Abercrombie & Fitch CEO’s Alleged Comments About ‘Larger Shoppers’ Strikes An Angry Chord With Women

cbsla.com ^ | May 8, 2013 8:44 PM | Kristine Lazar

[BenLurkin]

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Controversial comments about plus-size shoppers made by the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch have struck an angry chord with women.

The size chart at the popular clothing store doesn’t go past a size 10, and that’s exactly how Mike Jeffries wants it.

According to Robin Lewis, the author of the “New Rules of Retail,” Jeffries said he “doesn’t want larger people shopping in his store. He wants thin and beautiful people. 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.’”

In a 2006 interview with Salon magazine, Jeffries admitted his company isn’t targeting all shapes and sizes.

He said, “A lot of people don’t belong (in our clothes), and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely.”

CBS2’s Kristine Lazar spoke with a number of women who were outraged about Jeffries’ stance on what is considered beautiful.

“Tells (women) that they need to be a certain size in order to appreciate their body and that’s not true,” said shopper Andrea Haykel.

“To be thin is to be cool, that’s what I think (he’s saying),” said Denise Vanleuvan. “That’s not okay.”

“There are full-figured women out there and they shouldn’t be judged by this man,” said Jessica Nerio.

Erica Ives, a certified eating disorder specialist, said it’s up to parents to use the publicity surrounding Jeffries’ quote to open up a dialogue with their teen.

“The first thing is… do not minimize their experience. But then, yes, you have to focus on the other traits that make people beautiful,” she said.

Lazar’s calls to Abercrombie’s headquarters were not returned.

[pesto]

FWIW, Lane Bryant is a successful store for plus size women, it’s the only stand alone store I can think of off the top of my head.. Every department store has a “large” selection of plus size clothes, with a better selection than in petites. Saks 5th Ave. has there own line of really nice department called Salon Z. Of course Walmart/Target carry some pretty nice things-All sizes are getting bigger because of shoddy workmanship and vanity sizes. Sorry if that was TMI. I guess the point is women of every size can and should avoid A & F..

[MacMattico]

Thanks, They were! And if someone couldn't afford the “dress of their dreams” my Aunts used to tell me she'd say “Come over, we'll find something.” She made gowns and dresses at the end of the depression, so not everybody could afford what they really wanted— she didn't charge a lot for her time but she had to charge something and materials and supplies weren't always cheap. She'd always save extra material, flowers, whatever and pick up a few “previously worn” gowns to have on hand in case someone needed help getting a gown or dress and she'd transform those dresses into something completely new. I'll try to post a couple pictures, although I'll have to learn how to do that! When my parents got married, my mother's dress was gorgeous, although because my father (the dress makers son!) wanted a simple wedding, my mother had got a simple dress. Her soon-to-be mother in law said are you happy with that dress? She said she could tell my mother wasn't so she “upgraded” it into a beautiful gown that looked like a million bucks! Meanwhile, my father (like I said whose mother made the dresses) refused to change his mind from “simple wedding” and wore a suit that was to short in the arms, was blue, with white socks! His mother could have killed him! Fortunately the pictures are black and white so he looks pretty good next to the gown!

[MacMattico]

You just reminded me of a funny story. My brother and I don't get to see each other often, but occasionally we take time from our busy day and get together. Ok, it's usually when a Star Trek movie comes out and we let our inner “nerds” out and go to the mall for lunch and a movie. He got me hooked on Star Trek reruns as a child and we've seen all of the movies together!

Last time we went, my daughter said if you're going to the mall, PLEASE pick me up a Holister Red T-shirt. Something for school they were all suppose to wear Red T-Shirts. So after the movie I tell my brother we have to make one stop. Brother was a Marine, is a hunter, gun guy, your basic “mans man”. He's 6'3” and not as slim as he used to be but I don't care. We walked into Holister and the Metro 5'5” guy with a lisp “spritzes” him with some god-awful fragrance. I can see myself in slow motion attempting to get between the guy and my brother! But brother has matured and it was just a “Don't. Ever. Do. That. Again." (You could hear the military in that command!) The guy made a weird yelping noise and ran off! Funny thing is my brother didn't dislike the store. I left him talking to one of the girls that worked there (and modeled the clothes!) as I made my purchase!