If you've ever been in an Abercrombie store, you've seen for yourself the trouble in finding an average size. Even women or girls who are a size medium may feel fat trying on their clothes. They are cut so small, smaller than the average woman. I remember being in high school, not too long after having lost some weight and feeling good about myself, that my best friend brought me into Abercrombie one Friday night mall trip. It was not my style at all, seeing as I was more on the punk/goth/outcast side, but I went in anyway with her. Even though I was no longer wearing large sizes, I still could barely fit into a sweatshirt I tried on. It made me feel horrible about myself, even though I would not have worn it, but just not being able to fit into their clothes, made me feel like I would never "fit in" with society.
It is disgusting that they won't make or carry large or extra large sizes. There may be bigger sized girls who like their clothing and want to wear it, but can't because of the stereotyping against fat people. There are other brands that are competitive with Abercrombie that carry large sizes as well. American Eagle and H&M being the most recognized. They may not carry every item in every size in their stores, but they have the option for you to order online. Abercrombie doesn't offer that. The following is a direct quote from the news article:
Yet, in men's sizes Abercrombie will carry large and extra large. Lewis said the only reason is to appeal to male athletes. How absurd is this logic? You don't have to be skinny to be considered pretty nor popular. Yes that's been the norm or what's been accepted for many years, but it is not in the least bit true. Especially now, since thin/skinny isn't considered as beautiful as being fit/toned. Also, the amount of plus sized models is on the rise. The one gripe I do have against plus sized models, is that most of the time they are the average woman, yet because they're not a size zero they are dubbed plus size. The modeling world is so fucked up.“He doesn’t want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people,” Lewis said. “He doesn’t want his core customers to see people who aren’t as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they’re one of the ‘cool kids.’”
Now I've just learned that this article has cited quotes and an interview from years ago, yet Abercrombie has had no comment in regards to the resurrection of old talk. Probably because they still feel the same way. So this isn't the first time Abercrombie has received criticism over their thoughts, marketing and brand. Not a surprise to me, but it is a surprise to me how they're still in business. With enough backlash you'd think people would stop buying their clothes and supporting their thoughts on being skinny makes you the best, because it doesn't.
Yes, being thin has advantages over those who are overweight, but if society continues to judge people based on their weight they may never know what good some of those fatter people may have in them. Also the number on the scale shouldn't matter. Muscle weighs more than fat, and those who are in shape or thin but lean, they can weigh more than someone who doesn't have muscle mass but still looks thin. Athletes especially look thinner than those who don't workout but usually still weigh more.
Unfortunately as much as we try to be judgement free, I don't think we can ever truly be. We are social beings, and part of being social means dissecting our surroundings and each other. We are constantly sizing one another up based on looks. Based on height, weight, clothing, hairstyle, etc. Even though we make assumptions of people based on how they look, if we can try and be more open minded in getting to know those people, we will have a chance.
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