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

American Eagle offers trendy, comfort-focused jeans at an affordable price point, targeting teenagers and young adults who prioritize a casual, laid-back style. In contrast, Abercrombie & Fitch provides higher-quality, fashion-forward denim with a more polished and modern aesthetic, appealing to young adults and millennials willing to invest in a more durable and refined garment.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right pair of jeans for your style and budget.

American Eagle: Affordable & Trendy Denim

American Eagle is a go-to for casual, everyday apparel, with its denim collection sitting at the core of the brand. It attracts a younger audience with its focus on accessible trends, comfort, and an inclusive, body-positive message. Their jeans are known for having plenty of stretch and a soft feel, making them a popular choice for daily wear.

• Product mix: Extensive collection of jeans in styles like skinny, mom, boyfriend, straight, and jeggings. They also offer a full range of casual apparel including tops, activewear, and accessories.
• Price point: Most jeans are in the $40 - $70 range. Frequent sales, clearance events, and bundle deals make them one of the most budget-friendly denim brands available.
• Quality: The focus is on comfort and softness, with high-stretch fabrics. While they are great for everyday wear, some pairs may not have the long-term durability of more premium denim.
• Sizing/Fit: Renowned for inclusive sizing, offering a wide range from petite to plus sizes and lengths (extra-short to extra-long). Their jeans generally run true to size, providing a consistent fit across different styles.
• Sales: Constant promotions and sales are a key part of their strategy, often featuring buy-one-get-one deals or significant percentage discounts.
• Return policy: You can return or exchange any item at any time, as long as you have proof of purchase, making it easy to shop with confidence.

American Eagle is the perfect choice for shoppers who want trendy, comfortable jeans in a wide variety of sizes and styles without breaking the bank.

Shop American Eagle: ae.com

Abercrombie & Fitch: Polished & High-Quality Denim

Abercrombie & Fitch has successfully shifted from its historical preppy reputation to a modern, sophisticated brand for young adults. Their denim is a key part of this new identity, known for its premium materials, durable construction, and flattering, fashion-forward fits. An Abercrombie customer looks for quality and a refined casual style they can wear for years.

• Product mix: Features a curated collection of modern denim fits like the '90s Straight, Mom Jean, and Skinny styles, alongside a complete wardrobe of stylish casual wear from dresses to outerwear.
• Price point: Jeans typically retail between $70 and $120. While more expensive than American Eagle, the price reflects a higher-quality construction and a more premium feel.
• Quality: Crafted with more substantial, high-quality denim with attention to detail in stitching and hardware. They tend to have a more structured feel and are built to last longer than budget options.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to have a more modern, contoured fit that can run slightly smaller than other brands. Their "Curve Love" line, designed with extra room in the thigh and hip, is extremely popular and highly rated for flattering fuller figures.
• Sales: Sales are common, especially around holidays and end-of-season, but deep discounts are less frequent than at American Eagle.
• Return policy: Offers returns within 30 days of shipment with an original receipt for a full refund.

Abercrombie is ideal for those willing to invest in high-quality, durable denim that offers a more polished and timeless look.

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch: abercrombie.com

American Eagle vs. Abercrombie Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear price difference between the two brands. American Eagle sits firmly in the budget-friendly category, with jeans usually priced between $40-$70. Combine this with their almost constant promotions, and you can often get a pair for under $50. This makes AE an excellent option for students, young shoppers, or anyone who wants to try new trends without a big financial commitment.

Abercrombie & Fitch positions itself as a more premium option, with prices for jeans generally ranging from $70-$120. While they run sales, their base price is significantly higher. The extra cost is justified by better quality materials and more durable construction, making it an investment in a longer-lasting wardrobe piece.

Quality & Materials

American Eagle prioritizes comfort, using soft denim with a good amount of stretch. This makes their jeans feel broken-in from the first wear. However, this high stretch content can sometimes lead to the jeans losing shape over time or wearing out more quickly in high-friction areas like the inner thighs.

Abercrombie & Fitch uses more substantial, higher-quality denim fabrics that offer a more structured, supportive fit. Their jeans often feel more rigid at first but mold to your body over time while retaining their shape exceptionally well. The stitching and finishes are typically of a higher standard, contributing to better overall longevity.

Style & Aesthetic

The style at American Eagle is youthful, casual, and highly trend-driven. You'll find a wide array of washes, heavy distressing, and the latest popular cuts like flare jeans and jeggings. Their aesthetic is perfect for creating relaxed, everyday looks for school, weekends, or casual outings.

Abercrombie’s aesthetic is more clean, modern, and polished. While they also embrace trends like the '90s straight leg, their designs are generally more versatile and timeless. The washes are often more classic and the distressing is more subtle, making their jeans easy to dress up for a night out or a smart-casual setting.

Fit & Sizing

American Eagle has built its brand on offering an expansive and very inclusive size range. With options from 00-24 and multiple lengths (x-short to x-long), they are an excellent choice for a wide variety of body types. Their sizing is generally consistent and true to size across most styles.

Abercrombie also offers a good size range and multiple lengths, but their standout offering is the "Curve Love" fit. It's specifically designed with an extra 2 inches through the hip and thigh to eliminate the common problem of waistband gapping. For shoppers with a smaller waist and fuller hips, this fit is a huge selling point. However, their standard fit can sometimes run a bit small, so new customers may want to consult the size guide closely.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both companies are actively pursuing more sustainable practices. American Eagle's "Real Good" collection features jeans made from sustainable materials and manufactured using water-saving techniques. They also have denim recycling programs in their stores.

Abercrombie has also been increasing its focus on responsible sourcing and using eco-friendly materials in its collections. They are making significant efforts to improve transparency within their supply chain and reduce their environmental footprint, though some customers may feel AE's programs are more widely advertised and established.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right brand really depends on three key factors: your budget, your style, and what you prioritize in a pair of jeans.

Choose American Eagle if:

• You're shopping on a tighter budget and love finding a good deal.
• You value immediate comfort and a soft, stretchy "lived-in" feel right away.
• You enjoy experimenting with current trends like heavy distressing or specific washes.
• You want the most extensive size and length options available.

Choose Abercrombie & Fitch if:

• You are willing to invest more for better long-term durability and quality.
• You prefer a more polished, modern, and timeless aesthetic that you can easily dress up or down.
• You need a structured, supportive fit that holds its shape well.
• You have a curvier figure and struggle with waistband gapping (their Curve Love line is an excellent solution).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Abercrombie jeans better quality than American Eagle?

Generally, yes. Abercrombie jeans are made with more durable, higher-quality denim and have construction details that contribute to a longer lifespan. American Eagle jeans prioritize comfort and stretch, which can sometimes come at the expense of long-term durability.

Which brand is cheaper for jeans?

American Eagle is significantly cheaper. Their jeans retail for about half the price of Abercrombie's, and they also run more frequent and deeper sales.

How does the sizing compare between American Eagle and Abercrombie?

American Eagle sizing is generally considered true to size and is known for its highly inclusive size range and multiple length options. Abercrombie's standard fits can run slightly smaller and are more tailored, but their industry-leading Curve Love fit is a major draw for those who need more room in the hip and thigh.

Which brand is better for curvy fits?

Both brands offer excellent options. American Eagle has a long-standing reputation for its "Curvy" fit across many styles. However, the Abercrombie & Fitch "Curve Love" collection has become iconic for specifically addressing waistband gapping and is often considered superior for an hourglass shape.

Do jeans from American Eagle and Abercrombie shrink in the wash?

Any denim, especially if it contains a high percentage of cotton, has the potential to shrink if washed in hot water or dried on high heat. To preserve the fit and longevity of jeans from either brand, it's best to wash them in cold water and air dry or tumble dry on low.

Is Abercrombie still considered a 'preppy' brand?

No. Abercrombie has undergone a major rebranding over the past decade. It has moved away from its early 2000s preppy, logo-heavy image to a more mature, modern, and inclusive brand that focuses on on-trend, high-quality essentials for millennials.

What is the return policy for each brand?

American Eagle has a very flexible return policy, allowing returns at any time as long as you have the receipt. Abercrombie & Fitch has a more standard policy, typically allowing returns within 30 days of the item's ship date.

Which brand has more styles to choose from?

Both offer a very wide selection of fits, styles, and washes. American Eagle tends to have a broader range of trendy, heavily distressed, and uniquely washed options for a younger demographic. Abercrombie focuses on perfecting modern, popular silhouettes like the '90s straight leg and mom jean in a variety of classic, versatile washes.