When I received an email from American Apparel informing me that they had already opened a store in Shanghai, I was ecstatic and immediately dragged a friend along to check it out. The location surprised us as it’s quite out of the way, in a building we had never heard of. After many questions for directions posed to many a passerby, we were finally there, at a new building called 1933.
Signatures left over from the building’s opening ceremony.
The storefront is well lit and cheery, and I seriously had a mini heart attack of joy when seeing all the colourful styles in the window display and later in the shop.
The famous shiny and skin-tight AA skirts, in all sizes from XS to XL.
Polo tees and hoodies in every colour of the rainbow!
Tank tops, tees, leotards and basic sweatpants.
The changing room is super; you can study how the clothes look on you from all angles! 
After the initial twirling around and exclaiming in delight (that I do when encountering a new store that excites me), it came to an abrupt stop when I saw the price on a basic cotton shirt – 358RMB. (Divide all prices in half to get the value in RM)
That’s almost RM180! Horrendous price to pay for a basic! But it was so comfy and soft…
I started picking out items to try, which I deem “cult items” (garments that have been all the rage online) to see how they fit in real life.
First were the latex leggings that sparked off the shiny leggings craze online. From the series of pictures below, you can see the pattern in which I shop:
1. Gleefully snatch up targeted item.
2. Dismally note price.
3. Decide to try it on anyway because it may be so fabulous that I will HAVE to buy it despite the price…
I am wearing: the American Apparel Striped Pocket Frock (RSA SP304) and the American Apparel Shiny Legging Lame in black (RSAC306). The latter retails for RMB 430 in store (USD 62) and USD 34 online.
I decided not to purchase it because it did not fit well at the waist, being of latex material and less stretchy than normal lycra leggings. Additionally, I’d read online that it dulls/scratches easily, which was supported by the fact that I could already see scratches on the material. Machine wash or any rough handling would definitely damage it irreparably.
Next up was the acid wash jeans which are top on many blogger’s current obsession lists. I paired it with a basic tee which shows you how their fits are like. As you can see from the picture, you can’t really tell its acid wash from even a short distance away…
I am wearing the Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Women’s Track T and the American Apparel Unisex Mineral Wash Stretch Bull Denim Slim Slack (RSASD400MW). The latter retails at 700RMB (USD 102) online at USD74.00.
Unisex Space Scape Jersey Short Sleeve Crew T-Shirt (2001BP)
Mold alert!
The American Apparel Acid Wash California Zip Hoody (5399AW) retailing online at USD 38. The wash is surprisingly similar to the jeans’.
I also decided to give the crop top a try, mostly because of Alexander Wang.
I am wearing the American Apparel Unisex Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Scrimmage Shirt (TR 480) retailing at 169 RMB in store and USD 16 online.
Okay, I’m obviously sucking in my stomach.
Anyway, the point is that this crop top has been on my shopping list for at least a month because it’s a dream to pair with high-waisted items or even as a swimming suit cover-up.
I am wearing the American Apparel Print Cotton Spandex Jersey High Waist Skirt. (RSA 8353P).
Next up were the one pieces. I definitely tried on the super versatile Le Sac dress that was featured on TiC pick but unfortunately nobody knew how to tie it together, not even the shop people, and I couldn’t for the life of me remember how it was done on the website.
I am trying to wear the Le Sac Dress (RSA 0300) retailing online for USD 38.
See the mess I made of the back…
I eschewed it in search of a super comfortable and versatile shirt dress perfect for layering.
I didn’t forget to give their sunglasses a try, as they had quite a selection of them, and they are famous for their vintage-inspired eyewear also available online.
By this point, you may be wondering exactly how big my haul for the day was?
Disappointingly, I returned home empty handed. The reason for this being the great discrepancy between the prices quoted online and in store. For that reason I decided to order online because it is a better deal, even after factoring in shipping costs. Also, AA offers a 15% discount if you sign up for email updates.
(Do take note that it is a better deal even after factoring in China’s exorbitant China import taxes, which is why I get it delivered to Singapore and pick them up on my many trips there as Singapore has zero import tax.)
In recent days, the brand has become well known not only for the following it has garnered but also for scandals such as sexual harassment lawsuits and their controversial ad campaigns that veer on the wrong side of sexy, sometimes even going as far as hiring porn starlets to sell their clothes.
Is the brand so popular because of the hipsters out there sporting their clothes, or their smutty ad campaigns? Well, as the clothes are undeniably comfortable and there are some interesting concepts going on, it’s most probably a combination of the two…
Finally, I hope you enjoyed the little window shopping spree because I sure did!
XO from Shanghai 
American Apparel
Shanghai 1933
Shanghai 1933 Building
Unit 1-103
No. 10 Sha Jing Road 1933
200080 Hong Kou District, Shanghai
China
Tel. +86 (0) 21 6563 8907
Map & Directions
Store Hours Daily: 11am – 9pm
