The Strategist Guide to Shopping at Abercrombie

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

Anyone who has shopped at a bigger-box brand knows it can be hard to figure out where to begin. There are dozens of options that all seem as worthy as the next, but the reality is that not all products from any given brand are created equal. When you shop as regularly as we do, you learn that many brands just do some things better than they do other things. Abercrombie, even in its post-rebrand era, is one of those brands — its expansive inventory of denim, dresses, and activewear must be carefully picked through to find the best pieces. To make that task a little easier, we’ve sifted through our archives to put together a list of the Abercrombie items that denim enthusiasts, stylish teens, and other cool people (including our writers and editors) have recommended on the Strategist.

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$60
$60

Expect a consistent size and price range when shopping Abercrombie’s denim: Just about every pair (save for some specialty jeans with embroidery, patterns, or drawstrings) costs $90 and is available in sizes 23 through 38 with extra-short through extra-long inseams. The actual fit of the jeans is less consistent. I own these jeans in three colors: blue, black, and khaki. While my blue jeans sit at my hip bones, the black-washed and khaki-esque colors fit more like mid-rise jeans even in the next size up. Still, they’re some of my favorite jeans thanks to a generous leg opening that drapes over my shoes and a baggy yet straight fit that makes me feel in touch with the rest of Gen Z. Ever since I convinced sleep writer Amelia Jerden to buy two pairs, she’s been wearing them nonstop.

$60
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$90
$90

When I tried on all of Abercrombie’s denim for Jeans Month last year, I compared these jeans to something Barbie would wear. They’re tight from the hip down to my knee in a way that highlights my curves and makes my legs look longer, but they would be extremely uncomfortable for an hours-long sit-down dinner. That said, they’re an affordable pair of straight-legged jeans that are best for the person who wants a pair that work day to night — as in, a casual day at the office to a girls’ night out.

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$50
$50

Abercrombie also makes the Barbie jeans in an even higher rise. They come recommended by content creators Amy Serrano and Lizbeth Hernandez for their relaxed but still flattering fit. We also named them the best jeans for petites

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$50
$50

Given this style’s lower cotton and higher Lyocell content, a store associate told me to size down for a more flattering fit at the butt and waist. They’re a true high-rise jean that’s loose from the thigh to the ankle. It’s in the name, after all

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$35
$35

At the time of “Jeans Month,” these were the best-selling jeans at Abercrombie’s Fifth Avenue location. They were too tight for my taste, but they’re a generously priced pair of straight jeans with just a little bit of stretch — 1 percent elastane. Perhaps CBK would have liked them

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$100
$100

In the context of these jeans, the term “baggy” means they’re more relaxed, with extra fabric throughout from the waist to the ankles. They’re labeled as low-rise, but they fit me like a true mid-rise. I’d size up if you’re going for a hip-hugging look

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$56
$56

When I went on a hunt for Goldilocks jean shorts — as in, a pair that was not too tiny and not too long — these almost made the winner’s circle. With a clean hem and not-too-drastic A-frame, they met most of my criteria. They just lost points for bunching at the crotch point

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$50
$50

While it feels like every mall brand has an activewear line now, Abercrombie’s in-house workout line, YPB, is the only one our writer Brenley Goertzen kept hearing about from her fitness-fanatic friends. She tried a bunch of pieces in the line to see if they were worth it, including this on-trend double-layered tank, which she says isn’t just for looks. “It actually provided some extra compression in my chest area — ideal for jumping and inversion movements — and I still found it plenty breathable,” she says.

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$40
$40

The matching shorts were also functional. “They have a five-inch length, which means they hit in the middle of my thigh for a not-too-short, not-too-long fit on my five-foot-five frame,” Goertzen writes

$40
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$45
$45
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$23
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Goertzen recommends the brand’s SculptLUX line if you like a smooth yet compressive feel, which she says is ideal for HIIT or circuit training rather than low-impact exercise. Best of all, when she wore this set to a heated Pilates class, the pieces barely showed any sweat marks

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$30
$30
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$40
$40

For those who prefer a lightweight, buttery-soft feel, Goertzen recommends the StudioFLEX line. “The fabric is incredibly soft and stretchy but didn’t feel as secure during high-volume reps of leg or glute exercises when I was lying on the reformer carriage,” she writes. As such, she mostly pulled on the set when she was working from home

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$55
$55

Goertzen is admittedly picky about running shorts, so she was pleasantly surprised by these, which have a thin spandex-y liner with drop-in side pockets and a lightweight shell. “Though the liner lacks silicone grips along the leg hems, I never noticed it riding up during my runs,” she writes

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$85
$85

Of all the items Goertzen tested, the exercise dress was the most-worn piece thanks to its versatility. She wore it everywhere, from happy hour at a Mexican restaurant to casual walks around her neighborhood with her two dogs, and appreciated its extremely soft StudioFLEX fabric. Best of all, it has bathroom-friendly built-in shorts, meaning “you can pull down the inner liner to pee without getting completely naked in the stall,” she says.

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$120
$120

When I tried all of Abercrombie’s dresses for Mall Month, this was one of my favorites. It has a bodice that fits like a corset and a full skirt ready for twirling. When it arrived at my door, I squealed. Just note: It’s prone to wrinkling, so factor in time for steaming and ironing before each wear

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$120
$120

I said it once, and I’ll say it again, “A dipped waist instantly makes a dress feel like something a princess would wear,” and I feel just like one whenever I wear this dress. It has adjustable spaghetti straps, a skirt that doesn’t wrinkle too easily, and a forgiving smocked bodice, making it the platonic ideal of sundresses

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$96
$96

If you’re looking for an office-appropriate dress you can wear right to happy hour, this is it. It has thick, adjustable straps and a wrinkle-resistant, flowy lined skirt. I appreciate its healthy blend of cotton and elastane that allows the dress to hug your upper body while still giving you enough room to breathe

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$66
$66

This dress’s scoop neck and spaghetti straps are wider than I usually go for, but it’s the perfect dress to throw over a swimsuit. Otherwise, I have to swap in nipple covers for a bra unless I’m going for an intentionally strappy look

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$60
$60

I’d size up in this dress unless you’re going for more of a bodycon fit. It has all the marks of a good Abercrombie dress — pockets and adjustable straps — along with built-in shorts for all those walks up subway station stairs

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$64
$64

As I’ve written previously, this is the embodiment of my 16-year-old self’s ideal sundress: “It just fails the fingertip test and is so low-cut that I find myself constantly checking if I’m accidentally flashing someone whenever I wear it.” If that’s not a problem for you, though, then this dress is perfect for summer

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$100
$100

With a V-neck that dipped below where the cups of my bra usually ended, this dress is surprisingly plunging. Still, it’s a flattering dress suitable for many sundress-worthy activities, including a picnic in the park, a trip to the farmers’ market, and a trip to the Met

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$52
$52

In our survival guide for the hottest time of the year, a.k.a. the Strategist Summer 100, these swim shorts earned a spot in the men’s section. Our senior writer Ambar Pardilla calls them “Bode-esque.”

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$15
$15

As a style writer who’s just shy of five feet, eight inches, Max Berlinger has learned that his ideal T-shirt has a hem that ends right at the hip or an inch or two below. As such, he says that “short guys need short shirts,” and Abercrombie makes some good ones. “Cut with a slimmer fit in the body and sleeves, this one is great for shorter guys who hit the gym,” he says

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$32
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$32

He’s also into this one, which has heavier fabric, longer sleeves, and a wider cut. Ben Barnes is a fan, too — ever since he learned cropped tees help him feel more confident. “It has the correct shortness by the waist and slightly bigger shoulders without having your arms swim in the giant sleeve,” he says

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$55
$55

Apple creative lead Mickey Pangilinan bought this crewneck ahead of his paternity leave, and after about a year and a half of regular wear, he says, “It’s still really soft, and it feels like it’s just getting softer.” In preparation for his second child, he even purchased a second one

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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change

The Strategist Guide to Shopping at Abercrombie