Do you remember shopping there when you were in college? I sure do. (Do they still smell like a junior high dance where the boys put on waaaay too much of dad's cologne and they play the music so loud you might get permanent hearing loss?) In fact, I think I still have my classic Abercrombie sweatshirt in my closet. Well, apparently, we shopped at A&F back when they were selling "fuddy duddy" clothes. (That sounds about right for me. I have rarely been on the cutting edge of fashion.) Nowadays, A&F has this total jackhole, Mike Jeffries, running the company and he's doing a really kick ass job (stock price is up, sales are up, new stores everywhere, blah, blah, blah) and he has a secret to his success: he only hires beautiful, thin "cool kids" so that they will only attract other beautiful, thin "cool kids" to shop at his stores, because he doesn't want losers even setting a hairy, fugly foot in his hallowed halls. And just in case the message didn't get through to the uncool, the ugly, and the fat people that there is nothing here for you, Mike wants to make it clear that you're not welcome and so he has decreed that the women's clothing line will not carry clothing bigger than a size L or 10.
“In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids,” he told [Salon.com]. “Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely." - Mike Jeffries
When I first read this article, I didn't know if I was more impressed with the fact that Jeffries owns his asshole ways or if I was more disgusted that he's such a fucking dickhead who is desperately trying to hold on to his glory days of high school. (Actually, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Mikey was a total la-hooo-zer back in the day. Look at how hard he's fought for those bulging biceps and how much he's paid for those sun-kissed locks - and eyebrows WTF? - and bee-stung lips. He looks like a genetically engineered geriatric douchebag.) He's an absolute creeper and I don't care how much he owns his actions, they're unacceptable.
 |
| I'm a dick, duude, but I'm OK with that, because I'm a coooool dick who hates losers and fat people. |
For Jeffries to come right out and say his company philosophy is to be "exclusionary" makes me want to scream and burn my (Size XL) Abercrombie sweatshirt in effigy and break things (preferably a display of polo shirts at my local A&F). I am trying to raise children in this world who have a sense of self worth (that doesn't come from their stupid fucking jeans) and he continues to do what ever he can to make children feel excluded. Yes, teenagers are still children. And when a major company tells a teenager that they're not worthy of shopping at their store because her ass is too big what does that say to her? Believe me, she's already self conscious about that ass, she doesn't need Abercrombie & Fitch telling her that she's too horrible to buy a pair of their jeans. Nice work, dickhead.
In the 1990s Jeffires took over a dying company that sold "fuddy duddy" clothes and turned it into the Mecca of Morons. Reading the articles and looking through the photos of Jeffries and his young employees, made me feel sick to my stomach. This company embodies everything I despise. Ignorant, selfish, entitled, foolish, arrogant, elitist assholes who sit around with their fellow douchey "dudes" in their perfectly (identically) ripped jeans and their stupid fucking racist/sexist t-shirts with gems like "Tig Ole Bitties" and "Two Wongs Make a White" and yuk it up about raiding mommy's medicine cabinet or maxing out daddy's credit card while their asshole parents neglect them to spend time on the slopes or at the beach.
These are the same kids who tweet racist shit and tell their sorority sisters to stop being so fucking boring when frat boys are around. These are the same kids who received Participation Awards for every fucking thing in their lives and have that shit lined up on a shelf in their room, because that reminds them that they're precious snowflakes. These are the same kids who kill referees at soccer games. I hate these people more than you know.
My children are not old enough to grace the abs-infested aisles of A&F just yet, but the first time either of my kids asks for anything from this store, I will say Hell Fucking No. I realize that won't matter much to Mr. Jeffries. After all, I'm way too old, fat, short, and ugly to be allowed in his store. (I'm surprised he doesn't have bouncers at the door to turn away people like me.) He doesn't care what I think, because I'm not his clientele. Well, that's too bad, because he should care about me and other mothers like me. I am a mother who will influence and educate my kids about shopping consciously. I will raise kids like these girls who "girlcott" places like A&F. I will explain to my kids that we don't support companies that sexualize teens or marginalize people. We will put our money where our mouths are and we will buy our perfectly distressed $100 jeans ANYWHERE else, but A&F.
A&F can kiss my fat ass!
If you have not watched this video, check it out. Greg has a great solution to dealing with AF clothes. #fitchthehomeless.
UPDATE: A Change.org Petition has been started asking Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries to Stop telling teens they aren't beautiful; make clothes for teens of all sizes! You can sign it here.
If you like what you read, please follow me on Facebook or Twitter!
.jpg)
.jpg)
280 comments:
1 – 200 of 280 Newer› Newest»After googling an image of Mr. Jeffries to see if he is, in fact, as ugly as the picture above portrays (he is), I thought I would share this article that I found as well. He is an all around, no kidding, douchebag in all areas of his professional life, not just in structuring his stores to be for "young, beautiful, and skinny". http://abcnews.go.com/US/lawsuit-outlines-abercrombie-fitchs-ceo-michael-jeffries-rules/story?id=17519006#.UYmaxcqt_QQ
Holy shit, I thought that was the guy from the movie Mask! And that jackhole thinks he can talk!? Terrible message. Terrible dude. Terrible store.
My son is now 21, when he was in High School he was a not so cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to shop at Abercrombie and he told me "Mom, I am pretty sure I like girls. I do not have to prove I like girls and shop at that store!
This gives me more reason to dislike A&F. Thank you for this, I hope it goes viral like the Elf.
Incredible. His face says that he should not be judging others. But hey, who am I to judge?
My girls (12 and 14) who are thin and attractive girlcott A&F because the clothes are over priced and boring. The stores still stink and the music still blares and most of the cool kids here in Northern VA think it's overrated. TG
Between him & the American Apparel Jack Wagon - we need to call the m-effers on the carpet. I am so ticked right now I can barely type...
I went Christmas shopping with my daughter, sister-in-law, and two nieces last Christmas. Oldest niece (age 12) wanted something fromA&F so we went in. She's tall and thin -- just their type. Younger niece (age 10) also found some jeans she wanted or something. Also on the taller side and thin. My daughter (age 7) could not pull the size 8 jeans past her knees. She's not fat, just built differently, more muscular like Hubby's family. She was horrified at how skinny those pants were. They looked like they belonged on a starvation victim. I told her the pants were marked wrong, and if these people were too dumb to put the right size on their clothes I wasn't buying anything from them. We went to the Gap and bought her some really cute clothes that she adored. And they fit fine and were size 8. Assholes.
I really hope this comes back and bites him in the ass and gets him fired. What a dick.
You should know that your kids are old enough. They have a kids store too. And it is SICK. Short shorts in size 6X. My husband and I walked through the store accidentally and he felt totally pervy just LOOKING at the CLOTHES they were selling to these young children. Horrible and offensive. We got out as soon as we could, but not without making some loud comments about what we thought.
Ha ha you're too fat and lazy to fit in lame AF clothes!!!! And you're crying about it!!!
Amazing post. I was inspired to write my own post against this utter douchenozzle. What a jackhole. I hated A&F clothes in high school!
What do you expect from a company that's been sexualizing ever younger kids for the last few years? Every time I've been in the store with my nieces, who fit the profile, I've thought there must be some kind of moron test to work there. Let the faux Aryans have A&F; there's plenty of retail out there.
Not that it matter, but from what I read, that statement was made in 2006 and there has been a backlash since then regarding his methods.
I'm sure a million other people will say this but if that guy's picture is not in the dictionary under DOUCHE BAG it should be! I hope moms everywhere spread the word and boycott this idiot.
Perhaps you are not familiar with this blog. If you were familiar with this blog you would know that your post will probably not offend, but more than likely amuse most of those that read it. Maybe you will understand some of the actual issues in this post when you become a little more aware of the world around you instead of expecting it to revolve around you. I hope that you come to that realization before someone that is not as tolerant as those of us here assists you in doing so.
LOVE THIS COMMENT!
Wow, he is one to talk. I may be fat, he's ugly and I can lose weight! He is hideous looking.
I am mguessing you have not seen their policy about employee "uniform" I believe I read there are 285 rules with pics http://www.buzzfeed.com/sapna/abercrombies-preppy-police-enforce-cuffs-sleeves-internal-do
Really. C.R.A.Z.Y.
officially part of the PIWTPITT club with ass hat crown.
Are you sure this Mike Jefferies guy isn't just the latest role Mickey Rourke is playing? What a super douche. We should do something at the store at Oak Park Mall. Maybe all of us "Fat" girls should go in and try on their size 10's (which are probably more like 5's) and tear the zippers out while trying to shove in our muffin tops. Or unfold all the tiny ass T-shirts sure to show off your junior high boobies like an Amsterdam prostitute. Better yet, let's go sit our fat asses down in their strategically disheveled couches and hang out for an hour or so. I think I may have bought one shirt there in 8th grade and at 94lbs it fit like a second skin and made me feel like a stuffed sausage back then. As if our teenage girls aren't made to feel enough like shit already. My guess is this guy is a total pervert and a cursory search of his hard-drive would be a sickening mess of "market research." Fuck this guy and Fuck A&F as if they weren't douchey enough to begin with. I can't wait to see what Hollister or American Eagle comes up with next, hopefully they come out with an awesome line just for "fat" girls.
He's ucking fugly!
Great Answer. My guess is that person is either a Troll or an asshole either way no one here cares.
Wow when I look at that picture I am reminded of that movie "Mask". Maybe it's just me...
He looks like Gary Busey.
Yessss! I thought of Mickey Rourke at first. But he does look like a Busey Doppleganger!
I can actually hear a whip smacking in the air as I read this. DAMN. Well said.
Check out his wiki page profile pic:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Jeffries_(CEO)
It says it all. Go wikipedia.
You are all welcome to your point of view, and I empathize with many of the feelings posted here. But at the same time this man is just catering to his clients. There are stores specifically for women, for men, for kids, big and tall, full figured, etc. If you walk into a Victoria Secret (I am sure there are many similar issues with this store) and I was there (a 30+ man) trying to sell you bras you may feel uncomfortable, if it was decorated like a camping lodge you'd be confused. And the biggest issue if they had a section of fishing poles, not only is that additional overhead, but a bad product choice based on the target market, resulting in poor sales.
All of these factors not only would not draw in new clients very well, but it would confuse the clients and target market reducing sales in that arena. Yes, this man sells to small "cool" kids by selling an image, and by doing a good job he has been able to achieve incredible mark-ups on his products and still make sales. Regardless of opinions on his "Douchery" this man has been a successful business man.
He totally looks like a douchey dad! What a douche nozzle!
Amazing how it's always "anonymous" people who say things like this. It makes me think this comment was made by a teenager too afraid to own who he/she is.
Amen! Even back when I was in high school and STICK THIN, I was a size 11. Why, because I was 6 feet tall and, I'm sorry, but when you are that tall, your frame has to be bigger to support the height. I was 6' tall and weighed 135, but because of my height, I was a size 11. My mom had to take in the bust and waist of just about everything we bought, but I needed the length and the shoulder width. Funny that except for my height, I had the exact zero fat body image they cater to, but would not be able to buy clothes in their store if they had been around then. What a douche canoe.
Might be fun for all the fat size 12+ people to start crowdin up the store. It would probably scare all the "cool people" out of there!
My first response to Jeffries quote was "Are you shitting me??" Your diatribe against him and his ilk doesn't go nearly far enough in expressing contempt for him. UN-believ-a-BUL!
Lol, I'm amused that that troglodyte thinks he knows what "cool" is...
Wow. I have to admit, I did enjoy that holiday shopping campaign a few years back with the A&F approved male employees in boxers and a Santa hat standing outside the store (at the mall). Although, I was in full-on mommy mode at that point and so NOT the A&F target audience... it was still nice to look.
But, seriously? Who is this guy? When did he elect himself the judge of everyone else. The fact that they market themselves to children and teens is beyond disgusting to me. It's one thing to be judgmental and douche to adults. But to have a "only the beautiful skinny people" attitude at the time when the majority of humans are at their most awkward and as their opinions about their self-images are becoming cemented? Sick.
Doodle-doo-de-doo-de-douche.
that is EXACTLY what I thought. What an asshat.
hehehe like all the diffrent ways of calling someone a douche,,, i think all the healthy girls should go to the stores put on the tight t-shirts and walk around asking everyone " how do i look"
Am I the only one who kind of think he looks like Chunk in the Goonies?
I completely agree.
Back in college, a very hot male friend of mine told me that the manager at an A&F store had offered him a job, but told him he'd have to ditch the highlights in his hair. He was friends with this manager and she started telling him about all of the physical appearance requirements to work there. Of course, you had to be thin and beautiful, much thinner than my curvy self was. Needless to say, I was pissed at the thought that one would have to meet an attractiveness test to sell clothes. I decided at that point if I wasn't "hot enough" to sell their clothes, then I sure as hell wasn't going to buy their clothes. I have never regretted that decision.
And that CEO has no business calling anyone else unattractive.
EEEK! I'd love to see a pic of him when he was a teenager. Seriously he looks like a plastic surgery "don't." If I was walking by an A&F store with my teens and he was in it, I'd pull them close and tell them not to look directly at "it."
I'm amused that someone used the word "troglodyte"! Other acceptable descriptions coulde be: cave troll, knuckle dragger, and goblin.
I made a little meme with his picture that says "A&F troll is trolling...".
It just seems to fit so well.
I do not let my girls in the store. There's also the huge half naked pictures to contend with. Ellen
Hey, I'm just going out on an exclusionary limb here and say, the guy looks completely fucked up and needs to check his ego dick at the A&F door. Yeah. - Frugie
I think you are missing the point. I feel most people on this blog are less interested in the business end and focused rather on the ethics. Is it really more important to be a 'savvy businessman' than a decent human being? selling morals for money is in no sense respectable in my opinion, I don't really care how much money he or A&F makes, I'd rather be poor as dirt than pander to elitists. When did we start selling our humanity?
I am the "proper" fit for their clothes, yet still refuse to step foot in that store. The music is SOOOO loud it will give you a migraine at the door. That mixed with the smell is HORRIBLE to even think about! The clothes all look the same with the same "cookie cutter" style. My son won't even shop there. He says that the clothes are for gay guys and he wants the girls to know he is straight. Yes, he is 13 and the balls are dropping! Besides the fact that the clothes are most likely made in a sweat shop, thank you for giving me yet another GREAT reason NOT to shop there! That guy is a true fucktard!
Or,some anorexic idiot employed by this Gary Busey look alike that owns A&F!
I hate walking BY that store the few times I step foot into a mall anymore. The music is completely loud and annoying, and the pictures look like child pornography. I expect the SWAT team to raid the place any second, so I tend to steer clear.
And and this guy? Gross. I had never seen his pic before I started reading this and I was thinking I was going to see this gorgeous, chiseled, R. Downey Jr. type (cuz I think he's just yummy), and I see what looks like a cross between a drunk Nick Nolte and an even drunker Hulk Hogan. And the image is forever burned onto my brain. Thanks for that.
Going to scrub my eyeballs with bleach now.....
Ahhhhahahaha...I thought the same thing! Gross face to go with his gross outlook!
Hmmn. . . I think this guy is creepy. I think that there is a major self-esteem problem in our country. I think also that it has more to do with wealth and class than weight.
A + F is a successful company. Personally I don't shop there and won't take my daughter there when she's old enough because ultimately, I don't think the quality is worth the price.
So, I suppose I agree that it is total crap that what he is marketing is ok-ish quality clothing at a premium price. This I am against.
But I challenge you to find artful clothing for kids, that also fits within their social parameter of acceptable (and don't tell me that isn't a factor when you buy clothes for anyone in your family) and fits their bodies.
I am a thin/fit person. Hubby is too. My kids never had the cute chubby phase. We exercise and pay attention to what we eat. And really struggle to find reasonably priced clothing of decent quality that fits us.
I am humble and sweet and kind, at least my friends tell me so. I am not overly concerned about appearance. But I do like to actually like what I wear.
A + F isn't it, but I have a sneaking feeling, after having worked in a boutique that didn't have sizes bigger than an L or a size 10, you might have the same problems with them.
So what is the solution? This store caters to teens. I think teens should be smallish. I'm not saying that bigger teens should be given a hard time. But can't there be a store for fit teens.
Go to JC Penney or Macy's. Same prices (or higher for better quality) and the sizes skew larger. I can wear a 2 there. And guess what? Most of the time the 2's the S's and M's are sold out. Same at Target.
My guess is that there is a larger rubric functioning here. The major stores are catering to the majority of the populace, size-wise, underbuying in the smaller sizes thereby pushing those customers to the boutique stores. It's economics.
BWHAHAHAHA!!!
Great - it's one thing to have everyone wondering why they use tweens to model and make "porn ads"....it's another to come right out in an interview and say you hate fat ugly people. Good job douche. You have just alienated all the people WHO MAKE THE MONEY. There are so many reasons I wouldn't allow my kids to shop at many of the "cool" stores....this just solidifies it. The guy is a peudo....he only wants young, hot skinny popular girls wearing his clothes (how many legal women can wear A&F?).
First: Who DIDN'T know that A&F has had this "cool" policy for a WHILE now? Obviously the blogger. Second: It's called free enterprise people. Companies are ALLOWED to "cater" to whom they'd like in THEIR stores. Don't like it? Take your money to another store. Third: Why degrade the guy who said the company only wants "skinny cool kids" to shop there? Hmm..let's "bully" him by picking on how he looks because he said stupid things? That in itslef is such a spineless thing to do. Finally: If you have raised your children to believe their self worth depends on what others deem "cool", you have already done a crappy job as a parent. BTW: A&F clothes have ALWAYS sucked.
Many stores do this...they are very pointed in what they sell and who they sell to, they just don't come out and blab about it. Yeah, he's a prick and an ugly one, but the guy found his market. I do agree with your point to an extent (that extent being, my daughters wont shop there), but I am confused as to why this is all such a big deal right now?!? It's been this way a long time and he made those comments in 2006. It's stupid on his part to be that douchy about it but I'm not really THAT upset about it. :)
MUCH LOVE (as always!) <3 Devan
The fact that my kids have asked me what the shirtless boys are doing in the mall more than once makes my brain hurt. They hire slim pretty white girls and cut pretty white boys to stand outside the dimly-lit pungent discos I mean stories to lure other slim pretty people inside. It like having the creepy guy in a van offering little kids candy to come inside, but instead it's the creepy jackhole Jeffries offering up flirty tweens with sex appeal to lure other tweens & teen with sex appeal into the fray.
EW.
The whole thing makes my skin crawl.
Well said about the ethics. If your business plan is to go after the cool kids you just do it - you don't trumpet the fact that fat kids need not come around. My husband and I got into the same discussion last night (both of us coming from marketing backgrounds). I got upset with hubs for giving me the same response as the poster above. But I think I finally made him realize that by saying the whole "it's his business plan" thing it almost tacitly seemed like he was okay with it (which he wasn't), when I wanted him to show some outrage to get the point across to my 11-year-old sitting with us that there is no need to ever shop there. Maybe it's good that the CEO is such an asshat, because now I have more of a reason than the nauseating cologne stench at the entrance to the store to keep my kids away from it.
Hollister is also owned by A & F. Same line of thinking.
Wow - this man is disgusting!
He's a pig. Kind of looks like one too.
Ha! Too funny. My first thought was "that looks like a swollen Gary Busey!
And yes, quite the fucktard.
Very Awesome post, agreed, I have two teens and we will NOT shop there, and he needs to get a mirror and take a look at himself, creepy!
Good one!
There are more than enough of us on this thread alone to do things the old fashioned mob justice way. I'll meet all of you at Jeffries office in a few hours. I'll bring the torches. Bring your own pitchfork. Let's do this.
I think I'd have to use Ron White's line: you can't fix stupid.
In this case, you can't fix ugly. You can work out, you can lose weight, you can get some 'guns', bleach your teeth [so the enamel is weak and they fall out before you retire], try to build a chin with implants and inject your lips with the latest animal fats or weird chemicals - BUT - at the end of the day, Mr. Asscrumble & Fuck, you are an idiot. No amount of physical outward change will hide the pitiful little boy in you that likely grew up in the out-group, getting his head shoved in a toilet every day at school. Still trying to fit in? You empire building sunufabitch! I salute you! You bought your own crew to hang out with. But you're still only a scared little boy with zero self esteem and your clothes suck.
Wow, just wow. I'm not sure what pisses me off more - the deceiving imagery in sizing or the incredibly inappropriate phrases on the shirts. My boys will not shop here.
OMG this article has enraged me! As a former fat kid, and apparently a loser too according to that dick wad, I am appalled by this. And actually kind of sad too. I had weight loss surgery and have lost 107lbs as of now and have never felt better. But to read this article brought back all the painful memories of high school. I'm sad that he is so short sighted to not be able to see the beauty in all people. But the more I think of it, if he is the gold standard of "beauty", I'll surely pass. I'll take a loser with a heart over that douche any day!
Reason 4545454 why I love you. Thank you for saying this. That dude is an elitist pig and will get his in the form of karma someday. For now.....let's just hope people like you keep calling out people like this on their dickery and overall lack of humanity. Love this post. Love YOU Jen.
You've probably seen this already, but at least for one day in 2007 A&F was full of guys that probably would have given that asshat a stroke if he'd been there to see it. (Of course there are the Greek gods there as well, but plenty of beer guts and Casper-like complextions). My favorite are the guys who get kicked out for trying to buy $45 shirts.
http://youtu.be/jdeBp8J0rqs
You all sound fat...
I was just about to post that article, too! Obviously, not only is he a GIGANTIC A-hole, he's certifiably insane, too!
Totally agree!
Wow. So if you don't like him, or his clothes don't suit you, then don't shop there. It's called business. The fact that he isn't targeting me as his demographic to sell to and says so in an obnoxious way does not warrant any outrage on my part. Look at all the free publicity he gets from being "outrageous". Yawn. This is truly a first world issue.
Wow! I'm really not sure what is creepier looking at him or knowing he is obsessed with thin, perfect, young teenagers....
I was very skinny when I was in high school, but always had big boobs and a large shirt is not going to work regardless of how skinny I was elsewhere. At least where I came from a set of C cups or D cups could make you very popular. As other people have pointed out being tall can also put you out of his size range. He obviously has a defined beauty in his head and it is very prepubescent. Totally creepy. I'd worry about the kids shopping there, but really worry about the kids working there! He is definitely a deviant and creeper.
A@F is for normal people, that always look good, i love A@F ...I feel sorry for all people that cant fit on A@F clothes. All around the world A@F is famous.
Abercrombie and Fitch was the bane of my daughter's existence in junior high - the clothes, other than sweatshirts, never fit her tween body, and she died a little every time she tried things on there. Of course, once in high school their clothes became completely passe', even for the popular kids.
The company is losing traction so this idiot is trying to stir up controversy to increase interest. He should be ashamed of himself for saying such insipid things.
You aren't the first to think he is a douche bag. He made DB of the week. http://www.queerty.com/creepy-abercrombie-ceo-made-male-models-squirm-on-company-jet-20121019/
(Note: link is to a gay website, if you couldn't tell by the name.)
I'm pretty sure this guy doesn't know what really makes cool kids (and people) cool. And it ain't those douchey clothes, man. It's something I fear you'll never have.
Creepy man walkin'...
What a douche-canoe! The best way to respond is with our wallets- I will never shop there.
its all publicity, good or bad its promoting the store which is just what he wants, yes he is wrong in saying those things but he has stirred a debate that mentions his store every few seconds, he is sitting back thinking ,,,, Perfect !!
You know that the worst thing that has happened to me all week has been? Reading this article. Because it prompted me to Google image more of Mike Jeffries and now I have to bleach my eyeballs. Shivers.
I'm annoyed even walking by that bass-thumping, cologne-smelling, larger-than-life black and white photos of anorexic teen girls and boys, shop in the dark, recipe for ruining what little self worth is left in that girl who can't fit in to the "large." (Which, lets be real, is more like a small.) Asshats.
Is it just me, or does that guy look like Frankenstein's monster with a disproportionately large head? He had better be careful that A&F makes shirts with neck holes big enough for his HUGE noggin ;)
I thought that too, Lisa & Kat, like Gary Bussey that's been stung in the face by a bee.
I dunno. For some reason I'm not enraged, or up in arms or even inclined to extoll about what a douche this guy is. I mean, sure he's a douche but how is he different from ANY company that markets to young people? They all hire super skinny models and pretty boys for their ad campaigns. Chances are many of these clothing stores have some sort of 'no ugly' policy, at the very least they require good grooming. All stupid ad campaigns want young hip looking people, not dumpy boring people, to model their clothes. This is hardly anything new. The difference is that this guy admits it out loud. Stupid on his part but it hardly makes him the reincarnation of Hitler. Never anywhere in the entire article does the man say "I hate fat people" he says he doesn't want to market to fat people i.e. people over a size ten. Okay, so thanks for the heads up, I and my big round booty don't need to shop there. I found his statements offensive, sure, but I didn't feel the need to give it more thought than that. Maybe I'm weird?
Right?! I am surprised his head isn't BIGGER!
I really think you're right about the fact that A&F only hire 'pretty' people. My brother was shopping in the one hear his house one day and they offered him a job because he was 'attractive.' Like right on the spot they wanted him to pull out his iPhone and email the manager his application.
Oh, and PS. As the mom of a young girl, I would hope that her self-worth would not be so fragile as to be destroyed or even touched by the distorted image that this jerk wants A&F to project. I'd be doing a pretty poor job if that were the case. Just sayin'.
Well I for one am all for a nationwide ban on Abercrombie & Fitch now. This guy is a bad joke! Oh & I think you are dead on...he is desperately trying to be one of the cool kids.
if your fat and want to wear A&F just get skinny. maybe that'll be your motivation? and more so lets flip the coin... aren't big and tall brands exclusive brands as well? think about it ;)
Wow, Botox much, Jeffries? *shudder*
I'm not an A&F shopper, and thankfully, neither are my teenage boys - not because I dissuaded them, but more because we just don't spend time in malls. They hate shopping. They mail order their "cool" clothes from skateboard catalogs.
What occurs to me is that what girl will be caught buying their "largest" size there? Which insecure teenager wants to be caught wearing a size L if they know that's the biggest size they sell?
I miss the days of shopping at The Limited in the '80s.
He strongly resembles the FOREVER ALONE meme. "Dude- everyone thinks I'm the coolest and they wanna be just like me" Here's the thing, douchenugget: YOU don't even wanna be you. Sad.
I think he looks a bit like Janice Dickinson...they must share the same horrible plastic surgeon.
Dude looks like Eric Stoltz in the movie Mask...he should be less worried about fat people and more concerned with that mug...
Naw, just saving my olfactory senses from the noxious clouds of cologne that waft through the store
Mike Jeffries proves himself to be unattractive, both INSIDE and OUT. I have never bought (or owned) anything from this store and now it's even less likely that I ever will.
His face is that of an overdose of HGH. Acromegaly. Causes the overgrowth of the frontal (brow) bone and jaw. Clearly he has been using HGH to try to turn back time as HGH is (erroneously) also used by medical spas to help people fight off normal aging. His over zealous cosmetic dentist could use a little review and oversight as well.... Glad my toned strong tight size 8 a$$ never bought anything in his store.
Or maybe the illegitimate love child of Gary Busey and Mickey Rourke
This is just down right sad and pathetic. After reading this article, if I had kids who wanted to shop there I would tell them there is no way in hell. The sad part about it is there are parents that whole-heartedly agree with Mr. Jeffries statements and sales tactics. It's disgusting. Oh, and (being petty because clearly he is a petty POS) he isn't attractive or cool looking. Dees that mean he wouldn't sell to himself?
I have the overwhelming desire to take my old, fat butt and my XL friends and camp out in his store and talk loudly about how ultra cool everything is and that we want to wear it. Maybe then the elitist brats that shop there won't think it's cool anymore and Mr. Jackhole will go out of business.
That is a FABULOUS post! What an ass.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/06/vogue-movie-teenagers-fashion-shoot_n_3223879.html
Vogue to debunk the myths of 'beauty' for teenagers/
Ha! Females are just built large in my family. I have size 11 feet and wear a man's size 9 wedding band. Safe to say the bones underneath the fat are large and sturdy. That said, my 15yo daughter is built similar. She looks great as a 5'5" curvy size 12. So she can't shop at A&F or Hollister. HOWEVER, my 17yo son, a 92-lb Men's size S, is the perfect size for their clothing. He's also in a wheelchair and has trouble controlling the excess saliva that is part of his neuro disability. But he's completely welcome in asshat's stores! I know what you're thinking ... the "cool kid" profile. Well, yes, everywhere we go, kids flock to him. Not sure if it's the sympathy vote, but Seniors that my daughter knows from the Play and Crew team in school, are looking forward to having my son at their Prom and graduation in June. He's like a local hero. He goes down school hallways like the mayor. So again ... small stature - check! popular - check! Allowed at A&F? Hmmm...
I think that is the store in NYC that makes the girls wear bikinis and guys wear briefs. Creep!
Seriously?!?!? WTF is WRONG with this guy's face??? Talk about creepy ugly.
That is funny!!! I was going to say the same thing about the HGH. Also was going to say that if I ran into him on the street I would run screaming the other way as that mug would scare the crap out of me! I wonder if someone egged his douche-mobile after those comments.
When this story first hit I thought, "wow I should totally boycott Ambercrombie and Fitch." My second thought was, "hey, wait. I've never even shopped there. I've been boycotting that place my whole life!"
Y'all can't boycott like I can boycott. That's all I'm sayin'.
I was reading your article and agreed with you until you lost it. I have no idea where racism came into play but it was really dissapointing to find yet another ho-hum writer that has to start innapropriately flinging around the word racism when they are angry something that has nothing to do with racism just to get people all amped up. Really, it's a huge turn off. Yes, his statements about "cool kids" and those who don't belong, A&F's definition of fat and their aesthetic discrimination while hiring (not "sexist") is pretty sucky, but it was in no way racist. People like you perpetuate what people THINK racisism is, seems to be apparently everything.
I know, for myself, I will never ever ever spend another minute or dime in the inside of that store. My three teen boys will be sitting down with me to talk about this guy and how not to be a complete douche. It's just sad ... and embarrassing.
Love your article, and I am right there with you - a mom of 3 girls not old enough to shop there yet, and when they are old enough, they will be shopping almost anywhere else!!! Boycott A&F! (after we punch Jeffies in the face, of course)
Read the article linked- This man is an even bigger douchetard than I imagined. Flight attendants wearing AF polo shirts, boxers, and flip-flops? Would love to take a look at this guys hard-drive- pretty sick ticket IMHO.
He and his company are also racist...you will never see a person of color working in any or their stores or modeling their clothes...I bought their clothes when my sons where in their teens (years ago) but after learning of their racist tactics I havent spent a dime on their items and wont ever...they need to be boycotted big time.
A boycott and a tomahawk to throat is in order. What a dink.
Projecting much? I'm going to guess that being the bastard son of Glenn Quagmire and the Looney Toons Frog that sings "Hello My Baby, Hello, My Honey, Hello My Ragtime Gal" set this gigantic douchepontoon up for a life of trying to BE one of the "cool kids". What a toolbag.
We walked by the place in the mall the other day, and my 4 & 5 year old were interested in going in (they liked how neat the storefront was, they don't actually know what the store is). I replied to them "Only people who don't feel good about themselves and spend too much money on crappy clothes shop there. Do you still want to go in?"
They passed it up without a second glance.
We should all go in wearing XL men's sweatshirts, too...
Bravo!!!! This guy is a dick. I have half a mind to take my size XXL-wearing "fat person" self in there and buy the size L that they sell and squeeze into it and walk around just to make a point. Maybe post a few pics on the A&F site..... mail them to this jackhole, no bra, of course, as I chow down on something gross like a bacon double cheeseburger. It may be illegal to shoot idiots like this but I can sure as heck try to give him nightmares for the rest of his life. Oh, the HORROR of having to look at a "fat person!!!!!"
He should go back to his plastic surgeon because he kind of looks like Gary Busey. Yikes!
I have no problem with him not selling certain sizes, it is what it is. But his blatant putting down of other people is why my kids will NEVER wear anything from him. He's a bully promoting bullying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj3Qn5zUNcY
In 1998 I applied for a summer job at my local A&F. They never contacted me. I was about to be a college sophomore, attractive and not fat (I didn't think) but a petite brunette - not like the tall skinny blondes who worked there. GAP hired me, and I remember that other GAP employees said they'd had a similar experience of not being hired at A&F, and suspected it was because of looks.
That dude is super scary looking, too. He doesn't belong in his own stores!
In a nutshell, A-frickin-Men!!!
sit the eff down Mr Jeffries. you ain't all that, and I'll keep my bag of chips too, thank you very much.
This is exactly what Lane Bryant has been doing for years with plus sized women and salespeople who understand how to make their body types look their best. Anyone here protesting this guy who has left Lane Bryant alone all these years is nothing but a hateful hypocrite.
This is exactly what Lane Bryant has been doing for years with plus sized women and salespeople who understand how to make their body types look their best. Anyone here protesting this guy who has left Lane Bryant alone all these years is nothing but a hateful hypocrite.
Non stylish, overpriced, pseudoriche garbage for shallow posers. We "unpopular teens" were too busy working and studying so that we could buy cars, education, and homes. Also, do bodybuilders and tall people count as "fat" people, because most of them wear size XL or higher. The ugliness he has within is far worse than his disfigured superficial appearance.
She should definitely call them out on it. If we, as mothers, fathers, and more importantly responsible, self-respecting people, don't continue to call bull-shit on the the horrible crap that's out there, then we don't deserve a better world to live in. Hell yes we should throw our hands up in disgust when a plastic-surgerized 68 year old man, who hires MALE MODELS to work in his house and fly his planes, comes out and says girls that aren't pretty and skinny can't shop at his store. How is this any different than racism and sexism and discrimination. There are laws specifically designed to prevent shit like this from happening.
So, I totally disagree, free enterprise or not, and no matter how self-confident your children are, let's just say it like it is. That shit is not acceptable.
Jen, I really thought you had altered his picture to look more hideous. It disgusts me that he actually looks like this. *shudder*
That is insane! My daughter is also 7 and thin, but very athletic, so she's not just skin stretched over bone. If I ever thought about shopping in that store, now I know not to ever bother.
lol
I totally agree! I bought a shirt there once in college, over 10-11 years ago. I bought an XL. I kid you not, it was actually a medium/small fit. I gave it to my roommate who was a small, and it BARELY fit her!
I understand business completely, but alienating so many customers will eventually come back and bite him in the ass!
Clockwork Orange - it's completely NOT the same thing. Has Lane Bryant said such hateful remarks about skinny people who are too small to wear their clothes? No. They provide sizes for a certain group of people, just like Big & Tall stores do for men. No one would even blink if the idiot had kept his mouth shut & just didn't offer those sizes... But he had to make those hateful "cool kid" remarks to get a dig in. I hope the company falls flat & shutters all their stores after his attitude has surfaced.
While I agree with many of Jen's points, it makes me sad to read all the comments after that criticize those of us who DO shop at A&F. I and my children all fit into the clothes. I like the clothes. We don't shop there because we are people that "don't feel good about themselves and spend too much money on crappy clothes." Nor are we "posers." Those of you who feel the need to criticize- you're just as bad as this guy. I guess it is only okay to criticize skinny people? Or people who shop at A & F? While this guy seems like a complete ass, the amount of negativity from commenters is just as shallow. And it's hypocritical. Aren't you criticizing him because he only caters to thin people? And now you're criticizing all thin people who shop at the store... Wow.
Get over yourself. You're going to have a rude awakening when you grow up. Trust me... as a teenager, I had that perfect body, A&F would have paid me to sell their clothes. Then I grew up, had kids, & my body turned into something a Real Man desires.
I don't think anyone is trying to criticize people who shop at A&F before reading this article... more, they are angry at the people who shop there KNOWING FULL WELL what this guy's opinion is. The "cool kids" who shop there to "stay cool" & exclusive from the "uncool kids". Just because you can fit into their clothes, doesn't mean you should line the pockets of a company with an attitude such as this. Hopefully with this newfound knowledge, you'll boycott the store (& others owned by the same parent company, such as Hollister) & spend your hard earned money buying clothes at a "friendlier" place. :-)
I agree with the original poster above, and with the reactions to the post as well. As gross as I find A&F's position, I find myself wondering, is it in some ways better that they're fine with being upfront about it? As opposed to stores that sell XL, XXL, XXXL and try to pretend it's because of their ethics when really they are about making money first and foremost too and are profiting off of people's obesity?
I also find it interesting that so many people are reacting to this by making fun of what this man looks like. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Marnie that's HILARIOUS!!
I didn't categorize it properly, but I went to this website http://www.abercrombie.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContactUsView?catalogId=10901&langId=-1&pageName=contact-us&storeId=10051
And sent a short but sweet(ass) email that said that my children will NOT be buying clothes from A&F and that I will be sure to spread the word to our parenting group.
I am sure this douche won't care about my comments, but perhaps if enough of us flood his site with remarks, the investors in A&F might take notice.
Okay, this whole thing is golden but this, "He looks like a genetically engineered geriatric douchebag" and this, "because that reminds them that they're precious snowflakes" were the best :)
Even though I can fit in A&F clothes I have never bought any and never will. Before THIS disgusting display went viral I already wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole because of their inappropriate ads (what's with all the naked people...where are the clothes you're trying to sell?!). Blech.
ok here it is people, lets stop passing the buck... Is this dude an asshole, yes but who cares...If it wasn't for the assholes of the world we would never appreciate the good-hearted people. As for raising kids to have a healthy self image, well it has nothing to do with what is in the stores. Its what they are raise to believe about themselves long before they are shopping at the mall. I am raising 4 kids,16-8yrs. They all know that it doesn't matter where you buy your clothes its how you carry yourself when your in them that makes you who you are in this life.
I will be honest I have a certain distain for the morbidly obese. (I do not believe size 10 is morbidly obese tho) however we do live in the fattest country in the world so maybe there wouldn't be so offended by this douche bag if we thought twice before ordering that double helping of those super sized fries and 4 double cheese burgers w a diet coke.
So here is the rub... Teach your children young to judge others only after they have taken the time to know someone. Teach them that the people who make a real difference in this world are the ones who know compassion, drive, and love. Teach them young what self respect really means and then teach them that it is a waste of time to stress about the douche bags of the world, that regardless of religious there is always an underling rule of karma. So all will get what is coming to them, good to the good and bad to the bad. Its as simple as that...
Nope -- you're not weird. I totally agree.
If people want to pay out-of-this-world prices for basic looking clothes, and give their money to an a-hole like this...go right ahead!
Total asshole! This is why you don't bully people, they turn out to be grown up bullies. Shame, shame on him! I for one will NEVER shop @ A&F and will now refrain from wearing any of their clothes I currently own. I will burn them. Oh and by the way dirtbag, the parents purchase your A&F clothes NOT the kids. You have pissed many parents off who will NOT spend their hard earned money on your shit!!!!
Clockwork Orange- I'm a fat chick, well, I guess a formerly fat chick by most people's standards, still fat by Jeffries standards, and I shopped in Lane Bryant for almost 20 years. I've been helped by clerks of all sizes, races, genders, sexual orientations,and degrees of attractiveness at Lane Bryant. Yep, there's an employee discount there, so I imagine the staff naturally skews to heavy women, but to suggest that Lane Bryan is discriminating in its hiring practices is not only false, but, I'd go far as to suggest almost libelous.
The lawsuit referenced in the very first comment is from October 2012. Apparently whatever "backlash" he's gotten prior to that hasn't been effective in changing his methods, since he's requiring male models in boxer briefs to wear specific colors of gloves while setting the table on his corporate jet...
http://abcnews.go.com/US/lawsuit-outlines-abercrombie-fitchs-ceo-michael-jeffries-rules/story?id=17519006#.UYqMQ6LU-xC
Clockwork... it is not exactly the same and to compare the two shows pure ignorance. Children already have horrible self-image and self-esteem issues due to the plastering of "perfect" bodies all over media, magazines, internet, and so on. Children as young as 7 who are perfectly healthy and appropriate size and weight for their age are putting themselves on diets because they think they are fat! This is what society is doing to these children, teens, and young adults. This company is directing their clothing line at an age group that is already very sensitive to body type and body issues.
That guy looks like the kid from The Mask movie with Cher.
I totally thought Rocky Dennis!!!
Now,this man has A LOT of nerve. He's is not attractive AT ALL. So how is he going to judge other people. I guess when you're a DICK you really don't care how others feel about what you do or say. I just hope that one day you become one of those people you so despise. That'll learn ya! Oh and FYI, you're not a dick, you're a complete ASSHOLE.
I couldn't put my finger on it before, but you helped me out. YES, he definitely does look like that boy.
Amen, sister!
What a lot of angry cows.
At least that abc article from 2012 says "since 2008 the company's revenue has slipped, and in its previous two fiscal quarters dropped 2.5 percent. The retailer announced this summer that it will shutter 180 U.S. locations through 2015." as opposed to the Salon article from 2006!
This guy has some issues! He has his male "partner" living with him and his wife, and only has young male models surrounding him. I think he is gay and I guess he is trying to hide it by hating everyone else. Sounds like self hatred manifesting in hating others. He needs to get some psychological and emotional help.
I had to read that first line a few times before I figured out that you're trying to hijack "boycott" because of your feminist ideologies. My guess is you say things like "herstory" as well, right?
If you think for one second my (tall thin, just what they are looking for) daughter is going anywhere near that store now you can shoot me, now! Not that she is into A&F Sh*t anyway but there is no way a drop of my hard earned money is going to support this arrogant a**!!!!
We should all make signs that say A&F can kick our fat ass and stand outside the stores. This guy has a lot of bad karma coming to him.
But A&F IS racist often in what they put on their shirts- there have even been lawsuits over it!
I'm bothered that this guy equates "cool" with "All-American." My three kids are the children of a retired Navy vet, and I'd consider them "All-American" young people who are polite, friendly, hard working and academically successful. The oldest and youngest tend to dress in fashions similar to what you see at Abercrombie because that's what they like (although they're both intelligent enough not to spend their money on cheaply made, overpriced clothing.) What disturbs me is the "cool kids" and "All-American" references. I know I'm not alone in thinking that my 20-year old daughter with the nose piercing, sometimes-blue hair, who maintains a high enough GPA to secure her academic scholarship in a STEM program dominated by men, is "cool" and "All-American." Those labels can apply to a wide range of people, and shouldn't only be based on looks.
I threw together this look alike photo of Handsome Mike Jeffries and some doppelgangers... Bizarro Superman, Biff Tannen, and Rocky Dennis
http://imgur.com/VJvpy4O
Amen, sister! I have never shopped at this store, mostly because of the cloud of cologne that sits outside the entrance.
To have the CEO(?) of the company be proud of such exclusionary ways makes me sick. Seriously, how can you attain adulthood and still be mired in high school politics???
I am disgusted, but of course, too old, too fat and way too uncool to be cared about by Mr. Jeffries. Too bad for him, I have a lot of money...
I need the "Like" button. You hit the nail on the head. Asshat!
Oh and FYI, I live in Salt Lake. The soccer kid is being charged with homicide assault. They are still deciding if he will be charged as a minor or an adult. I hope to God they charge him as an adult.
My first thought was that he looks like Mickey Rourke in Iron Man 2!
Our mall has an A&F on one side and the same damn A&F on the other side right across the mall! I always tell my husband it is like going through the douche vortex. I full expect my collar to be pop and to start call everyone Brah when we walk through the vortex.
Also, when I saw this guy's picture, I thought he looked like Sloth from Goonies. But that would be mean to Sloth, since he loved Chunk so much...(Sloth love Chunk!). And that is what he looks like WITH photoshoot makeup. Yikes!
Anonymous: I don't think you read the story above. There are girls across the country boycotting A&F. They are calling it a "Girlcott". Good literary skills.
I think this guy is a total douche-canoe and I would never shop in his store. That being said, his store has an image, that they created and what to maintain. He is targeting an audience. More power to him. Him being a complete douchebag in the public eye, just makes it easier for people to make a choice of where to shop. If they want to associate themselves with this man, and his "values", than it is their right to shop there. But, you don't have to shop there. I know that I won't.
He has made the companies mission quite clear. Not every company has to cater to every demographic. They have picked theirs. Shop elsewhere if you don't like it. That sends a clear message. Nothing hits a company harder than hitting them in the checkbook. Also, he is the type of person whose motto is "any publicity is good publicity"
Side note: He needs a new plastic surgeon.
That dude looks like a pink Frankenstein's Monster.
"A lot of douche bags don't belong on the planet. Is he one of them? Absolutely."
Lane Bryant does not bar smaller women or even men from working there. I was offered a job there once and I'm a size 10, too small for their smallest size 14.Most of the people who work there want the discount and shop there a lot. That simple.
American Eagle sells bigger sizes online. I think their women's bottoms go up to an 18 or 20 and the tops go up to XXL or XXXL. They sell larger men's sizes online as well.
Hollister is owned by A&F and has never sold anything over a size 10 (but fits like a 6).
On a happy note, at least one of our A&F locations recently shut down (it was regular store and kids store side by side). I was so glad that I didn't have to smell them anymore when I walked by!
At least if this jerkwad is going to be contributing to the spread of body dysmorphic disorder in our society, we can take some small comfort in the fact that he is clearly a sufferer himself. I mean, shit, look at that plastic surgery.
How is this news, and why are you picking on A&F for it? Tons of fashion retailers do this. It's literally and solely about brand image; clothing designed for petite people doesn't look the same on tall people / doesn't look the same on large people / clothing for large people doesn't look the same on thin people. And depending how large, you sometimes have to drastically alter a pattern to fit those dimensions, and there goes your design.
That's why plus-size stores exist. (And sadly, thin-and-tall ones don't, wth.)
For example, no one who's ever seen me would dare call me fat or even busty. But most 109 brands are designed for petite (Japanese) women, and even a size L or XL can be snug on me. Let's not even talk about bottoms in relation to my ass/hips/leg-length. In short, that shit doesn't fit me, because it wasn't designed for me. No amount of bitching and moaning will change this (unless the Japanese population suddenly shoot up 5").
Is it "fair"? No. Is it illegal? PFT hell no.
It's just business.
And the business of fashion is such a vast, multi-faceted pool of shapes and sizes that sometimes, it's just not feasible, logical, or brand-relative to drastically alter your "look" to suit a wider scope.
Picking on the guy running A&F doesn't make your opinion any more valid, or "cool." In fact it's sour grapes and a shitty attitude. You hate on A&F, yet ironically clearly state you own their merchandise. As for your children... it's not the store's job to make them feel good about their bodies. They're there to make money. Maybe you should spend less time writing pointless hate articles on massive companies that don't care you exist, and spend more time parenting your bloody children!! Just a thought.
A&F's CEO is a "la-hoo-zer"? That's so 90's. And you're so green with self-righteous rage, it's making you out to sound like a complete moron yourself. All of this reads like your own childhood trauma projected onto someone else.
TL;DR : Don't like it, don't shop there. The end.
I saw a cute top in the window there once and I went in to try it on. There were a lot of cloned 14 year olds working there, but I wanted that top. At 40 I was out of their target consumer range and actually felt like a zebra in the lion pen, but I wanted that top. I was a huge ol' size 7 at the time, but I'm short and curvy. And I will tell you the small size of that top would have been snug on my calf. I got the medium on, but just barely and the large? Well the large was EXACTLY the same size as the medium. I was greatly irritated and decided if they're stupid enough to exclude 3/4 of american women, they don't need my money. I've never been back. Not even for gifts.
So, every fat , ugly, old person with a life and a conscience should go hang out in their store....browse....browse for a long time.....as often as they can.....eventually, someone will say something to them that is WRONG and they can sue...... would serve them right.......
eww.. did those words really come out of that face?? by his own standard HE shouldn't be able to shop in his own store
If you look at the douchebag he looks like Rocky Dennis from the movie mask. What a complete and total asshat-looks aside the guy is world class douchebag - I for one will never step foot in his store, but reading the article he probably doesn't care
LOL...he's everything he claims he doesn't want associated with his company. He's old, he's ugly- physically and morally. No wonder sales are down. Time to boot Jeffries to the curb and bring in fresh meat.....
More time with a psychiatrist and less with a plastic surgeon may improve matters. Perhaps he is projecting his personal insecurities and we should pity him his lack of self-awareness.
a&f is just the beginning of the bunch. At this point any clothing store that would be in a "snob" mall should be avoided.
We should teach our kids to make fun of people that buy absurdly expensive clothes because of a label.
After reading this - boycott! I never have and never will shop in any of their stores..
At least Gary Busey has an excuse. He had a near fatal accident with severe head trauma.
This guy is just an asshat with an ego and nothing but the $ to back him up.
Heaven help us.
How about a petition to get the guy FIRED?
Let's spread the news as to how powerful girls are when they bond together and "girl-cott" idiots like this.
L.
Yikes! He looks like Rocky Dennis meets Gary Busey. When my son had to start contributing to his own wardrobe, he wanted to stop in there because some of the kids at school wore the brand. I would NEVER pay those kinds of prices but my son had no clue how much the stuff cost. It took one trip with the mind numbingly loud music, over done cologne stench and my son's look at a price tag to realize he couldn't afford it. Today, he says only the "douche bag" kids whose parents buy them stuff to make up for not being around wear the brand. So glad he learned that lesson.
Let's ALL go hang out there this weekend. And not to buy clothes for our "beautiful" children either. We'll wear earplugs - and noseplugs - and try on T-shirts, hang out, generally ruin his brand image...
He could put on A & F clothes and he would still creep me out. Guess no one ever told him that looks could be changed but stupid is forever.
Might be doing just that this weekend.
I found this essay and many of the comments so negative and unhelpful. I realize this topic brings up emotional/painful memories but is this helpful? I don't want to post this, and probably wont, because the audience isn't interested in listening and learning. If we don't like A&F, then don't shop there and then it will die a natural economic death. I endorse the idea of support what you like rather than degrade what you don't.
truth!
I got a reply about 1:45pm today. The boy/man who answered said he was sorry to hear about my frustrations but would direct my email to someone who could help.....
In college my BIL applied for a manager's position at A&F. Even back then 10-15 yrs ago they wanted him to rank employees by hotness. If you were the hottest you worked near the entrance, middle then registers, no so much...you were sent to the stock room. In the interview process they said he was hot enough to be in charge and asked if he would be willing to rank the people who worked under him.
He stood up and walked out.
I second the Amen's on that one!!!
Boo freakin hoo. There are stores that target kids who are ostensibly outcasts. Also exclusionary. This is a legitimate business strategy. Building a brand image.
Or we could teach kids to accept each other despite our differences.
Facebook group to boycott A&F. Also, Jen...you're blog is featured on there!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/448266428592124/?fref=ts
I think this guys huge error in judgement is he fails to realize that most teens aren't paying for their own clothes--their parents are. Adults see the world a little more sanely and compassionately-usually. Mr. Jeffries seems to still be living in high school. How sad. I was thin in high school and am now just a little bigger than I would like to be (damn 40's). I was also pretty much an outcast in high school. I was NEVER one of the "cool" kids. Would I have been allowed to wear the clothes?
Literally not a single thing they sell is in style.
That's embarrassing.
Then how would you define the shirt "Two Wongs can make it White?"
I prefer ham. Oink.
Post a Comment