72% matchWeekday
Affordable jersey basics with a Scandi denim backbone
What changes: Denim-led and trend-driven rather than blank tees and fleece
Brand profile
American Apparel
Los Angeles-born basics label, now owned by Gildan, selling cotton T-shirts, fleece and leggings online and as blanks for printing.
Los AngelesOrigin
UnisexFocus
Minimalist / ContemporaryStyle
$$Price
4 brands like American Apparel like Weekday, Vintage Havana, Asos →
What to know about American Apparel
The label survived, the factory didn't
Gildan bought the intellectual property in 2017 after two bankruptcies, closed the stores and moved production offshore, so the Los Angeles manufacturing story no longer applies.
It sells blanks, not collections
The business now runs online and through wholesale imprintables — from December 2025 S&S Activewear is the exclusive US distributor — so the range is built for printing on.
Cotton and tri-blend, many colours
The line stays narrow and repeatable: T-shirts, fleece hoodies, sweatpants, bodysuits and leggings, offered in wide colour runs at a low-to-mid price.
How American Apparel fits
Overall fit
runs small
American Apparel basics are widely described as running small and fitted, with tight, cotton-heavy knits that shrink slightly and hug the body.
Tip: Size up for a relaxed fit, especially in T-shirts and fitted styles.
High confidence · based on 40 sources
By category
| Category | Runs | Shape | Size advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoodies & sweatshirts | slightly small | fitted to regular | Consider sizing up if you want room for layering. |
| T-shirts & graphic tees | runs small | slim, fitted through chest and shoulders | Size up one for a comfortable non-clingy fit; classic styles like the 2001 run especially small. |
Directional fit consensus summarized from public sources with AI — a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm with the product's own measurements before buying.
If you like American Apparel
72% match
67% matchVintage Havana
Softer vintage-washed tees and loungewear sets
What changes: Wholesale fashion label, not blanks in full colour runs
62% matchAsos
Own-label basics buried in a huge trend catalogue
What changes: Vast multi-brand fast fashion, not a single basics identity
61% matchWeSC
Hoodies and tees with skate-music graphics on top
What changes: Graphic streetwear positioning over plain-blank utility
American Apparel fit questions
Does American Apparel run big or small?
American Apparel runs small. Size up for a relaxed fit, especially in T-shirts and fitted styles. American Apparel basics are widely described as running small and fitted, with tight, cotton-heavy knits that shrink slightly and hug the body.
How does American Apparel fit?
American Apparel basics are widely described as running small and fitted, with tight, cotton-heavy knits that shrink slightly and hug the body. Overall shape: slim to fitted.
How do American Apparel hoodies & sweatshirts fit?
American Apparel hoodies & sweatshirts fits slightly small. Consider sizing up if you want room for layering. Shape: fitted to regular.
How do American Apparel t-shirts & graphic tees fit?
American Apparel t-shirts & graphic tees runs small. Size up one for a comfortable non-clingy fit; classic styles like the 2001 run especially small. Shape: slim, fitted through chest and shoulders.
Brand facts
American Apparel is a basics label founded in 1989 by Dov Charney and built on Los Angeles knitwear manufacturing. After two bankruptcies, Gildan Activewear acquired the brand's intellectual property in 2017, closed the retail stores and moved production offshore, running it as an online and blank-apparel business. The range centres on cotton and tri-blend T-shirts, fleece hoodies, sweatpants, bodysuits and leggings in wide colour runs. In August 2025 Gildan named S&S Activewear its exclusive US wholesale distributor for the imprintables market, effective 28 December 2025.
- Founded
- 1989
- Origin
- Los Angeles, United States
- Price
- $$
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- September 2026
- Styles
- Minimalist / Contemporary, Y2K, Streetwear