A.P.C. US is the American web store of A.P.C., the Paris label founded by Jean Touitou and known for raw selvedge denim, plain knitwear, half-moon bags and clothes that avoid logos. Prices are firm, sizes are French and the denim is stiff on day one. An order from A.P.C. US goes well when you understand the denim fits, size raw denim for how it will stretch, and buy sale-season pieces at the right moment.
The A.P.C. denim fits
A.P.C. denim is the reason most people arrive at apc-us.com, and the names matter.
New Standard is the original straight leg, cut with a comfortable rise and a straight leg from knee to hem. It is the classic and the most forgiving.
Petit Standard is slimmer through the thigh and leg, with a slightly lower rise. It is the fit most men buy.
Petit New Standard sits between the two: slim like the Petit Standard at the thigh, with a leg closer to the New Standard. It suits people who find the Petit Standard tight at the calf.
Women's denim on A.P.C. US includes straight, high-waist and cropped fits, with its own set of names. The same rule applies: read the fit description and the rise, since the photos are shot on tall models.
Sizing raw denim that will stretch
A.P.C. raw denim is unwashed and rigid on the first wear. It will stretch, and it will fade to your body. That means you size differently from pre-washed jeans.
The standard advice, which A.P.C. itself has long given, is to size down from your usual waist on the straight fits, because the waist and thigh give roughly an inch or more with wear. They should be hard to button on day one and fine within a couple of weeks.
Do not size down as far on the Petit Standard if your thighs are large; the slim cut has less room to give. The A.P.C. US size chart lists garment measurements, so compare against a pair you own.
Washing raw denim shrinks it a little, mostly in length. Most owners wait months before the first wash, then wash cold and inside out.
French sizes on the rest of the range
A.P.C. US lists French sizes for much of the clothing. Women's sizes run from about 34 to 42, roughly two sizes off a US number: a French 38 is about a US 6. Men's knitwear and shirts use letter sizes but cut slim, in the French way, with narrower shoulders and higher armholes.
If you like a relaxed sweater, go up one size on A.P.C. US. If you like a neat shirt, take your usual size.
Knitwear, outerwear and what lasts
A.P.C. knitwear is mostly merino, cotton or wool blends in plain colours. It is built to be worn for years rather than to make a statement, and it prices accordingly.
The outerwear on A.P.C. US, including its trench coats and wool overcoats, is where the prices climb. These are the pieces to buy in the sale, since the designs change little from season to season.
Delivery, duties and returns
A.P.C. US ships within the United States, which avoids the customs charges that catch people ordering from the European site. Check the shipping page for the current free-shipping threshold, since it changes.
Returns of unworn items with tags have typically been accepted within a stated window. Sale items may have different terms. Raw denim that has been worn cannot go back, so try jeans on indoors and decide quickly.
A.P.C. has historically run a programme called Butler, taking back well-worn A.P.C. jeans in exchange for a discount on a new pair. Check whether it is currently running before counting on it.
When A.P.C. US prices drop
A.P.C. US follows the French sale calendar: a winter sale in January and a summer sale from late June, with private or early-access sales for account holders shortly before. Percentages deepen as the sale runs, but sizes vanish.
Denim is rarely reduced heavily because the core fits sell year-round. Knitwear, outerwear and seasonal colours are where the sale delivers.
Friends and family events, usually once each season, give a flat discount across much of the site including some items the main sale does not touch.
Where the A.P.C. US savings are
The private sale code is the deepest and the most restricted: it applies to the sale selection for that season and usually to account holders who have been invited. Try it; if the basket does not change, the items are not in the selection.
The friends and family code is the one to use on full-price A.P.C. US pieces, including denim that the main sale will not reduce. At 25% it makes a pair of jeans or a sweater a reasonable buy without waiting for January.
Free shipping is for a single small item under the threshold. On any order that qualifies for free shipping anyway, it does nothing, so use a percentage code instead.
A.P.C. US codes are lettered by season; a code marked for a past season may be dead. One code per order is the norm.
Common questions
Should I size down in A.P.C. raw denim?
Usually, on the straight fits, since raw denim stretches. Less on the slim Petit Standard.
Which A.P.C. jean fit is slimmest?
Petit Standard. Petit New Standard is between it and the straight New Standard.
Does A.P.C. US charge customs duties?
Not for US orders shipped from the US store. Ordering from the European site can attract duties.
When is the A.P.C. US sale?
January and late June, with private early access for account holders shortly before.
| Discount | Type | Get the deal |
|---|---|---|
| 20% off | Promo code | View at A.P.C. → |
| 25% off | Promo code | View at A.P.C. → |
| 10% off | Promo code | View at A.P.C. → |
| 20% off | Promo code | View at A.P.C. → |
