Hey there, fashion lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the latest styles and the hottest brands. As a fashionista who has been obsessed with fashion since my teenage years, I‘ve had my fair share of experiences with all the popular brands – including Aeropostale. In this post, I want to give you my honest review of Aeropostale based on my personal experience and research, as well as share some insights from other customers. My goal is to help you decide if Aeropostale is worth checking out for your own wardrobe!
The Evolution of Aeropostale
First, let‘s take a quick trip down memory lane. If you were a teenager in the early 2000s, you probably remember Aeropostale as one of the go-to brands for trendy, affordable fashion. But did you know that the brand actually started way back in the 1980s? Originally, Aeropostale drew inspiration from the style of vintage French airmail service uniforms. Think aviator jackets and lots of sherpa-lined clothing.
It wasn‘t until the early 2000s that Aeropostale really hit its stride as a teen fashion staple. The brand‘s graphic tees, hoodies, and jeans became must-haves for any cool kid‘s wardrobe. I remember begging my mom to take me to the mall so I could stock up on the latest Aeropostale styles!
Unfortunately, like many mall brands, Aeropostale struggled in the mid-2010s as fast fashion and online shopping took over. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2016, but managed to stay afloat by closing underperforming stores and refocusing on its core offerings. Today, Aeropostale is owned by Simon Property Group and led by CEO Julian Geiger.
What You Can Find at Aeropostale Today
Now that we‘ve covered the history, let‘s talk about what Aeropostale offers today. In my opinion, one of the brand‘s biggest strengths is its wide selection of casual, affordable clothing for both girls and guys. No matter your style, you can find something cute and on-trend at Aeropostale.
For girls, Aeropostale offers a mix of old-school classics and current fashion trends. On a recent shopping trip, I picked up a pair of ‘90s-inspired high-waisted jeans and a fuzzy mohair cardigan that have become staples in my fall wardrobe. I also love the brand‘s biker shorts for working out or just lounging around at home.
Guys can find plenty of stylish options at Aeropostale too, from graphic tees and hoodies to joggers and jeans. A few of my boyfriend‘s favorite pieces are the Air Slim Utility Joggers and the Tonal Embroidery Graphic Pullover Hoodie. He also can‘t resist a good graphic tee, like the Aero 87 Bear Logo Graphic Tee.
One thing to note about Aeropostale is that the brand frequently runs sales and promotions, so you can almost always find a good deal. There‘s also a sale outlet section on the website where you can score even deeper discounts. Students can get 15% off their purchase with a valid ID, and the brand offers free shipping on orders over $50.
Who Shops at Aeropostale?
In my experience, Aeropostale‘s primary target demographic is teenagers and young adults between the ages of 14 and 17. The brand‘s trendy, affordable clothing definitely appeals to the "social media generation" who want to look cute without breaking the bank.
That being said, I don‘t think Aeropostale is just for teenagers. As a fashionista in my mid-20s, I still find plenty of pieces that fit my style and budget. I know a lot of college students who love shopping at Aeropostale for the affordable prices and comfy, casual styles. And of course, there‘s a definite nostalgia factor for those of us who grew up wearing the brand!
In terms of actual customer demographics, here are a few interesting stats I found:
- According to Numerator data, 63% of Aeropostale‘s customers are female, while 37% are male.
- The largest age group of Aeropostale shoppers is 18-24 years old (33%), followed by 25-34 years old (23%).
- Roughly 39% of Aeropostale customers have a household income between $50-100K.
What Real Customers Are Saying
But enough about what I think – let‘s see what actual Aeropostale customers have to say! I scoured the internet for reviews and feedback to get a well-rounded picture of the brand‘s strengths and weaknesses.
On the positive side, many customers praise Aeropostale for its cute, stylish clothing at affordable prices. The brand has an impressive 4.3 out of 5 stars on Influenster based on over 14,000 reviews. Customers frequently mention the frequent sales and promotions, as well as the comfortable, high-quality feel of the clothing.
One reviewer on Influenster raves, "It‘s always easy walking in there and finding something you like. To me, it seems like it is more advertised for the tweens/teens, but honestly it is a store for anyone who wants really cute clothes that are great quality for a good price."
Aeropostale‘s signature scents also get a lot of love from customers. As one reviewer shares, "I had three bottles of the female version. It‘s super fresh, floral and musky. Sandalwood and lilies. I definitely recommend this. It‘s a subtle pleasant scent. In a pretty glass bottle. I would definitely purchase this again. Very affordable."
On the flip side, some customers express frustration with Aeropostale‘s shipping and return process. The brand‘s average rating on Trustpilot and Sitejabber hovers around 2-3 stars. Common complaints include slow shipping, difficulty making returns, and poor customer service.
Personally, I haven‘t had any major issues with Aeropostale‘s customer service, but I do agree that the return policy can be a bit restrictive. It‘s important to read the fine print and understand that certain items (like intimates and clearance merchandise) are final sale.
The Shopping Experience
As a frequent Aeropostale shopper, I want to touch on the actual shopping experience, both in-store and online. In my opinion, Aeropostale stores have a really fun, upbeat vibe that makes shopping feel like an event. The stores are usually pumping popular music and have trendy decor and displays. Associates are generally friendly and helpful, without being too pushy.
Online shopping at Aeropostale is also a breeze. The website is easy to navigate and has a wide selection of sizes (including plus sizes!) and styles. I love that you can easily filter by size, color, and price to find exactly what you‘re looking for. Shipping is pretty quick in my experience, and I‘ve never had an issue with my order arriving damaged or incorrect.
One downside of the online shopping experience is that Aeropostale doesn‘t offer free returns, unless the return is due to a defect or error on their part. You have to pay for return shipping yourself, which can be a bit of a hassle.
How Does Aeropostale Compare?
Aeropostale isn‘t the only mall brand vying for the attention of trendy teens and young adults. So how does the brand stack up against its competitors? Here‘s my take:
Compared to fashion giants like Forever 21 and H&M, Aeropostale definitely has a more limited selection. However, I find that Aeropostale‘s quality is a bit better on average – the clothes don‘t feel as cheap or flimsy.
Price-wise, Aeropostale is generally on par with or slightly cheaper than its competitors. You can usually find graphic tees for under $20, jeans for under $50, and hoodies for under $40. Frequent sales and promotions make it easy to score even better deals.
Aeropostale also has a bit of a different vibe than its fast fashion competitors. While Forever 21 and H&M are known for their edgy, high-fashion inspired looks, Aeropostale has a more laid-back, all-American feel. If you‘re looking for comfy, casual styles, Aeropostale is probably a better bet.
Final Thoughts: Is Aeropostale Worth It?
So, is Aeropostale worth checking out? In my opinion, absolutely! I‘ve been a fan of the brand for years and continue to find cute, affordable pieces that fit my style. No, Aeropostale isn‘t the most cutting-edge or high-quality brand out there. But for the price point, I think the brand offers a great selection of casual, trendy clothing.
If you‘re a teenager or young adult looking to update your wardrobe without spending a ton of cash, I definitely recommend giving Aeropostale a try. My tips for getting the most out of the brand:
- Always check the sale and clearance sections first
- Sign up for the email list to get notified about sales and promotions
- Read reviews and size charts to ensure the best fit
- Don‘t be afraid to make returns if something doesn‘t work out
And if you‘re an older shopper like me who still has a soft spot for Aeropostale, I say embrace the nostalgia and have fun with it! You‘re never too old to rock a cute graphic tee or cozy hoodie.
I hope this honest review of Aeropostale has been helpful for you! I‘d love to hear about your own experiences with the brand – feel free to share in the comments below. Happy shopping, fashionistas!
FAQs
Before I sign off, I want to quickly address some frequently asked questions about Aeropostale:
Who owns Aeropostale? The brand is currently owned by Simon Property Group, with Bluenotes as its official licensing partner in Canada.
Does Aeropostale ship internationally? Currently, Aeropostale only ships within the US and Canada.
Where is Aeropostale clothing made? The brand does not disclose information about its manufacturing locations on its website.
What is Aeropostale‘s return policy? Aeropostale accepts returns within 30 days of purchase, with some exclusions. Holiday purchases made between October 19th and December 11th can be returned until January 10th.
How can I contact Aeropostale customer service? You can reach out to Aeropostale customer service via phone at 1-877-289-2376, via email using the form on their website, or via live chat on their website.
Thanks for reading, fashion lovers! Until next time – stay stylish!
