New Abercrombie T-Shirts Spark Controversy

Internet Broadcast System ^ | 11/2/05 | Staff

[Millee]

Abercrombie & Fitch is under fire again, this time for selling T-shirts that are causing some controversy, reported WEWS-TV in Cleveland.

The Columbus-based retailer is selling shirts marketed to teenage girls bearing slogans such as "Give me something to scream about," "I had a nightmare I was a brunette," and "I'd look great on you."

Some teens say that they don't see the shirts as a big deal, and they shouldn't be taken seriously.

Others say the shirts may be inappropriate for wearing to some places, such as school, and that wearing one may be sending a negative message about yourself.

Psychologist Deborah Plummer said the shirts can be mentally detrimental for teen girls, many of whom already struggle with self-image issues.

A group of girls in Pittsburgh is so upset by the T-shirts that they have decided to boycott the store completely.

Abercrombie & Fitch said in a statement the T-shirts have been very popular among adult women to whom they are marketed.

This is not the first time Abercrombie & Fitch has come under fire.

Two years ago, the retailer sparked controversy after its release of a "magalog" containing photos of nude and partially-clothed models.

The publication was pulled from the shelves.

And in 2004, Abercrombie & Fitch settled a lawsuit accusing the retailer of promoting whites at the expense of minorities.

Asian and Hispanic groups filed the lawsuit.

[kx9088]

Nah, they're just curious as to why you're stating the obvious. j/k =p

[Sam's Army]

"If AF wanted real controversy they'd sell "Abortion is Genocide" tee shirts."

That's gotta be one of the top 10 posts this year. Well done and right on target.

[theFIRMbss]

>"Careful! I had a bowl of bitchy for breakfast"
>>Ah yes, certainly attire one would want their daughter to wear in public. /not

What the hell is wrong
with Freepers lately?! These shirts
are funny. Who'd care

if their kids wore them?
It would just mean that their kids
enjoyed a good laugh!

[kabar]

Abercrombie & Fitch is laughing all the way to the bank. They would have to spend a fortune to get this kind of publicity, which is free.

[Jane Austen]

A & F has an agenda they want to push, in addition to wanting to make money.

[Feiny]

I have one on my home page!

[Cicero]

I remember when Abercrombie & Fitch sold expedition and shooting wear to the gentry.

[Michael.SF.]

Really? Is that it?

I'm with you on this one. I find the "Che" fad to be far more offensive then this stupid stuff. But one I did laugh at was:

"Who needs brains when you got these?"

[NJ_gent]

I absolutely love T-Shirt Hell. I cannot even imagine wearing most of their stuff in public, but would love to see others doing so. :-)

[Quilla]

Most of them appear to be invitations.

[highball]

I think we should start ignoring A&F because this is just what they are looking for, publicity. They know they can sell more stuff if they can get some free publicity.

Exactly. The more the busybodies get their noses bent out of shape, the more they bleat, the more stuff Abercrombie sells. They're playing right into the company's hands as though A&F had handed them a script.

[exile]

Agreed. The "bowl of bitchy" t-shirt is pretty funny. My mother-in-law regularly gives me a workout on my various shirts. Being a lefty, she wasn't happy to see my "Question Liberal Authority" Shirt, or my Cartman "Screw You Hippie", shirt. And for some reason she had a problem with a t-shirt that simply said "I'm Evil." No freaking sense of humor.

[billbears]

I believe there should be a law. Let's ban everything anyone disagrees with. To the naive out there, A+F would not develop these t-shirts, etc. if there wasn't a market to purchase them. I have had girlfriends in the past that liked t-shirts as sleepwear (yes grannies, not all women wear flannel to bed anymore). Who's to say you can't wear them in the bedroom?

Secondly, if teenage girls are buying the product I'd humbly suggest it's the parents fault for not controlling their daughters. The company has stated the market for this product is adult women. But let's attack the company shall we?

[Feiny]

I have 2 Happy Bunny T-shirts.
The messages: "Hi Loser" and "It worries me how dumb you are"

[ShadowDancer]

ROTFLMAO

[WKUHilltopper]

This company of morons is nothing more than scum....

[Feiny]

You need one of thesse:

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

These shirts are nothing. I used to get kicked out of school for real controversy.

I had, "Eat Sh!t and Die, MotherF**ker" and "Simon Says Go F**K Yourself" shirts. I wore them on days I wanted to start trouble.

[DTogo]

And when I was in school kids wore T-shirts with marijuana leaves on them, etc.

[Feiny]

My favorite is "You can't have manslaughter without laughter". I used that as my tagline for a week.