Photo by @wendycarelah

Shop the look:
AE Striped Knit Sweater (similar)
AE Destroyed Festival Shortie
AEO Braided Sandal (similar)
AEO Printed Icon Sunglasses (similar)

photo by @oh_anthonio

Shop the look:
AE Light Denim Western Shirt
AE Classic Length Striped Short (similar)
AEO Leather Shoe (similar)
AEO Braided Belt
AEO Bracelet Set
AEO Icon Sunglasses (similar)

Photo by @mrobhop4

Shop the look:
AE Hi-Lo Crop Tank
AE Faded Denim Jacket (similar)
AE Printed Circle Skirt
AEO Beaded Suede Headband (similar)
AEO Washer Necklace
AEO Bracelet Set

Photo by @lovelasts4ev

Shop the look:
AE Beach Tank
AE Hi-Rise Festival Shortie
AEO Bracelet Set (similar)
AEO Paisley Headwrap (similar)

Photo by @itsmepaulramos

Shop the look:
AE Photo Real Tee
Original Boot Jean
AEO Canvas Sneaker (similar)
AEO Braided Belt (similar)
AEO Bracelet Set (similar)
AEO Icon Sunglasses (similar)

Photo by @dustinsmith93

Shop the look:
AE Legend V-Neck Tee
AE Prep Fit Short
AEO Semi-Rimmed Icon Sunglasses (similar)

Photo by @anopwop

Shop the look:
AE Plaid Button-Down
AE Rope Friendship Bracelet (similar)

Pretty sweet, right?

Well, we figured, why should the editors get to have all the fun? We want to know your thoughts on our upcoming looks even more! So without further ado, we proudly and enthusiastically present to you our Fall 2013 collection…

MEN’S
Continuing the AE tradition of designing the coolest men’s denim fits, we’ve tweaked a few time-honored favorites with updated details—and they all feature rich, rugged washes. We’re also adding two new fits to the mix: Original Taper (a modern, tailor-inspired fit that’s relaxed in the hip and narrows to an awesome slim leg) and Relaxed Straight (our update to Relaxed, which gives this laid-back classic a more made-for-today feel with a straight fit through the entire leg). We even have new fits to our chino assortment, with dark khaki washes and rich, rustic fall colors.

A sneak peek at our Men’s jeans for Fall.

Extending our focus on American heritage beyond jeans, we’re introducing amazing surplus- and workwear-inspired elements throughout the men’s collection. You’ll be able to find new denim Westerns, chambray button-downs and military-inspired outerwear that all embody vintage cool in fresh, individual ways. Sartorial vintage prep plays a big part in the Fall collection, too, especially with our new polos, extended array of Sharp Shop shirts and trim blazers. Rugby stripes and vintage crew sweatshirts also continue the theme of vintage prep.

We’re digging the rugby stripes and blazers for Fall.

WOMEN’S
For over 30 years, we’ve been dedicated to bringing you the very best in denim. The AE Fall 2013 collection upgrades your all-time favorite fits with vintage washes and city-inspired details like moto stitching, zippered pockets and subtle deconstruction. To ensure we have the perfect pair of jeans for everyone, we’ve added two new women’s fits. The Kick Boot is a clean, refined take on the classic bootcut with a structured and subtly flared leg opening, while the Jegging Ankle offers our slimmest, sexiest fit in the must-have length of the season.

A sneak peek at our women’s jeans for Fall.

We’ve carried our commitment to quality and attention to detail over into all other elements of the collection, too. We’re excited to introduce truly amazing statement jackets crafted to combine elements of glam and grunge, girly and edgy, rock and romance. Touches of delicate lace come together with airy boho-inspired crochet and classic feminine silhouettes to create looks that are both modern and vintage-inspired. We’re also embracing the effortless sophistication of old school prep by adding in timeless accessories—like the perfect hobo bag, accent scarf or embellished flats.

Women’s boho-inspired looks for Fall.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S
Lastly, we presented something we’ve never offered before and are SUPER excited about: an entire line of all-new performance wear for guys and girls. Made for everyone who makes their workout fit how they live their life, the line is perfect from class to coffee to cardio. Our shorts, tops, hoodies and more have pops of vibrant color and small details that really matter, both for exercise functionality and style.

A first look at AEO Performance.

@adrianlyle

Get the look:

AE Striped Polo (similar)

AE Slim Straight Khaki

@zubayrc

Get the look:

AE Striped Chambray Button Down

AE Skinny Jean (similar)

@wendycarelah

Get the look:

AE Denim Workwear Shirt (similar)

AE Summer Skirt (similar)

AE Colorblock Ballet Flat (similar)

@mrobhop4

Get the look:

AE Studded Graphic Tank

AE Hi Rise Festival Shortie

@l0541

Get the look:
AE Photo Real Tank

AE Light Denim Western Shirt (similar)

AE Slim Straight Khaki

@jeffreyallem

Get the look:

AE Legend V-Neck Tee

AE Light Denim Western Shirt

AE Slim Straight Khaki

@iamdjremedy

Get the look:

AE Plaid Button Down

AE Striped Oxford Button Down

AE Prep Fit Short

@danielleslie

Get the look:

AEO Camouflage Icon Sunglasses

AE Chambray Western Shirt

AE Slim Straight Khaki

What you’ll need:
-Keds (any color works – we used Keds Champion Originals Sneaker because they have glitter laces!)
-Tape
-Paint brushes
-Fabric paint
-Plate or paint pallet
-Glitter (we used a mix of fine and thick glitter)
-High Gloss Modge Podge

Step One:
Take shoelaces out of the Keds and tape over the soles.

Step One: Remove laces & tape over soles.

Step Two:
Mix your glitter with fabric paint. We mixed thin glitter and thick glitter to get a cool, textured look.

Step Two: Mix the glitter in the fabric paint.

Step three:
Paint on two coats of the glitter-paint mixture. We painted the upper with the blue glitter mixture and the main part of the shoe with the silver glitter mixture. We also painted around the seams to keep some of the original color showing.

Step 3: Paint on the glitter-glue mixture.

Step four:
Let your shoes dry at least 4-5 hours.

Step 4: Let shoes dry 4-5 hours.

Step five:
Seal the dried glitter Keds with hi-gloss Modge Podge. Let dry overnight.

Step 5: Seal glitter by painting on a coat of hi-gloss Modge Podge.  Let dry overnight.

Step six:
Replace shoe laces. Rock your customized Keds!

Step 6: Replace laces. Your shoes are ready to wear!

What is the difference between a graphic tee and a photo-real graphic tee?
A graphic tee and a photo-real graphic tee are fundamentally the exact same thing – they are both tees with a graphic.  Instead of a cute message or an American Eagle Outfitters logo, a photo-real tee uses an actual photograph. The designer manipulates a cool photo that they bought or actually took by blurring it, cropping it, fading it, making it black and white, blowing it up, or adding textures to it… anything to make the photo look cool!

Emma Roberts sports an American Eagle Outfitters Photo Real Tee this month in LA.

What was inspiration behind the images chosen for the AE collection?
The inspiration behind these tee’s were a few different things. First, the Spring/Summer season is always an inspiration to us. We knew these would be arriving in stores just as the weather was getting nicer and people would be excited to start buying fun summer clothes. The photos we used are of summery things: palm trees, a girl riding her bike, surfers, and a girl on a hammock.  As far as the actual layout of the graphics, we get inspiration from things that we see out in the world.  Whether it’s from high fashion, the market place, or cool things happening in the graphic design world – like a cool book cover or magazine spread we saw.

Is there a special process used on photo-real tees and what is it called?  
There are a couple of different processes we use to print the photo-real graphics, one being sublimation. Sublimation is a print technique we use to get the detail you see in the photos and to achieve the beautiful colors. Inks are placed on the fabric in layers of dots that combine together to create the illusion of many more colors, the prints tend to be faded and less real looking. Sublimation uses a special heat transfer to permanently dye the fabric.  Imagine printing out a photo and using an iron to transfer the photo right on to a shirt.

From design perspective, what inspired this trend?
Photo-real as a trend is always around to some degree. We do photo-real tees every season for the most part. Cityscapes in Times Square are always our best sellers! I think people like wearing photo-real graphics because maybe it’s a photo of the city you are from or something you love, like palm trees or surfers. It’s a great way to express yourself without having to wear a shirt that says something. Instagram and sharing your photos and videos on Vine is super trendy right now – everyone has become a photographer!

Fashion blogger ManRepeller shows off a customized AE Photo Real tank featuring a picture from her Instagram account that we created for her.

Is this trend limited to tees?
Absolutely not! You can find photo real graphics on tees to tanks to board shorts.

Jegging: Lindsey M.

Bootcut: Isaac R.

Artist: Aurora H.

Clint Groom, Senior Director of men’s woven and denim, is featured in the September 2011 issue of Nylon Guys. In the interview, Clint defines AE’s denim for men this fall as “cool” and “masculine,” emphasizing darker washes and more lightweight fabrics. Clint goes on to discuss how AE uses techniques like sand-washing, grinding, tacking, and binding to give our jeans the party ready look. To read the full interview, head to your nearest newsstand or bookstore and look for Nylon Guys with Paul Rudd on the cover.

What personality traits do you think are most important for someone wanting to work in the fashion industry?
AA: Passion — a mad passion for fashion! You have to have that burning, core desire to be around clothes.

What is the most important piece of advice you have for aspiring fashionistas?
AA: Take assistant level jobs cheerfully and soak up every bit of information you can. If you are good, you will be noticed!

How can someone who wants to work in fashion stand out from the crowd?
AA: Do EVERYTHING really, really well. People will notice. Also, look great! Our business is about expressing yourself through clothing and beauty. Be gorgeous, be odd, be special, be unique, be out-there. Be yourself. Don’t try to look like someone else or who you think you are meant to emulate. Truly express yourself visually — this too will be noticed. I want to understand what someone is thinking when I look at them. I like to see a lot of creativity, individuality.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your career, and what did you learn from it?
AA: My biggest mistake shall go unmentioned — my motto is learn from your mistakes but don’t draw attention to them!

What drew you to work in the fashion industry?
AA: I am very visually driven. I am always pursuing beauty. Fashion is a very good fit for me.

What is your favorite (and least favorite) thing about working in fashion?
AA: My favorite thing about working in the magazine industry is meeting my fantastic readers. Young people really thrill and inspire me. Working in fashion suits me — it is very fast paced, always changing. Least favorite thing about working in fashion? You always feel sick of your wardrobe since you are seeing so many great new ideas months before they are available to buy.

What can someone do while they are in school to prepare for a career in fashion?
AA: Educate yourself. Watch tons of films and look at photography, art. Working in fashion is so much about a visual language of references. Look at old films and new. Go to museums, try to look at designer clothing up close in the best stores in your area. Learn about fabric and cutting. Read fashion books – there are so many. I love it when I meet a young person who has really delved into the history of fashion.

If you weren’t working in fashion, what would you be doing?
AA: I wanted very much to be a professional ballet dancer when I was younger. Maybe I would work in that field — like I said, I am always pursuing beauty, and ballet is the most beautiful thing on earth!

What’s next for you and Teen Vogue?
AA: Teen Vogue is always evolving — gotta keep it cool!

We thank Amy for taking the time to speak with us, and we encourage all of you to meet her at the book signing on July 12th at 6pm in our Times Square store. RSVP HERE.