⚠️ Eligibility Check: FREE RETURN + INSTANT REFUND.
Standard Aerie returns via mail cost $5.00 (for most clothing) and take 14+ Days to process. However, select zip codes are now eligible for Fee-Free Drop-offs and Immediate Refunds via Closo. Check your status before you print a label.
There is a specific kind of confidence that comes from ordering "Offline by Aerie" leggings. You see the Real Me crossover waistband on TikTok, and you convince yourself that this is the legging that will change your gym life. You order three colors because you’re optimistic.
But when the package arrives, reality hits. The "Cloud" color is a little too sheer. The crossover waistband rolls down when you sit. You realize you need to send two pairs back.
That was me last month. I had about $120 tied up in leggings and a sweatshirt that didn't fit. I did what I usually do: I went to the portal to print a label, expecting the famous "Aerie Chill" vibe to extend to their return policy.
I didn't realize I had signed up for the "Double Pain." I discovered that unless I was returning a bra or swimsuit, Aerie was going to deduct $5.00 from my refund for shipping. Then came the wait. It took nearly two weeks for the package to travel to the warehouse, get scanned, and for the money to finally reappear in my account. I was paying a fee to return items I didn't want, and my cash was held hostage for half a month.
If you are currently staring at a pile of poly mailers and trying to navigate the aerie return policy, or figuring out if you can get an aerie price adjustment on that hoodie that just went on sale, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve analyzed the fine print, the hidden fees for leggings, and the loopholes to help you get your money back without the headache.
How to return Aerie items (The Slow & Costly Way)
Aerie (and its parent company, American Eagle) used to have a legendary "return anything, anytime" policy. In recent years, they have tightened up. While they are still fairer than many fast-fashion brands, the mail-in process has friction points that can catch you off guard.
The Standard Mail-In Flow
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Start the Return: Log into your Aerie/AE account or use the "Track Order" link at the bottom of the site.
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Select Items: Choose the items you want to send back.
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The Fee Check: The system will calculate your refund. Watch closely: if you are returning leggings, tops, or accessories, you will likely see a $5.00 shipping fee deduction.
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Print the Label: You need a printer. They generate a label (usually FedEx or USPS).
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Pack the Bag: Stuff the items back into the green or silver mailer.
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The Drop-off: Take it to the carrier.
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The Long Wait: The package travels via ground shipping. Once it arrives at the distribution center, it enters the inspection queue.
The Financial Reality: You are paying a "Legging Tax." If you return a $30 pair of bike shorts and pay $5 to ship them back, you are losing nearly 17% of your money. Plus, Aerie’s processing time can be slow. During peak times, that "pending refund" notification can take 10–14 days to clear.
This is the old way: You pay for the label, and you wait for the bank. But if you live in a "Fast Zone," you can skip both. Use the tool below to see if your zip code qualifies for a Free Return with Instant Refund.
Common issues shoppers face with Aerie returns
I’ve analyzed hundreds of consumer reports regarding the return policy aerie uses, and the frustration usually stems from the confusion between "Free Returns" (for some things) and "Paid Returns" (for others).
1. The "Leggings vs. Bras" Fee Trap
This is the number one complaint. Does aerie have free returns? The answer is "Yes and No."
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Bras & Swim: Free return shipping.
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Everything Else (Leggings, Hoodies, Undies): $5.00 fee.
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The Pain: If you buy a whole outfit and return just the leggings, you pay the fee. It feels arbitrary.
2. The 30-Day Cliff
For years, Aerie had an "unlimited" return window. That has officially changed to a standard 30-day window for a full refund to your original payment method.
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The Risk: If you mail it back on Day 35, you aren't getting cash. You are getting an Aerie Gift Card. If you needed that money for rent, you are out of luck.
3. The "Hygiene" Rejection
Aerie is strict about hygiene liners on swimsuits and underwear.
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The Rule: You can return swimwear, but the liner must be attached and the tags must be on. If you ripped the liner out to try it on, don't bother mailing it back. They will reject it and ship it back to you.
4. Holiday Delays
During the aerie holiday return policy window (typically purchases made Oct 24–Dec 31 can be returned until Jan 15 or 31), the warehouse gets backed up. Refunds that usually take 1 week can stretch to 3 weeks in January.
Here’s where it gets interesting... some neighborhoods have unlocked a way to bypass these fees and delays entirely.
The New Standard: Free Returns & Instant Refunds
While the standard logistics model relies on deducted fees and slow trucks, third-party innovations are changing the game.
This is where services like Closo come in.
Closo acts as a bridge between you and the retailer, removing the friction points of the "Double Negative" (Fees + Waiting).
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No Labels: You don't need a printer.
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No "Category" Confusion: You don't need to worry if it's a bra or a legging.
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$0 Fees: In eligible zones, the $5 fee is often waived or significantly lower than shipping.
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Instant Money: The moment you drop the item off at a local kiosk or partner location, the refund is triggered instantly.
Why many shoppers prefer using Closo
It comes down to simple math. Why pay $5.00 and wait 2 weeks, when you could pay $0 and wait 2 minutes?
When you return leggings via the standard mail method, you are effectively paying Aerie for the privilege of trying them on. With the Closo model (the "Double Positive"), you retain the full value of your purchase. You hand over the item, scan a QR code, and by the time you walk back to your car, the notification is on your phone: Refund Processed.
It transforms the return from a "shipping project" into a simple errand.
Are you eligible for Free & Instant Returns?
Because this involves physical logistics and partnerships with local drop-off points, this premium service isn't active in every zip code for Aerie yet. You need to verify your location.
This premium service isn't active in every zip code for Aerie yet. You need to verify your location.
If the tool says "Not Active," don't worry. Enter your email to Vote for your Zip Code. We prioritize launching in neighborhoods with the most requests. Plus, voters are entered into our monthly sweepstakes to have their standard return fees reimbursed while they wait.
3 "Secret" Hacks for the Aerie Return Policy
If you aren't in a Closo zone yet, or if you missed the 30-day window, you need to know how to maneuver through the system. Here are three methods to hack the policy.
Hack #1: The "Bra" Loophole (The Mixed Cart Trick)
The policy states that returns are free for bras and swimwear.
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The Hack: If you are returning a pair of leggings (usually a $5 fee) and a bra (Free Return) in the same package, the system often waives the entire shipping fee because the label is generated for the "Free Return" item.
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Note: This depends on how the portal generates the label, but many shoppers find that grouping a "Free Return" item with a "Paid Return" item results in a free label for the whole box.
Hack #2: The Price Adjustment Window
Did you buy a sweatshirt for $50, and three days later it dropped to $30?
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The Hack: Request an aerie price adjustment.
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The Rule: You have 14 days from the purchase date. You can do this via Live Chat on the website.
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The Catch: If you used a coupon code or a rewards certificate on the original purchase, they often deny the adjustment. It usually only applies to items bought at "full price" that went on sale.
Hack #3: The In-Store "Cross-Brand" Return
Many people don't realize that Aerie and American Eagle are the same ecosystem.
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The Hack: You can return Aerie items to an American Eagle store, and vice versa.
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Why this matters: If you live near a mall that only has an American Eagle but not a standalone Aerie, you don't have to mail it back. Walk into the AE store, hand them the Aerie leggings, and get your refund instantly for free. No $5 fee.
FAQ: People always ask me...
"Can you return a worn bra to Aerie?"
Answer: Generally, no. While Aerie used to have a "Real Guarantee" that allowed almost anything back, they now require items to be in "new" condition with tags attached. If you wore it once and it broke (wire popped out), that is a defect—return it as "Defective" for a full refund. If you just wore it and decided you hate the color, they may reject it.
"Does Aerie have an extended holiday return policy?"
Answer: Yes. The aerie holiday return policy typically allows items purchased between October 24 and December 31to be returned for a full refund until January 31 (or sometimes Jan 15, depending on the year). This overrides the standard 30-day clock, giving you plenty of time to return unwanted gifts.
"Can I do an Aerie pick up return?"
Answer: You can pick up orders in-store (BOPIS - Buy Online, Pick Up In Store), and you can return items in-store. However, you generally cannot schedule a carrier to "pick up" a return from your house unless you organize it directly with UPS/FedEx (which often costs extra). The "Aerie Pick Up" usually refers to collecting new orders, not sending old ones back.
Conclusion
Navigating the aerie return policy is a balance of knowing what you bought. If you bought bras or swim, you are golden (Free Returns). If you bought leggings or sweatshirts, you are facing the "Double Negative": a $5.00 fee and a 2-week wait for your money.
You have a choice. You can follow the old rules: pay the fee, pack the bag, and wait. Or, you can check your eligibility for the modern solution.
Check if you can save that $5.00 fee and get your money back today.
Related Articles:
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American Eagle vs. Aerie: Are the Return Policies Identical?
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The Truth About "Real Rewards" Level 3 Benefits
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Victoria's Secret vs. Aerie: Which Return Policy Wins?
