American Apparel Basics – Premium Ethically Made Tees, Hoodies & Essentials

Why Choose American Apparel?

American Apparel was founded in 1989 by Canadian-born entrepreneur Dov Charney with a mission: create clean, logo-free basics while ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions — a pioneering sweatshop‑free ethos in the apparel world. Known for vertical integration, the brand historically owned its fabric mills and factories in Los Angeles, giving total control over sourcing, quality, and manufacturing standards.

After bankruptcy in 2015, the company was acquired by Gildan Activewear for US $88 million in early 2017. Though “Made in USA” labels have since been replaced by “Ethically Made – Sweatshop Free,” most production now occurs in Gildan-operated facilities in Honduras and Nicaragua. Independent observers continue to note the brand’s commitment to fair wages, medical clinics, subsidised meals and transport, and compliance with global labour standards. 

American Apparel Collections

Explore Iconic American Apparel Styles

We curate these key collections at PS Apparel, each featuring super-soft textiles and industry-favourite fits. The range is broken down into a few iconic collections to make sure you can always find exactly what you’re looking for. They make fashion basics for every body and every hobby.

– American Apparel Zip Hoodie (RF497) – Reimagined, Recycled, ReFlex Fleece is the next evolution of fleece.

– American Apparel T-Shirt (2001) — made from 100% fine jersey cotton. This fabric is known for its exceptional softness and comfort.

– 2001 CVC T‑Shirt (2001CVC) – Soft ring spun CVC fabric made with recycled polyester.

– 1301 Heavyweight Dyed Tee (1301GD) – 100% cotton heavyweight tee, ideal for dye techniques.

– Boxy Cropped Crewneck (RF494) – Oversised ReFlex fleece, woman’s cropped silhouette.

– American Apparel ReFlex Pullover Hoodie (RF498) – Relaxed fit, mid-weight fleece perfect for bundling.

– Fine Jersey Long Sleeve (2007) – Traditional long‑sleeve tee with ribbed cuffs and tear-away tag.

Blank Essential Apparel for Everyday or Print

American Apparel blanks are a favourite in screen printing, branding, and everyday wear thanks to these key features:

– Smooth, tight-knit textiles (e.g., 2001 CVC, American Apparel 2007 long-sleeve);

– Fabric weight options from light to heavyweight for different print and style needs;

– Tear-away labels for seamless rebranding or custom design.

Print professionals love the reliable dye saturation and fabric stability, while wearers enjoy clean lines and durable comfort.

Their products are produced with high-quality cotton, ring-spun yarns and blended yarn fibers. They make them sustainable, make them printable, make them wearable. They make them well so they can make them dope!

How should I choose my fit?

- 2001 and 2007 are fine jersey styles with regular retail fit.
- 1301 is heavier, with looser vintage feel.
- RF sweatshirts run oversized for layering.