American Apparel

RUDE WORKER.
Came in around 5pm with 2 of my friends and we were just browsing, looking around (what people do when they shop) and this employee goes, «are you guys going to buy anything from my store, if not, leave.» And I turn to my friend with a puzzled look, thinking to myself, did she really say that? And I answered, «I don’t know, we are still looking…» And she goes «ok. Don’t answer me.» in a sarcastic tone. And after that we just left. Like wow, I am never coming here again. I can tell I’m not the only one here that won’t either.

Sigh. Pro-​tip: DON’T TELL MY FAT ASS WHAT I CAN WEAR IN YOUR STORE. No, seriously. You have no idea if I’m in there shopping for a skinny lover, a best friend, a freaking scrunchie (which, hello, one size fits most hair), or my own fat ass.
And here’s the other fun thing: despite being a deliciously fat human, I can wear a surprising number of things from American Apparel. Their bike shorts, leggings, and tights are staples in my wardrobe… plus, of course I have the usual stash of lace skirts, chiffon tank tops, and polo dresses. (RIP, dear polo dresses. You are my uniform, my beloved uniform.)
But I’ve been told too many times that I’m not welcome at this store. A few times, staff has actually laughed when I start looking through the racks. I’ve had an overly caffeinated cashier announce their surprise «that I could fit anything!» when I checked out. I’ve been given dirty, nasty looks a lot.
Some perspective: I’ve shopped in American Apparel stores in 8 countries, and the New Orleans store is the only one that’s been a fat-​shaming store. (I was absolutely ignored in Philadelphia, which was annoying.)
Eyeroll.
Accessibility notes: step up into store. Door opens in. Music is often played very loud. Clothing racks are very close together. Items hanging up the walls. High counter for check-​out. No Braille signage.

While this store appears as if it is your basics store, they offer such a great variety of styles with the few patterns they come out with each season. The quality has definitely improved since they first started becoming big as a store, and their variety has definitely increased. There are more patterns than before, which is great! Only downside — their sizing is sometimes inconsistent, and they are a bit on the pricier side. Otherwise, their hoodies are the comfiest to lounge in, and their tights and leggins are pretty rad too.
They pride themselves in American, no sweatshop labor — and I think that’s pretty awesome. Though not the biggest store, this location is pretty prime — located next to Buffalo Exchange, as well with a string of restaurants.

The only reason I am giving 2 stars instead of 1 is because there was one pleasant employee to weigh out the total lack of common sense from another. I don’t expect much from employees in stores like this but they have good leggings and hoodies so I shop here once in a while.
The reason I’m writing this review is my visit today. I was trying on a jacket in front of the mirror in the back. Not even 5 feet away, some chatty brunette employee is just talking her coworker’s ear off about nothing in particular. Then she starts talking about what I am trying on (not the exact piece but the style/​trend) and how she hates it and doesn’t understand why it’s still a thing. I’m upset simply because I can not comprehend how she can be so dumb to talk like that in front of a customer who is trying to spend money at the store she works at.

80s workout outfit, check. Base layers for a great costume, check. 80’s throwback digital watches, check.
American Apparel is a great basics or not so basics color block shopping spot. Their prices on some things seem steep but every now and then, they’ll run some great deals, i.e. I got my sweet sweet shorts for Halloween for $ 11!
They always have security at the door, and they’re open later than 6 every night so no serious rushing after work to get in there. Their staff, the few times I’ve gone, can be a little hit or miss in helpfulness but I believe they have to wear the AA clothing line so you might be able to pull a cool outfit off of them (not actually off of them, but you know what I mean).
I wouldn’t necessarily go there for a white tank top since there are cheaper alternatives around town, but their leg warmers are great as are their multi-​colored leggings and body suits.
Word to the wise, try it on. If you’re a small, you’re probably a medium here. Don’t get a complex over it. And try on that medium because for some reason there seems to be an inconsistency with sizing sometimes. Also, occasionally, things fit funny. So definitely try everything on even if you’re buying two medium unitards.
What was great about this visit is it was close to Halloween so the cashier chica was rocking a ventriloquist doll open mouth face paint, but her mouth wasn’t open. Wish I would’ve snapped a picture. I couldn’t stop staring.

Haters gonna hate, my butt looks good in the jeans shorts I bought from this aa. Chatty staff, I ain’t complaining.

Eek! methinks not.
The people that work here are not helpful, rude, extremely lazy, and pretentious.
They failed to tell me what I was buying was not only not returnable but NOT exchangeable. Morons. Complete morons.
I dealt with an A. A is Seattle and they were more professional and helpful.
Do not buy anything from here. Employed by nimrods.

Well– there’s some hatin’ going on here– but I’ll tell you about my experience. I bought some drawers at the the Memphis AA store on vacation. I finally got around to wearing them in New Orleans. I opened the package, and BAMMO! Someone had replaced the briefs with boxers– so we went to the AA in NOL to exchange.
PROBLEM– I didn’t have the receipt
SOLUTION– the cool chick behind the counter called the Memphis store to get my receipt number and process my exchange. Very cool customer experience.
BIG PLUS– the clothes are made in the USA! So quit your bellyachin’ and start buying US products !

I have always been a fan of American Apparel– but this review will be for THIS location of an American Apparel store.
I know that they have some staple things like thick knee socks and shiny metallic leggings, but there are some weird things going on in the front of this location. Tutus. What look like my grandfather’s 1920’s button ups in weird colors like pale yellow. Just threw me off because there is this whole vintage feeling going on and then all of a sudden there’s like neon spandex thongs. Weird.
I gotta say though, American Apparel makes some quality clothes that are my favorites. Their stretchy braided belts are awesome. My sweatshirt dress is also a fav.
This location, however, has a smelly staff. eek. I KNOW that it is SOO mean to say. But, there is a worker here who doesn’t use deodorant and i’m so sensitive to smells that I can’t go in here anymore. sorry.

Once American Apparel went retail, it has been downhill in quality, style and substance. The brand is nothing but chasing the hipsters and has taken such a tangent that it is no longer about quality basics, but just about being EDGY and just shy of offensive in their ads. Well, I know they’ve offended a lot of people with their ads.
The clothing quality is not very high, and the staff is apparently just there to look «hipper than thou» — if you can wade through the ugly clothes, you can dig around and still find a good staple once in a while. As much as I shop, American Apparel is no longer in my rounds, which is completely opposite from when I was a huge supporter of the brand years ago.
Sizing is still smaller than what most people are accustomed to, and the items all shrink a lot when washed.

I agree with the last 2 reviews! They could care less about customer service. Upon entry to the store, the sales staff demand that you surrender ALL of your bags at the register due to shoplifting concerns. ALL customers are treated as if your a shoplifter. This is the only store on Magazine Street that has this stupid policy.

You’d be better off buying online.
The staff are very discriminatory from what I have heard. When you actually are approached by someone, don’t be fooled into thinking they’ll actually help you; they’re just there to see whether or not you are shoplifting. I was approached by someone who asked if they could help me get into a room, and I asked them if they had one item in a certain color and if they could just put another item behind the counter as I was going to purchase it. They never checked on the first item and the other item was put back in stock when I got to the front counter.
If they got some decent sales training, perhaps this business could be saved as the product is, of course, fantastic. But for now, I’ll be avoiding.