Abercrombie and Fitch Return Policy: What You Should Know

Shopping at Abercrombie & Fitch (including its abercrombie kids line) comes with some solid style, but also—like with all stores—it comes with a return policy you’ll want to understand. Whether you bought online, in‑store, or during a sale, knowing how long you’ve got, what condition items must be in, and what exceptions apply will save you frustration later. Below is a full breakdown of Abercrombie’s return and exchange policy: time windows, conditions, exceptions, how to return, and smart tips to make the process smoother.

✅ Standard Return & Exchange Time Frames

Here are the basic windows for returns and exchanges depending on how you purchased:

Online purchases: After delivery, you generally have up to 30 days from the estimated delivery date or actual delivery date of your last shipment to return items either by mail or in‑store for a full refund to your original payment method. If you’re a VIP myAbercrombie member you may have up to 60 days.
In‑store purchases: If you bought in a physical store, you typically have up to 30 days from the date of purchase to return items for refund to the original payment method (assuming you have your original sales receipt). For VIP members, this may be extended to up to 60 days.

So in essence: 30 days is your standard “change‑of‑mind” window. For members (VIP) it may stretch to 60 days. Past those windows you may still get store credit—but that depends.

📦 How to Return or Exchange Your Items

Depending on where—and how—you bought your items, here’s how the process works.

Online Order Returns & Exchanges

If you made the purchase on Abercrombie.com (or affiliated online), here’s how to return:

Log into your account (if applicable) and navigate to your orders. Select the order you want to return.
Choose to “Start a Return” or “Exchange” and follow the prompts. You’ll be given a return label, or instructions for drop‑off.
Pack your items securely. Include your original order confirmation/invoice and make sure all items are in original condition (see the conditions section).
Drop off via the carrier specified or bring the items to a store (if eligible) along with proof of purchase.
Once the return is received and processed by Abercrombie’s distribution centre, your refund or store credit (if applicable) will be applied. Expect some processing time.

In‑Store Purchases

If you bought your items in a physical Abercrombie & Fitch store (or abercrombie kids store):

Bring the item(s) back to the store you purchased from (or in many cases any U.S. Abercrombie & Fitch/abercrombie kids store) within 30 days of purchase (or 60 days if you’re VIP).
Bring the original receipt, tags, packaging, proof of purchase. The condition of the merchandise must be acceptable.
The store will process the refund to your original payment method (if eligible) or may issue store credit if outside the ideal window.

⚠️ Conditions, Eligibility & Exceptions You Must Know

Here are all the caveats that often catch people out.

Item condition matters: For a return to be accepted (for refund), the merchandise must be in its original condition—unwashed, unworn, with all tags attached, and any original packaging intact. If the item shows signs of wear, is damaged, or missing tags, the refund may be refused or turned into store credit.
Receipt or proof required: Returns generally require the original sales receipt/invoice or order confirmation. Without it, Abercrombie may still allow a return, but you’ll likely only receive merchandise credit rather than refund to original payment.
Final Sale / Outlet Items: Some items may be marked “Final Sale,” especially at outlet stores or in clearance events. Those items are typically not eligible for returns or exchanges for change of mind. They can usually only be returned if defective. Purchases from Abercrombie or abercrombie kids outlet stores often have different rules—sometimes returnable only to outlet locations, or are final sale.
Holiday Purchase Exception: Abercrombie has a special holiday return window: items purchased between November 1 and December 31 may be returned for a full refund to original payment through January 31 of the following year (with original proof). This gives you an extended window for holiday shopping.
Items purchased from outlet locations: If you bought something at an Abercrombie or abercrombie kids outlet store, those purchases may only be returned at outlet locations, not at regular retail stores. Clearance items from outlet stores are often final sale.
Members (VIP myAbercrombie) benefits: If you’re already a VIP member *at the time of purchase*, you may have extra time (up to 60 days) for returns or exchanges compared to non‑VIP. If you become a VIP after purchase you may *not* get the extended window for that purchase—it depends on how the policy reads.
Exchanges vs refunds: For many returns you can choose a refund (if within the standard window) or exchange the item (size/colour) if the store or online service allows. After the window, your option may be store credit rather than refund.

💳 How Refunds & Store Credit Work

Here’s what to expect in terms of what you’ll get back and when.

If you return within the full refund window (30 days online or 30 days in‑store for regular non‑VIP purchases) and meet the conditions (receipt, tags, unworn etc.), you’ll receive a refund to your original payment method (credit card, debit card, etc.).
If you return after the 30 day window (but within the extended window for VIP, or within an acceptable timeframe) you may still get acceptance but the refund may be issued as store credit (gift card) instead of back to your original payment.
If you’re outside the return window, the return may be refused or accepted only for store credit at the current selling price of the item (which may be less than what you paid).
If you used promotional codes or discounts at purchase, your refund will reflect the amount you actually paid, not the original full price. Similarly, shipping or delivery fees you paid may not be refunded unless specified.

📋 Common Scenarios & What to Expect

Here are a few typical situations and how the policy would apply.

Scenario A: You ordered a hoodie online, it arrived April 1. On April 20 you decide it’s the wrong size and want to return it. You initiate the return April 21 and mail it back within the 30‑day window; you have the order confirmation and it’s unworn with tags. You’ll receive a full refund to your original payment.

Scenario B: You bought jeans at a store on May 1 but after 35 days, you decide they don’t fit. Since you’re beyond the 30‐day standard but you’re VIP and have up to 60 days, you may still return them (if VIP) for a store credit (may or may not be refund). If non‑VIP, you may only get store credit or may be refused.

Scenario C: You purchased a clearance item at an outlet store, and later decide you don’t want it. Because outlet purchases often are final sale or have stricter rules, your return may not be accepted for refund—only, if at all, store credit.

Scenario D: You bought several items online across multiple orders and want to return them in one package. Abercrombie allows items from multiple orders to be combined into one return shipment (if within the return window) provided you include invoices for all orders. Note: if you use a pre‑paid return label provided by Abercrombie, a fee may apply unless you choose certain options.

🧠 Smart Tips to Make Your Return Experience Smoother

To avoid issues and make your return go smoothly, here are some practical tips:

Keep all tags and original packaging. Even if you try something on at home, don’t remove tags or wash it—and don’t wear it outdoors—until you’re sure you’ll keep it. That way you keep the return option safe.
Save your receipt or order confirmation email. Whether you bought in‑store or online, these documents make returns much easier. Consider taking a photo of the receipt or storing it in your account.
Try on the items quickly and in good light. As soon as your online order arrives, try on the items indoors, check fit, colour and style. The sooner you decide you want to return, the better your window will be.
Be aware of sale, outlet and final‑sale items. If you’re shopping clearance or at an outlet store, know that return rights may be much more limited (or none at all). If you think you might return something, take that into account.
If you’re a VIP member, check your status and date. If you’re entitled to a 60‑day return window, make sure you actually had VIP status at the *time of purchase*—sometimes offers only apply if you were already a member. Also check whether the longer window applies to your region/order.
Mail returns early rather than late. While the deadline is 30 or 60 days, the sooner you return an item the better your condition and refund eligibility. If you wait until the last minute things like shipping delays, item damage in transit or lost parcel could complicate your return.
Combine returns carefully. If you’re sending back items from multiple orders, include all order invoices in the package and designate via the online return form so the warehouse knows which orders and items are being returned together. Failing to include documentation may result in items being sent back to you.

🎯 Final Takeaway

In short: Abercrombie & Fitch offers a return policy that gives most shoppers 30 days for a full refund (for items meeting the conditions) and longer if you’re a VIP. But it’s not unlimited. Condition, proof of purchase, timing, membership status and sale/outlet status all matter. If you follow the rules, you’ll find the return process straightforward. But if you ignore one of the conditions (wearing the item, losing the receipt, returning late, buying a “final sale” item), you may end up with store credit instead of a refund—or you may lose return rights entirely.

If you’re shopping at Abercrombie and later decide something isn’t right—don’t stress. Just act quickly, keep everything in good condition, keep your documents handy, and know which window you’re in. Do that and your return should go smoothly.