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American Giant Hoodie Dress Review

A few months ago when American Giant was running their Christmas flash sales, they offered to send me an item for review purposes.

Kristen in a green hoodie dress.

I asked for their hoodie dress, but it didn’t arrive in time for the flash sale. Better late than never, though, so I’m gonna tell you about it today!

An American Giant refresher

American Giant is a privately-owned company that makes 100% American-made clothing. From fabric-making to garment construction, it all happens here in the U.S.

American Giant

my original American Giant hoodie and t-shirt, back in 2013

Since everything is done here in the U.S., and the workers are paid a fair wage, American Giant clothes are not cheap.

However, their clothes are really well-made, and if you’d like to avoid fast fashion while also supporting an American company, you might decide it’s worth it to splurge.

Kristen in a red tshirt.

an American Giant tee

Obviously, no clothing lasts forever! But American Giant items will definitely outlast your usual fast fashion items, which means they may end up being cheaper (or at least equally as affordable) in the long run.

The hoodie dress

I’ve looked at this hoodie dress in American Giant ads over the years, and I’ve always felt like it looks a little funny to wear it bare-legged (which is how all the AG models wear it!)

American Giant pink hoodie dress.

So I’ve never really wanted to buy one. But then I looked at the customer photos and saw that real people usually wear this with leggings, and then I said, “Hmmmm, ok, that sounds intriguing.”

They sent me one in a green color (Moss, to be specific), and I really, really like it!

Kristen in a green American Giant hoodie dress.

You’ve seen it here and there in my photos over the last few months.

Like here.

Kristen making a happy face.

And here.

Kristen and Lisey on a train.

and here.

Kristen with a cat on her lap.

I wear it with a pair of black leggings and it’s super comfy and warm.

American Giant hoodie dress.

Also, it’s very effortless dressing; you look like you put a little effort in, but really you are just wearing a big hoodie.

PERFECT.

It’s stretchy enough to not be constricting at all.

American Giant hoodie dress.

Kriste in hoodie dress.

I like that the fit is not too tight, but also that it’s cut with enough curves to avoid that shapeless look.

Kristen in a green hoodie dress.

The cuffs are super stretchy, and they stay up when I push my sleeves up (like for hand-washing or cooking).

sleeves on American Giant dress.

Yep. It’s expensive.

The AG hoodie dress is $140 when it’s full-price.

And yes, that IS lot of money for an item of clothing.

But, it is super well-made; I’d rather buy one item that will last vs. five items that won’t.

And if you want to support fair wages and American manufacturing/farming, it’s a solidly ethical purchase.

Kristen with a green hood on.

Also, I will point out that we as a culture have a weird aversion to paying a high price for a consumer good, like a $140 dress (which will presumably last for many years.)

But I would venture to guess that almost all of us have spent $140 on unnecessary takeout/fast food/coffee in a single year.

I am not immune to this myself! I will find myself thinking, “Hmm, $30 is too much for a well-made paring knife that will last me for two decades.” but then blithely drop $30 on takeout pho.

And lastly, we have a very skewed idea of what is a fair price for a piece of clothing; fast fashion is artificially cheap and has really given us an odd perspective on how much a piece of clothing should be valued at.

So, if you really want this dress, you could make peace with the price.

But if you’d like to snag one for less, here are a few ideas:

(Edit! I just realized I have a 20% off link that I can share. Click here for 20% off your first American Giant Order.)

Look on eBay, ThredUp, or Poshmark

I did a quick search on eBay and found several AG hoodie dresses for sale, one for as low as $42.99 (unfortunately, it was size extra small, or I’d probably have bought it on the spot. Ha.)

This would take a little persistence if you want a particular color, but the potential savings are tremendous.

Check American Giant’s Last Chance section

American Giant always has quite a bit of stuff in their Last Chance category (basically like a clearance), and since they clear stuff out off-season, it’s possible that some of their hoodie dresses will show up there in the springtime.

I’ve checked intermittently in the last few months, and I’ve never seen the hoodie dress there, but if I do, I’ll let you know!

Sign up for AG emails, and watch for a sale

American Giant doesn’t run a lot of sales, but I will tell you that in December 2022, they had a flash sale and the hoodie dress was $100 instead of $140. Sooo, maybe it’ll happen again at some point!

____________________

Now I want to know:

Would you wear this dress with bare legs?

I’m trying to imagine a weather scenario where I’d want a hefty hoodie situation up top, but nothing on my legs. Give me your opinion!

P.S. I know American Giant doesn’t offer plus sizes at this point (women’s sizes go up to XL and that’s it.) I really don’t know why, but I hope they will expand their sizing at some point in the future!

P.P.S. The bare legs + hoodie look is reminding me of some of those super weird sweaters in my ThredUp goody box.

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Mercer

Thursday 7th of December 2023

Just scored either faded black or steel grey one at my local goodwill...for $3!!! Seems to be an older model, the drawstring is capped w clear plastic ends rather than full metal Lululemon style caps and the packet trim is ribbed (in current AG model it has smooth trim). One pocket edge seems stretched out and therefore gaps. I assume it drove the owner crazy as I find it super annoying and creates an odd fit so she no longer wore...can't say I'd donate it but I'm not finding it that great. For $3 it's fantastic but I would be very annoyed had I paid anything in "normal" range..and irate at full price!

Jessica W

Sunday 8th of October 2023

And yes, the hoodie dress looks great with leggings and I’d do it too if they had any I could wear and still be comfortable and look decent (sizes too small).

Jessica W

Sunday 8th of October 2023

I tried AG years ago and the stuff barely fit at what I consider close enough to my ideal weight; I was a medium in shirts in most brands but liked large or extra large for things like hoodies. I have curves and slightly wider shoulders than average. Now, I have gained some weight and can’t fit into anything they make for women. Not only do they not sell plus sizes, their sizes are skewed small when compared to most other brands. While they seem like a great company with great quality, I find it difficult to not want to boycott them just for their obvious size bias. I could get something from the men’s line but why? They must not want my money because I don’t fit their ideal body type.

Cassandra Sullivan

Saturday 18th of March 2023

Leggings! Always leggings ☺️

Lizzy

Thursday 16th of March 2023

I never heard of this brand before, so thank you! I am trying to buy fast fashion as little as possible. I have mostly been buying used, but there are times when I cannot find what I need. I am glad to learn of an ethical clothing company

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