Well, maybe not an insider’s look, since they didn’t actually let me INSIDE the American Apparel factory in downtown LA. Apparently, you have to be an employee with credentials. Whatever.

Anyway, I went down to the factory since they’re supposed to have an outlet store on the premises. They did, but I can’t say the deals were all that great except for a few scattered deals like shiny gold pants with zippers down the sides for $10 and spring t-shirt dresses for $15.  I ended up getting a cranberry tank and some over-the-knee opaque stockings. Since they didn’t let me in, I took a few shots of the exterior. It was almost like being on the grounds of Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, except Charlie’s a pervert named Dov Charney and the Oompa Loompas are all Mexican. (No offense to all my Mexican peeps!)

AA Factory and Outlet

AA Distribution Center

Roach Coach

 Do they not let the employees off the premises for lunch because Immigration Services is waiting to bust everyone? Is that why they’re behind the “Legalize LA” campaign? I have to say, the gov’t needs to realize that California’s shaky economy really depends on immigrant workers, legal and illegal, so if someone like Charney has they’re back, by all means reform immigration! Who else is going to make slutty tanks (like the one I got) and assless tights? Seriously.

Tri-Blend Racerback Tank

 

Sheer Lux Cut-Out Pantyhose

 

 This sign outside the factory store quoting JFK almost made me tear up. Almost.

I doubt JFK had American Apparel in mind when he said this but still relevant.

 I definitely recommend a trip to the American Apparel factory in downtown LA just to check out the headquarters of skeeviness and to stock up on the basics.