American Apparel

Original American Apparel (pre-Gildan acquisition, roughly pre-2016) is widely praised as genuinely durable, long-lasting clothing made in the USA, with many commenters still wearing pieces from the mid-2000s to early 2010s in excellent condition. The brand's reputation took a sharp decline after Gildan acquired it — quality dropped significantly and US manufacturing was largely abandoned. Those seeking the original quality are generally directed to Los Angeles Apparel, founded by AA's ousted CEO, though that comes with its own ethical baggage.

Vintage American Apparel (pre-2016) is legitimately BIFL-quality clothing, but the current brand under Gildan is not — shoppers seeking that original quality should look to secondhand markets or Los Angeles Apparel, accepting the ethical trade-offs of the latter.

Vintage American Apparel (pre-acquisition) is consistently praised for exceptional longevity, shape retention, and comfort across t-shirts, hoodies, and underwear — many pieces lasting 10-20 years of regular wear.

• T-shirts and hoodies from 2005-2012 still holding up after 10-15+ years
• Fabric holds color well and resists fading over many washes
• Doesn't shrink or distort in the dryer like competing brands
• Tri-blend and 50/50 fabrics praised for softness, stretch, and durability
• Fit remains consistent and flattering over years of wear
• Made in USA manufacturing was a key quality differentiator

The modern American Apparel brand (post-Gildan acquisition) is widely considered a shadow of its former self — quality has dropped substantially, manufacturing moved overseas, and the original ethical selling point of US production is gone. The founder's serious personal misconduct is also a recurring concern.

• Post-Gildan AA quality described as significantly inferior to original
• No longer made in the USA — now manufactured in Central/South America
• New denim frays poorly and doesn't fade as hoped
• Recent hoodies reported to pill badly on first wash
• Founder Dov Charney's misconduct makes ethical purchasing complicated
• Some newer tees show holes around collar and shoulder stitching

One commenter has worn the same 50/50 blend t-shirts through 12 years of regular construction work — they don't look new, but they've held up remarkably well and still hold their color.

A former American Apparel employee still wears free uniform pieces from around 2010 as daily pajamas — the 50/25/25 tees are holding up, but recently purchased hoodies pilled horribly almost immediately.

Someone who kept a white American Apparel tee from 2008 notes the neckband still lays flat and color is still good — and wishes they'd bought 20 of them when they had the chance.

A commenter notes that original AA denim wears in beautifully with age, while post-acquisition Gildan-era denim frays disappointingly — despite looking nearly identical at purchase.