Alstyle Apparel: AAA Wholesale Origins

Alstyle Apparel—often referred to simply as “Alstyle” or by its original abbreviation, “AAA”—has long been a trusted brand in the blank apparel industry. Celebrated for garment consistency, decorator-friendly features, and reliable quality, Alstyle has earned a loyal customer base. This article covers its evolution from the AAA logo era through Gildan Activewear’s acquisition, and into the present day, where many Alstyle SKUs are relabeled under the American Apparel brand. We’ll also highlight the most popular Alstyle styles and explain why they continue to be a mainstay in decorating businesses.

AAA Logo Origins and Brand Foundations

In the early years, Alstyle’s identity was closely tied to its “AAA” moniker—a logo comprised of three prominent As, often inside a circle. This logo stood for the brand’s commitment to quality, reliability, and consistency. The garments themselves featured tubular knit construction and mid-weight, preshrunk cotton—favored by screen printers and embroiderers. Most notably, Alstyle’s tear-away labels provided an efficient solution for decorators looking to add customized neck tags or relabel garments without damaging the shirt.

Alstyle’s reputation was built on this combination of dependable knit quality, clean teardown, and timeless fit. It quickly became a go-to brand for wholesale decorators, custom clothing brands, and screen printing shops across North America.

Gildan Acquisition: May 2016

On May 26, 2016, Canadian manufacturing giant Gildan Activewear announced the finalization of its acquisition of Alstyle Apparel. Gildan’s stated goal was to strengthen its distribution network in key regions such as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, while integrating Alstyle’s manufacturing infrastructure in Mexico to improve cost efficiencies.

The acquisition symbolized more than just a business transaction—it was a strategic acknowledgment of Alstyle’s value in the custom-apparel and decorating industry. Gildan maintained Alstyle’s core identity, especially the tear-away branding and heavy-duty fabrications, while adding scale through its already vast supply chain and logistical capabilities.

Transitioning to American Apparel Label

In 2017, Gildan also acquired American Apparel—a brand known for its fashion-forward styles and global recognition. However, by late 2023, Gildan began relabeling select Alstyle styles under the American Apparel umbrella. This process was communicated through various industry updates and involved maintaining the original Alstyle style numbers while replacing labels, ensuring continuity and minimal disruption for decorators.

Key details about this relabeling include:

No change in fabric or specifications: Each garment’s weight, feel, shrinkage rates, and color offerings remain consistent.
Style numbers preserved: For example, the iconic Alstyle 1301 Heavyweight Tee continues to be identified as style “1301” under the American Apparel brand.
Decorator convenience maintained: Tear-away labels remain standard, allowing smooth branding transitions.

This strategic rebranding aligns Alstyle’s strong reputation with American Apparel’s broader brand presence while ensuring sellers and decorators can rely on the consistency they have come to expect.

Top Alstyle SKUs: Timeless Classics

The following Alstyle style numbers represent the brand’s most popular garments—carrying over to the American Apparel relabeling. These SKUs continue to dominate decorator preferences thanks to their versatility, fabric quality, and design.

1301 – Heavyweight Crewneck Tee (6 oz, 100% cotton): A flagship item among decorators, the 1301 is a durable, mid-to-heavy weight tee with a crew neckline and tear-away label. Its classic cut and wide color palette make it ideal for screen printing, DTG, and embroidery.
1304 – Long Sleeve Tee: Essentially a long-sleeve variant of the 1301. It carries the same rich, 6-ounce cotton blend and is frequently chosen for seasonal or layering applications.
1701 – Cotton Mid Weight Tee: The 1701 premium short sleeve tee is a unisex style made of 100% soft spun pre-shrunk cotton for ultimate comfort and a true-to-size fit.

Why Alstyle Remains Relevant

Decorator-Friendly Features: Tear-away labels simplify the process of customizing neck tags or relabeling—especially useful in white-label products.
Consistent Quality and Durability: The fabrics withstand multiple wash and print runs without compromising on shape, color, or feel.
Streamlined Transition to American Apparel: Construction hasn’t changed, style numbers remain, and the turnkey rebranding allows decorators to migrate product lines without disruption.

Advice for Buyers and Decorators

Order using style numbers instead of brand name. For example, ordering “1301” ensures you receive the same garment, whether labeled Alstyle or American Apparel.
Anticipate a mixture of labels in inventory during transition periods.
Check your decoration method compatibility. While Alstyle tees support most decoration options—screen printing, embroidery, DTG—fine-jersey garments (5300/5304) are better suited to direct-to-garment and embroidery workflows.

Conclusion

Alstyle Apparel’s journey reflects the evolution of the blank-apparel market—centering on decorator needs, fabric integrity, and reliable relabeling strategies. From its early days as AAA with tear-away labels and tubular knits to its acquisition by Gildan and subsequent relabeling under American Apparel, Alstyle’s core strengths remain intact. Style numbers like 1301, 1304, 1334, 1305, and 1901 continue to hold prominence, offering decor versatility and consistent print quality.

Whether you’re managing custom apparel production, running a retail brand, or servicing nation-wide blanket orders, understanding the legacy and labeling context of Alstyle SKUs will help you make informed decisions that support both branding and fulfillment goals.

Need assistance with bulk ordering, custom labeling, or decoration techniques? Browse our 100% cotton tees, explore American Apparel blanks, or get in touch with our sales team today to discuss your project needs.