Abercrombie & Fitch

[purplelucrezia]

Originally posted by Sarcastitch@Dec 9 2004, 10:38 PM
What we are talking about is their lack of interest in discovering their personal style which is not a quick and easy task. They’re not exerting the effort that some on this site do. The truth is that they are utilizing their energy to develop other skills, to fulfill different potential than this.

Actually, I know that in my case, my experimentation with A&F was a real attempt to discover my sense of style. I did want to practise fitting in, but I also wasn't sure of my identity (are we ever completely?) and trying out that label was one of the images that I created for myself. It certainly does not mean that all of these A&F kids are off being interested in something else because they're wearing a particular brand. It only means that to them, this is a form of fashion.

A&F kids could be spending her time volunteering, or getting an abortion.

Hopefully not!

I am into military dress, both contemporary and historic, which is the apex of the conformist uniform, but still can be worn with a LOT of style. A person’s true individuality comes through them not their clothes.

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The uniform is still a form of fashion and style, only a mass perscribed one.

 

[Sarcastitch]

It certainly does not mean that all of these A&F kids are off being interested in something else because they're wearing a particular brand. It only means that to them, this is a form of fashion.

Purple I didn’t mean it the way it seems that you interpreted it. Everyone has their own interests so yes these kids will be off into something else, but it has nothing to do with the brand or fashion. To these kids this label has nothing to do with fashion since most of them are not interested in fashion. They just can’t get their head around it to see how they fit into the overall picture. Just as an idiot who has bizarre beliefs would not see what he thinks as being philosophical or psychological in nature even though a more enlighten person will know that it is.

 

[purplelucrezia]

Originally posted by Sarcastitch@Dec 9 2004, 11:21 PM
Purple I didn’t mean it the way it seems that you interpreted it. Everyone has their own interests so yes these kids will be off into something else, but it has nothing to do with the brand or fashion. To these kids this label has nothing to do with fashion since most of them are not interested in fashion. They just can’t get their head around it to see how they fit into the overall picture. Just as an idiot who has bizarre beliefs would not see what he thinks as being philosophical or psychological in nature even though a more enlighten person will know that it is.

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I think that I probably understand what you mean now, and I do agree.

 

[raijin]

Thier so many opinions in this thread already, so it probably doesn't need mine.. but

To 2nd what somebody else said, I don't consider abercrombie to a fashion store, its just a 'trendy' label, they never do anything new or original.

There are lots of teens on this board that have developed thier own personality style and not been drawn into conforming for acceptance.

Sadly, what sarastitch said is mostly true for many teens.
which is probably why I don't get along with my peers.

I look down on thier values, aesthetic, everything,
How can people that are almost adults act so childish, its like some of them don't even think and just go with the crowd.

 

[orlem]

Originally posted by Sarcastitch@Dec 9 2004, 11:38 PM
The truth is that they are utilizing their energy to develop other skills, to fulfill different potential than this.

I see what you're saying but that isn't what I meant at all. I'm trying to get away from the big fat homogenous clump of people, not make it bigger! I don't want to force a bunch of people to like fashion. My comments apply to interests in general; I wish that the people who have an interest in something would not be afraid to step outside its bounds. I was attacking the general A&F customer who buys it to be cool. I don't like that people have apathy/prejudice about being different.

If we were to make a list of all the different skills one could develop I feel that personal style is not too high at the top. Having personal style actually doesn’t make you a “better” person, maybe just more interesting to look at.

Why is it up to you to define what's worth it or not? Fashion is no more or less worthy of respect than any other field, from politics to painting.

 

[purplelucrezia]

Originally posted by raijin@Dec 9 2004, 11:47 PM
I look down on thier values, aesthetic, everything,
How can people that are almost adults act so childish, its like some of them don't even think and just go with the crowd.

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I don't know whether you should be looking on them though. Just because someone's aethetic is different, it isn't necessarily negative. Also, as it's been said, maybe they're just more interested in other aspects. Sometimes wearing the right top can make you accepted enough that people are willing to give you a chance in other facets of life. It's like a job interview, having to present the right image, to get the place that you're wanting. It's only the very brave, or maybe just stubborn, who'll have the courage to wear what they like and go through all that.

 

[Alura]

As a European I see AF also representing the American Dream in a very republican way, the male ideal of a frat boy / football player. Yes, they do play with homo-eroticism, but the guys wearing it are mostly the type I don't like to be around with, narrow-minded with the highlight of the day how many beers they had. This IS a total stigma , but sometimes that's good for discussion . Their clothes are largely accepted, they are some kind of new conservative although they are casual.

 

[softgrey]

Originally posted by Sarcastitch@Dec 9 2004, 10:38 PM
Seraphelle I don’t know if you’re responding to my post or someone else’s, but I’ll reply. First off I don’t think their (the A&F teens) dress is a point of apathy. What we are talking about is their lack of interest in discovering their personal style which is not a quick and easy task. They’re not exerting the effort that some on this site do. The truth is that they are utilizing their energy to develop other skills, to fulfill different potential than this. If we were to make a list of all the different skills one could develop I feel that personal style is not too high at the top. Having personal style actually doesn’t make you a “better” person, maybe just more interesting to look at. Now don’t misunderstand me I am not downing fashion and style either, just trying to put things in some type of perspective. Also as a reminder just because you have style doesn’t make you a better person then them. While you’re out looking for those perfect shoes one of these A&F kids could be spending her time volunteering, or getting an abortion. Who knows? I just find it small minded to think you’re better than them just because you look different. Just as it is small minded for someone to think you’re a dork for not wearing the same mall clothes as them. It is the same game, the same argument just turned on its head. I know people who are the least interested in clothes but are amazing in other areas enough to make my jaw drop. I see it better that they put their time and energy into what they like and just ask me for my fashion input when it’s needed. I am into military dress, both contemporary and historic, which is the apex of the conformist uniform, but still can be worn with a LOT of style. A person’s true individuality comes through them not their clothes.

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the people you speak of here would also not be wearing abercrombie and fitch...so it would seem to be another topic altogether ...whether or not personal style is important in the grand scheme of things is another discussion...


you might want to start another thread ...it could be a good topic to discuss...

 

[Sarcastitch]

Seraphelle I apologize if I misconstrued what you said. I agree that a lot of people seem to be sleepwalking through most of their lives and society seems not to want them to wake up since its industries are built on selling them the newest better dream than the one they bought yesterday. But I do have the right to define that which I want just like all of you have the right to judge others as being sheep. Now you should notice I said ‘personal style’ and not fashion in that quote. It isn’t that much of an artistic struggle to purchase a bunch of clothes that looks good on you. It’s far different from actually creating the clothes which does parallel painting or the others. Selecting an aesthetic an artist it doesn’t make. So to me it still stands that personal style isn’t that high up on the list just as interior decorating isn’t a peer to architecture. I am an artist but I can freely admit that there are skills that even top the arts. An example would be the ability to be a good parent which trumps the majority of most other skills one could develop. Though I still love the arts and creativity so party on. . .

 

[zashikibuta_vert]

A&F is a store for people who have no thoughts of their own. They think and dress in the mainstream to fit in. These customers are tweens to very early 20's. Most of the people that shop there are playing it safe, trying so hard to not stray from what's accepted.

-Well said. It's so funny a few years ago, I was obsessed with A&F (I wanted to be like the freakin people in the catalog (before it when X rated, thank you) and now, I can barely walk by the store, it grosses me out. I still have a woolly sweater, cost me $70, and is freakin itchy.

 

[Fade to Black]

I like the way you put it vert...bah who needs Abercrombie wool sweaters when you got Dries Van Noten? Viva High Fashion!

 

[SCBl0ndie]

I like thier jeans.

I remember wasting all my money on thier trashy T's when I was a freshman thinking I was hot stuff.

I wasn't, oh well.

 

[Spacemiu]

As a European I see AF also representing the American Dream in a very republican way, the male ideal of a frat boy / football player. Yes, they do play with homo-eroticism, but the guys wearing it are mostly the type I don't like to be around with, narrow-minded with the highlight of the day how many beers they had. This IS a total stigma , but sometimes that's good for discussion . Their clothes are largely accepted, they are some kind of new conservative although they are casual.

I agree

 

[zashikibuta_vert]

Man...I can't afford Dries Van Noten...I can only imagine..

 

[Ho-Coture]

yes thats her i'd like to think thats me too lol
were the ones who have style, not them! anyone can walk into abercrombie and buy whats off the rack.

That picture in your avatar is Adriana Lima? I thought this: http://http://loisirados1.chez.tiscali.fr/page55/AdrianaLima-Lingerie012.jpg is Adriana Lima. Am I mistaken?

 

[rangerrick14]

Abercrombie is to plain and shows a lack of design on the designers part to me even think about me paying a 200% markup on a 5.00 striped shirt made by the same South American kid that makes clothes you buy at "Fred's"
I'm a teenager and yes conforming is a big part in school and in a southern school not wearing Abercrombie or American Eagle is evil to the in crowd but me being different from the generic A&F guy makes me more interesting to people. I am no Hot Topic goth kid but I'm not a generic A&F kid who goes mudding on the weekend.

 

[sexydaydreamer]

All I have to say is that I can't wait until A&F shuts down. Never liked the store and my mother refuses to spend money on such a racist, bigoted store. And I can totally see why. The people who own Abrecrombie are bunch of idiots with nothing better to do than do offend people based on race, gender, nationality, size and even on color of hair.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

Almost all of Abercrombie's designers are either indie hipster kids who buy their own clothes from thrift stores or foriegners mainly from the U.K. and Italy, many of whom are Central St. Martin graduates and/or worked for ultra premium labels before being lured away with Abercrombie's high salary. I know a guy who was at Helmut Lang before he moved over.

It's an army of designers and it's no secret at headquarters that they are openly targeting wealthy gays and suburban teenagers who do not have a sense of personal style and are eager to fit in with what they think is the all american high end look.

 

[adinfinitum11]

This is my first post, so if my post is not up to the par with some other posts or offends someone, I hope you will forgive me.^^

I think that a lot of people buy A&F because they like the image, created mostly through their ads, that a typical A&F wearer is supposed to have: all-american, good looking, having fun, and overall enjoying a "good life." I'm in college, and I have observed that the people who fit the image A&F wants to project as their customers are the majority among the ones who end up getting well-paid jobs in finance and business. So an A&F wearer might represent the "success" in both school (because they're supposedly popular and wealthy) and in life (because they can potentially make a lot of money, as being financially successful is one of the most important things to some) to some people. And I guess some people really buy into this image, feeling as if they are a success when they're wearing A&F clothes. It's similar to the marketing strategy of a "masstige" brand; an article that I read a while ago analyzed the reason that "masstige" brands are doing so well is because many middle-class people who cannot buy truly high-end luxuries satisfy themselves by buying "masstige" brands that market themselves as a luxury, but at a cheaper price.

I also feel like a sort of similar phenomenon exists at a high-end fashion market. Albeit Hermes has very high quality, do people really want an Hermes birkin solely because they appreciate the aesthetics and quality of it? Or are they at least somewhat influenced by the popularity of it and the certain image they evoke by carrying a birkin, namely being wealthy and elegant?

 

[veronicaUSA]

Yeah . abercrombie has dominated youth fashion in the US for 10 years now , I dont see it abating all the frats and sororities buy their sh*t from them, even though it literally looks like sh*t. My friend got similar shirts from india for 200 rs , they sell those same shirts for 65 bucks US , you do the math!!! their ripping people of with that stupid logo. Also a moose is canadian !!!