Sexist '60s Symbol Hot With Teen Girls

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[uglybiker]

 

 

Sexist '60s Symbol Hot With Teen Girls

It's retro, but also cool. It's sexist and exploitative, but also sexy and alluring. It's the Playboy bunny logo--arguably one of the world's most recognizable corporate icons--and it's now the hottest new trend for teenage girls.

The 16-and-under crowd can't get enough of it. They paw through the racks and shelves at Gadzooks, Hot Topic, Wet Seal, and Spencer Gifts to find T-shirts, shorts, earrings, necklaces, and flip-flops emblazoned with the Playboy bunny. Huh? What's going on here?

According to one highly placed source--that would be a real, live 16-year-old girl who loves the stuff and has been "collecting" the Playboy bunny logo for two years--it's a great way to get guys to sit up and pay attention. "I want guys to notice me," Cassie Kalinger told Washington Post reporter Laura Sessions Stepp. "Once boys notice, they can get to know the real me." And when that happens, those boys will find out she's a field hockey goalie, a tutor in Washington, D.C. schools, and a good student.

Sales are sizzling. At Spencer Gifts, Playboy merchandise sales are up a whopping 80 percent this year. Playboy is quick to point out they are not marketing their goods to anyone under 18. But they know. They know who is really buying the stuff. And think about that for one minute. As The Post points out, this is the generation of girls who has been told since they were old enough to understand that they will not be judged on their looks and bodies and sex appeal. They will be judged on their brains and brawn and personality and character.

On the other hand, as any mother or teenage girl knows, finding clothing that is not provocative, low-cut, or high-rise is a challenge no matter what logo is emblazoned on it. Skin is in. Weirdly, the clothes with the Playboy bunny on them tend to be more modest than the others. It turns out, that's being done on purpose. Pamela Fields, Playboy's senior vice president of licensing, told The Post that the company wants to go mainstream and become the "adult Disney." They may be on to something. Last year, Playboy sold $300 million in consumer items, about $200 million of which was shelled out by women and teenage girls for fashion items and accessories.

And what does the legendary Hugh Hefner, now 77, think of this? He told The Post he "couldn't be happier." The rabbit represents "the best of our sexuality. It symbolizes personal and economic freedom for women, as well as men."

[uglybiker]

As The Post points out, this is the generation of girls who has been told since they were old enough to understand that they will not be judged on their looks and bodies and sex appeal. They will be judged on their brains and brawn and personality and character.

And, as usual, the damn kids won't listen!

[ALS]

" The rabbit represents "the best of our sexuality. It symbolizes personal and economic freedom for women, as well as men."

I thought it represented prolific humpery and cotton balls

[rdb3]

--Courtesy of The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated 1911

I dig that symbol.

[freedom44]

You mean they weren't influenced by that good angel Christian Britney Spears (the virgin)? hehe

[Dan from Michigan]

That symbol has been popular as long as I remember, especially by the guys.

Not that I know anything about that or anything......

[BraveMan]

You guys are baaaaaaad . . .

No teenage daughters in the house, I'm guessing . . .

[rockfish59]

What was that old Motown song.....'Playboy get away from my door!'

[uglybiker]

No teenage daughters in the house, I'm guessing . . .

Well, it ain't fer a lack o' tryin'! ;-)

If anyone asks, I will deny making the preceeding statement.

[ChiefKujo]

Not in my house!

[rs79bm]

Just wait, girls. A few more years and you can go visit 'ol Hefner himself!

[zarf]

To me it represents great memories of fantasy, hiding mags from mom, masturbating and lots of TP.

[longtermmemmory]

Playboy went feminst and the dream died. What happed to the "philosophy". Playboy needs to loose the PC crap or it will never resurect itself from the dead 70's.

[lowbridge]

A few more years and you can go visit 'ol Hefner himself!

A few years? That's too long. By that time they'll be too old for Hefner. Those girls arent getting any younger, ya know.

[txzman]

No one ever went broke underestimating the stupidity of the American public. Barf.

[farmfriend]

We get Playboy channel. My oldest went through a phase where he would get up in the middle of the night and watch it. Stupid kid never thought to change the channel back so when my husband got up in the morning and found it on Playboy, knowing full well it was unlikely that I was watching it the night before...

[x]

Sexist '60s Symbol Hot With Teen Girls

Sounds like another Rod Stewart story.

Oh, "hot with teenage girls", not "hot for" them.

Seriously, though, either these girls are very stupid, or Hef's PR team is working overtime. Probably both.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

And what does the legendary Hugh Hefner, now 77, think of this? He told The Post he "couldn't be happier." The rabbit represents "the best of our sexuality. It symbolizes personal and economic freedom for women, as well as men."

Funny. When I see it, I'm reminded of a skanky old pervert wearing a smoking jacket and sucking on a pipe, surrounded by a bunch of blondes with fake breasts and dollar signs in their eyes.

[Hank Rearden]

To me it represents great memories of fantasy, hiding mags from mom, masturbating and lots of TP.

Were you aware that you were telling everybody this wholesome news, or were you under the impression that you were just typing to yourself?

[HHFi]

Go easy on him. It's hard to type with one hand.

[zarf]

When you're my age and in my condition, it's a joy to know I could once enjoy the pleasure. I spread the news with joy!!