7 Things We Love…

04.18.2014 By AEO in AEOStyle, culture, music Tags: books, healthy eating, movies, Music, Spring Fashion, things we love, Travel Leave a comment

Here at AEO, we’re inspired by so many different things. Food, travel, music, movies… you name it, the sky’s the limit! We’re starting a new series on the blog where you can see all of our inspirations—and maybe get a little inspired yourself. Here’s the first installment of what we can’t live without.

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WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO: KEEP YOU BY WILD BELLE
We’re digging this song from Wild Belle’s debut album, Isles. Chicago natives (and siblings!) Elliot and Natalie Bergman have created the perfect mix of indie rock and funk. This track’s addictive sound will definitely have you playing it again and again and again and… well, you get the point.

WHAT WE’RE DOWNLOADING: TRAKTOR DJ
Have big dreams of being a DJ? Well, it’s now easier than ever (and totally at your fingertips) with this awesome app. Choose from eight different effects like Beatmasher, Filter and Flanger to cut up and rearrange beats, create quick cuts and more. Plus, you can use it on your iPad or iPhone!

WHERE WE’RE GOING: DENVER
Looking for a place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Denver boasts one of the largest celebrations in the US. The two-day festival includes live music and all the authentic Mexican cuisine you can handle. Work off all the tacos by taking advantage of the city’s hiking trails and mountain terrain.

WHAT WE’RE READING: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS BY JOHN GREEN
It’s only one of the most popular YA books to come out in the past five years. This story about two teenage cancer patients who find each other and fall in love is a tearjerker, for sure… but it’s also full of hope and the appreciation of living life to the fullest. Not to mention the movie, which stars Divergent’s Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, is only one of the most anticipated movie releases of the year (it comes out on June 6).

WHAT WE’RE EATING: SMOOTHIE BOWLS
The weather’s heating up (finally) (we think?) and that has us craving colder foods. Smoothie bowls are the cousin of acai bowls, which are a Brazilian treat made from frozen acai pulp blended with other frozen fruit and topped with fresh sliced fruit, granola and honey. But since acai is a little hard to find, try a smoothie bowl—all you need is spinach, avocado, and whatever frozen fruit you have in the freezer! Mmm, mmm good.

WHAT WE’RE WEARING: AE SOFT FLORAL JUMPSUIT
The oversized floral print. The mismatched pockets. The bold black and white. The silhouette. Everything about this jumpsuit just screams “I’m right on trend for spring!” It’s really just a bonus that it’s incredibly comfy, too.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING: MEAN GIRLS ON NETFLIX
This movie totally made fetch happen. We kind of can’t believe it’s 10 years old already. This classic just never goes out of style. Thanks to Netflix, we’re watching the antics of the Plastics over and over again and quoting all the memorable lines nonstop. A few of our favorites: “On Wednesdays, we wear pink.” “That’s why her hair is so big. It’s full of secrets.” “Whatever. I’m getting cheese fries.” “You go, Glenn Coco!”

A Day In Italy: Our #MadeInItaly Photo Diary

03.13.2014 By AERIE in AEOStyle Tags: Fashion, Florence Italy, Limited Edition Collection, Made in Italy, Style, Travel Leave a comment

Love our new Made In Italy For American Eagle Outfitters collection? Get even more inspiration with our photo diary from our trip to Italy, where we created and designed every piece in the line. Touring the countryside and city provided the perfect balance of beauty, edge and effortless style reflected in our exclusive collection made just for you. Show us how you’re wearing Made In Italy For American Eagle Outfitters with #AEOSTYLE for your chance to be featured on AE.com.

Show us how you’re styling our new limited edition collection Made In Italy For American Eagle Outfitters and tag your photos on Instagram and Twitter with #AEOStyle for a chance to featured on ae.com!

Spring Break Packing Guide

03.09.2014 By AEO in AEOStyle, culture Tags: beach, packing, Spring Break, tips, Travel, tricks Leave a comment

Greetings Spring Breakers!

It’s that time of year again- time to take a break from studying, exams, and snow and head to a relaxing beach destination for seven straight days of fun in the sun. Your flight is booked, your hotel reservation locked down, and now its time to…. Pack!

We know the feeling all too well- the stress of trying to jam your entire closet into a standard size suitcase, the overwhelming fear of not having your favorite outfits, accessories, beach wear and let’s not forget, coordinating shoes, on hand when you arrive at your Spring Break destination. So, to help you maximize the space in your suitcase and to cut down on packing time- we compiled a list of tips and tricks just for you!

Tips for the Gal’s:

1. Fold your bikini top and place inside a back pocket of your shorts.

2. Tuck your sunglasses in one of the front pockets of your shorts. Then fold shorts in half to protect sunglasses.

3. Roll your tee and tuck inside your sandals.

4. Place jewelry inside a pocket of your denim jacket.

5. Roll your dress and place inside a hat.

Bonus Tip: Roll delicate items, like dresses, in tissue paper and they will be wrinkle free when unpacked.

Packing Checklist:

Tips for the Guy’s:

1. Rolling, instead of folding your swimsuit will take up less space.

2. Place your flip flops in each back pocket of your jeans and then fold in half.

3. Roll your tee and place inside hat.

4. Hide your sunglasses inside one of your shoes.

Packing Checklist:

We hope that these tips and tricks will help ease the stress of packing! Safe Travels! And P.S. don’t forget sunscreen!

Stay tuned this week for our Spring Break essentials guide!

San Francisco Travel Guide

01.31.2014 By AEO in culture Tags: Inspiration, Photoshoots, Project Live Your Life, San Francisco, Travel 1 Comment

Last September, we took 16 winners of Project Live Your Life to San Francisco for the trip of a lifetime. Despite long days shooting the American Eagle Outfitters Spring 2014 campaign, our cast and crew had some time to check out San Francisco’s coolest and most iconic sites. Check out our top places to eat, things to do and places to see in the City by the Bay.

Wear

Despite being located in sunny California, San Francisco does get chilly from the bay breezes. We recommend layers – lightweight sweaters that are easy to stick in your bag for girls. Guys should add a flannel to a graphic T or sweatshirt. A little more dressy than LA, girls can upgrade their look with printed soft pants and guys can trade in their board shorts for denim shorts.

San Francisco is known for its hills – be sure to pack comfy shoes. A pair of slip-on sneakers in a basic color works with just about any color for girls and canvas sneakers for guys will complete any look. Don’t forget accessories like beanies and sunglasses so you’re prepared for any weather change from rain to sun.

San Francisco look for girls.

Get the look:

Cropped Raglan Sweater

Soft Pant

Slip-On Sneaker

Knit Beanie

San Francisco look for guys.

Get the look:

Bold Graphic Sweatshirt

Destroyed Denim Cutoff Short

Plaid Workwear Shirt

Canvas Sneaker

Eat

San Francisco is one of America’s biggest foodie cities. From the famous Mission-style burritos to every type of fusion imaginable, no one will ever go hungry in San Francisco.

Ferry Building. Photo by @jamiesimoni.

Ferry Building Marketplace

Located along the water at the end of Market Street, you can find everything from fresh fish to artisan chocolates at the Ferry Building Marketplace. Our Senior Director of Analytics in our San Francisco office had a piece of chocolate there that “changed his life!” Be sure to go hungry – our Aerie Assistant Bra Buyer Emily T. recommends a snack of charcuterie at Boccalone followed up by a New Orleans Iced Coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee, a caffeinated SF staple.

Swan Oyster Depot

Over 100 years old, Swan Oyster Depot is a San Francisco institution. Be prepared to wait in line at 1517 Polk Street for your chance at the best seafood in San Francisco. Our tip? Order the San Francisco Sashimi, a “secret” menu item.

Tartine Bakery and Cafe

If the line out the door doesn’t let you know that a restaurant is good, we don’t know what does. Go early to avoid the wait and try the famed “Morning Bun” or stop by in the afternoon for a Banana Cream Tart or Coconut Cream Tart and take a loaf of bread home fresh out of the oven. Stop by Tartine on 600 Guerrero.

tartine bakery coconut creme pie and iced coffee

A Coconut Cream Tart and iced coffee at Tartine Bakery. Photo by @emtodd11.

Foreign Cinema

Take “dinner and a movie” to an entirely new level at Foreign Cinema, located in the Mission District. Nightly they screen movies in their covered back patio, ranging from silent films to your Wes Anderson favorites. Order the sesame fried chicken – you won’t regret it.

Nopalita

Our crew hit up Nopalita on 9th Ave right by the Botanical Gardens for amazing Mexican food while on the shoot. While Nopalita has all the Mexican staples, we recommend getting a torta, or Mexican sandwich, followed up with a Mexican Hot Chocolate.

Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by @cpisone.

Bike the Golden Gate Bridge

It’s one of the most iconic bridges in the world. See it up close and personal while biking it! The ride starts at Fisherman’s Wharf and takes you to the beautiful town of Sausalito. Once in Sausalito you can enjoy the shops and cafes, then catch a ferry back to the wharf. Bike rentals are available at Blazing Saddles, located at Pier 41 and 2715 Hyde Street.

Ocean Beach and Golden Gate Park

Jump on the BART Blue Line at the Embarcadero and get off at Balboa Park. This metro stop is steps from Ocean Beach, where you can walk along the water and put your toes in the Pacific Ocean. Then walk a few blocks to Golden Gate Park to experience nature right in the middle of the urban city.

Don’t leave San Francisco without taking a trolley ride!

Union Square

You can’t leave San Francisco without taking a trolley ride! Catch either the Powell-Mason or Powell-Hyde lines and jump off at Union Square. Spend the afternoon window shopping and pick up a new pair of AEO jeans at our store on Market Street!

Marin Headlands

Dubbed one of the best viewpoints in San Francisco, where you can witness astonishing views of the coast and the city. There are also several hiking trails and a suspension bridge if you are feeling adventurous.

Muir Woods

Spend an afternoon walking off all the culinary delights SF has to offer at Muir Woods. Not only can you see the famed Redwood trees but you can also spend a few hours hiking the trails that surround the area and afford views of the Pacific Ocean.

Muir Woods reminds you how small you are compared to nature. Photo by @cpisone.

The Presidio

A former military base, The Presidio was founded by the Spanish in 1776 and was their northern-most outpost of colonial power in the new world.

Getting Around

Although hilly, San Francisco is small enough to be walkable if you’re up for it. If you need to get from point A to point B quickly, we recommend Uber. If you’re not in the know, download the Uber App and open it up when you need a lift. A private car will be to you in less than ten minutes to take you anywhere you need. The best part? You pay through your phone, so you don’t even need cash for a taxi.

Austin City Limits Festival Guide

10.03.2013 By AEO in AEOStyle, culture, music Tags: Fashion, Music, Travel Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again! Austin City Limits has returned to the Capital of Texas, and for the first time ever, the insanely popular music festival has doubled into a two weekend event. Check out what we’re packing and who we’re most excited to see in the weirdest and hippest Texas town that ever was.

To Pack:

Girls:

When packing for ACL, remember to check the weather. This time of year in Texas can still be hot. Rock a flowy skirt like our AE Chiffon Circle Skirt and pair it with a flannel shirt and a denim vest to capture the Lone Star State vibe. Give your outfit some edge with funky jewelry and cute booties, and don’t forget to rock some serious shades.

Shop the look:

AE Plaid Shirt

AE Denim Vest

AE Chiffon Circle Skirt

AEO Fan Burst Necklace

AEO Sparkle Braided Bracelet Set

AEO Rose Gold Sunglasses

Seychelles Scoundrel Bootie

Guys:

When packing for ACL, remember to keep things simple with a funky twist. A chambray shirt is a staple when it comes to having fun in the sun. Pair it with camo shorts, bright accessories, a simple belt and bold kicks for a look that’s comfortable and cool.

Shop the look:

AE Chambray Western Shirt

AEO Aviator Sunglasses

PF Flyer Center Hi Sneaker

October 4 and 11

Pinback: Originally from San Diego, Pinback delivers an addictive indie rock sound that will keep you wanting more. Check out “Good To Sea” and “Penelope.”

FUN: The band name says it all. These guys are FUN! This indie pop band from New York has been rocking the music charts with hit songs like “Some Nights” and “Carry On.”

Local Natives: This all dude quartet spits out a smooth indie rock vibe that draws the audience in. We love “Heavy Feet” and “Breakers.”

Depeche Mode: Known for their electronic beats, this threesome from England has been performing since 1980. With over 40 songs making the UK Singles Chart and 13 top 10 Albums, Depeche Mode will not let you down. We like “Soothe My Soul” and “Broken.”

Jimmy Eat World: If you grew up in the 90’s, your early life may have been narrated by this rock band from Mesa, Arizona. Formed in 1993, Jimmy Eat World put out hits like “Hear You Me” that are still widely popular today.

October 5 and 12

HAIM: This all girl quartet delivers a sound that has been described as “nu-folk-meets-90′s-R&B.” The catchy beats will make you feel somewhat nostalgic and futuristic all at the same time. We love “Falling” and “Forever.”

The Verve Pipe: Formed in 1992, The Verve Pipe from East Lansing, Michigan carries an alternative rock sound that has been popular for over two decades. Check out “The Freshmen” and “Photograph.”

Grimes: Claire Boucher, more famously known as Grimes, is currently rocking on our Fall 2013 in-store playlist. Grimes has been successfully making her way to fame by experimenting with electronic and industrial sound, creating hit songs like “Genesis” and “Oblivion.” Another thing to note… Grimes is also a video music producer, so we know her entire performance will be out of this world.

Greensky Bluegrass: If you like bluegrass mixed with a jam band sound, then Greensky Bluegrass is a must see. With lyrical talent and top notch instrumental performances, Greensky Bluegrass will have you dancing all over Zilker Park. Check out “Windshield” and “Kerosene.”

Wilco: Need an instant mood lifter? Head over to see Wilco. This Chicago-based band has been creating catchy tunes since the early 90′s. We love “Heavy Metal Drummer” and “Dawned on Me.”

Passion Pit: No matter if you’re their number one fan or a first time listener, Passion Pit will put on an insanely fun concert that gets the entire crowd singing along. We love “Take a Walk” and “Carried Away.”

October 6 and 13

Franz Ferdinand: Formed in the early 2000′s, this indie rock band from Scotland mixes traditional sound with a punk-dance-rock flavor. We like “Take Me Out” and “Right Action.”

Noah and the Whale: This five-man band from London creates endearing songs that are both catchy and endearing. We love “5 Years Time” and “There Will Come a Time.”

Phoenix: They’ve made our list of must-see bands before (check out our Lollapalooza Festival Guide), and for good reason… they rock. Every time they play at a music festival, we highly recommend seeing them. Their catchy tunes have been rocking the airways for over a decade. Try out some of their new songs like “Lisztomania” or go throwback with “Summer Days” and “Run Run Run.”

Atoms for Peace: If you’re a fan of Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers,R.E.M and Forro in the Dark, then you will love Atoms for Peace. The band’s members consist of Thom Yorke (the lead singer from Radiohead), Nigel Godrich (Radiohead producer), Flea (the bassist from The Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Mauro Refosco (from Forro in the Dark). It’s not very often that amazingly talented musicians from different bands come together to rock so if we were you, we would make this your number one band to see.

Austin is all about being crazy, fun and expressing your individual style. Tag your festival style with #AEStyle or send us your music pics at music@ae.com for a chance to be featured on our blog. No matter if you’re going to Austin City Limits for one weekend or both, we say rock on!

AE Friends & Family: Lauren, Habitat for Humanity Volunteer

08.06.2013 By AEO in culture Tags: Inspiration, Travel Leave a comment

Last Fall, American Eagle Outfitters teamed up with Cotton, Inc. to give one AE fan and a friend the chance to give back and help Habitat for Humanity rebuild a house in New Orleans, LA. Entrants submitted a photo of themselves volunteering and wrote an essay about why giving back is important. The winner, Lauren, brought her cousin Shay along for the trip. Read on to hear what Shay has to say about their time in New Orleans!

In the summer of 2005, Hurricane Katrina tore through most of Louisiana, Alabama and much of Mississippi. Over 2,000 people lost their lives due to the storm. It was the United States’ third largest hurricane.

About 80% of New Orleans was underwater by August 29, 2005. Thousands of people who called the city their home had to evacuate their houses, leaving all of their belongings in order to stay alive.

Now, eight years after the tragic storm, many people are still trying to rebuild their lives and their homes.

The city of New Orleans owns about 35,000 blighted properties that were evacuated by owners who never returned, according to New Orleans Habitat for Humanity Director, Jenna M. The city has done a great deal of rehabilitation but has not seemed to be able to catch up to repair the entire city.

American Eagle Outfitters sponsored myself and Lauren Vad to travel from Bottineau, ND to New Orleans on July 22 to help Habitat for Humanity build a home for a family of five. Lauren won a spot on the trip through a Facebook competition. Two AEO store managers, Christina F. of Overland Park, KS and Lindsay B. of Chattanooga, TN, collected the most pairs of AE jeans during their denim drive in 2012 and also joined the effort.

AEO partnered with Cotton, Inc. to collect used denim, which was recycled and made into housing insulation Habitat for Humanity gratefully accepted Cotton’s offer to use the thousands of donated jeans. It takes roughly 500 pairs of denim jeans to insulate a Habitat for Humanity house!

Lauren and I arrived in New Orleans and met with Christina, Lindsay and Marcy E., director of American Eagle Outfitters Foundation. Andrea S. and Marissa B., two of Cotton Inc.’s Directors of Consumer Marketing-Strategic Alliances, took us to the build site the next morning, Marissa and Andrea had worked together the previous year along with two other AEO store managers to do the same thing, so the two of them had some experience with what work we would do the house.

Project Manager, Faith, standing on the porch at the construction site.

Faith, Construction Manager, stands on the porch at the construction site.

After a quick orientation, we were sent off to start insulating the house. We ripped open the packages of insulation and within minutes we were stuffing denim insulation in between the fire wall of the house’s construction! It took our team of seven roughly two hours to insulate the main floor and the second story of the house. After Faith, the construction manager, inspected our work, we went for a lunch break, but we couldn’t wait to continue working on the house!

Once we arrived back at the construction site, we were put to work laying siding on the back of the house. It sounds pretty simple, but we quickly found out just how difficult it is. For the rest of that Tuesday afternoon, we measured, caulked and hammered nails until it was time to put a close on the day.

A street shot of the house during construction.

Although all of our flights left on Wednesday, we still trekked out to the house early that morning to continue our siding project. Thankfully, all of the hard work had been done the day before, so we quickly got back into a pattern and had half of the back done by the time we had to rush to the airport.

Throughout approximately 10 hours spent helping build the Habitat for Humanity house, we learned many valuable lessons and laughed and cheered a lot. With the help of the Habitat volunteers, a mother, her children and her grandchildren have a home they can call their own.

Lauren and volunteers adding siding to the house.

Though we were able to experience denim insulation first hand, there are many other ways to get involved through Cotton, Inc. Next time you’re about to throw away that old pair of AE jeans with the worn out knees, remember that they could help to rebuild someone’s home. Recycle your old denim and help protect our earth.