Last Updated on June 24, 2022

Some of these are more budget-friendly, some offer a wider range of styles, and some others are simply the best place to shop for similar clothing with a twist. 

We know that If you are into the Americana style, you can’t wait to get your hands on warm preppy sweaters and chunky loafers. So here are our favorite brands to shop in place of Abercrombie & Fitch, where you can get your full dose of flower dresses, summer onesies, and classic denim styles. 

Read on to find out which brands made the cut and which items you should be getting from them! 

Main qualities of Abercrombie & Fitch

• Everyday clothing
• American aesthetic
• Slightly preppy
• Casual
• Laid-back
• Near-luxury lifestyle 
• High-quality materials
• Accessible prices
• Design that is wearable and yet feels special
• Inspired in luxury sports

Most iconic garments from Abercrombie & Fitch

• T-shirts
• Dresses

#1. American Eagle Outfitters

Overview: American Eagle Outfitters, also known as American Eagle, is an American lifestyle and clothing retailer that specializes in affordable trendy jeans and casual wear. 

Price Range: $$

Origin and Concept: American Eagle Outfitters was founded by the Silverman family in 1977. However, the Silverman brothers were convinced they needed to diversify their offerings to continue growing their family-owned shop, and in order to do that, they wanted to add new family-owned chains so that they could operate more than one store in the same mall.

They set up the shops as proprietors of brand-name products that included leisure apparel, footwear, and accessories, as well as outdoor and sports gear. The chains continued to grow until 1989 when the owners decided to refocus their business on American Eagle Outfitters itself and they sold their other retail chains (there were more than 137 stores at the time).

Despite their plans for quick growth, they soon found themselves losing money and the Silverman stakes were bought by the Schottenstein’s (who already owned half of it all). After this change, American Eagle Outfitters finally found its current nice: casual clothing with private label clothes. 

Recommended Product(s): Printed Tube Top + Skater Pant & Plaid Corset Mini Dress + V-Neck Argyle Sweater

Celebs who are fans: Cameron Dallas, Anne Curtis, Troye Sivan, Channing Tatum, Joey Badass, Hailee Steinfeld, Kristin Cavallari, Rachel Bilson, Amanda Bynes, and Mischa Barton, among others.

Ethical Practices: In theory, American Eagle is all about being sustainable. The reality is that in practice it doesn’t appear to be doing much to reduce its environmental impact. It also lacks proper policies and initiatives for resource management and uses few eco-materials.

#2. H&M

Overview: H&M, full name Hennes & Mauritz AB, is a multinational retailer based in Sweden that focuses on fast-fashion clothes, home wear, and accessories.

Price Range: $$

Origin and Concept: H&M was founded by Erling Persson in 1947, in Sweden, under the name Hennes (meaning hers in Swedish). Later on, in 1964, it opened another store in Norway, and in 1968, Persson acquired the hunting retailer Mauritz Widforss in Stockholm.

This transformed the brand into Hennes & Mauritz, and it added a menswear collection to the already existing womenswear. H&M continued to expand in Europe and began to retail online in 1998 after registering the hm.com domain. Its style focuses on basic and trendy pieces, riding whatever trends are being sought after by its customers.

Recommended Product(s): Mesh Cardigan + V-neck Dress & Smocked Denim Dress + Leather Slides

Celebs who are fans: Brooklyn Decker, Ginnifer Goodwin, Amy Smart, Jayma Mays, Rashida Jones, Rooney Mara, Kristen Davis, and Michelle Williams, among others.

Ethical Practices: H&M uses renewable energy for part of its supply chain, as well as some eco-friendly materials (organic cotton and recycled polyester mainly). It also has a CanopyStyle-approved policy that prevents deforestation of ancient and endangered forests in its supply chain. 

#3. GAP

Overview: Gap is an American global fast-fashion giant. It is also the largest US retailer.

Price Range: $$$

Origin and Concept: Gap was founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher and Doris F. Fisher, in San Francisco, California. It all began with the idea of never running out of stock, so they tried their signature process with Levi’s jeans and it was a huge success. By 1990, the Gap assumed an upscale identity and revamped its inventory. Its new focus was to grow as a retailer and grow its sales numbers.

The brand umbrella now operates the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Intermix, Athleta, and Janie and Jack. The Fisher family still owns much of the company to this day and is actively involved. The brand still focuses on basics, jeans, and t-shirts, while it also offers a wide variety of trendy streetwear. 

Recommended Product(s): V-Neck Maxi Dress + Chunky Rib Sweater Tank Top & High Rise Utility Shorts + Mid Rise ’90s Loose Jeans in Organic Cotton with Washwell

Celebs who are fans: Selma Blair, Ali Larter, Emily Blunt, Halle Berry, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, Emily Ratajkowski, Katie Holmes, Dua Lipa, Winnie Harlow, and Jennifer Lopez among others.

Ethical Practices: Gap manages its use of water in its supply chain, and uses some eco-friendly materials (mostly recycled materials). However, there is no evidence that it minimizes textile waste when manufacturing clothing. When it comes to labor conditions, none of its supply chain is certified.

You May Like: Men’s 90s Jeans: Why They’re Here to Stay (And You Want a Pair)

#4. ZARA

Overview: Zara is a Spanish apparel tailer based in Galicia, Spain. It specializes in clothing, accessories, and footwear.

Price Range: $$$

Origin and Concept: Zara was founded by Amancio Ortega in 1975. It is part of the Inditex group, one of the world’s largest apparel retailers. It originally sold low-priced products based on popular, high-end trending fashions. After changing the design, manufacturing, and distribution process to reduce reaction times to cater to customers, it gave birth to what would be called “instant fashion”.

In 1985, Amancio began expanding Zara all over the world, and in 2010, Zara launched its online boutique. Zara’s style caters to customers that want good craftsmanship, artistic details, and a wide variety of both minimal basics as well as trendy note-worthy pieces.

Recommended Product(s): Embroidered Blouse + Bustier Vest with Lapels & Linen Blend Ruffled Draped Dress + Lace-up Woven flat sandals

Celebs who are fans: 

Ethical Practices: Despite having half of its production taking place in Spain and being somewhat transparent, Zara has made little to no progress on payment of a living wage across its supply chain. It does publish a detailed list of suppliers and discloses its policies to protect suppliers. On a high point, its animal welfare policy is aligned with Five Freedoms and bans fur, angora, leather, down, and exotic animal hair. 

#5. Mango

Overview: Mango is a Spanish clothing retailer that manufactures apparel, footwear, and accessories. 

Price Range: $$$

Origin and Concept: The company was founded by Turkish brothers Isak Andic and Nahman Andic in Barcelona, Spain, in 1984. It went into online sales in 2000 and expanded globally in no time. Its aesthetic encompasses romantic and highly crafted clothing as well as basics and minimal items. 

Recommended Product(s): Shirt collar dress + 100% linen blazer & Knitted cardigan with jewel button + Straight trousers with openings

Celebs who are fans: Bella Hadid, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Irina Shayk, Dakota Fanning, Katie Holmes, Diane Kruger, Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss, and Infanta Sofia of Spain among others. 

Ethical Practices: Mango uses some eco-friendly materials, like organic cotton, but there is no evidence that it does much more than that. Some of its supply chain is certified, particularly over the final stage of production. However, there is no evidence it implements practices to ensure payment of a living wage in its supply chain. 

Read Next:

5 Brands Very Much Like American Apparel

5 Brands Like Ralph Lauren (With The Americana Vibe)

Loved by Millions, is GAP a Good Brand?

The post 5 Brands Like Abercrombie & Fitch for that American Aesthetic appeared first on 90s Fashion World.