However, the time has come when I am now noticing my daughter's once "blocked & chubby" formed figure starting to slim down. The curves are taking shape, becoming visible through most attire she wears. I realize teens mature physically at different stages, but it seems most of her friends are taking on different shapes too. Curves and more curves! I have concluded that all these noticeable physical changes, is a huge warning sign for me. I recognize effortless shopping days are quickly becoming a thing of my past! And the more time I spend in the malls shopping with her, the more I am convinced I should have listened to my older & wiser friend and taken those sewing lessons years ago. Have you seen the itty-bitty shorts available in name brand stores? (I don't have to name those stores, most begin with the letter "A") Anyway, they make Daisy Dukes (from the Dukes of Hazards) look like she's wearing nickers!
On one of our recent trips to the mall, my daughter found a t-shirt she wanted to try on from one of the above mentioned stores, it was cute very simple, and white. Once she got it on, she was so embarrassed she wouldn't even come out of the dressing room but murmured behind the door, "no mom I need a different color." So, I found the same shirt in a different color and handed it to her over the door. A few seconds later, she came out of the dressing room, hands crossed over her chest. Immediately I could see the problem wasn't the color of the shirt, it was the material. It was just too thin to conceal anything! I didn't have to convince Karson of that observation either. I realized the indecency bothered her to the point she didn't even feel comfortable for her own mother (me) to see her. An innocence I plan to protect!
She came out put her hands on her hips and said, "Mom every shirt I have tried on is too thin. I don't want a shirt you can see right through to my bra. I hate these!" Yes ---I nodded agreeing! I quickly responded back, "I hate them too!" With a roll of her eyes she turned to head back in the dressing room, but noticed a poster hanging on the wall behind her, she pointed to it. (You have to know my daughter, she doesn't hide her opinions. Her jaw hung down, eyes wide opened and with her facial expression she was letting me know she disapproved.) The picture was of a young girl maybe 15 wearing a white bathing suit. Behind her stood a boy, he was draped over her body kissing her neck. His hands were tucked in to the bottom portion of the young teen girl's bathing suit. A scene exclusively reserved for the bedroom and most definitely inappropriate for any teenager. I wasn't about to leave the store without letting a manager know that the indecent advertisement on the dressing room stall was uncalled for and an offense to me AND my daughter.
Needless to say, we didn't buy any t-shirts or shorts that day! I left disappointed and angry at the fashion industry and conclusive that I had arrived at a place I was dreading for a long time. On our way home, I questioned my ability to handle this "soon to be", on going battle with the fashion world? Karson and I had a long talk and I convinced her that she and I would be on a mission to make it a point to find clothes that she felt comfortable in, even if that meant she had to wear jeans and/or long pants to school & church.
Many other parents feel the same frustrations. You may be one of them. I began to search the Internet to find a name or contact person for the store, I wanted to send them an email or letter voicing my concerns for their inappropriate marketing posters and the clothing selection they are offering to young teens. Upon my research I came across a lot of other parent links, protests, email campaigns all directed in stopping the fashion industry from perverting our teenage girls. Do a search yourself, you will be surprised. In my googling I came across a wonderful letter that inspired me to take action. I have made a copy of it below:
Dear Abercrombie,
You bore me. (Yawn, Yawn and double yawn) Your latest attempt to clothe our girls in trashy t-shirts like the one picture below is so very UNORIGINAL. Don't you remember? You tried the trashy t-shirt campaign already once before. Seems I remember it was right on the heels of the launch of your thong underwear to girls under 15. Who can forget the disturbing messages printed on the front like "wink, wink" and "eye candy"? Probably not the dads of the girl you marked the line to I imagine. All that to say I am not sure what led you to resurrect the old trashy t-shirt campaign, but I am guessing it's a last ditch attempt to bet back in the news.
Which leads me to ask....is that old-enough-to-be-a-grand-pa, MICHAEL JEFFRIES still running your company? Did anyone tell him that it's no longer even considered fashionable to dress like a hoochie? It's sooooo yesterday, as in Britney-what's-her-name kinda yesterday. If you see Mr. Jeffries, tell him I have an idea for a radical marketing stunt: If he has a grand-daughter (and he very well may since he's in his mid sixties), would he be willing to do a photo shoot with his little princess wearing one of the trashy tee's above? Maybe he could stand next to her with his arm around her and do a cheesy thumb's up sign. Just an idea?
My guess is that he's feeling a bit desperate as of late, since net sales for the month of August 200 fell 23% from sales posted in August of 2008. Some analysts are even buzzing that A&F is past it's company sell-by date and bankruptcy may be just around the corner. So sad! It must be very tense around there. I imagine you guys are chalking up the sales decline to the struggling economy. While that may be a major variable, another cause could be your over-the-top "SEX SELLS" campaigns. While I am disappointed that you would once again attempt to resurrect the trashy-tee campaign, in a way, I'm also kind of glad. I personally see this as the final nail in your company coffin. Because he, everyone knows that when sales are down you go to desperate lengths to offend what little is left of your customer-base right? In the meantime, just know that moms like me will remain vigilant in equipping our daughters to identify marketing campaigns that prey on the insecurities of young women. And more importantly, we will encourage our girls to close their wallets to key offenders such as your company. And for that reason your days are numbered buddy --- mark my words.
Signed,
Vicki (last name) ----- I will be posting this on my FB and I hope it travels fast Mr. Jeffries!
I am determined along with this valiant mother, not only to keep my wallet closed from stores who try to pervert my daughter's self image and pure morals, but I also took it a step farther by sending a letter to the Executive office, letting them know that the clothing selection they offer is in complete violation of the school district my children attend. I mentioned that I would be posting this information on my BLOG and FACEBOOK asking others to take aggressive action against clothing stores who continue to dismiss our parental concerns. I hope you will do the same!
It's time we make our voices heard, our daughters are so worth it!
Polly
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