American Eagle vs. Levi's: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

American Eagle offers trendy, comfortable, and affordable denim focused on a younger audience, while Levi's is an iconic heritage brand known for its classic, durable, and more expensive jeans that are built to last. The main differences come down to price, style focus, and material: American Eagle prioritizes stretch comfort and fast-fashion trends, whereas Levi's emphasizes timeless quality and sustainable, sturdy denim.

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

American Eagle: The Leader in Trendy, Affordable Denim

American Eagle is a go-to for teenagers and young adults seeking stylish and comfortable everyday apparel without a high price tag. The brand has built its reputation on inclusive sizing and super-stretchy jeans that provide a flattering fit for various body types. Their style is distinctly youthful, casual, and in line with current trends, making them a popular choice for school, weekends, and relaxed social settings.

• Product mix: Known primarily for denim in a vast range of washes and cuts, they also offer a full line of casual wear, including joggers, t-shirts, activewear, and loungewear.
• Price point: Most jeans are priced between $40 and $70. Frequent sales, promotions, and a robust clearance section make them highly accessible for budget-conscious shoppers.
• Quality: The denim is designed for comfort, often featuring a high percentage of stretch material. While comfortable for everyday wear, it is generally less durable over the long term compared to premium denim brands.
• Sizing/Fit: American Eagle is celebrated for its inclusive sizing, offering sizes 00-24 in varying lengths and multiple fits like Skinny, Curvy, Mom, and Boyfriend styles. Sizing is generally consistent and true to size.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall look is youthful, relaxed, and trendy. You'll find plenty of distressed options, modern washes, and cuts that reflect current fashion moments.
• Sustainability: The brand has started incorporating more sustainable practices, including using recycled materials and implementing more eco-friendly manufacturing processes in its "Real Good" collection.

American Eagle is the perfect choice for shoppers who value a comfortable, trendy fit and want a wide variety of styles at an affordable price point.

Shop American Eagle: ae.com

Levi's: The Original in Timeless, Durable Denim

With a legacy spanning over 150 years, Levi's is synonymous with classic American denim. The brand pioneered the blue jean and continues to be a global standard for quality, durability, and timeless style. Levi's appeals to a broad demographic looking for investment pieces that transcend trends, including iconic styles like the 501 Original and the 511 Slim. The brand focuses on craftsmanship, quality materials, and a commitment to authenticity.

• Product mix: While jeans are the core of the business, Levi's offers a full range of apparel, including iconic trucker jackets, t-shirts, and button-down shirts that all carry a classic, heritage feel.
• Price point: Jeans typically range from $70 to $120. While more expensive than American Eagle, the price reflects the higher quality materials and construction intended for long-term wear.
• Quality: Levi's uses premium, sturdy denim with reinforced stitching and rivets. Their jeans are known to last for years, often getting better with age as they conform to the wearer's body.
• Sizing/Fit: Levi's offers an extensive range of sizing and fits, categorized by numbers (e.g., 501, 721) that correspond to specific cuts. The fit is generally true to size, but classic 100% cotton styles can be more rigid and may require a break-in period.
• Style & Aesthetic: The brand's style is timeless, authentic, and versatile. Levi's jeans can be dressed down for a casual look or styled for a more semi-formal, polished appearance.
• Sustainability: Levi's is a leader in sustainable fashion, with major initiatives like its Water technology to reduce water consumption and a focus on using durable materials to encourage less consumption.

Levi's is ideal for those who see denim as a long-term investment and prioritize classic style, durability, and a genuine commitment to sustainability.

Shop Levi's: levi.com

American Eagle vs. Levi's Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in price between the two brands. American Eagle is the more budget-friendly option, with jeans typically falling in the $40-$70 range. They run frequent promotions, BOGO deals, and seasonal sales that bring the prices down even further, making it easy to buy multiple pairs without a major financial commitment.

Levi's operates at a mid-to-premium price point, with most of their popular styles costing between $70 and $120. The higher price is justified by the brand's focus on material quality, durable construction, and its legacy. While sales do happen, they are less frequent and often less aggressive than at American Eagle. Levi's positions its jeans as a long-term investment piece, not a fast-fashion purchase.

Quality & Materials

Levi's unequivocally wins on long-term durability. The brand is famous for using high-quality, often rigid or selvedge denim designed to withstand years of wear. The stitching is robust, the hardware is sturdy, and the fabric ages beautifully. For consumers who want to buy a pair of jeans and wear them for a decade, Levi's is the clear choice.

American Eagle prioritizes immediate comfort over rugged durability. Their jeans often contain a higher percentage of elastane or other stretch fibers, making them soft and flexible right off the shelf. This makes them incredibly comfortable for everyday wear but also means they may lose their shape or wear out faster than a pair of sturdier Levi's.

Style & Aesthetic

The brands cater to different style preferences. American Eagle is all about what's current and trendy. They offer a vast array of finishes, from light acid washes to heavy distressing and ripped styles. The aesthetic is youthful, casual, and a little laid-back, perfect for someone who wants to keep their wardrobe modern and fresh without much effort.

Levi's focuses on timeless, classic American style. Their most famous fits, like the 501, have been popular for generations. While they offer modern cuts like skinny and slim fits, the overall aesthetic remains clean, versatile, and heritage-driven. Levi's are for someone building a wardrobe with classic pieces that won't feel dated next season.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands offer an excellent range of sizing, but they excel in different areas. American Eagle is a fan favorite for its inclusive approach, offering up to size 24 and dedicated "Curvy" fits that provide more room in the hip and thigh. Their ultra-stretchy material also makes finding a comfortable fit easier for many.

Levi's also provides a broad size selection but is known for its precise, classic cuts. Their sizing is reliable, but the more rigid, 100% cotton styles can feel less forgiving than AE's stretchy blends. Shoppers often need to know their exact measurements and preferred cut (e.g., Slim, Straight, Bootcut) to find their perfect pair.

Sustainability & Ethics

Levi's has established itself as an industry frontrunner in sustainability. Their Water initiative has saved billions of liters of water, and the brand heavily promotes its "Buy Better, Wear Longer" campaign to combat fast fashion. They are transparent about their supply chain and use of sustainable materials, making this a core tenet of their brand identity.

American Eagle is making progress with its "Real Good" collection, which features jeans made with sustainably sourced materials and manufactured using water-saving techniques. However, their business model aligns more closely with faster fashion cycles, and they are not yet at the same level of comprehensive sustainability as Levi's.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on what you value most in a pair of jeans. Both provide excellent options but cater to distinct needs and priorities.

Choose American Eagle if:

• You prioritize trendy styles and want access to the latest denim washes and cuts.
• Your budget is typically under $70 for a pair of jeans.
• You prefer a softer, stretchier denim that is comfortable from the very first wear.
• You need inclusive sizing options, especially curvy-specific fits.

Choose Levi's if:

• You are willing to invest in a pair of high-quality jeans that will last for years.
• You prefer classic, timeless style over passing trends.
• Durability and rugged construction are more important to you than stretch comfort.
• Shopping from brands with a strong, proven commitment to sustainability is a top priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is American Eagle or Levi's cheaper?

American Eagle is significantly cheaper, with jeans generally priced between $40-$70 and frequent sales that offer even bigger discounts. Levi's is more expensive, with a price range of $70-$120 for most styles, reflecting its status as a premium, long-lasting product.

Which brand has better quality jeans?

For durable, long-lasting quality, Levi's is the winner. Their denim is heavier, and their construction methods are designed for longevity. For out-of-the-box comfort and softness, many prefer the stretch-infused denim from American Eagle, though it may not last as many years.

Which jeans last longer, American Eagle or Levi's?

Levi's jeans are built to last and will almost always outlive a pair from American Eagle. Their sturdy cotton denim and reinforced construction are designed for years, sometimes even decades, of wear.

Do American Eagle or Levi's jeans run true to size?

Both brands generally run true to size, but their fit is very different. American Eagle jeans have a lot of stretch, making them more forgiving. Levi's classic 100% cotton styles have no give, so it's important to get the sizing just right.

Which brand is better for curvy fits?

American Eagle is well-known for its excellent "Curvy" line, specifically designed with more room through the hip and thigh. While Levi's also offers styles that work for curvy figures, AE makes it a central part of its fit strategy.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Levi's has a much stronger and longer-standing commitment to sustainability. With pioneering programs like Water and a focus on durable products to fight fast fashion, they are widely recognized as an industry leader in ethical and environmental practices.

What is the style difference between American Eagle and Levi's?

American Eagle's style is trendy, youthful, and casual, focusing on what's popular right now. Levi's style is classic, timeless, and authentic, rooted in over 150 years of American heritage.

Does American Eagle or Levi's have better sales?

American Eagle has more frequent and better sales. It's common to find BOGO offers, 30-40% off promotions, and a deep clearance section year-round, making it a paradise for bargain hunters.