Is it already Monday? This weekend just flew by. For the first time since early 2020, I met up with a friendly neighbor and we went out for dim sum. At the end we hugged since I hadn't seen her in forever. I told her, "You're the first person I hugged since the pandemic started that isn't my husband!" 😄
For today's post, this is a hoodie I've been dying to try for months but kept putting it off because of the price tag. Aviator Nation is not cheap. Not a whole lot makes me pause because I'm used to seeing Lululemon hoodies priced at $128-$138. Aviator Nation comes in at a whopping $189.
For reference I'm 4 feet 11 and I am wearing a size XS in Aviator Nation. For Lululemon tops I typically wear a size 4.
5 Stripe Hoodie Navy Size XS
The interesting thing about Aviator Nation is their hoodies are unisex sizing. The available sizes are XS-XXL. The female model is shown wearing size XS while the male model is shown wearing size large. I took a chance and went with size XS and it fits like a glove. I wouldn't want it to be any smaller, but if I preferred the oversized look that's very popular right now, I would try the size small next time to see how it fits.
The length hits right at the hip and the sleeves are surprisingly not too long. There are no thumbholes. The arms are semi-fitted. They're definitely more stretchy than Lululemon Scuba hoodies. I didn't have a problem with my Apple Watch at the wrist cuffs. The cuffs went over my Apple Watch with no problem and I didn't feel like it was too tight. The hood itself isn't that structured and is very soft. This hoodie is made out of cotton, polyester and rayon. The outside feels like a very soft cotton-terry. The inside is lined with fleece. It's very cozy and feels like a light to mid-weight hoodie. I've already worn it a few times since I got it and it's a great piece to throw on for 60 and 70 degree weather.
I do wish the pockets were a little bigger and a little deeper to hold my iPhone 12. It fits, but I don't feel 100% confident it would be secure. The pockets feel just a touch shallow. The gold colored zipper works well with the navy and rainbow stripes. The zipper itself feels just a little bit gritty. It works fine, but rougher than I would expect. I am going to run some candle wax along the zipper and it should do the trick to smooth it out.
So, the question remains, why is this hoodie $189? It's made in California USA (in a factory in LA to be exact) and the stripes are apparently hand sewn. The quality seems to be fine so far, I'll update this post once I have worn and washed the hoodie multiple times to see if it's held up. For $189, I hope it does! So far it's a really comfortable hoodie. More comfortable than my Scuba Hoodies for sure. My husband said, "I really like the retro feel and it's nice to see you in something other than Lululemon/Athleta hoodies." 😂 I am definitely happy I took a chance and ordered one to try. Will I ever purchase another? Only time will tell, but if they go on sale, I probably will. 😆
The hoodie is machine washable in cold water and tumble dry low or air dry. I am going to opt for air drying since I don't want this to shrink at all. By the way, I used a 10% off coupon with code Take10. It took the sting out of the price tag just a little bit. I did have a hard time choosing which color to go with. I ended up going with navy but the vintage white was definitely in the top three.
(Why is she never wearing pants? LOL.)
(This was originally my first pick, but I couldn't decide if the heathered gray was too heathered!)
(I love the look of this but some of the reviews say the threads are itchy around the neck.)
I am curious if any of you have tried Aviator Nation. I kept seeing these ads for them on my Facebook feed for months. The reviews are all mostly positive so it just made me curious to see what the hype is all about. Let me know what you think of this hoodie!
Hope you have an amazing Monday!
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10% off Code- Take10
I love it on you! The navy color is stunning. It’s a steep price tag but I love my AN hoodies. Soooo soft and lightweight. Trust me, this won’t be your only AN purchase! Lol
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I am afraid you are probably right and I'll be getting more in the future!
DeleteHi Leslie, Thanks for the fit review! I've never heard of Aviator Nation. The retro style is certainly different and the XS fits you perfectly. I'd be interested to hear how this hoodie holds up over time. I can understand the high price point since it's made in the US, but I've never spent over $138 on a hoodie! That would be my Scuba Plush, which has become my favourite! Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! Me too- I think the most expensive hoodie I paid is the Scuba Plush. It's definitely my favorite hoodie, but too hot to wear now. I will definitely write an update later this year to see how this AN hoodie holds up.
DeleteI’m surprised that the hoodie fits you so well! Usually with unisex sizing clothing, size xs tends to fit larger than a woman’s size xs,
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this hoodie except the hood. I would love it to be bit more structured. Not a blue person but I really love how this hoodie looks in navy. Definitely prefer it over my favourite grey. :). White is nice too but it’s challenging to keep it clean.
I hope this hoodie will hold up well after repeated washes. All of my solid color Scuba Hoodies faded in colors. :( Please keep us posted!
Right? I was very surprised too. It's also nicely fitted, not too tight, not too loose.
DeleteAgreed about the fading on the Scuba Hoodies. I love the plush version so much, but sad at how it does fade and pill and that one cost $138. Hopefully this AN hoodie won't disappoint me!
I tried an Aviator Nation hoodie a while back and wasn’t crazy about it and didn’t feel like it was worth the steep price tag. I felt like the material was a little on the thin and flimsy side. It also pilled pretty quickly even when I air dried it. I’m very picky about how things fit and feel, and Athleta is still my go-to. It’s a cute hoodie and looks nice on you though. :)
ReplyDeleteOh no, that's disappointing that it pilled quickly. I'll have to see if that happens to mine. It may be one of those things where I stick to the heathered colors to mask the pilling. I will say that my nirvana Athleta items do tend to pill as well, it's just not as expensive lol.
DeleteAgree that some Athleta stuff does pill but yes, their prices are more reasonable and realistic for me.
DeleteDefinitely agree with you there!
DeleteWow the price! Makes me not feel bad getting scuba half zips hahhaa!! LOL at your husband saying you're wearing something other than LLL or Athleta. I've never heard of the brand before. I think it's a really cool retro look that's super trendy! It fits perfectly on you! Maybe I'd try it one day... on super steep discount. xP
ReplyDeleteI'm totally on the lookout for sales! If there is one I'll post it on my blog. But I am digging the retro look. =)
DeleteI just purchased my first AN hoodie two weeks ago! I bought the heathered grey/rainbow stripe. I would say the heathered grey looks exactly like it does in the online photo. It is so, so soft! It has become my go to hoodie lately. I've been planning outfits around it!
ReplyDeleteThere was a 20% code recently, so I purchased another that I've had my eye on. I got the lightning bolt sweatshirt in neon pink. It has one rainbow stripe on the right sleeve and the bolt is turquoise. I got it a few days ago and it was LOVE right out of the package! It's not quite as soft as the heathered grey hoodie, but I still like how cozy and light it is.
I agree they are pretty expensive, but in a way, that works for me. I'm trying to be more considerate about what I purchase and I won't be tempted on any impulse buys.
Thanks for your review! Have you noticed if there are any pilling issues on your heathered gray? Although heathered usually helps mask the pilling. I hope there's another 20% off coupon soon. I don't think I could stomach it full priced. I like that you're trying to curb impulse buys. I need to practice that myself!
DeleteAt quick glance w/o reading the title or content, I thought this was the brand Marine Layer. Later, I did read the whole post to learn that it's a different brand. Never heard of this brand, but they have cute things!
ReplyDeleteHi Jean, I've never heard of Marine Layer. I just googled and they have cute things too! =)
DeleteJust curious how this hoodie has held up (if you still wear it). Considering buying from them because I love the '70s style, but I've read other reviews that said the clothes fell apart after a while and at those prices, that would bug me. TIA
ReplyDeleteHi there! I do still wear it and since this post I have bought more AN hoodies. They are my absolute favorite hoodies to wear and I even got my husband a few and he loves them also. I haven't had any fall apart, but they do pill. If pilling bothers you, don't buy these. The fabric they use is very soft and I wash them inside out / delicate cycle / low dry setting. I'm happy to wear them until they do fall apart, because then I know they have served me well. Hopefully it'll be years to come.
DeleteThanks so much for that follow-up...might have to try one! Love the vibe of some of their coats but $500+ yipes! Anyway thanks again!
DeleteI admit, I have a few pieces of their outwear, I bought them all on sale- 20 to 30 percent off. Still pricey, but I'm excited to wear them this coming fall/winter! If you do try a hoodie, let me know what you think! Here are the two jackets I have-
Deletehttps://www.petiteimpact.com/2021/06/fit-review-aviator-nation-5-stripe.html
https://www.petiteimpact.com/2022/05/fit-review-aviator-nation-haul-classic.html
Will do...those coats are definitely cool. I'm a 6' tall 55yo man but I just dig '70s style so much so the 5-stripe coat is pretty cool. I'll let you know if I get anything to have a bit of input from another part of the size & fit spectrum heh.
DeleteOh! Well my husband is 5 foot 9 about 185 lbs and he wears the size XL. They do run small. The large would have fit but it was slightly too tight in the chest. The XL is a loose fit on him, but better loose than too small. He says they are his most comfortable hoodies!
DeleteI purchased the heathered gray with blue stripes for my wife for Christmas and now in mid-January just a few weeks later it is already pilling and the stitching is pulling apart. She LOVES it but I fear it will not be long for this world. This has made her very sad since she loves it so much, so it did not turn out to be a very good gift. A big disappointment at that price.
ReplyDeleteHi there, the fabric is so soft, it is bound to pill. Mine has for sure but it doesn't make it love it any less. I haven't had any issues with the stitching though.
Delete