It’s 1996, and a mall has lastly opened in my small hometown. With surprise, I shortly be taught what “mall walkers” are and begin roaming up and down the brightly lit halls, in search of treasure. Which retailer calls to me? Why, the shop with large black-and-white posters of insanely beautiful shirtless dudes within the window show, in fact. Welcome to Abercrombie & Fitch.

I snapped up spaghetti-strap camisoles with a lace trim so I may double layer them and put on them with low-cut flare denims and chunky brown Doc Martens-imitation sandals. Oh, the sophistication.

In highschool, I poured over the A&F catalogs like they have been spiritual texts. On the similar time, classmates began to use for positions as part-timers at A&F, and a sample emerged. Rumors circulated that A&F was reluctant to rent individuals of coloration and positively no women who had something aside from a concave abdomen.

Seems, it wasn’t simply the shop in my city. Lo and behold, A&F ended up with a class-action lawsuit towards it by workers alleging racial and gender-based discrimination. Lengthy story quick, the lawsuit was settled, and A&F has gone on to rebrand and ostensibly revamp its flawed company tradition.

The legacy of the ultra-thin A&F fashions I bear in mind from my high-school days is a part of the broader legacy of ‘90s promoting that hawked unrealistic magnificence requirements and performed on the worst elements of our fatphobic tradition. The outcome has been a number of millennial ladies who’re nonetheless making peace with their our bodies as we speak.

However A&F seems to have moved on. Its fashions have develop into extra various in race and physique sort. Plus, the model now has one of the intensive curve traces for pants within the vogue business. So, for the sake of vogue, I made a decision to offer A&F one other attempt. Right here’s a great old school try-on for you.

OK, I’ve seen this zip-up sweater in variations throughout social media, and I assumed I’d give it a attempt. I’m sporting the scale massive, and it’s tight, y’all. I believe this appears cute in images, however truthfully, would I truly put on this out of the home?? I’m body-confident, however I’m additionally simply not that eager on exhibiting my midriff at age 40. For those who’re down to point out some pores and skin, that is undoubtedly on pattern, and also you do you. But it surely’s a no for me.

Abercrombie’s high-rise mother denims, then again, won’t ever go away my facet. Comfortable, distressed and minimize for curves — I’m an enormous fan of the A&F Curve Love line. The denims are what sucked me again into buying from the model.

Zip-Up Notch-Neck Slim High (L) | Curve Love Excessive-Rise Mother Denims (dimension 32)

I needed this to work so dangerous, you guys. After I noticed Abercombie’s satin wide-leg pants on-line, I assumed, “Ooooh, that is simply what I would like for vacation events!” One thing slightly completely different and particular, with nice drape and shine, but in addition snug.

These pants ship by way of drape and look. Nonetheless, the match simply doesn’t work on me. I attempted on the XL, and it’s method too huge. The big is only a bit too small. These are a no-go, however should you’re rather less curvy, these may be wonderful on you.

The cropped wool-blend peacoat additionally caught my eye as a result of I like a basic peacoat look however hadn’t noticed cropped variations of it earlier than. Sadly, the match is the difficulty right here once more — you’ll be able to see within the images that the sleeves are far too lengthy, and it’s additionally too massive within the shoulders (I’m sporting a big). Sadly, that is additionally a return.

Cropped Wool-Mix Peacoat (L) | Satin Tailor-made Huge-Leg Pants (L)

I’m in love with this mini sweater costume, particularly with tights to maintain me heat and my ultra-comfortable Ariat cowgirl boots. I’m cozy and heat on this long-sleeve costume, nevertheless it’s body-conscious sufficient that I don’t really feel just like the Michelin man — which is the place my cozy outfits can find yourself generally.

The big is an ideal match for me (for reference: 5’5” and normally a dimension 14). This costume is a keeper.

Lengthy-Sleeve Mockneck Sweater Gown (L) | Ariat Western Heritage Boots

OK, let’s get into the great one first: These faux-leather pants are superior. I wore the black model of those pants in my article about my three favourite faux-leather items, after which I snapped up these brown ones as a result of I’m in love with the colour.

There are each curve- and straight-size choices for these pants in addition to prolonged sizing, so there’s actually so much to like right here. There’s even a super-cool, mushroom-colored utility model that Kat’s been sporting, they usually look wonderful styled with cool tones.

The much less good things? The satin button-up shirt. I like the cream coloration a lot, and I believe it’s a stunning distinction to the pants, however the match stymied me. I attempted on the big, and it’s method too huge — honest sufficient as a result of the shirt is supposed to be outsized. So, I sized right down to a medium, which is what I’m sporting within the photograph, and it’s nonetheless too huge. Particularly, the sleeves are super-long. I simply don’t know tips on how to type this in a method that’s cute and never simply…sloppy. When you’ve got concepts, please go them on!

Lengthy-Sleeve Satin Button-Up Shirt (M) | Curve Love Vegan-Leather-based ‘90s Straight Pants (dimension 33)

I’m typically not an enormous miniskirt particular person, however I’m making an exception right here, and I’ve to say, I sort of adore it. Abercrombie’s plaid miniskirt reads so Christmassy and basic. I attempted on each the XL and L within the skirt, and the big matches a lot better — the XL is considerably too huge on me.

This cable-knit sweater (not from Abercrombie however nonetheless price a glance!) is one other preppy winter basic, and truthfully, this one impresses me, significantly for the value (plus, it’s actually heat, guys). The high-heel fight boots are what end this outfit and make this outfit really feel like “me” as a substitute of me doing preppy cosplay.

Amazon Necessities Cable-Knit Sweater | Wool-Mix Plaid Mini Skirt (L) | comparable boots

My witchiest goals come true. I’m so in love with this long-sleeve knit costume. I can experience its full maxi glory as an attractive, curve-highlighting, straight-out-of-my-forest-hut costume by pairing it with my heeled fight boots, or I can tone it method down by pairing it with the black-and-white houndstooth coat pictured beneath.

I’m sporting the scale massive (I attempted medium — too small within the shoulders for me) and no shapewear, so you may get an correct impression of how this costume appears on a midsize physique. This costume has a everlasting house in my rotation.

Lengthy-Sleeve Knit Sq.-Neck Maxi Gown (L) | comparable boots

These are the identical A&F Curve Love denims as in outfit 1 (nonetheless love them) and the identical fight boots as in outfits 5 and 6. I threw on my trusty black camisole from Goal and Abercrombie’s wool-blend mod coat excessive. I’m sporting the coat in a dimension medium (massive was far too huge on me within the shoulders). I’m nonetheless deciding whether or not I wish to hold it…

I actually love the aesthetic. The black-and-white houndstooth sample is 100% up my alley, however the high quality of the coat actually doesn’t match to a few of the different retailers I’d store for outerwear, like J.Crew or manufacturers at Nordstrom. That mentioned, I believe the standard is first rate for the value (significantly should you can snag a reduction). So, the jury is out on the coat — let me know within the feedback should you suppose I ought to hold it!

Wool-Mix Mod Coat (M) | camisole | Curve Love Excessive-Rise Mother Denims (dimension 32) | comparable boots

The sweater I’m sporting is Uniqlo (right here’s an analogous one from Quince), however this satin maxi skirt is A&F, and I’m maintaining her. I like the satin pattern this season, and that is the piece that I really feel like I’ll truly put on a ton. I like the wealthy, vintage golden coloration — plus I believe such a female, flowing skirt appears extra-cool with chunky boots like Docs.

For heat and to maintain all the consideration on the star of the present (the skirt), I simply threw on my trusty black, cashmere V-neck sweater. I believe the outfit is serving “elevated informal” vibes, and I’m right here for it.

comparable sweater | Elevated Satin Maxi Skirt (L) | Dr. Martens Boots

This tweed blazer-coat is a basic piece. I do know I’ll get tons of use out of it: I can costume up denims with the blazer, I can go full professorial with wide-leg trousers, or I could make it slightly bit horny with this mini sweater costume. I additionally love how the blazer hits on the hemline of the costume.

For me, this blazer is an enthusiastic sure. I’ve more-traditional, workwear blazers I can combine and match with informal items, however I don’t have one in basic plaid, so she stays. Observe that the blazer is lined and really very heat. It feels extra like a coat and fewer like a blazer, truthfully, however I run chilly, so I’m very content material to put on this blazer indoors.

Wool-Mix Blazer Coat (M) | Lengthy-Sleeve Mockneck Mini Sweater Gown (L)

General, this Abercrombie try-on was successful. I’ve been a fan of the denims, and now that I’ve tried different items from A&F, I believe I’ll be again each season to choose up a couple of fashionable objects to maintain my closet recent. What do you suppose? Will you be giving A&F one other attempt?

Xo,

Anne