🤣😆 The hate is completely justified. I loved this video! I've observed that this year, in particular, the quality of certain brands has taken a significant nosedive (... acrylic sweaters,...), all while the prices continue to climb. I understand the concept of inflation, but there's simply no excuse for offering us Forever21 quality at the price range of $100 to $200 and more... we're not stupid 😡💔💸
I’m so glad Jennifer actually looks at what the fabric is and calls out the low quality of the material used. So many people (I notice it especially among TH-camrs) rave about the softness of the fabrics without mentioning the actual fabric. I have not found one of the complimented “soft” clothing pieces that is not cheap synthetic fabric. 😢
These stores have realized the majority of women shop online so armed with clever marketing, a beautifully photographed collection and often positive reviews they’ve paid for, they ship this crap out to you knowing how many us don’t return things by mail or miss the deadlines etc. I am beyond grateful for your reviews!
My mum always used to point out these kind of issues with clothes in store and it really annoyed me. But now I appreciate that I can easily avoid buying item which won’t wear well. Unfortunately it’s becoming harder and harder to find well made clothes and it’s depressing to wade through the piles of cheaply made rubbish that will end up in landfill!
It’s crazy because almost any segment of the clothing market is all about the same quality but at varying prices. The only difference is the brand name. This is the LVMH effect at work. We can table the talk on how all their brands went to the gutter, with Loro Piana following suit shortly.
PLEASE do this for Aritzia!!! I hear so many good things but have not felt like I can pull the trigger on buying expensive staples from them!! Your input is SO helpful - I would love to know your thoughts on Aritzia!
I have had a couple of pieces from Aritizia (a puff jacket which has held up well) and a knitted dress (which fits lovely but pills) I have noticed that a lot of the higher end brands have started using a lot of synthetic material and blends rather than natural materials and this includes Aritizia
(February 2024) I just checked out the Aritzia pants Jennifer mentions in the video. The “Effortless Pants” are made out of mostly polyester! ($148 USD). Is it possible that the “Effortless Pants”, sold in Canada are comprised of a different fabric blend than those sold in the U.S.? 🤔
My mom calls them FashionNova & Fitch 😂 Most people don’t realize that this company put themselves on the map in the late 90s by selling quality garments at regular malls they literally trademarked “casual luxury” but all that was shrouded by all their controversies in the early 2000s. Now this rebrand is a perfect example of how much fast-fashion, trends and dupes have de-synthesized the clothing industry, people nowadays don’t know what real quality and craftsmanship is.
They are the OG brick and mortar fast fashion. Like rue 21 and forever 21 and wet seal. It's all the same unethical labor practices and super low quality but it's sold to you as better than what you can cat at Target/ Walmart
So when they first rebranded a few years ago everything was super high quality and they had a lower price point to bring people in. The sales were incredible and because most people didn’t know yet you could wait on things till they went on sale. I think as they have ramped up production they have let quality go. All the cheap fabrics have been killing me. The cotton sweaters are worth it.
I’ve been buying since 2018 they shouldn’t have let Aaron Levine go in 2020 and still mad about it the greatest parka they dropped was in 2018 and the second gen in 2019 ultra parka hits so hard
I was truly shocked how poor the quality has been as of late. A&F has been my go-to for the past few years just due to the quality of their products. Super sad :’(
@@oddbry I feel you on this cause the pieces they were putting in the start of the rebrand were incredible the jeans still hit but I’ve noticed this is the women are getting the garbage fabrics and the mens stuff is better stuff and when their business is 60% women and 40% men compared to a decade ago it was opposite the mythical items you wanna search for in general is the 1892 Buffalo bomber jacket from fw’ 15-16 made with woolrich fabric it’s the old fit and the reproduction of the 70s safari jacket and 2018 reissue of the jfk chinos but in 2023 the women are getting the shit end of the stick and I hope to change that I got accepted into the creator suite there doing so expect some off shoot stuff without violating the weird terms
It’s called Go to Market strategy and they worked hard to bait and switch their customers. No accountability to their customers and heritage anymore. Forever 21 and HM ruined quality standards and the environment with the race to the bottom quality trends.
You are 100% correct! I was at Abercrombie last week and was shocked by the poor quality. It wasn't just bad material, there were many holes where the stitching came apart. Everything looked like it had been left on the bedroom floor for about a week. I can usually find one or two items, but I left with nothing. Your content is fantastic!
I have an early 1960s heathered robin eggs, blue three-quarter length sleeved woman’s cashmere cardigan from Abercrombie and Fitch. It is so beautiful and it has definitely stood the test of time. I get so many compliments on it and it always fits me no matter what my sizes. I’ve been wearing it since about 1998 when I was in high school, it was my mom’s older sisters when they were in high school, and somehow it got passed on to me. Even the tag is a work of art. When I get compliments on the sweater, I will sometimes say “check this out!” And show the person, the fancy tag, and then they say, “whoa, it’s Ambercrombie and Fitch, I can’t believe it!”.
I have a couple pieces (not from Abercrombie) from J.Crew and express that I bought in the 90s that I still wear. It’s amazing they haven’t faded or pilled or anything.
I recommend buying certain brands second hand or on online marketplaces like Poshmark and Mercari. There have been pieces I saw online, really wanted to buy, saved up extra money for, bought them second hand, and realized I was grateful I didn’t pay full price for the garment since the quality wasn’t all that.
My vintage abercrombie jacket from early 2000s still holds up till this day. The rebranding just made me avoid new clothings at the mall unless I am patient to find high quality clothing.
my mom has sooo many A&F pieces from the early 2000s that she bought after i was born and they are still in nearly perfect condition. we went in store together a few weeks ago and could hardly find anything worth our while. i bought a pair of cargos on sale 😂
i only buy the older stuff by thrifting as well. it’s so upsetting how many brands go down in quality. the older stuff by them is have bought second hand is still really good quality and cotton
This channel is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I want to revamp my wardrobe with quality clothing but I don’t know what to look for and where to start. This is really helpful. 😊
This video was sooo helpful. Thanks for actually going into the store to compare everything to the online images. It’s crazy how different it looks in images vs on the rack vs in the fitting room. Thank you!
I stopped shopping at Abercrombie when I was in high-school like almost 15 years ago LOL. But sometime last year I ended up on their website and some of their stuff looked pretty cute. When I went to the store in person, it looked cheap, especially for the price they charge.
Thank you! I went into A&F the other day to look specifically at the long wool coats and jeans..... yeah I was like they want a fortune for cheap looking fabrics. I gaspsed when I looked at the prices of their blazers and how thin and flimsy they were. I was ready to buy too and just walked out disappointed. I thought I was going crazy, glad I'm not the only one who agrees.
I love your videos because for YEARS I have been struggling shopping and found clothes were never looking right!!!! I now buy very few pieces and focus on quality, design and material. Keep doing these videos!!
You need to know what to get at Abercrombie. Their premium heavyweight line of tees are great. Good weight, good soft fabric, 100% cotton, and double stitched. Most of their linen and cotton blend fabrics that are majority linen or cotton are great. I agree that a good amount of their inventory is fast fashion with cheap ugly fabric. I’m still obsessed with some of their premium pieces, though.
As messed up at AF was back then, the quality of the clothes were so much better. I still have thick knee high socks from AF that are still in great condition. Bought them 10+ years ago.
I love their curve jeans and basic tees (only when they're on sale) but I can't imagine spending that much money on any of their other products. Love your insights!
The Sloane pants finally showed up online in my size after months of checking - after 1 hour of wear they were pilling between the thighs and after one day there was pilling everywhere; waistband, cuffs, etc
I love the Sloane pants. I have like 6 pairs. Would NEVER buy them at full price. But as long as you wash cold and hang dry- they are pretty great to me. But this is pretty much all I buy from Abercrombie.
I have the sloane pants. They’re perfect for my 5’0 size and they have alot of different color. Although I’ve bought a uniqlo wide leg pants they’re much better quality they even have back pockets! I’ve checked the aritzia wideleg. Pants they’re $145😮 and for short they only have 3 colors to choose from!
At this point in time, we should realize we’re only buying the tag lol I loved your video, as someone who’s become super picky with how / where I spend my money on clothes , I found this video incredibly informative. I always checked where things are made and what the material is because it makes a big difference 😊
😂😂 Wow! Thank you SO MUCH for the enlightenment. Sincerely appreciate your honesty. You have completely transformed the way I look at clothes. And making me laugh while pointing out AF’s shortcomings is a bonus! Merci beaucoup! 😁🫶🏼
Why does everything suck these days?! So hard to find good quality! I love that I stumbled upon your channel today! Definitely loving the content so far
I LOVE your callouts - it's funny because I have no education regarding fashion/fabric; I just KNOW what I like and pretty much everything you're saying is what I've learned over the years.
Your content popped up on my homepage a week ago and I've been binging non-stop. Thank you for these videos!! They're so helpful and as someone who over spends way too much, they've been a great tool to help me say no to things.
ngl i love the sloane pants. theyre good for petite sizes and i wash in cold water and hang dry and they are completely fine. idk about the other items but the sloane pants are good tbh.
Thank you so much for this review! This is the type of review I would love to see more. Esp, when I was shopping for winter coats, the amount of clothes I had to buy and return because you can't see the fabric and stitch until it's in your hands, but now I can just tune into your channel instead :)
I used to love Abercrombie, I began shopping there in 2004 or so because I loved their jeans. Probably 10 years ago they started introducing jeggings and this is when I noticed all of their clothes quality started going down hill. Then it becoming super trendy again (cus people forgot about the old CEO at this point I suppose) in the past 2-3 years was the final nail in the coffin IMO. The prices are also sooo much more expensive than when the clothes were actually worth buying.
This is nutty when you realize that Abercrombie and Fitch started out as an upscale *sporting goods* store in 1892, lol... One of my favorite movies is Rock Hudson in "Man's Favorite Sport?". He plays a salesman at Abercrombie and Fitch in San Francisco. And it's ironic when you consider that the clothes they're wearing in this 1964 movie are probably much better quality than the dreck I'm seeing in the video... I could tell in your first storewide shot that the clothes are cheaply made. Throw in A/F's history of racist fashion along with being a "pretty boys and girls employee only" club, and I don't understand how they're still in business... Great video, thanks! 👍👍
Im subscribing just off the short from this, which brought me here. I used to work retail years ago and the way quality has declined in clothing is maddening! I hope to learn how to find things that are good quality regardless, so thank you!
Recently discovered your channel and I love it! It is so difficult to find well made clothes these days. Thanks for your tips and education about different fabrics and what to look for.
I’ve been looking for a channel just like this! Please keep going, I’d love to see quality review for Mango and Quince! Oh, and a video about looking for quality in shoes would also be wonderful.
Thanks for such a thorough review! I've also been disappointed by some of their stuff, so I've been very cautious when it comes to buying things from them. I bought the Sloane pants last year, and the hem fell down after a couple of wears, so I had to restitch it. They definitely also pill, as you suspected. I also got a faux leather puffer from them, and that snagged on everything and fell apart within the month, so I returned it. I recently purchased another pair of the Sloane pants. They were on sale but still cost a bit more than I thought they were worth. I noticed that the material felt noticeably cheaper and thinner than my last pair. They have the elastic backing, but the elastic doesn't seem to add anything to the pants, as the waistband doesn't stretch.
You are so funny and direct I love it 😂 thank you for de influencing us we can’t keep letting these brands get away with charging us $$$ for garbage clothes
I am new to your channel and I love it. I used to sew back in the day when fabric stores carried quality fabrics and were nit craft stores. I appreciate good construction and quality fabric. Keep up the good work.
I NEEEED these videos now more than ever because I'm rebuilding my wardrobe and I have no idea where to start. I want to spend my money on good quality but fair prices. I also have no clue about fabric so thank you for talking sense.
I agree that Abercrombie's marketing is superior to their actual designs. I kept hearing good things about Abercrombie lately and how much of a revamp they've had, but whenever I check out their website, I find most of their clothing designs to be pretty meh. And I also agree that their clothing is pretty expensive relative to the quality and the materials used. I prefer the cut of Express' clothing (especially their tops and blazers), I find them to be flattering. And Express has better sales.
As someone who can never find jeans that fit their curve love jeans are amazing. I usually am lucky with their clothes. I have dresses and tops that look very high quality. And their cut is actually great if you’re not skinny which most brands don’t get right. The cardigans I got are made from cotton.
The trench coat is a crime. I got a 100% cotton Cos trench for $225 a few years ago (full price) and the shape was so much more unique and interesting. $200 for synthetic?? However A&F is the only brand I know of that makes curvy jeans in a variety of lengths, so I’m sticking with those because they fit me even better than other jeans I had tailored to my waist.
Old Navy and American Eagle also offer “curvy fit” jeans in various lengths. (I do wish more retailers offered curvy fits, but my guess is that many do not because the profit margin on “specialty” fit items is lower. 🤷♀️
please make this videos for other brands too, its so informative! also would u consider adding in some pieces that you thought were actually good quality/good material/worth the price tag as well?
It’s so sad, Abercrombie used to be my favourite brand 10-15 years ago, cause then they had unique designs with actually great quality (my mother is a master seamstress and always was pleased by them, especially the dresses). However since their rebrand a few years back, they changed from cotton and wool to polyester and when they included sales as well everything went down south and now it’s just like Zara.
Love this video concept! Really makes me second guess where I’m spending my money and what’s going to last for the hefty price. I’d love to see you review Madewell next! 😊🛍️
The stitching is horrendous on everything but the Sloane pants actually did look good on you & the elastic in the back is super practical for anyone who changes sizes easily or bloats. Fabrics & construction aren't there but they do seem pretty on the mark style wise- if they actually have consistent sizing, the popularity might actually make some sense?
You are wonderful. Thank goodness someone is calling "Them" out. We have to stop buying Plastic clothing. We can't afford to buy such cheap crap that ends up in the landfill 6-9months later.
I just absolutely LOVE your channel!!! Thanks for the quality clothing 101 lesson! Would love for you to do Zara, Lulu Lemon, Uggs…. Dupes… are they a better alt…🤔 Loved ur video on how to pick out comfortable heals… who knew that the heal should be more centered. 😮 Also regarding the button size, how big should it be in comparison to the hole? I’m now examining all my cloths…lolo Thanks for all the great content! Glad I found you!!! 😊 Ohhh and one last thing… it almost Christmas time… don’t forget about the boys!!
I love this video, haha! I'm such a hater of A&F. Every time I go in there, I'm so underwhelmed and bewildered by why it's so popular. You go, Jennifer! Thanks for this education hehe
The way you had me cackling this whole video😂…like I know it’s not intentional but “this is horrendous” really got me bc you seem so knowledgeable that I fully believe you are horrified 😭
I love your videos - so informative! Makes me think twice about buying something just because it looks good (for now). Can you do a video like this for Aritzia pleaseeee?
Abercrombie is really hit or miss for me. I buy clothes from them all the time, some are good, some are not. I got some baby tees from them and within a couple of weeks, the seam at the bottom ripped. However I love their jeans and sweatshirts. I got a zip up sweatshirt and I wear it almost everyday, I’ve had it for 10 months. I’m delicate when I wash these things, but it’s held up really well. I just got another sweatshirt a couple of months ago, washed it a couple of times and it still looks new. I have 3 pairs of their work pants including the Sloane pant, and the quality is bad I agree, they pill, I’ve had to reattach the button several times, but they still look good if I take care of them. I use a brush to remove the pilling, and steam them and they look good despite the poor quality considering I wear them everyday. It really depends with Abercrombie, sometimes I am impressed by their quality, other times I am shocked at how quickly something breaks. I recently got a denim jacket from them and I love it. I won’t really buy sweaters or wool coats from them ever, they charge sooo much for very poor quality. I never buy anything full price from them either, I always wait for sales. It is really hard to know how things are going to hold up with every brand today unfortunately. I have some clothes from Lululemon that I always wash delicate and hang dry, and there is a lot of pilling, and that is like the highest quality sportswear that exists on the market. Most important thing is to know exactly what each brand does quality and what to avoid. Denim, sweatshirts/pants, 100% cotton sweaters are good for Abercrombie. Wool coats, fake leather, synthetic sweaters are a big no no.
I was a bodysuit Stan of them until I washed them a few times.. they are the pilliest things ever and hold stains sooo hard. I still like their jeans! Most of my jeans are from them at this point.
Can you do a video on caring for clothes? You mentioned fabric softener… but I keep seeing entire videos and shorts about why you shouldn’t use fabric softener and dryer sheets. Only recently saw that softener can help reduce pilling though.
Hi Jennifer ! Love your videos and tips on instagram ! Just wondering if you can do a video on how you care for and wash your wools and cashmere knits that need some extra caring for? Is there a specific routine you do while washing them?
I don’t know how I’ve come across your videos but I’m so happy I did. Every single time I tell my friend how hard it is to find good quality clothes for a decent price, she directs me to Zara! Ugh! Their clothes suck!
Girl, you're right. I hardly buy clothes and out of extreme boredom with my wardrobe, ordered a handful of items total in the span of two years. There are two items I like and wear often but I can now tell the quality isn't worth what I paid. I won't be going back!
I remember back in the day I used to buy those tees that have the A & F log on them and their hoodies with their branding lol. as I got older, I actually did not shop at Abercrombie for quite some time. It was only a couple years ago I was taken aback how they have rebranded. Im a male customer and let me tell you IMO, I luv what they have done. I am a big fan of their jeans and for tops, I have a bunch of their hoodies. So I can say from my experience Ive had no issues with their Products. But there is one thing Ive noticed. I have their Premium Heavyweight Hoodies which I absolutely love; however, I did notice, when I bought the hoodie in black, it seems they have downgraded OR changed the material they used. I have 3 of their hoodies and I kid you not, the first 2 hoodies I bought are much more heavy in weight than the black colour way. So that kinda turned me off. Meh I guess having 2. out of the 3 hoodies being more of better quality I lucked out I guess lol
the bodysuits pilled on me so fast, one of the t shirts had holes/pilling after one wash and the sloan pants literally fell apart at the seams. Wish I saw this video earlier!
I really thought all the hype about the Abercrombie revival was just guys who wanted the ALD look on a mall budget. Didn't realize women's fashion was also currently obsessed with Abercrombie. I feel like you can easily get better construction and materials at a good price by thrifting and consequently don't really shop at any stores you'd find at your local mall.
Jenn, i had my eyes on the cardigan with pearl buttons for awhile. thank you so much for giving us the facts on acrylic LMAO. i saved at least $150 + tax
I thought I liked Abercrombie, but realized how poor quality they were over time. For jeans, do you think CItizens of Humanity jeans are worth it? Thank you Jen!
🤣😆 The hate is completely justified. I loved this video! I've observed that this year, in particular, the quality of certain brands has taken a significant nosedive (... acrylic sweaters,...), all while the prices continue to climb. I understand the concept of inflation, but there's simply no excuse for offering us Forever21 quality at the price range of $100 to $200 and more... we're not stupid 😡💔💸
I'm with ya on that one!
@@wangjenniferr keep it up 💗
I’m so glad Jennifer actually looks at what the fabric is and calls out the low quality of the material used. So many people (I notice it especially among TH-camrs) rave about the softness of the fabrics without mentioning the actual fabric. I have not found one of the complimented “soft” clothing pieces that is not cheap synthetic fabric. 😢
@@Ago2904 absolutely !!
Do y’all know of any good alternative brands ???
These stores have realized the majority of women shop online so armed with clever marketing, a beautifully photographed collection and often positive reviews they’ve paid for, they ship this crap out to you knowing how many us don’t return things by mail or miss the deadlines etc. I am beyond grateful for your reviews!
My mum always used to point out these kind of issues with clothes in store and it really annoyed me. But now I appreciate that I can easily avoid buying item which won’t wear well. Unfortunately it’s becoming harder and harder to find well made clothes and it’s depressing to wade through the piles of cheaply made rubbish that will end up in landfill!
Oh man. I'm sure I'll be the one annoying my kiddos with this one day. Hopefully they will find it useful down the line just like you!
It’s crazy because almost any segment of the clothing market is all about the same quality but at varying prices. The only difference is the brand name. This is the LVMH effect at work. We can table the talk on how all their brands went to the gutter, with Loro Piana following suit shortly.
PLEASE do this for Aritzia!!! I hear so many good things but have not felt like I can pull the trigger on buying expensive staples from them!! Your input is SO helpful - I would love to know your thoughts on Aritzia!
I have had a couple of pieces from Aritizia (a puff jacket which has held up well) and a knitted dress (which fits lovely but pills) I have noticed that a lot of the higher end brands have started using a lot of synthetic material and blends rather than natural materials and this includes Aritizia
The quality really varies for Aritzia! I have some pieces I’ve worn for 10+ years and some practically melted after a single hand wash.
(February 2024) I just checked out the Aritzia pants Jennifer mentions in the video. The “Effortless Pants” are made out of mostly polyester! ($148 USD). Is it possible that the “Effortless Pants”, sold in Canada are comprised of a different fabric blend than those sold in the U.S.? 🤔
She's done lots of aritzia videos!
My mom calls them FashionNova & Fitch 😂
Most people don’t realize that this company put themselves on the map in the late 90s by selling quality garments at regular malls they literally trademarked “casual luxury” but all that was shrouded by all their controversies in the early 2000s. Now this rebrand is a perfect example of how much fast-fashion, trends and dupes have de-synthesized the clothing industry, people nowadays don’t know what real quality and craftsmanship is.
They are the OG brick and mortar fast fashion. Like rue 21 and forever 21 and wet seal. It's all the same unethical labor practices and super low quality but it's sold to you as better than what you can cat at Target/ Walmart
💯 correct! It’s happened to nearly all my beloved stores/brands from the early oughts.
@wcolautti it started in 1990 gradually each year things got thinner and fabric switched to plastic
Abercrombie should have went private because the classic Abercrombie had such high quality clothing made out of 100% cotton.
Fashion has become a race to the bottom.
So when they first rebranded a few years ago everything was super high quality and they had a lower price point to bring people in. The sales were incredible and because most people didn’t know yet you could wait on things till they went on sale. I think as they have ramped up production they have let quality go. All the cheap fabrics have been killing me. The cotton sweaters are worth it.
I’ve been buying since 2018 they shouldn’t have let Aaron Levine go in 2020 and still mad about it the greatest parka they dropped was in 2018 and the second gen in 2019 ultra parka hits so hard
I was truly shocked how poor the quality has been as of late. A&F has been my go-to for the past few years just due to the quality of their products. Super sad :’(
@@oddbry I feel you on this cause the pieces they were putting in the start of the rebrand were incredible the jeans still hit but I’ve noticed this is the women are getting the garbage fabrics and the mens stuff is better stuff and when their business is 60% women and 40% men compared to a decade ago it was opposite the mythical items you wanna search for in general is the 1892 Buffalo bomber jacket from fw’ 15-16 made with woolrich fabric it’s the old fit and the reproduction of the 70s safari jacket and 2018 reissue of the jfk chinos but in 2023 the women are getting the shit end of the stick and I hope to change that I got accepted into the creator suite there doing so expect some off shoot stuff without violating the weird terms
The raspberry one shoulder dress, and the grey sweater dress looked good on you.
It’s called Go to Market strategy and they worked hard to bait and switch their customers. No accountability to their customers and heritage anymore. Forever 21 and HM ruined quality standards and the environment with the race to the bottom quality trends.
You are 100% correct! I was at Abercrombie last week and was shocked by the poor quality. It wasn't just bad material, there were many holes where the stitching came apart. Everything looked like it had been left on the bedroom floor for about a week. I can usually find one or two items, but I left with nothing. Your content is fantastic!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! 😄
Love that you don't pull your punches when it comes to criticizing brands. They already get away with too much!!
I have an early 1960s heathered robin eggs, blue three-quarter length sleeved woman’s cashmere cardigan from Abercrombie and Fitch. It is so beautiful and it has definitely stood the test of time. I get so many compliments on it and it always fits me no matter what my sizes. I’ve been wearing it since about 1998 when I was in high school, it was my mom’s older sisters when they were in high school, and somehow it got passed on to me. Even the tag is a work of art. When I get compliments on the sweater, I will sometimes say “check this out!” And show the person, the fancy tag, and then they say, “whoa, it’s Ambercrombie and Fitch, I can’t believe it!”.
That sounds beautiful
I have a couple pieces (not from Abercrombie) from J.Crew and express that I bought in the 90s that I still wear. It’s amazing they haven’t faded or pilled or anything.
I recommend buying certain brands second hand or on online marketplaces like Poshmark and Mercari. There have been pieces I saw online, really wanted to buy, saved up extra money for, bought them second hand, and realized I was grateful I didn’t pay full price for the garment since the quality wasn’t all that.
Yess! You know what's up!!
My vintage abercrombie jacket from early 2000s still holds up till this day. The rebranding just made me avoid new clothings at the mall unless I am patient to find high quality clothing.
my mom has sooo many A&F pieces from the early 2000s that she bought after i was born and they are still in nearly perfect condition. we went in store together a few weeks ago and could hardly find anything worth our while. i bought a pair of cargos on sale 😂
i only buy the older stuff by thrifting as well. it’s so upsetting how many brands go down in quality. the older stuff by them is have bought second hand is still really good quality and cotton
This channel is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I want to revamp my wardrobe with quality clothing but I don’t know what to look for and where to start. This is really helpful. 😊
This video was sooo helpful. Thanks for actually going into the store to compare everything to the online images. It’s crazy how different it looks in images vs on the rack vs in the fitting room. Thank you!
Ya those ones in the image are of higher quality prob from a different factory, images are doctored, and model body
I stopped shopping at Abercrombie when I was in high-school like almost 15 years ago LOL. But sometime last year I ended up on their website and some of their stuff looked pretty cute. When I went to the store in person, it looked cheap, especially for the price they charge.
Thank you! I went into A&F the other day to look specifically at the long wool coats and jeans..... yeah I was like they want a fortune for cheap looking fabrics. I gaspsed when I looked at the prices of their blazers and how thin and flimsy they were. I was ready to buy too and just walked out disappointed. I thought I was going crazy, glad I'm not the only one who agrees.
Don't let them gaslight you into thinking those prices are okay for the quality!!
Thank goodness for this video. I literally just ordered two items that you reviewed and I immediately canceled my order.
Phew crisis averted :P
I fell for the trench coat and i immediately returned when I received it! It felt like straight up plastic and so noisy and unflattering 😡
Yep that trench was nottt it 😐
When she showed the blazer I thought that was the trenchcoat lol
I love your videos because for YEARS I have been struggling shopping and found clothes were never looking right!!!! I now buy very few pieces and focus on quality, design and material. Keep doing these videos!!
You need to know what to get at Abercrombie. Their premium heavyweight line of tees are great. Good weight, good soft fabric, 100% cotton, and double stitched. Most of their linen and cotton blend fabrics that are majority linen or cotton are great. I agree that a good amount of their inventory is fast fashion with cheap ugly fabric. I’m still obsessed with some of their premium pieces, though.
Premium tailored pants too! More so than the regular, and they are on sale often.
As messed up at AF was back then, the quality of the clothes were so much better. I still have thick knee high socks from AF that are still in great condition. Bought them 10+ years ago.
I love their curve jeans and basic tees (only when they're on sale) but I can't imagine spending that much money on any of their other products. Love your insights!
The Sloane pants finally showed up online in my size after months of checking - after 1 hour of wear they were pilling between the thighs and after one day there was pilling everywhere; waistband, cuffs, etc
Yep I'm not surprised 😔
I love the Sloane pants. I have like 6 pairs. Would NEVER buy them at full price. But as long as you wash cold and hang dry- they are pretty great to me. But this is pretty much all I buy from Abercrombie.
I am so glad you mentioned this! (I’d been eyeing the Sloan pants for months, but now see that I need to look elsewhere!)
I have the sloane pants. They’re perfect for my 5’0 size and they have alot of different color. Although I’ve bought a uniqlo wide leg pants they’re much better quality they even have back pockets! I’ve checked the aritzia wideleg. Pants they’re $145😮 and for short they only have 3 colors to choose from!
At this point in time, we should realize we’re only buying the tag lol
I loved your video, as someone who’s become super picky with how / where I spend my money on clothes , I found this video incredibly informative. I always checked where things are made and what the material is because it makes a big difference 😊
😂😂 Wow! Thank you SO MUCH for the enlightenment. Sincerely appreciate your honesty. You have completely transformed the way I look at clothes. And making me laugh while pointing out AF’s shortcomings is a bonus! Merci beaucoup! 😁🫶🏼
would love to see you going thrifting and how you choose pieces based on fabric and construction
Why does everything suck these days?! So hard to find good quality! I love that I stumbled upon your channel today! Definitely loving the content so far
I am SO here for this video! "Forever 21 and Wet Seal Collab!" Just brilliant, thank you for your content ❤.
I LOVE your callouts - it's funny because I have no education regarding fashion/fabric; I just KNOW what I like and pretty much everything you're saying is what I've learned over the years.
Your content popped up on my homepage a week ago and I've been binging non-stop. Thank you for these videos!! They're so helpful and as someone who over spends way too much, they've been a great tool to help me say no to things.
ngl i love the sloane pants. theyre good for petite sizes and i wash in cold water and hang dry and they are completely fine. idk about the other items but the sloane pants are good tbh.
agree with all your takes! I will say though, those curve love jeans saved me. They’re the only style that has fit & flattered my shape in YEARS 😅
Thank you so much for this review! This is the type of review I would love to see more. Esp, when I was shopping for winter coats, the amount of clothes I had to buy and return because you can't see the fabric and stitch until it's in your hands, but now I can just tune into your channel instead :)
I used to love Abercrombie, I began shopping there in 2004 or so because I loved their jeans. Probably 10 years ago they started introducing jeggings and this is when I noticed all of their clothes quality started going down hill. Then it becoming super trendy again (cus people forgot about the old CEO at this point I suppose) in the past 2-3 years was the final nail in the coffin IMO. The prices are also sooo much more expensive than when the clothes were actually worth buying.
This is nutty when you realize that Abercrombie and Fitch started out as an upscale *sporting goods* store in 1892, lol...
One of my favorite movies is Rock Hudson in "Man's Favorite Sport?". He plays a salesman at Abercrombie and Fitch in San Francisco. And it's ironic when you consider that the clothes they're wearing in this 1964 movie are probably much better quality than the dreck I'm seeing in the video...
I could tell in your first storewide shot that the clothes are cheaply made. Throw in A/F's history of racist fashion along with being a "pretty boys and girls employee only" club, and I don't understand how they're still in business...
Great video, thanks! 👍👍
I like viscose, though. It’s nice and flowey for the summer.
Im subscribing just off the short from this, which brought me here. I used to work retail years ago and the way quality has declined in clothing is maddening! I hope to learn how to find things that are good quality regardless, so thank you!
Thank you for this video-- the online photos and influencers always get me looking lol.
I find most fashion influencers these days don't understand clothing quality and they'll sell you anything as long as they get commission 😭
so savage. I don't know how I ended up here as I'm not female, but I love this.
Recently discovered your channel and I love it! It is so difficult to find well made clothes these days. Thanks for your tips and education about different fabrics and what to look for.
I’ve been looking for a channel just like this! Please keep going, I’d love to see quality review for Mango and Quince! Oh, and a video about looking for quality in shoes would also be wonderful.
Thanks for such a thorough review! I've also been disappointed by some of their stuff, so I've been very cautious when it comes to buying things from them. I bought the Sloane pants last year, and the hem fell down after a couple of wears, so I had to restitch it. They definitely also pill, as you suspected. I also got a faux leather puffer from them, and that snagged on everything and fell apart within the month, so I returned it. I recently purchased another pair of the Sloane pants. They were on sale but still cost a bit more than I thought they were worth. I noticed that the material felt noticeably cheaper and thinner than my last pair. They have the elastic backing, but the elastic doesn't seem to add anything to the pants, as the waistband doesn't stretch.
You are so funny and direct I love it 😂 thank you for de influencing us we can’t keep letting these brands get away with charging us $$$ for garbage clothes
I could really care less about clothing but I enjoy someone calling out these companies overpriced, shoddy clothing. 😊
I am new to your channel and I love it. I used to sew back in the day when fabric stores carried quality fabrics and were nit craft stores. I appreciate good construction and quality fabric. Keep up the good work.
agree. I bought a pair of trousers. I washed them ONCE and were pilled everywhere. Literally a one hit (wash) wonder
Ok but AF kids stuff is pretty good! Holds up, washes well, soft and not thin. And the AF kids’ winter parkas are warm and well made.
I love your videos!! You helped me get the perfect wool coat for the first time in forever
I have to admit that the oversize trench and the black knit dress both look GREAT! Super stylish, quality be da mn ed :)
You have helped me buy clothes wisely. Now I look at clothes in a whole new different way.
As a guy I actually really like this video. I feel like I have learned something about fashion already
I NEEEED these videos now more than ever because I'm rebuilding my wardrobe and I have no idea where to start. I want to spend my money on good quality but fair prices. I also have no clue about fabric so thank you for talking sense.
Hi, thank you for reviewing the first trench coat. You just saved me the hassle of returning an online purchase x
I agree that Abercrombie's marketing is superior to their actual designs. I kept hearing good things about Abercrombie lately and how much of a revamp they've had, but whenever I check out their website, I find most of their clothing designs to be pretty meh. And I also agree that their clothing is pretty expensive relative to the quality and the materials used. I prefer the cut of Express' clothing (especially their tops and blazers), I find them to be flattering. And Express has better sales.
I wish Express was still in Canada 🥲
As someone who can never find jeans that fit their curve love jeans are amazing. I usually am lucky with their clothes. I have dresses and tops that look very high quality. And their cut is actually great if you’re not skinny which most brands don’t get right. The cardigans I got are made from cotton.
The trench coat is a crime. I got a 100% cotton Cos trench for $225 a few years ago (full price) and the shape was so much more unique and interesting. $200 for synthetic?? However A&F is the only brand I know of that makes curvy jeans in a variety of lengths, so I’m sticking with those because they fit me even better than other jeans I had tailored to my waist.
Old Navy and American Eagle also offer “curvy fit” jeans in various lengths. (I do wish more retailers offered curvy fits, but my guess is that many do not because the profit margin on “specialty” fit items is lower. 🤷♀️
please make this videos for other brands too, its so informative! also would u consider adding in some pieces that you thought were actually good quality/good material/worth the price tag as well?
Thank you for doing this!
You are so knowledgeable! Ah I just love your videos. Trying to redo my wardrobe and have no idea where to start, thank you!! 🤍
Really been enjoying your videos. Can you do one on what to look for when it comes to puffer jackets..long and short. Thanks!
It’s so sad, Abercrombie used to be my favourite brand 10-15 years ago, cause then they had unique designs with actually great quality (my mother is a master seamstress and always was pleased by them, especially the dresses). However since their rebrand a few years back, they changed from cotton and wool to polyester and when they included sales as well everything went down south and now it’s just like Zara.
Love this video concept! Really makes me second guess where I’m spending my money and what’s going to last for the hefty price. I’d love to see you review Madewell next! 😊🛍️
I’ve had great luck with their cotton summer dresses
The stitching is horrendous on everything but the Sloane pants actually did look good on you & the elastic in the back is super practical for anyone who changes sizes easily or bloats. Fabrics & construction aren't there but they do seem pretty on the mark style wise- if they actually have consistent sizing, the popularity might actually make some sense?
So glad you're on TH-cam now! I'd love to hear a review on Rat&boa if you're ever taking recommendations! I'm considering their Marlow blazer.
1% elastase on the textile fibre level does a LOT. 2% is standard but it tends to stretch more and lose structure faster.
No it makes the jeans wrinkle and deform. I'd rather get 100% coiton denim and pick a cut to suit me or get them tailored
You are wonderful. Thank goodness someone is calling "Them" out. We have to stop buying Plastic clothing. We can't afford to buy such cheap crap that ends up in the landfill 6-9months later.
Hey, love this video it really cleared some things up for me. Could you do Urband Outfiters next?
Jennifer can you please do a video of brands you recommend? Do you like Quince?
I just absolutely LOVE your channel!!! Thanks for the quality clothing 101 lesson!
Would love for you to do Zara, Lulu Lemon, Uggs…. Dupes… are they a better alt…🤔
Loved ur video on how to pick out comfortable
heals… who knew that the heal should be more centered. 😮
Also regarding the button size, how big should it be in comparison to the hole? I’m now examining all my cloths…lolo
Thanks for all the great content! Glad I found you!!! 😊
Ohhh and one last thing… it almost Christmas time… don’t forget about the boys!!
I love this video, haha! I'm such a hater of A&F. Every time I go in there, I'm so underwhelmed and bewildered by why it's so popular. You go, Jennifer! Thanks for this education hehe
🥰
The way you had me cackling this whole video😂…like I know it’s not intentional but “this is horrendous” really got me bc you seem so knowledgeable that I fully believe you are horrified 😭
Store Suggestion: Outdoor Voices
Thank you for the quality, fabric educational content! ❤
I love your videos - so informative! Makes me think twice about buying something just because it looks good (for now). Can you do a video like this for Aritzia pleaseeee?
I liked your analysis of the items. I agree with you, too!
"$112 for what, a wet seal forever 21 collab?!" This is exactly what their dresses feel like. The structure & quality feels like an afterthought 😂
Abercrombie is really hit or miss for me. I buy clothes from them all the time, some are good, some are not. I got some baby tees from them and within a couple of weeks, the seam at the bottom ripped. However I love their jeans and sweatshirts. I got a zip up sweatshirt and I wear it almost everyday, I’ve had it for 10 months. I’m delicate when I wash these things, but it’s held up really well. I just got another sweatshirt a couple of months ago, washed it a couple of times and it still looks new. I have 3 pairs of their work pants including the Sloane pant, and the quality is bad I agree, they pill, I’ve had to reattach the button several times, but they still look good if I take care of them. I use a brush to remove the pilling, and steam them and they look good despite the poor quality considering I wear them everyday. It really depends with Abercrombie, sometimes I am impressed by their quality, other times I am shocked at how quickly something breaks. I recently got a denim jacket from them and I love it. I won’t really buy sweaters or wool coats from them ever, they charge sooo much for very poor quality. I never buy anything full price from them either, I always wait for sales.
It is really hard to know how things are going to hold up with every brand today unfortunately. I have some clothes from Lululemon that I always wash delicate and hang dry, and there is a lot of pilling, and that is like the highest quality sportswear that exists on the market.
Most important thing is to know exactly what each brand does quality and what to avoid. Denim, sweatshirts/pants, 100% cotton sweaters are good for Abercrombie. Wool coats, fake leather, synthetic sweaters are a big no no.
I was a bodysuit Stan of them until I washed them a few times.. they are the pilliest things ever and hold stains sooo hard.
I still like their jeans! Most of my jeans are from them at this point.
Can you do a video on caring for clothes? You mentioned fabric softener… but I keep seeing entire videos and shorts about why you shouldn’t use fabric softener and dryer sheets. Only recently saw that softener can help reduce pilling though.
Love this! Can you do one about your favours retailers in Canada?
I second this request!! Especially going into the colder months where quality fabric matters so much more.
Hi Jennifer ! Love your videos and tips on instagram ! Just wondering if you can do a video on how you care for and wash your wools and cashmere knits that need some extra caring for? Is there a specific routine you do while washing them?
Just wanted to say I love the outfit you’re wearing❤️
I don’t know how I’ve come across your videos but I’m so happy I did. Every single time I tell my friend how hard it is to find good quality clothes for a decent price, she directs me to Zara! Ugh! Their clothes suck!
Girl, you're right. I hardly buy clothes and out of extreme boredom with my wardrobe, ordered a handful of items total in the span of two years. There are two items I like and wear often but I can now tell the quality isn't worth what I paid. I won't be going back!
I remember back in the day I used to buy those tees that have the A & F log on them and their hoodies with their branding lol. as I got older, I actually did not shop at Abercrombie for quite some time. It was only a couple years ago I was taken aback how they have rebranded. Im a male customer and let me tell you IMO, I luv what they have done. I am a big fan of their jeans and for tops, I have a bunch of their hoodies. So I can say from my experience Ive had no issues with their Products. But there is one thing Ive noticed. I have their Premium Heavyweight Hoodies which I absolutely love; however, I did notice, when I bought the hoodie in black, it seems they have downgraded OR changed the material they used. I have 3 of their hoodies and I kid you not, the first 2 hoodies I bought are much more heavy in weight than the black colour way. So that kinda turned me off. Meh I guess having 2. out of the 3 hoodies being more of better quality I lucked out I guess lol
i need moreof these videos ❤
I LIVE for the fashion slander
Thank you!! More of this in more stores!
Thank you! I was deceived lol!! I was definitely thinking about buying, so I really appreciate your insight
the bodysuits pilled on me so fast, one of the t shirts had holes/pilling after one wash and the sloan pants literally fell apart at the seams. Wish I saw this video earlier!
Thanks for this video!! I love a pair of jeans I have from there and am glad I haven’t bought anything else
What an honest review. I love it !!!
I know you mentioned the quality was bad, but you looked amazing in that last dress
I really thought all the hype about the Abercrombie revival was just guys who wanted the ALD look on a mall budget. Didn't realize women's fashion was also currently obsessed with Abercrombie. I feel like you can easily get better construction and materials at a good price by thrifting and consequently don't really shop at any stores you'd find at your local mall.
I'd love to see Aritzia next. Some of their products that you recommended have been good but I want to see you roast the entire store lol
Didn’t want to hear this but very much needed to hear
Jenn, i had my eyes on the cardigan with pearl buttons for awhile. thank you so much for giving us the facts on acrylic LMAO. i saved at least $150 + tax
I would love to see you review Free People
Soo glad I found this video. About to return my sweaters… LOL
I thought I liked Abercrombie, but realized how poor quality they were over time.
For jeans, do you think CItizens of Humanity jeans are worth it?
Thank you Jen!
I haven't tried their jeans but I'll check it out!
That "Trench Coat" is so Dollar Store.