy: Accepts returns of new, unworn merchandise with tags attached within 30 days of the ship date for online orders.

Aeropostale is the ideal choice for trendy, casual basics at very low prices, making it a favorite for teens and anyone shopping on a strict budget.

Shop Aeropostale: aeropostale.com

American Eagle: The Denim & Inclusivity Leader

American Eagle is a dominant force in the young adult fashion market, best known for its high-quality and exceptionally varied denim collection. The brand promotes authenticity, body positivity, and self-expression, resonating with customers who want comfortable, modern styles that fit well. While also casual, its aesthetic feels slightly more versatile and focused on wardrobe building blocks than its competitors.

• Product mix: Extensive denim collection with numerous fits, washes, and styles is the core offering. They also sell a wide range of T-shirts, seasonal apparel, activewear, swimwear, and accessories.
• Price point: Mid-range, with most items priced between $20 and $70. The prices reflect better materials and construction, especially in their jeans.
• Quality: Widely recognized for superior quality, particularly in their denim, which uses durable fabrics that hold their shape and last for years.
• Style & Aesthetic: Modern, youthful, and classic American casual. Styles incorporate current trends but remain wearable and versatile.
• Sizing/Fit: A key strength. Known for inclusive sizing with extended options online and a variety of fits like Curvy, Athletic, and Tall to cater to diverse body types.
• Sustainability: The brand has made public commitments to sustainability, using more eco-friendly materials, reducing water usage, and focusing on ethical manufacturing.
• Return policy: Very flexible. No time limit for returns or exchanges with proof of purchase.

American Eagle is best for shoppers who want high-quality casual staples, prioritize finding the perfect fit in jeans, and value brand transparency and inclusivity.

Shop American Eagle: ae.com

Aeropostale vs. American Eagle Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in pricing strategy between the two brands. Aeropostale is undeniably the more budget-friendly option. A typical haul of graphic tees, hoodies, and basic jeans will almost always cost less at Aeropostale, particularly when taking advantage of their constant promotions. They focus on volume and affordability.

American Eagle commands a slightly higher price point, with most items costing $10-$20 more than their Aeropostale counterparts. T-shirts start around $20, and jeans are often in the $50-$70 range. However, this higher price is justified by better quality materials and construction. AE also runs frequent sales, but its base prices are consistently higher.

Quality & Materials

American Eagle has a clear edge in quality. Their reputation is built on their denim, which is durable, comfortable, and retains its shape well over time. The fabrics used in their tops and sweaters are also generally thicker and feel more substantial. If longevity is your primary concern, American Eagle clothing is the better investment.

Aeropostale focuses on being affordable and trendy, which means the material quality is often secondary. Fabrics are comfortable but thinner and may show wear more quickly after repeated washing. This makes the brand a great choice for seasonal, high-trend items you don't expect to wear for several years.

Product Selection & Style

While both brands serve the casual fashion market, their styles are distinct. Aeropostale has a younger, sportier aesthetic with a heavy use of logos, bright colors, and graphic designs. Its collections are perfect for a classic high school or early college look centered on comfort and ease.

American Eagle offers a more versatile, slightly more mature style. Their aesthetic is built around classic American casual wear - think well-fitting jeans, neutral tees, flannel shirts, and bohemian-inspired dresses. They expertly blend timeless pieces with current trends, making their clothes easy to mix and match for different occasions.

Fit & Sizing

American Eagle is the standout winner in this category. For years, the brand has been a leader in inclusive sizing. They offer a huge range of sizes online, from XXS to XXL, and AExME allows customers to see how clothes look on different body types. Their denim collection is particularly impressive, with multiple lengths and fits like "Curvy," which adds extra room in the hip and thigh.

Aeropostale offers a standard size range that is generally true-to-size. However, it lacks the diversity of fits and extended sizes that American Eagle provides. Shoppers with body types outside of the standard range may struggle to find a perfect fit at Aeropostale.

Sustainability & Ethics

American Eagle has become increasingly transparent about its efforts in sustainability and ethical production. They have clear goals for reducing water consumption for their denim production, using sustainably sourced cotton, and aiming for carbon neutrality. They publish progress reports that make this information accessible to consumers.

Aeropostale has been slower to adopt and publicize sustainability initiatives. While the company may be taking steps behind the scenes, there is less consumer-facing information about their environmental impact or ethical sourcing practices.

Return Policies

American Eagle offers one of the best return policies in retail: you can return or exchange any item at any time with a receipt or proof of purchase. This customer-friendly policy provides great peace of mind.

Aeropostale has a more standard 30-day return window for unworn items with tags. It's a reasonable policy but doesn't offer the same long-term flexibility as American Eagle.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on your priorities when shopping. Both brands offer great casual options but excel in different ways.

Choose Aeropostale if:

• You're on a tight budget and want the absolute lowest prices on trendy basics.
• You love a sporty, vibrant, and explicitly youthful style with graphic tees and hoodies.
• You want to buy seasonal trend pieces without a big financial commitment.
• Scoring a deal matters most, you enjoy frequent BOGO offers and deep discounts.

Choose American Eagle if:

• Finding high-quality, durable denim that fits perfectly is your main goal.
• Inclusive sizing and a variety of fits for different body types are important to you.
• You're willing to pay a little more for clothing that will last for several seasons.
• You prefer supporting brands that are more transparent about their sustainability practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aeropostale or American Eagle cheaper?

Aeropostale is significantly cheaper than American Eagle across nearly all categories. Its business model is built around affordability and frequent, aggressive sales.

Which has better quality jeans?

American Eagle is widely recognized for having superior quality jeans. They use more durable denim, offer more consistent construction, and their fits are designed to last.

Does American Eagle or Aeropostale have better sizing?

American Eagle offers far better and more inclusive sizing. With extended online sizes, various lengths, and specialized fits like "Curvy," they cater to a much broader range of body types than Aeropostale.

What is the style difference between Aeropostale and American Eagle?

Aeropostale's style is young, sporty, and often features branding and logos. American Eagle's style is classic casual and versatile, centered on well-fitting denim and pairing timeless basics with modern trends.

Which brand is more sustainable?

American Eagle is more transparent and proactive about its sustainability initiatives, with clear public goals for reducing its environmental impact.

What are the return policies for each brand?

American Eagle has an excellent return policy with no time limit for returns as long as you have proof of purchase. Aeropostale has a standard 30-day return window for new, unworn items.

Is Aeropostale clothing still popular?

Yes, Aeropostale has seen a brand revival and remains very popular with teens and budget-conscious young adults who appreciate its low prices and casual, trendy aesthetic.

Do both brands have sales often?

Yes, both brands have sales, but Aeropostale runs them more frequently and with deeper promotions, like sitewide 50-70% off events and "buy one, get two free" deals on certain items.