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American Apparel
Categories: Shopping Fashion Men's Clothing Shopping Fashion Women's Clothing Shopping Fashion Accessories Men's Clothing, Women's Clothing, Accessories
950 Church Street(between Maple Ave & Railroad Ave)
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 424-0063
- Nearest Transit:
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Davis (Purple Line)
Foster (Purple Line)
Dempster (Purple Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 12 pm - 8 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
Sun 11 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
Sean D. said: "Balani delivered an excellent product at a superb price. The primary tailor, Joe Mapes, is very attentive to detail and delivered an extremely well fitting suit with a modern fit while still maintaining a level of conservativeness…" read more »
17 reviews for American Apparel
17 reviews in English
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Review from Jessica V.
Des Plaines, IL
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
I like American Apparel. It would earn a full 5 stars if they had a return policy, if I can find more than one thing I like there, and if it was a bit cheaper for plain looking clothes. I have gone here to get a dress and two shirts in the last year. I have never spent more than $40 on one item. However, some of their stuff you got to dig through to find a good looking piece of clothing.
I have purchased a black dress (my profile pic with my friend) which was about $30. It is plain but looks super sexy on. I also bought a plain white- baggy shirt which was about $40. The material was nice but I was a bit credit card happy and swiped when I could have found similar items at TJ-Maxx. I recently bought a white one-zy from here. It is white and open-back shirt that goes great with skirts.
The staff is always helpful and the place is kept clean. Definitely a nice place to stop by and check out every time the seasons change. You never know what you might find! -
Review from Elizabeth W.
Des Plaines, IL
3/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am not sure how I feel about American Apparel. For every pro, there seems to be a con.
Pro: I like knowing that the clothes I buy here are not made with child labor.
Con: I don't like buying clothes that make me look like a strung-out hipster.
Pro: the employees aren't up in your face all the time.
Con: sometimes I have to scour the store to find an employee to let me into a fitting room.
Pro: this location has a much bigger selection than other AA stores or even other similar retailers (I'm looking at you, Urban Outfitters across the street).
Con: there's so much stuff here that it's hard to shop the same rack as another person without getting acquainted with each other's elbows.
Pro: they almost always have my size...
Con:...in leotards.
I will always come here for plain t-shirts, but will I ever buy most of my wardrobe here? Probably not. -
Review from Tina B.
6/5/2008
I admit that it's like getting your Tickle Me Elmo in a sex shop, but I buy baby clothes here. And the clothes are pretty great.
Finding plain and quality baby clothing with no branding or embellishment can often be just ridiculously and unnecessarily difficult and expensive, but American Apparel makes simple baby shirts, onesies, sweats and pants in the same soft fabrics and multitude of interesting colors as in the "adult" clothing choices, and the prices are relatively fair. I also appreciate buying kids clothing that isn't made by other little clothing-less kids in other countries, as all of this clothing is made in LA - sometimes I think by some of the "ladies" in their ads. And for some truly odd reason, this Evanston location is the only one that carries kids clothing in the whole Chicagoland area. But the sizes do still run crazy small - even for babies.
They don't, however, carry hooker dresses, thong leotards or long n sexy tube socks in the baby sizes - yet.
Thankfully the photos of children on the packaging just look like normal babies and not like drugged ho kids locked up in a sex dungeon - I guess they just leave all that for their regular "adult" ad campaign.
Once when we left after stopping in for some pants, my older daughter said she felt like she "had blood on her hands" after being in there. Since she is a pretty smart kid, I think my future American Apparel purchases, like a good sex shop purchase, might better left to cyberspace, but it's nice to know where I can go in and grab some quick baby essentials. I do use hand sanitizer when I leave though. -
Review from Taryn T.
Chicago, IL
7/19/2010
Bland, overpriced, crappy quality. That's my take on American Apparel in a nutshell.
I've tried things on here, but never felt even remotely tempted to purchase. Once in particular, I came here on a hunt for lace leggings. They had one variety - it felt as thin as tissue paper and cost $40. Just, wow.
I also agree with a previous reviewer who said that the staff has a very snooty, standoffish vibe. I'll pass. You might want to try Asinamali or Crossroads (both on Sherman Ave.) instead for much better deals, quality and friendly service.Listed in: A Wildkitten's Evanston List
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Review from Adriane P.
Chicago, IL
9/8/2009
Twenty percent of my clothes are from American Apparel (the other 80-ish percent are from Urban Outfitters). I've been wearing it for 6 years.
I love their values and mission and corporate culture. Mr. Charney is quite the clever chap.
I love the quality, cut, diversity, range, androgyny, (or contrarily the skanky skimpiness) and utilitarianism of their merchandise.
So imagine my astonishment when I bought a $44 skirt today and was informed that they do not accept returns, only exchanges with a receipt within 30 days! Wha-aat?!
I seldom return merchandise to any store, ever, but it seems to be a retail standard to accept returns.
I remember many years ago, while working as a dept. store employee, a woman returned a bunch of unworn, new mens sweaters around Hannakah/Christmas. She bought them for her husband and he passed away a week later. Can you imagine refusing her in that situation?
Not cool, bro. Or should I say man-ssiere? -
Review from Vanessa C.
Evanston, IL
9/25/2008
I agree that the store has great clothes for a pretty penny. But, totally worth it. You know what isn't worth the trip?
ATTENTION MANAGER PERSON,
the staff at your store all are very jaded and have an unintrested air about them. I'm not saying that they should be overly cheerful or in your face. Unless your trying to go for that i'm-so-hipster-and-bored-everything-is-like-whatev er-i'm-too-cool.....then congradulations, but remember ur audience. This isn't fucking New York or even downtown Chicago. It's annoying, rude, and obvious.Listed in: Where in the World is…
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Review from Kate S.
Chicago, IL
1/4/2009
I'm torn.
On the one hand, I love the philosophy of the store (yay for no-sweatshops, keeping jobs in America especially in this economy, etc.). I also love the products themselves. They fit well, they hold up pretty well, and they're simple and classic and never go out of style. I have oodles of AA apparel from various clubs and shows I've been in (student groups at NU love ordering their shirts from AA and then getting them screenprinted), and I bought my dress for freshman formal here 3 years ago and it's still looks as good as the day I bought it (and I've worn it for several dance performances and have washed it many times). I also LOVE their jersey scarf (the one that can be worn as a halter, tube top, skirt, regular scarf, etc.) It's like $15 and comes in a bunch of colors. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
On the other hand, it's totally over-priced. The dress I bought because I was in a bind - back then it was like $34, and now I think it's up to $40-something (it's the halter one that can be tied like 6 different ways). I'd love to get another dress in a different color, but my poor self can't do that when I can go to Forever 21 and get something similar for under $20. I also love the fit of their tees, especially for dance class, but $15-$20 for a solid tee when Forever 21, H&M, or Target sell similar ones for $5-$8 just doesn't make sense.
I must agree with the other reviewers as well when it comes to the staff here. I usually go in maybe twice an academic quarter, and I'm almost never greeted even though the employees are looking through the clothing racks, dressing mannequins, or standing there with nothing to do. Now, I don't like when employees follow you around in a clothing store either, but completely ignoring me when I'm one of two customers in the store is not the best customer service. They seem very absent-minded, bored, and act like they're all that because they work at American Apparel (yes, I just said "all that". I am ashamed).
All in all, love their mission, love their products, hate their prices, and don't like their employees (at least at this location). My suggestion: order AA products from the wholesale suppliers on Ebay...you can find people who buy AA wholesale for screenprinting businesses and such and sell extra solid AA shirts and such for two thirds to half the price of the store. -
Review from Chelsea V.
Evanston, IL
2/20/2009
I really dislike going into this American Apparel, not really because the staff tends to be weird and sort of rude (but they definitely are) but because whenever I go in here it seems like I'm the ONLY person in the store. All of these issues people have with the staff at this store are present in every AA store - the fact that you are the only customer for them to act their pretentious behavior out on is what makes it bad. I feel like I've got 5 bogus-cobrasnakes staring at me while I attempt to find stuff that's probably hanging about 5 feet out of reach due to abuse of high ceilings.
Lately they've been a little nicer (but it's possible they were making fun of me and I just mistook it as friendliness) and there have been a few more people in the store. It's hard to review anything else about the location, because if you've seen one AA you've seen them all. For some reason the size and ceiling height of this particular AA does keep it looking more like a regular clothing store and not the crowded 80s florescent wholesaler that many of the city places do, but that's just an aside. -
Review from Drennen M.
Chicago, IL
1/17/2007
I appreciate that this place pays so much attention to human rights - everything is made sweatshop free in L.A.
Which is why it's so expensive. Solid-color plain tees for $30, that's what you're going to find here. On the other hand, they do have a pretty fantastic variety, and if you're not on a shoestring budget, this is a good place to buy basics for layering. The quality is all right, although I've already had to stitch up the crotch in a pair of leggings that I bought just this October. But I haven't had a problem with any of the other clothes that I have from there.Listed in: Shopping in the Suburbs.
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Review from faith b.
Chicago, IL
4/21/2008
I love American Apparel because I am not a person that wears patterns. This is the best place to find basic clothing that is made in good quality.
Even though the prices are pretty pricey, they are clothes that will be a staple in your wardrobe for many seasons!
The staff here isn't very helpful. They aren't really sales associates, but cashiers that talk to each other behind the counter. It's good that the whole store is well organized, so you don't really need them. -
Review from melinder b.
Chicago, IL
7/18/2007
this is my least fav. AA. The people who work here are worse than in wicker park and without the justification. one time this guy working there was talking about the vice guide to travel like he was the one who produced it.
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Review from Dave P.
9/30/2008
I like this place. I feel like i'm shopping for the right reasons or something. I almost didn't buy anything because i'm not sure if i wanted to spend 17 dollars on a cotton shirt. But when that purple shirt caught my eye... i had to have it. Plus it's so soft.. mm..
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Review from Allen J.
Chicago, IL
8/25/2010
The most helpful and polite staff evaarrr.
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Review from Yin L.
Chicago, IL
9/3/2008
I have to admit, I totally love American Apparel. My first exposure to them were those crazy ads on the back of the Reader with the high waisted black eel leggings, bizarre U-dresses and out-of-my-league figure skater dresses. Where do you actually wear those to? Not to my work at a law firm, for sure. However, those really aren't very good representations of them because they carry such great basics.
It took my 19 year old and 22 year old cousins to drag my old ass to an American Apparel and from that point on, I was ADDICTED. I feel a little older--not like their intended target consumer, but it wasn't too bad. Off the bat, I bought three polo dresses in different colors. I could not believe how good it made me look. Crazy! And they were only $34 each, which really isn't that bad if you think about it--it's an outfit for $34. My cousins are crazy about their bandeau dresses, which apparently, you can wear it in a bunch of different ways. American Apparel has a lot of basic material that isn't the overpriced plain tshirt they keep getting ripped on. I love shopping there and keep updated to their newest releases because they have this knack of making something that you would never think would look good because it just looks so simple and shapeless on the hanger, but as soon as you try it on, it's like, DAYUM I GUESS I COULD LOOK HOT. Seriously. And then they have some pretty young stuff--like a lot of shiny glittery lame wear. I'll leave that up to the crazy kids! For a brief second, I was actually considering these scandalous gold lame shorts. Let's be frank--scandalous lame booty shorts. I came to my senses and did put them down.
The service at this store is pretty basic--they're not in your face, which I love. I just like to shop in silence because I'm concentrating, dammit. The staff is helpful if you ask. And to show you how old I felt, I was totally speechless when I went into the fitting room. There is a wall-size pic of a buttcheek. Seriously. Oh my goodness gracious!
Yeah, it's very sexy there. -
Review from Chris W.
Chicago, IL
2/22/2011
This AA location's best quality is that of all of the American Apparels I've visited, their mens colored briefs selection is Huge! Mind you, this is a pricey store and its rough to make a big haul out of here at once unless you're manic or have a nice job, so the usual drill for my boyfriend and I is go in, look around, remember all our bills are due in a couple days and winters nearly over so I don't NEED that sweater...and then we hit the undies wall which are approximately 15 bucks a pop. His collection has grown in the past year, though I've yet to convince him to buy ANY shade of purple ones. (My favorite color) They've got colored briefs like Ulta has nail polishes. Vibrent, chill, and varient colors. The maroon ones are sexy and the rawrier green color more playful. Oh Underwear! American Apparel is also THE spot for leotards, "legalize gay" gear ( INCLUDING ON MENS BRIEFS. IN ELECTRIC YELLOW AND ORANGE! ) and the first store in 5 years I've found a skort. Oh how my heart flutters.
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Review from H H.
Alexandria, VA
12/10/2008
Pure solids, non-durable material, overpriced, and a look in which they try to make you look like an ice skater - not my taste. Staff are usually displaced and far from offering any type of assistance whatsoever.
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Review from Catherine T.
Evanston, IL
11/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
staff was very polite, and they do have every color shirt imaginable but was very expensive, which was expected.
