It wasn’t long ago that Abercrombie was something of an afterthought in the realm of mall-brand menswear, and while the comeback has been well-documented, the staying power has been impressive. They’ve cemented themselves as one of the more reliable retailers in the game—expanding their capital-G Good offerings into basically every category.
And there is something of a formula to how they’re getting it so right: classic staples are imbued with a bit of volume and a dash of archive inspiration, and everything clocks in at prices that won’t make you blanche. So, after those few years in the wilderness, Abercrombie’s clothes now feel like how mall brand clothes used to feel—substantial and well-made, yet easy to wear from day one. As a result, these days they’re kind of appealing to, well, everyone. Their baggier pants are a favorite among those both veterans of and newcomers to the Wide Arts, while their knitwear catalog contains plenty of all-time classics, and their basics are just as considered as those that cost far more.
You can’t just treat Abercrombie like a spackle to cover a hole in a wardrobe or use it as the foundation for an entire closet overhaul and not experience a bit of friction on either path. The only issue is that there’s quite a bit to sift through with either goal in mind. To make everything a bit easier, we rounded up our favorite pieces from various categories to make shopping at A&F as smooth as possible.
The Best of Abercrombie
Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Collins Double-Breasted 100% Linen Blazer
Popping Polos
Any regulars around here can tell you that knit polos have had a rise similar to Abercrombie’s over the past few years. Coincidence? We don’t have the data, so we can’t really say but what we do know is that the Moose certainly helped put the wayward style back on the map by making some of the easiest, louchest and, at times, funkiest iterations on the market. The button-throughs look great with some slacks or open over a tank with some jeans. The Johnny Collars are still as versatile as ever, even if they’re not as novel as they once were; and the even the non-knit rugby’s are as good as any you could find under $100.
Abercrombie & Fitch
