As our fall season has come upon us, it was time for another shopping trip for clothing. Just last week I visited the Poughkeepsie Galleria to gain new cozy and comfortable outerwear in anticipation for the cold weather. One of my favorite stores to visit is American Eagle. Luckily for me as I walked by the store, my eye caught their new fall collection. As I entered the store, I had the idea of wanting new sweaters. Not that I don’t already have twenty in my closet, but as a consumer I want to own what the latest fashion is. I would say I was quite satisfied with the assortment considering I walked out with four new items of clothing, one being this sweater. As I felt through the material of each item as I walked by, this sweaters texture felt as if it would keep me warm on a snowy day. Even though I would have to wait to wear this sweater until December, given that it is 70 degrees in October, I felt joy in purchasing it. I find comfort in what I wear and how it represents my personality to others. As I have grown older, being able to express myself in clothing makes me feel good about myself.
This sweater, soft at the touch, was made with 74% polyester and 26% nylon. It is a cream soft sweater knit with ribbed cuffs, neckline, and hem. The 3D bow detail, my favorite of the sweater, was sewn onto the fabric. From the neckline to the base, it measures 18 ½ inches long and 16 ½ inches wide and each sleeve measures 31 inches long and 5 ½ inches wide. As I was looking on the American Eagle website to gather more product information, the product details said that the item has a “Real Good” badge. On the website it says, “Products with the Real Good badge are the most sustainable items in our collection.” American Eagles goal is to make their clothing with an inclusive dedication to decrease the environmental impact of their products. It also expresses on the website that “this includes incorporating more sustainable raw materials, lowering our carbon footprint, and reducing our water use.” Because this sweater is made from recycled polyester and nylon, it makes use of waste, promoting recycling processes that help prevent polyester and nylon from ending up in landfills. Opting for recycled polyester and nylon over virgin reduces our reliance on chemicals derived from fossil fuels. The sweater was also made from natural dyes that are a “plant-based colorant alternative that reduce our dependence on synthetic chemicals.”
American Eagle clothing is not made in the USA. From the tag on the inside of the sweater, it says it was made in China. Under the Materials and Care section of the description it says “imported.” American Eagle partners up with factories in countries worldwide such as China, Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, and Indonesia. This means their clothing travels a long way from where it was manufactured. The labor is substantial within creating clothes for a company this size. It makes us consumers appreciate the sustainability that goes into producing the items. American Eagle is always producing new seasonal collections to catch the eye of consumers such as myself. Their goal is to make clothing that is trendy yet casual and comfortable. As shown on their website, they are promoting a clean, ultra-flattering look that is appealing to buyers. They will continually entice consumers with sale prices online that you would not get in stores. Even though I bought the sweater in person at full price which was $49.95, it is now on sale for $15 less online. This intrigues me to check the website next time to view all of their sale items. It is all a ploy to buy more of their apparel the next time I choose to shop.
Works Cited
“AE Cropped Crew Neck Bow Sweater.” American Eagle Outfitters, 2015, http://www.ae.com/us/en/p/women/sweaters-cardigans/sweaters/ae-cropped-crew-neck-bow-sweater/0348_1373_106?menu=cat4840004. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
“Where Is American Eagle Clothing Made? – AllAmerican.org.” Allamerican.org, 25 July 2023, allamerican.org/investigation/american-eagle/. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Sustainability – AEO Inc. www.aeo-inc.com/sustainability/. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
The Materials of History, Thought, and Art 
I actually was just at the mall not too long ago and saw this exact sweater and immediately ran over to it. Their new fall collection is so so cute I had to stop myself from buying it all. I did not know about American Eagle’s push towards sustainability that you mentioned in your writing. I wonder if that aspect of their production was done only to appeal to customers rather than to actually improve the environment.
Your post made me wonder if the sweater was on sale online because it a week later or was it on sale at the time you bought it just not instore? I feel like sometimes the products are cheaper online rather than instore, by the same company but the consumer would have to check and ask an employee to get it at that price which makes it a hassle.