Ami vs. Amiri: What's the difference?

Ami is known for its understated, Parisian-chic aesthetic, offering versatile and wearable pieces at an accessible luxury price point. By contrast, Amiri embodies a bold, Los Angeles rock-and-roll vibe, with heavily distressed denim, leather jackets, and graphic tees that come with a premium luxury price tag.

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

Ami: The Understated Parisian Chic

Founded in 2011 by Alexandre Mattiussi, Ami brings a slice of modern Parisian style to the global market. The brand focuses on creating a friendly, authentic wardrobe with well-made, easy-to-wear pieces that feel both sophisticated and relaxed. Its target audience values high-quality basics and timeless designs with a contemporary twist over chasing fast-fashion trends.

• Product mix: Ami offers a complete wardrobe for men and women, including tailored outerwear, soft knitwear featuring its signature "Ami de Coeur" heart logo, classic shirts, and clean-cut denim. The collection is designed to be mixed and matched effortlessly.
• Price point: The brand is positioned in the accessible luxury segment. T-shirts typically range from $150 to $250, denim is around $200-$300, and tailored jackets can cost $1,000 or more.
• Quality: Ami uses high-quality materials like fine wool, Italian cotton, and durable denim. The construction prioritizes a comfortable fit and lasting quality for everyday wear.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall look is minimalist, refined, and effortlessly cool. With a focus on clean lines and a mostly neutral palette, Ami is ideal for creating versatile smart-casual looks.
• Sizing/Fit: Ami generally runs true to size with a focus on relaxed and classic fits that are comfortable and flattering for a wide range of body types.
• Sustainability: The brand is taking steps toward more responsible practices, including using eco-friendly fabrics and increasing supply chain transparency.

Ami is the perfect choice for building a timeless, high-quality wardrobe with a relaxed European sensibility.

Shop Ami: amiparis.com

Amiri: The LA Rock-and-Roll Luxury

Launched in 2014 by designer Mike Amiri, this Los Angeles-based brand quickly became a favorite among celebrities and fashion trendsetters. Amiri captures a defiant, rebellious spirit with luxury streetwear that blends artisanal craftsmanship with edgy, grunge-inspired details. It's for the customer who wants to make a statement and isn't afraid of distressed finishes and bold graphics.

• Product mix: Amiri is most famous for its meticulously distressed and embellished denim, alongside leather jackets, graphic tees, hoodies, and footwear like its Skel Top sneakers. The collections often feature custom prints and intricate embroidery.
• Price point: Amiri is firmly in the premium luxury category. Graphic tees start around $300, its iconic distressed denim often costs between $500 and $1,200, and leather jackets can exceed $2,000.
• Quality: The brand uses top-tier materials like Japanese selvedge denim, Italian leather, and custom-milled hardware. The intensive craftsmanship, such as manual distressing and embellishment, justifies its high price.
• Style & Aesthetic: The vibe is pure rock-and-roll glam. Expect skinny jeans, oversized flannels, vintage-inspired band tees, and a lot of black leather - all executed with a distinctively luxurious finish.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is generally true to size but often leans towards a slim or skinny fit, especially in denim and jackets. Oversized pieces are also common, so it's wise to consult the sizing chart for each individual item.

Amiri offers collectible, handcrafted pieces for an unapologetically bold and fashion-forward look.

Shop Amiri: amiri.com

Ami vs. Amiri Comparison

Style & Aesthetic Comparison

The core difference between Ami and Amiri is their aesthetic. Ami is the epitome of Parisian cool - understated, clean, and elegant. Its pieces, like a classic wool coat or a simple logo sweater, are designed for versatility and timeless appeal. You could easily wear Ami to the office, out to dinner, or for a weekend stroll.

Amiri, on the other hand, is loud, edgy, and rooted in LA's music and streetwear scene. Its clothes are designed to be seen. Think jeans meticulously shredded and then repaired with leather patches, or hand-painted leather jackets. An Amiri outfit doesn't blend in, it stands out as the centerpiece of a look.

Price Comparison

There is a significant price gap between the two brands. Ami operates in the "approachable luxury" space. While not cheap, its prices are more accessible for consumers looking to invest in designer quality without entering the highest echelons of luxury spending. A complete outfit from Ami could cost what a single pair of Amiri jeans goes for.

Amiri is a premium luxury brand with prices that reflect its intensive labor, high-end materials, and status symbol appeal. The cost is driven by the complex artisanal processes involved in creating each piece, particularly the hand-distressed denim and custom embellishments.

Quality & Materials

Both brands prioritize quality, but their focus differs. Ami focuses on high-quality, comfortable fabrics that are meant for frequent wear, like soft merino wool and durable cotton twill. The brand's craftsmanship is clean, consistent, and geared toward longevity in a classic sense.

Amiri's quality is expressed through luxury materials and expert deconstruction and reconstruction. It uses world-renowned materials like Japanese selvedge denim and Italian leather. The value lies in the artistry - each rip, paint splatter, and embroidered detail is deliberately and skillfully applied by hand. This level of detail ensures no two pieces are exactly alike.

Fit & Sizing

Ami generally offers more classic and relaxed fits. Sizing is consistent and aligns with standard European measurements, making it relatively easy to find your size online. Their focus is on comfort and creating a silhouette that is stylish without being restrictive.

Amiri's fits are more specific to its rock-and-roll style. Denim is famous for its skinny, stacked "J-shape" leg, but the brand also offers slim and relaxed fits. Tops and outerwear can range from form-fitting to intentionally oversized. Checking the exact measurements on Amiri's product pages is recommended due to the stylistic variations.

Sustainability & Ethics

Ami has made a more public effort to integrate sustainable practices into its business model. The brand is focused on using more organic and recycled materials and providing greater transparency in its manufacturing process.

Amiri's approach to its value proposition centers more on craftsmanship and the artisanal quality of its made-in-America products. While aligned with ethical luxury production standards, widespread environmental initiatives are not a primary focus of its brand messaging.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal style, priorities, and how you want your clothing to function in your life.

Choose Ami if:

• You prefer a minimalist, elegant, and timeless style.
• You're building a versatile wardrobe with high-quality pieces you can wear for years.
• You want designer quality at a more accessible luxury price point.
• Comfort and relaxed fits are important to you.

Choose Amiri if:

• You gravitate towards a bold, edgy, and rebellious aesthetic.
• You view clothing as a form of self-expression and want statement pieces.
• Your budget allows for premium luxury and you appreciate intricate craftsmanship.
• You are inspired by celebrity style and luxury streetwear culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ami or Amiri more expensive?

Amiri is significantly more expensive than Ami. Amiri's prices for items like jeans and jackets can be three to four times higher than similar categories at Ami, reflecting its premium materials and intensive labor.

Which brand has better quality?

Both brands offer excellent quality, but it's executed differently. Ami delivers high-quality construction and refined, durable materials suitable for an everyday wardrobe. Amiri's quality is seen in its luxurious, often custom-sourced materials and the highly skilled, artisanal work required to create its signature distressed and embellished pieces.

What is Ami known for?

Ami is known for its friendly Parisian chic and iconic "Ami de Coeur" (Friend of Hearts) red logo. It’s recognized for making high-quality, wearable separates that are both stylish and unassuming.

What is Amiri famous for?

Amiri is famous for its signature distressed denim, particularly the MX1 and MX2 styles, which feature custom distressing and ribbed leather patches. The brand is a staple in the luxury streetwear scene known for its rock-and-roll aesthetic.

Are Ami and Amiri related brands?

No, they are completely unrelated. Ami was founded by French designer Alexandre Mattiussi in Paris, and Amiri was founded by American designer Mike Amiri in Los Angeles. The similar names are purely a coincidence.

Where are Ami and Amiri from?

Ami is a French brand based in Paris. Amiri is an American luxury brand based in Los Angeles, California.

Which is better for everyday wear?

Ami is much better suited for everyday wear. Its focus on comfort, versatility, and classic designs makes its clothing easy to integrate into a daily work or casual wardrobe. While many wear Amiri daily, its bold statement pieces are often less practical for a conventional office or professional setting.

Does Ami's sizing run large or small?

Ami sizing generally runs true to standard European sizing. Its fits are often designed to be slightly relaxed, but you can typically take your normal size. Referencing the brand's size chart is always a good practice.