A bit of a different post today, but this is something that's really wound me up the wrong way so I need to just get this down in words.
Browsing through the Daily Express, I came across the following article;
"Fashion store that wants thin and beautiful shoppers only".
"Fashion store that wants thin and beautiful shoppers only".
I could have guessed said shop was Abercrombie and Fitch.
We all know A&F are very selective with who they employ. However, what I didn't realise was to what extent this was taken.
Apparently, their obsession with appearance has become so extreme that they have recently been sued for forcing an employee with a prosthetic arm work in, and only in, the stockroom.
Similarly, they have been forced to change their policies after asking an employee to remove a poppy as it "was not part of her uniform".
Are these people for real?! I find this absolutely disgusting.
Now I don't want to offend anybody that may or may not work for A&F.
Yes, the shop assistants are all beautiful there's no mistaking that, but yet again here arises the debate surrounding young teenage girls growing up absorbed in this unrealistic idea of perfection, and the need to be beautiful. The media and its obscene standards have so much to answer to; anorexia, bulimia, plastic surgery...the list is endless.
As if all this wasn't enough, A&F big boss Mike Jeffries has said that he
"doesn't want his core customers to see people who aren't as hot as them wearing their clothes".
This has apparently justified the selling of women's trousers up to and not above a size 10.
Yes, you read that right. Size 10.
Yet they're happily selling men's clothes up to an XXL.
Let's take former plus size model Crystal Renn as an example.
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| Source |
Although she has now lost weight, she was a size 16 at her largest.
Was Crystal ever fat? Not a chance. Is she beautiful?
Whatever size she is, I challenge anyone to tell me this woman is not beautiful.
However, according to A&F's standards, she is considered as ugly.
What the hell chance have us folk got if this woman is "ugly"?
However, according to A&F's standards, she is considered as ugly.
What the hell chance have us folk got if this woman is "ugly"?
I find it disgusting that such an influential brand as A&F can get away with promoting this kind of behaviour.
I'm well and truly lost for words.
What are your thoughts?
Jo xx
Thats disgusting! Everyone is beautiful no matter what shape or size they are. A&F need to realize how many young girls want to wear their clothes & what they are willing to do to make sure they can :/ I can't believe they only stock up to a size 10, how are they allowed to do this :/
ReplyDeleteAsh xx
I completely agree, I don't think they have a clue how much this kind of attitude affects young girls! Since when was a size 12 or above ever considered unattractive?! xx
DeleteI think the media has alot to do with it aswell, they bitch about celebs being to think but as soon as they put on weight they are to big. I have always been a curvy woman & I know what it feels like to only think I'll be beautiful if I'm skinny, girls who have little confidence as it is doesn't need to be told that if they can't fit into a size 10 they can't be seen wearing that brand of clothing. :/
DeleteAsh xx
The media play a substantial part and you're right, celebrities physically cannot win, whatever size they are.
DeleteThe whole concept of this is going to cause so many problems, the amount of young girls who perceive themselves as not good enough is sky high as it is, so I just cannot get my head around what A&F think they're going to achieve with this kind of attitude, it's an absolute disgrace xx
Really? I'm a size 12 in jeans and have always been and I got a size 12 in the US and they did bigger sizes, is this size 10 thing only for the UK? what are we supposed to do if were realy a size 10 we just have a big bum! xx
ReplyDeleteIt may well only be implemented in the UK then! This is the thing, what the hell is wrong with having a big bum?! It's like you've gotta shrink the booty if you want to shop there, it's just insane! xx
DeleteIt's absolutely terrible. It feeds the bullying culture that is already a massive problem in the US, particularly due to the fact that kids usually aren't required to wear uniform to school. By wearing Abercrombie and Fitch kids mark themselves out as "popular" and if you can't fit into such clothes then, essentially, you're not worthy of being popular.
ReplyDeleteIt's not only discriminatory, it's also awful business. With almost 40% of the US Population overweight, they're immediately cutting the number people they can sell to almost in half.
Oh well apparently they haven't been doing too brilliantly recently anyway - serves them right!
Also have you SEEN their CEO Mike Jeffries? He talks about only wanting beautiful people but looks like he's been hit in the face with a cricket bat several times... google it.
Great blog post, really good read :) xxx
I completely agree, however it's not the US alone, this article is about UK stores! It definitely does serve them right if they're struggling with business, I have absolutely no intention of stepping foot in another A&F store again.
DeleteOh my word, I just Google'd Mike Jeffries.
Is this guy for real?!
Made my day! Xx
Its stores like this that make people have disorders. I really don't know how they manage to get away with this.
ReplyDelete:(
Good post for highlighting this, I think stores like this really need to be thrown in the spotlight more!
x
It is definitely; I don't know if they're just trying to get attention or what, but I do hope their sales suffer from such bad exposure! xx
DeleteThat is absolutely disgusting! I know first hand how the media can affect young girls, the way we see ourselves - especially when we're younger teenagers and all A&F are doing in enforcing it! She is definitely Not fat and she's extremely beautiful! And the world wonders why it's full of girls and women wanting to be thinner than they are. I don't see why people can't justa ccept others as they are because we're all beautiful in our own ways
ReplyDeleteSaw this earlier today and thought exactly the same! How they get away with this kind of discrimination is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteI mean you cannot employ based on race, religion or background but they can some how deem it acceptable to employ based on appearance!? I have always thought it was overpriced tat anyway, this just cements my distaste for an over hyped brand.
It's just astonishing isn't it!
DeleteI have to say I totally agree with you there. Very steep prices for extremely average looking pieces of clothing. Nobody's missing out avoiding that place xx
Great post!
ReplyDeleteI personally find it very offensive when people talk about leaner people the way they would talk about fat people but expect us not to get offended. I am 29, 5ft 3 and im a slim size 8, i am very petite and often get mistaken for being 10 years younger than i actually am, i get judged on this too. It bothers me when people try to speak to me like a child and when they automatically think i wont be offened should they call me skinny or thin - the words they are looking for should be slim and petite! I dont think it matters what size you are, what colour your skin is, how your hair is styled or what clothes you wear - we are all unique! Not one of us is the same... im a huge supporter of individuality and i think every time a photo is airbrushed or only slim models are used or people think its ok to be offensive to the more petite people and support the curves - the less people will be truly comfortable with themselves! This isnt going to resolve issues like eating disorders or stop people being constantly critical of themselves. I see beauty in everyone and try my very best not to ever judge anyone.
Brilliant read...
T xx
http://thethingsusgirlsdo.blogspot.co.uk/
You're right, how boring would the world be if we all looked and dressed the same? I'm the same, I always try to get to know someone before judging them on their personality rather than their appearance, but companies like A&F are encouraging the complete opposite.
DeleteI personally believe that mixing up catwalk and magazine models to include a wide range of women of all shapes and sizes would signal the start of a more sensible idea of what beauty is.
Until then, sadly down to companies like A&F I can't see change any time soon. xx
I totally agree with you! I don't think I'll even step foot in one of their shops again unless they make some big changes x
ReplyDeleteNope, I certainly won't be either! xx
DeleteIt's no surprise is it, when they encourage such distorted and ridiculous opinions on appearance xx
ReplyDeleteA&F has never appealed to me, and I'll be sure to never go in there after reading this!! xx
ReplyDeleteSnap; it never has appealed to me and it now never will! xx
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