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Now that I'm finalizing my graphic designs, I'm shopping for a quality blank for a mass market. Ideally, I'm looking to get my shirts into museum gift stores. So, while using American Apparel shirts appeals to me, I'm wondering if the sizing and the thinness of the fabric is ever off-putting to the general public. So, if you're not looking for a hipster demographic necessarily, is there a better choice that's somewhere between AA quality and a shapeless tent? Or has AA done enough marketing that people are happy to have it, regardless of the tight fit? I just can't seem to reconcile the constant news about Americans getting larger with the shirts that seem to be made for only the skinny.
I have always liked the Gildan 2000 tees. Lots of colors and available from all distributors. If ordering a large quantity, talk to them about a better deal.
AA has done a lot of market research. They are not going after the fat and chubby market. It is not a shirt I would put in that environment in my opinion.
Anvil is my shirt of choice for the everyday market where you get the average person buying. Anvil shirts are not square, they have a longer body and look fitted with out being too small relative to each size. The Port & Company PC61 is also like that.
So, if you're not looking for a hipster demographic necessarily, is there a better choice that's somewhere between AA quality and a shapeless tent?
Alstyle Apparel is a good alternative. Their style 1701 is a nice ringspun t-shirt that is a bit heavier than the American Apparel 2001, and the fit is a bit more generous.
That said, the American Apparel 2001 aren't as "slim" as they used to be (in my opinion). When they first came out, I really felt like you had to order a size larger, but I think in general, the unisex 2001 style has more of a standard fit. It's not boxy, but it's not a "slim" t-shirt either. Now the women's t-shirt is a totally different animal. Those still seem to run smaller than other brands like Hanes/Anvil/Gildan.
I'm not sure there is a t-shirt that will fit *every* body type though. There's so many diverse body types, it would almost be impossible to find a "one size fits all" brand.
I guess the tendency would be to rather be "bigger" than smaller, since it's much easier to wear a shirt that's a bit too big for you rather than one that's clearly too small.
I'm wondering if the sizing and the thinness of the fabric is ever off-putting to the general public.
Ever? Absolutely.
The way I see it, you've got a segment of the public who doesn't care/doesn't think about it, a segment of the public who will only buy one way, and a segment of the public who will only buy another.
The key is to work out which of those two conflicting segments reflects the greater numbers in your target demographic.
American Apparel are well known enough, and make people passionate enough, that there are both people who boycott them, and people who won't buy any other brand.
I guess the tendency would be to rather be "bigger" than smaller, since it's much easier to wear a shirt that's a bit too big for you rather than one that's clearly too small.
Many fashion trends indicate otherwise
If I see one more balding thirty-nine year old male squeezing himself into a Medium he hasn't really been since his 20s it will be too soon.
It's currently a bitterly cold Winter here, so I have a reprieve... for now!
Anyway, behind this rant there is an actual point: plenty of people are quite content to squeeze into shirts that don't fit them. Fashion goes in cycles, sometimes loose (60s, 80s), sometimes tight (70s, 00s). I think the fashion cycle influences whether people would prefer to go too loose or too tight when they can't find their ideal fit.
Not to mention "I'm going to lose weight" delusions beat "This'll fit in six months" forward thinking (I know my closet represents a lot more of the first than the second, and I doubt I'm alone in that).
Thanks to you all for your help. I tend to think of AA shirts as value added; someone might like a design
and, "Look, it's even printed on American Apparel!". But realistically, for my product, it might be that someone likes the design and says, "But the t-shirt's so thin and tight..." and it could, I suppose, stop a sale. AA's done such a superb job of marketing their product that it's become a standard in e-commerce shops. Put "Printed on American Apparel" on the site and many people know the color range and the sizing and there are no surprises. It would seem to be a good thing. Unless it's not.... Urrrgh, these decisions are killing me.
i'm 26 and not a fan of american apparel at all. personally, i'd take a soft gap T any day.
if you're looking to print ts for a gift shop go with comfort colors. they're amazing and perfect for the 30-70 demographic (rugged/ loose fitting/ great colors)
Is American Apparel for Every Body? 
