Friday, June 30, 2006

American Apparel

All of a sudden it seems American Apparel is EVERYWHERE! Recently on a shopping trip to Haight-Ashbury we walked into an American Apparel store and I felt instantly transported back into the 80's (this was my first encounter with them). I was trying to figure out what made me feel that way, and I suspect it had something to do with all the legwarmers, stirrup tights, and old-school terry shorts.

Since entering their premises last week, it also seems like I've been hearing their name everywhere. Online, in magazines, etc... I have to say I'm a bit baffled, seeing as most of their merchandise seems to consist of plain-colored t-shirts, skirts, shorts, etc. But perhaps it's the 80's vibe that attracts people to them. After all, I'm already feeling myself drawn to their knee-length tube-socks. ; ) (although, honestly, at $10 a pop I doubt I'll be getting them anytime soon).

I have to admit part of me kinda likes the idea of this store... If it were cheaper. And, also if they didn't have blatant ass and boob shots of "models showing off their clothes" all over the store. I swear, it was almost as bad as Abercrombie & Fitch (that bastion of teenybopper soft porn). WHY must we resort to showing T & A just to sell merchandise? Shouldn't the actual CLOTHES be part of the advertising? Am I just turning into an old geezer?

1 comment:

ThatBeeGirl said...

American Apparel's appeal (try saying that 5 times fast) is that they pay all their employees a living wage -- starting with the garment workers. Everything is made in L.A., not in foreign sweatshops, and the C.E.O. is a sleazy pig.
The appeal beyond this, from what I gather, is that they have basic tees and sweats at reasonable prices. It's a pain these days to go to stores and not find something simple!