While shopping in Eaton’s Centre, I decided to pop into one of my old high school favourites, American Eagle Outfitters (AE). I left the store about 15 minutes later, armed with the “Flirty Flounce” jean skirt and a renewed understanding of why I’m still able to enter AE stores with ease, but struggle to make my into an Abercrombie & Fitch location. Inspired by my positive shopping experience, I’ve decided to make a short list about why I think AE beats out A&F any day:

1. You can actually see the clothes. I don’t think I have to remind you of how dark, crowded, and generally uncomfortable A&F stores tend to be. I can barely make my way into the back (sale section, of course) without bumping into a couple people or tables. Do they keep the lights dim so that customers are unable to realize that A&F sells essentially the same casual basics as every other mass-market chain?

2. The sales associates don’t make you feel like a nerd… or just plain old. Although AE and A&F are both — for the most part — staffed with clean-cut high schoolers, somehow I only find myself feeling a tad self-conscious at A&F. Donning barely-there cut-offs in the middle of January (the girls) or, for some of the buffer guys on staff, just a pair of low rise jeans to lure 14-year-olds into the store, A&F’s sales associates manage to alienate most people over the age of 18 (though, perhaps that’s the point.) Somehow, at age 22, I leave the store feeling about 34.

3. AE is so much cheaper. Let’s face it, you typically can’t tell one denim skirt from the next — they’re all pretty much available in similar washes, lengths, and styles. Why pay $80 for a jean skirt at A&F when you can get basically the same one at AE for just $49?

The next time you need a casual basic, think about American Eagle — at the very least, you’ll at least be able to see what you’re buying.

Thanks AE!