skanes

i'm torn between american apparel and alternative apparel t shirts...both are nice, but i am not able to 'touch' any samples of either...

anyone out there have any comments on which they prefer? quality-wise or price-wise?

thanks in advance,

m

 

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Solmu

I prefer Alternative for softness, and stitch quality (haven't heard of the same problems of needles, holes, etc. as American, but that may just be because they're a smaller manufacturer so you don't hear much). Prefer Alternative for styles. Prefer American for colours.

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Rodney

Why are you not able to touch any samples of the shirts? Have you contacted the companies to buy samples?

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skanes

i will be buying some samples...none of the screen printers in my area carry alternative apparel, and only some carry america apparel (but only a limited number of styles), so in the meantime, i thought i'd see if anyone else had some experience with the garments...

thanks for the feedback so far...

 

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Rodney

Quote: Originally Posted by skanes i will be buying some samples...none of the screen printers in my area carry alternative apparel, and only some carry america apparel (but only a limited number of styles), so in the meantime, i thought i'd see if anyone else had some experience with the garments... thanks for the feedback so far...

You can find lots of feedback on both styles in the forums

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skanes

beautifil...thank you rodney...

 

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identityburn

Here are the two main differences I've noticed.

American Apparel: Fitted design (smaller fit), soft, but heavier than Alternative Apparel.

Alternative Apparel: More of a loose/standard fit, huge collar (my main gripe) although not with all of their styles. I have one of their camo tees and it has a standard size collar. Very soft material.

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T-BOT

I like what the customer likes.


Around here, American Apparel is the #1 choice in the Fashion/Basics/Blanks. Thats what most of our clients ask for and choose from the samples rack. I guess "aa" being a huge brand helps.

As for Alternative, they sent me some nice catalogs and I like it.


but,


if a client wanted 200 shirts from Alternative I would not be able to service the client because Alternative does not stock it here, in Toronto.


so, a sides from Brand Power, quality and price points, being able to supply the shirts for a job is just as (if not more) important in order to stay in the t-shirt biz....like us little people.




:

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Solmu

It partly depends on what you're planning on doing with them: relabel or leave the label, just basic tees or other garments, etc.

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skanes

i think i'll be leaving the labels in for the first while...when i feel it's time to start adding my own labels i'll consider the shirts in that respect. for now, i just want a decent, soft, lightweight, not too fitted shirt with a standard collar (that isn't the size of a moon crater), for a few designs.

i'll test the waters with these and move forward from there...

thanks for the help and advice so far...

m

 

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love from lola

i agree with the points above that recommend alternative over american.

i also find that I am much happyer with how alternative T's wash. I find the texture and shape often changes after washing an american T. The small amount of poly in some alternative shirts, especially the extra long womens styles assures that my customers are going to enjoy their Ts longer!

 

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monkeylantern

I like both. I think Alternative are possibly slightly *too* thin, as well and the necks being a little large. American are good, but there are very serious ethics violations, and quality control issues, linked with them (just Google for "needles in cases" or "exposing penis to reporters").

American is a good tradable brand though.

You really should get samples though (and from the 3 or 4 other high-end shirt makers, such as Article1, Continental etc)

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skanes

this info is a huge help...thank you all for your feedback.

m

 

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Quattroporte

American Apparel always has the Summer Shirt if the standard tees are too thick. However, it IS possible to get AA shirts for around 3-4 dollars each if you buy enough, which I think is a good enough deal. However, I am not familiar with Alternative. All I know is that Alternative retails for so much more.

 

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cajunchad

Quote: Originally Posted by skanes i think i'll be leaving the labels in for the first while...when i feel it's time to start adding my own labels i'll consider the shirts in that respect. for now, i just want a decent, soft, lightweight, not too fitted shirt with a standard collar (that isn't the size of a moon crater), for a few designs. i'll test the waters with these and move forward from there... thanks for the help and advice so far... m

Our men's basic crew AA05's are made by a better manufacturer now to reduce the wide neck sizing.

Cheers!

 

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