American Rag Cie

Sad face
:(

I like this store, a lot of front end style, Between PS, Prada and AR i was convinced that I really should try cardigans. Even though i abhore the Mr. Rodgers look. Only problem is their prices are stupid expensive for no other reason than fashionista status.
I also agree with the hipster staff problem, but come on your in SF. Thats what get around here.
They have cool vintage stuff here, i prefer this place to the haight because the haight is over priced and disgusting.
Their show selection is not that great. I mean look at your price points, who you targeting? hipsters are generally broke yet your clothes are geared at hipsters.

The positive:
–good vintage stuff although it’s slightly overpriced.
The negative:
–the new stuff isn’t even worth looking at. it’s so overpriced it’s almost laughable.
–the security guard who makes circles around the store NON-​STOP and makes every customer feel like a threat. i’ve never in my life felt so stalked in a store.
–pretentious hipster staff.
–awful shoe selection.
–they sell tedious hipster cds and movies that you can find for cheaper.

American Rag has its problems:
–normal stuff WAY overpriced
–Staff is only sometimes nice; don’t interrupt their conversations
–They make you check your bag/​purse/​whatever, assuming you’ll be tempted to steal if you had your bag with you
But the good stuff:
–When you can find them, they have GREAT sales on vintage leather jackets, and a few other nice vintage items (most are crap)
–The shoes often get discounted to an amazing price, and some are actually good quality!
–Its on Van Ness, a good place to shop when you don’t want to hassle with a lot of people
I go there for unique shoes, but only buy when they’ve been on sale for about 6 months. And they always have my size!
I say venture forth to American Rag, but be prepared to be disappointed.

American Rag Cie does not stand behind their poorly made products. It hurts me to do this, but after trusting them for YEARS for amazing fashion and great designers, I will not be returning as a customer.
I recently bought some Bensimon sneakers there that I loved. I liked them so much, I bought two pairs! However, after just over a week of wearing one pair, the bottom started really wearing down. But I liked the shoes, and I decided I’d just have them repaired by my local cobbler. I went to my cobbler who told me his glue would not stick to a sneaker bottom. The shoes could not be fixed.
Disappointed, I attempted to return the unworn second pair to American Rag Cie. The shoe wore out easily, it could not be fixed. It was a bad product. However, not only was the staff person who assisted me snide when I explained the situation, he almost seemed pleased when he pointed at the 7 day return policy on the receipt, which mentions NOTHING about poorly made items. Seven days! I have to work to afford the expensive and obviously poorly made clothes they sell there, I don’t have time to run to the cobbler and back in that amount of time. Furthermore, I don’t want a product that will need to be repaired after a week of wear!
I personally work hard for my money. I know some expensive clothes are delicate, but retailers should stand behind their products. American Rag Cie does not. Shopping there in my opinion is a waste of hard earned money.

Vintage shop without the hectic: I like.
This is THE ONLY shop in San Francisco to which I can drag Donny S. without him warning me (after 5 minutes, no less) that he’s bored/​tired/​hungry/​decided that okay your five minutes are up now let’s go to the motorbike shop.
Stroll on past their front-​of-​store wares which most of the time looks cheap yet costs a bomb. Except for maybe their jewelry/​hats/​sunglasses. Great collections of vintage clothing in the back for not-​unreasonable prices. I got a gorgeous black velvet blazer for about $ 40 last time I was here, and while admittedly that’s not a «secondhand» price, the jacket was in good condition and didn’t smell of mothballs. And $ 40’s not exactly a «vintage» price either, at least not in my experience.
Really appreciate the fact that great care is taken with the layout and to maintain the tidiness of the shop: so many vintage stores are so freaking hectic it’s difficult to see what you’re looking at.

I’ve been shopping here for 10+ years and it’s just about impossible to not buy something if you venture inside. For a LONG time they had awesome fashionista friendly service who would totally wait on you offering advice and tips. Those days are long gone and the service was absolute shit to the point of, I almost called to make a complaint, until last week! I wish I could remember her name but she’s in her 30s, I’m guessing, with short blond hair and was über nice and awesome.
Anyway, about the clothes. New and used, both rock, the new stuff can certainly be a bit pricey but there’s usually something affordable and there’s always some sort of mini sale going on. I just bought some rockin dark denim jeans for $ 150 from $ 220 .not bad. That’s cheaper then Diesel or Miss Sixty. The styles are Urban chic or Street chic, however you’d like to describe it. Sort of similar to Villains Vault if the name drop helps anyone out? They also have some great shoes, however I’ve only bought a pair or 2 over the years, mainly do to spending so much on their clothes that I simply can’t afford a pair of kicks too.
They also have great mens clothing, and right now they have gorgeous colorful mens wallets… deep maroons and turquoise, pricey, around $ 200 but could be an awesome gift?

Since I used to live off of Melrose in Los Angeles, CA, I’d have to say this American Rag isn’t as appealing to me. I’m not one for vintage clothes and I didn’t like their newer stuff that they had. Their vintage collection is pretty heavy! They have a huge collection that is probably better than going to Haight-​Asbury if you’re looking for older vintage clothing…

LA style comes to SF with a BS price tag.
I thought I had found a new thrift store so I decided to take a gander. Inside is well laid out and organized. There are some graphical details around the store, but all the clothes essentially make it feel like a thrift store. For you thieves out there, be weary of the security guard next to the entrance.
The first jacket I look at I notice the $ 112 price tag. Warning sirens go off in my ears and I proceed to the next garment. $ 200 something — ahh! It’s as if I’m playing minesweeper with rag tag clothes.
After the second «bomb» I decided this wasn’t in my price range. I did notice that sunglasses went for about $ 23 bucks so I assume that they should have some reasonable stuff here. I just didn’t feel like going for the dig.
It’s amazing what prices people will pay for trendy outfits. It happens with every movement.
Reminds me of that Todd Barry joke:
«We have KMart now in New York City. New Yorkers were pissed off when KMart came to came to town. They were outside the store protesting. They didn’t even know what to say. ‘Down with KMart!.. and their merchandise people can afford. Down with KMart… and their 300 gallon drum of laundry detergent. For a $ 1.99? Whoa! I mean why don’t you take your good values to another town. Let’s turn that building into a vintage clothing store. The kind that sells used KMart t-​shirts for $ 700.’»

Haight Street will always be my vintage mecca, but American Rag is a worthwhile stop if you’re a thrift store junkie and enjoy browsing through fairly well organized thrift clothes.
It can be easy to take San Francisco’s thrift-​stores for granted. To think they’re commonplace — but the selection of authentic vintage wear that we have in this city is unique and quite exceptional. Especially considering the prices.
All you have to do is browse a couple of vintage clothes website — to learn that the cute 50’s or 60’s dress that you can easily find on Haight or at American Rag for around 30 dollars can run for well over 100 dollars — online.
American Rag is huge — they carry a diverse selection of both new, modern designer ware, as well as a large vintage selection in the back. If I could afford their new items I’d be all over them. They have vintage edges to them, but are fitted and hip. That being said they price for well over 200 dollars each. Absurd prices.
Their vintage stuff, as well as the prices, are decent though. Especially if you enjoy browsing through flannel shirts, old army coats, sweater vests, belts, 50’s and 60’s dresses etc. Their dresses seem to err on the larger side, but each have unique shapes and patterns, and you can easily swing around the corner to a nearby tailor have them altered.
I have yet to buy anything here at American Rag, but I have nothing but utter love for their passion for vintage, and will always support a thrift store scene that understands their vintage, and doesn’t crazy up-​sell items the way I’ve seen many stores in NY do.

I like to shop here from time to time so that I don’t look like everyone else. As a guy, that can sometimes be hard in a city where 90% of the guys are dressing like hipsters (excuse me while I stick my finger down my throat and purge). American Rag has so much potential to be a great vintage store, but the customer service here can be spotty. A few of the cashiers act like this is God’s gift to retail. Especially when they try to enforce the «no bags in store» policy. I’ve only had to fork my messenger bag over once, though. But depending on who’s working, they can get snippy.
The selection of clothes for guys is hit-​or-​miss. It all depends on the season. However, they have a great assortment of Member’s Only jackets in every color under the rainbow! Too bad that’s not enough to make up for the lack of variety and styles. And a lot of the clothes with marks/​stains/​rips on them are just plain too damn overpriced. I would say your best bet is to look for the spring and summer shipments, as the Fall 2008 layout didn’t excite me whatsoever. I’ll be back, though…

In my top 5 favorite places to shop — and the one I spend the most money at outside of Rolo.
Natalie is a total sweetheart. buy things from her.
YMC
Julian Red
Henrik Vibskov
Nudie
ETC…
do it.

I was the other customer in this shopping trip, with e.p.
The feeling is mutual.
e.p. review–
«two stars for having a decent vintage/​second hand section, but i want to give less for the stellar team of cool kids that run the place.
seriously, what’s with the angst? whatever the reason don’t take it out on us; we’re trying to spend money in your store!
and a special shout out to Heather at the register. her attitude was almost as unfortunate as her appearance. not only did this starlet almost swallow her face when we asked for a discount on some items, that had stains on them and were not marked „as-​is“, but she actually pointed some ones i didn’t see and said „bummer!“
her rational that „everything back there has something wrong with it“ is total BS because there is a lot of vintage back there in perfect condition!»
And to add on, I bought two 1950s vintage shirts that day. one for about $ 39.99, that was not perfect. and another for $ 16.99 that was perfect! And to the American Rag owners/​managers you guys are selling used vintage clothes, you need some kind of as-​is system.

This is always a stop for me on my shopping trips to the city.
why? i’m not really sure, I haven’t actually bought much here –aside from an excellent little pucci wanna be print dress –straight from the 60’s that I sported to a party.
I guess I’m enthralled with the uniqueness, and the fact that if you have the time, and the patience, there are some really amazing finds and of course some «i can’t believe anyone actually wore that –ever!!» finds.

«Ew.» «Ugh.» «Huh?» «Riiiiight.»
This is pretty much a store for trust fund kids who want to dress like they are poor.
I was out in a flash… just like half the styles up in that joint.
PEACE.

Staff there must be very religious.
All I hear while strolling throughout the store is…
–Oh my God, that’s so cute.
–Oh my God, are you serious?
–Oh my God, I was like, Oh my God .
–Oh my God, no.
–Oh my God, yes!
–Oh my God, that’s awesome!
–Oh-​My-​God.
–Oh my God, what?
Freaking annoying.
Despite their big belief in God, they still commit a big sin by overcharging on clothes already way too expensive for what they are. Cause as their name mentions, clothes there are basically rags. And it’s not because they are American rags that they should be more expensive. They are still rags.

It was late and I needed to find a clothes store fast! Their t shirts were slim pickings but was told because of the summer was over. The ones they had was expensive to say the least.
I finally found a reasonably priced t shirt, socks and underpants. But, I wasn’t going to spend $ 80 for a pair of pants. (because I wasn’t going home and did not have change of cloths) :)

Reasons I hate this store:
1) Their vintage prices are over the top ridiculous.
2) They mix fake vintage «reproductions» in with the real vintage stuff and charge the same ridiculous prices
3) If you have a security guard and security tags on everything in the store why is it you need me to check my completely normal sized purse?
4) The staff are rude rude rude.
And now a little story that ends in me never ever stepping foot in this wretched place again… I go in on a Thursday afternoon. They are not busy. The staff is standing around chatting. I wait by the counter because past experience has informed me that they are going to want me to check my not very large purse. I wait and I wait. The staff keeps talking and talking. Finally one of them notices me and comes to check my bag. I am also carrying my camera. My camera is in a camera bag that is the exact size of my camera. There is no way I could put something in there if I wanted to. The staff guy wants me to check my camera. I refuse. I am not going to hand my very expensive camera over to a perfect stranger, sorry American Rag. I will not support a business that insists on treating every single one of its customers like they are thieves.

Sucks.
I noticed that many guys don’t have the same issues
that women do when they walk into this pretentious dump.
I don’t like a store that immediately treats me like a shoplifter
by taking my bag upon entering their establishment.
I HATE THAT!
Mostly because I *did* shoplift as a kid and I’ve turned my life
around. I was an 11 year old bad-​ass… I’m clean. Now.
Anywho, on my last visit to this rag, the guy at the front counter
said I needed to check my bag. I said «But that’s where I keep
my money.» He says…“I’m not interested in your money!“
Hell! You got that right, mary!
I left.
That was over 15 years ago. I just don’t need used crap so
much to treated like a criminal. Who are these people?
They’re selling what, USED clothes, right?
No thanks.

Smells like a thrift store — you know that faintly moldy essence of dust — yet has the COJONES to charge $ 28 for a little scarf that I would pass by at a garage sale for 50 cents.
Shocking!