AE77 Women’s Review

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AE77 Women's Review— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

I bought my first pair of American Eagle jeans in middle school, after scouring my local thrift store for the trendy brand’s clothing. Although my style has changed since middle school—whose hasn’t?—I still wear AE jeans all these years later. Thankfully I no longer pair them with a T-shirt layered over a camisole (not all 2000s trends should come back), but cozy flannel shirts and crop tops.

When I heard American Eagle launched a premium denim brand, AE77, I was eager to see how the newer styles would hold up to the OG American Eagle jeans. I reached out to the brand to try a pair of the AE77 Classic Denim, $188, along with some of AE77’s best-selling styles: the AE77 Pointelle Top, $88, and the AE77 Oversized Flannel Shirt, $148.

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What is AE77?

Launched by American Eagle in late 2021, AE77 is designed to be a sustainable brand that takes a “planet conscious” approach to its designs. The company says that it produces clothing with sustainable raw materials “whenever possible,” utilizing organic, recycled, and “sustainably sourced” fabrics through the Better Cotton Initiative, a non-profit governance group that advocates for better cotton farming standards. AE77 claims that all dyes and chemicals are exclusively produced with green chemistry, which is a way for brands to reduce or eliminate substances that are hazardous in the chemical production process and extends to the use of water, energy, environment, and labor. In addition, 1% of AE77’s annual sales are also donated to 1% For the Planet, a non-profit organization that was founded to help pair companies with non-profits that align with values and certifies all donations.

AE77 specializes in premium denim, and its jeans come in men’s sizes 28 to 36 and women’s sizes 23 to 33 and in 5-, 10-, and 15-year washes, which offer varying levels of vintage, worn-in fades. Prices range between $168 to $188 based on style. The brand also sells elevated basics like T-shirts, shirts, outerwear, and accessories in men’s sizes S to XL and women’s sizes XS to XL.

What I like about AE77

A closeup of a gray shirt sleeve next to a closeup of denim buttons
Credit: Reviewed / Hannah Southwick

The Pointelle Top is made with super soft fabric.

The fabric and construction feels durable

Both the Classic Denim and the Oversized Flannel Shirt are made of super thick fabric. Quality lies in the details, and the tiny construction choices on each garment say a lot about their durability. The flannel features felled seams, or seams that are doubled over to prevent fraying. Similarly, the denim is made of Japanese selvedge cotton, which has “self-edge” or self-finished edges, also designed to prevent fraying over time. Beyond the fabric, the jeans feature details like a smooth-front flap that conceals the button fly.

The Pointelle Top is super soft

The Pointelle Top is a long sleeve, crew-neck shirt that can be dressed up or down. Perhaps even more importantly, however, it is one of the softest garments I’ve ever worn. Pointelle refers to knit fabric with small, lace-like eyelet holes, and AE77's 90% cotton, 10% polyester shirt has a slight stretch, making it airy and breathable. As someone who loves to pull my sleeves down over my hands on chilly days, I love that the fabric of the cuffs is thicker. If anything, I wish the shirt had thumb holes to make it even cozier.

The pockets on the flannel are handy

Two women in plaid flannels
Credit: AE77 / Reviewed / Hannah Southwick

The flannel has a super relaxed fit.

The flannel doesn’t just look utilitarian, it also has the features to back it up. I love a good pocket, and the flannel delivers. It features two large, buttoned pockets on the front which were the perfect size for a phone, AirPods case, and so on.

The jeans fit well

Jean shopping is a frustrating experience, perhaps rivaled only by swimsuit shopping. Because it’s notoriously hard to find the right style and fit, I was skeptical about AE77’s unisex denim sizing, which ranges from 24-inch by 30-inch to 27-inch by 32-inch (waist length by inseam). While the brand recommends men take the same size they’d wear in men’s pants, the women’s size recommendations are a little less straightforward. I typically wear a 4 or a 27-inch waist, which would correspond with the 29-inch by 30-inch size according to the size chart. I was skeptical about ordering a different waist size, so I tried the 27-inch by 30-inch. They fit a bit snug on the legs at first, but after an hour of wear they stretched to the perfect fit.

I love the classic rise style, which sits just below the belly button, and the tailoring was just right for my body. While the thought of wearing unisex denim first made me think of baggy, uncomfortable jeans, I was pleasantly surprised by how well these hug the body in the right places.

What I don’t like about AE77

Two people in jeans split with a photo one person in jeans
Credit: AE77 / Reviewed / Hannah Southwick

AE77's unisex denim sizes are written like standard men's pant sizes.

The sizing is a little confusing

While I love oversized pieces, there’s such a thing as too oversized. The unisex shirt is made of “heavyweight, Japanese flannel fabric.” Because the flannel is made of such thick fabric, unlike your typical tartan flannel shirt, it holds its shape more. I found the overall effect to be boxy and somewhat unflattering, especially when the shirt was buttoned. I typically left it unbuttoned and styled it with a crop top or tighter top underneath. I ordered mine in a unisex small, which is what I usually wear. The AE77 site recommends sizing down for “a more traditional fit,” which I’d recommend even if you’re aiming for a slightly oversized fit.

The flannel wasn’t super comfortable

While the heavyweight fabric of the flannel seemed durable, it’s not as cozy as you might expect for such a shirt. It feels more like Carhartt workwear than the other flannel shirts I own, including my favorite hooded flannels from American Eagle. If you’re picturing a soft shirt to slip on during cold days, this won’t fill the bill.

The sustainability claims are confusing

AE77 ostensibly focuses on sustainability. While the product description for the Classic Denim mentions it's "100% Japanese selvedge cotton," the Pointelle Top description instead explains, “AE77 is committed to improving cotton farming practices globally with the Better Cotton Initiative/BCI.” While I expected the top would be 100% organic or recycled cotton, I noticed the tag on the top says it’s made of 90% cotton and 10% polyester. I wish AE77 elaborated more on where it sources its materials, to eliminate any greenwashing concerns.

It’s pricey

You could find less expensive flannels, jeans, and long-sleeve shirts in other places, including at regular American Eagle. If you’re looking for something to throw on for a season or two, investing in almost $200 jeans or a nearly $150 flannel might not be worth it.

But if durability is important to you, these pieces aren't necessarily overpriced. For instance, if the Pointelle Top were a typical heather gray T-shirt, it wouldn’t cross the value bar of the $88 price tag for me. However, if you’re looking for something super soft, it would be worth the splurge.

Is AE77 worth it?

A close-up of a flannel and a close-up of jeans
Credit: AE77

AE77 provides a lot of quality for the price.

Yes, if you don’t mind the pricetag

Because of the durable construction, I could see myself wearing these products for years before consigning or recycling them. The main downside, other than more subjective styling quandaries, is the price. However, if you’re looking for styles that are extremely comfortable, in the case of the Pointelle Top, or made of thick fabric designed to not fray, in the case of the Classic Denim and the Oversized Flannel Shirt, it might be worth the investment.

Shop AE77

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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