Abercrombie and Fitch...Going to far?

[Mimi Q]

Check this out. You aren't the only one who doesn't like their shirts.

W.Va. Governor Is Offended by T-Shirt
Mon Mar 22, 7:07 PM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!



CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Bob Wise sent a letter to Abercrombie & Fitch on Monday demanding that the clothing retailer stop selling a T-shirt that spoofs the state with the slogan, "It's All Relative in West Virginia."



Wise said the T-shirt depicts "an unfounded, negative stereotype" of the state.


"I write to you today to demand that you immediately remove this item from your stores and your print and online catalogues," Wise wrote. "In addition, these shirts must be destroyed at once to avoid any possibility of resale and proof be given thereof."


Abercrombie & Fitch spokesman Tom Lennox declined to say whether the New Albany, Ohio-based company would comply with the governor's request. He said the T-shirt, which features the slogan on an outline of the state, has been selling well at $22.50.


"Abercrombie and Fitch was born and raised in the USA, and we honor all 50 states in the union," Lennox said.


West Virginia is not the only state that is spoofed on an Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt. Another shirt's slogan is "New Hampshire. 40 million squirrels can't be wrong."

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I don't wear A & F because I can't fit into it.
Even just walking into the store makes me feel like I just added on 40 pounds.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Isn't this the company that was also marketing thong underwear to young girls (the 8 to 12 age)? Seems like I remember this on the debate board awhile back.

 

[Dax]

No I am not offended by Betty Page...She is a very beautiful lady

 

[Rippington'sFan]

I don't see any issue with them. In my opinion I thought they were funny. People need to get a sense of humor. There are worse things going on in the world today than having to worry about a tee shirt.

 

[preshi]

I don't understand the uproar, it's not like the shirt says Kill All Pugs...

I hope they don't remove any of their shirts. They are allowed to put whatever they want on them, the controversy just gives them free advertising...pretty smart if you ask me.

 

[helenabear]

I don't really care for either of the shirts. I thought the play on words was a bit stupid... just got a groan out of me. The 2nd one got a big rolleyes out of me. I looked at their site and there are a few I would be offended I think, if I saw them worn... at the least would make me wonder why people would want to wear them.

 

[pnelson]

Dax,

It seemed you were offended by them, since your first post came on very strong urging people to boycott them and saying the pug shirt bothered you, so obviously you were offended.

Personally, it doesn't bother me...I think it's all about consumer choice and why would anyone want to stifle that?

 

[buddy&wooz]

The governor "demands" that they stop selling and destroys the shirts? Did the people of WV give him that much power ?

I think they're funny, but I wouldn't let my kids wear certain ones. That's my decision to make though. I don't mind A&F selling them at all.

I do like that NH one about the squirrels!

 

[shortbun]

My son has a great shirt from A&F..
something like:
Compete with the Best
Lose like the Rest

I love it! He feels good wearing it. I heard about
the "it's all relative... " shirt on the school bus this morning.
The kids thought it hilarious! I think it's in bad taste.
Sorry to say that since Pugs can't read, I find that shirt
funny! I personally love Pugs! I agree that the previous
catalogs were beyond basic morality. I understand they've
agreed to tone it down.

 

[summerrluvv]

IMO the AF shirts are better than the FCUK (French Connection). logo t-shirts!!!!! Just do a search on ebay and you'll see what I mean

 

[Lynn CC]

DS who is 17 has been buying A&F clothes for about 5 years now, exclusively. He never even looks in another store. They are on the high priced side, but the clothes last a very long time.
He doesn't buy anything that doesn't have a hem, or has any sayings on them.

So I think A&F has a wide variety of clothing...if people want to wear a t-shirt with a saying on it, I say let them. I'm glad DS only wears their logo shirts. They are much more conservative!

I don't think I'd want him to ban the store just because they sell or advertise offensively. It doesn't mean you have to buy into all that.

 

[bjgrazi]

I thought you were joking. I don't see a problem with the shirts. A ton tamer than some of the ones I've seen kids wearing.

 

[pw2pp]

I of course am a huge pug lover and felt this was offensive

I myself have a put a ban on this company. I urge more of you to do the same. Please stop supporting this company.

I honestly dont find the shirt offensive. I only posted to get opinions of others.

If you find the shirt offensive, then you find it offensive. You don't have to change your opinion (or change what you SAY is your opinion) just because other people don't agree with you.

I don't personally find it offensive. Some people don't care for small dogs, some don't care for big dogs. Some don't care for dogs at all. No big deal. Like preshi said, it's not like the shirt says "kill all pugs".

 

[Manda1219]

I agree that it's just a shirt. You don't have to buy it. I happen to love Abercrombie, as well as their sister store Hollister. The clothes fit me good and I think they have a lot of cute stuff.
I just bought a shirt from Hollister that reads "boys and brains don't mix" am I offending boys?? It's just a joke, something silly.
Many other companies offer "offensive" clothing-another favorite of mine, Urban Outfitters is the creater of the "Jesus is my homeboy" shirt.

As far as seeing it on others, I'm more offended when I see people with curses on their shirts-especially in family settings. Or clothes that promote drugs (mainly marijuana is the "popular" one).

 

[Manda1219]

Originally posted by Dax
. I dont understand as to why they are suddenly against pugs...

I highly doubt they have anything against pugs, it seems to be a play on words from "Say no to drugs"

I see this has already been posted....oops