Hey there, fellow fashion lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the perfect tee, the most flattering pair of leggings, the softest sweats—you know, those everyday essentials that make you look and feel amazing. Well, let me introduce you to Los Angeles Apparel. This LA-based brand has been blowing up my Instagram feed lately, and for good reason. They‘re all about providing ethically-made, high-quality basics at an affordable price point.
But with so many brands out there claiming to do the same thing, what sets Los Angeles Apparel apart? I decided to investigate. Over the past few months, I‘ve tested out a bunch of their bestselling styles myself – from bodysuits to hoodies to the famous Disco Pant. I‘ve also talked to other customers about their experiences and sifted through literally thousands of reviews online. And now, I‘m here to give you my honest, unfiltered opinion on whether LA Apparel lives up to the hype.
The Backstory
First, let me give you a little background on the brand for context. Los Angeles Apparel was founded in 2016 by Canadian businessman Dov Charney. If that name sounds familiar, it‘s because Charney is also the controversial figure behind American Apparel (AA). He served as AA‘s CEO from 1989-2014 before being ousted by the company‘s board for alleged misconduct.
Charney launched LA Apparel as his comeback venture, with a very similar aesthetic and ethos to American Apparel (think classic silhouettes in bright, sexy colors). The key difference is that LA Apparel has doubled down on the ethical manufacturing practices that AA was originally known for, like paying workers fair wages, using sustainable materials, and producing everything in sweatshop-free facilities in Los Angeles.
The Product Range
One of the things I love about Los Angeles Apparel is how inclusive and extensive the product assortment is. They truly have something for everyone, with sizes ranging from XS-2XL in most styles. Here‘s a quick rundown of the main categories:
- Tops: Basic tees and tanks, long sleeves, crops, thermals
- Dresses & Skirts: Minis, midis, bodysuits, slips
- Leggings & Pants: Yoga pants, disco pants, sweats, trousers
- Outerwear: Zip-ups, crewnecks, bombers, windbreakers
- Activewear: Sports bras, bike shorts, unitards, dancewear
- Intimates: Bras, panties, lingerie, bodysuits
- Swim: One-pieces, bikinis, cover-ups
- Accessories: Bags, headwear, socks, face masks
Basically, LA Apparel makes all the building blocks of a super versatile wardrobe that you can mix and match endlessly. From work to weekend to a night out, they‘ve got you covered.
Bestsellers & Top Picks
With so many options to choose from, you might be wondering where to start. According to the brand, their most popular styles are the Cotton Spandex Jersey Legging, Garment Dye Heavy Fleece Hoodie, and that famous Disco Pant (which BTW, has sold out three times and racked up a 2,000 person waitlist!).
Personally, these are the three standout items that have earned a permanent place in my wardrobe:
1. The Bodysuit.
I practically live in bodysuits—they‘re the best layering pieces and always stay tucked in. LA Apparel‘s versions are hands down my favorite. They come in so many necklines and fabrics, but the turtleneck and the velvet are my go-to‘s. They‘re super smooth and stretchy with thong backs, so no VPL. I pair them with everything from mom jeans to slip skirts. Trust me, you need one (or five) of these!
2. The Tennis Skirt.
This is the ultimate cool-girl skirt. It‘s made of this magic mid-weight jersey that‘s structured enough to hold the pleats but still soft and moveable. I have it in classic white and baby blue, and I get compliments every time I wear them. Dress it down with a graphic tee and sneakers or up with a silky cami and heels. Hot tip: Unlike a lot of skater skirts, this one actually has built-in shorts, so you can twirl to your heart‘s content.
3. The Disco Pant.
Okay, I know shiny leggings can seem scary, but don‘t knock the Disco Pant till you‘ve tried it! I was hesitant at first too, but as soon as I slipped these on, I was sold. The fabric is this luxe, compressive spandex with a gorgeous sheen (not tacky shine). They make my legs look a mile long and my bum super perky. I‘ll admit, they‘re not the most breathable for summer, but for a night out dancing, the Disco Pant is unparalleled!
Quality & Customer Feedback
Now for the question I‘m sure you‘re all asking: are Los Angeles Apparel‘s basics really worth the price tag? They‘re definitely not the cheapest option out there, with most tees and tanks going for around $30 and pants/outerwear in the $70-$80 range.
In my experience, the quality is absolutely on point, especially compared to other mall brands in the same price range. Everything I‘ve tried from LA Apparel is incredibly soft, substantial, and well-constructed. The cotton holds up beautifully in the wash (no pilling, shrinking, or warping), the seams are neatly finished, and the colors are rich and saturated. You can just feel that these pieces are made with care and built to last.
I‘m not alone in being impressed with LA Apparel‘s quality. Out of the 17,000+ reviews on their site, 86.2% are 5 stars, averaging out to a stellar 4.8 overall rating across all products. Even on external review sites like Trustpilot, they maintain a score of 4.2/5 with over 3,100 reviews.
Here‘s a snapshot of how their bestsellers stack up:
| Product | # of 5-Star Reviews | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton Spandex Jersey Legging | 5,124 | 4.9 |
| Garment Dye Heavy Fleece Zip Hoodie | 3,251 | 4.8 |
| The Disco Pant | 2,577 | 4.7 |
| Cotton Spandex Jersey Bike Short | 1,738 | 4.9 |
| Garment Dye Tank Bodysuit | 1,219 | 4.8 |
Some common threads in the glowing reviews? Customers rave about the luxe-feeling fabrics, vibrant colors, figure-flattering fits, quality construction, and impressive durability. One review of the Cotton Spandex Leggings sums it up perfectly: "Literally the most perfect leggings ever! So so soft, squat proof, suck you in, TRUE TO SIZE! The quality is insane!"
Of course, no brand is immune to negative feedback. The relatively few complaints about LA Apparel mention inconsistent sizing, slow shipping, and difficulties with returns. Many reviewers note that certain styles run small and recommend sizing up. The brand does use USPS for shipping, which can take up to 5 business days and be prone to delays.
Exchanges are not currently offered, only returns and refunds. However, most customers say the 30-day return policy is easy and hassle-free, and that customer service is helpful and responsive.
The Bottom Line
So, where does all this leave us? Is Los Angeles Apparel worthy of being your new go-to basics brand? IMHO, the answer is a resounding yes. I‘m thoroughly impressed with the quality, style, and ethics of LA Apparel.
Yes, they‘re a bit of a splurge, but I firmly believe their pieces are 100% worth the investment. The price is totally justified by the top-notch materials and construction, the flattering, wear-with-anything silhouettes, and the timeless appeal of the designs. These are true wardrobe workhorses you‘ll reach for again and again, season after season.
LA Apparel has nailed that tricky balance of being both trend-aware and trend-resistant. They refresh the color palettes and introduce new styles frequently to keep things feeling current, but the underlying aesthetic is classic. You won‘t fall victim to flash-in-the-pan fads, but you also won‘t look dated. As a bona fide basics snob, that‘s exactly what I want!
Most importantly, when you shop Los Angeles Apparel, you can feel good about supporting an ethical, eco-conscious company. In this day and age, it‘s increasingly important to me to spend my dollars with brands whose values align with my own. LA Apparel isn‘t just talking the talk when it comes to fair labor practices, sustainable sourcing, giving back to the community—they‘re walking the walk. That commitment to doing the right thing makes me all the more proud to stock my closet with their clothes.
Obviously, I‘m a big LA Apparel fangirl and I‘m thrilled with all my purchases from them so far. But don‘t just take my word for it—browse their glowing customer reviews and see for yourself what all the buzz is about. Or better yet, treat yourself to one of their signature pieces and prepare to become obsessed. I predict it‘ll be the start of a long and beautiful friendship with this small-but-mighty made-in-LA brand.
Happy shopping, fashionistas! And remember, when you feel good in what you‘re wearing, it shows. Here‘s to embracing basics that make you look like a million bucks, one Disco Pant at a time!
