Abercrombie & Fitch

[xTinkerxBellx]

i actually wear abercrombie and i like the label.
you can go ahead and say i have no originality or that i'm a "follower" but that's your option. at my high school not many people wear abercrombie or hollister or any of those brands. so for my friends and i we are the only ones, with an exception of a few, who wear it. and i know for a fact that i have originality and i have personality and i don't just wear it to show how wealthy i am or snobby. no matter what i will back up the label.

 

[TheGloryOfThe80s]

I'm glad to find that people see Abercrombie as a negative company and truly unfashionable. To me Abercrombie is a destination brand, people are trying to buy into a life style and its pathetic.

They target gay men who try to buy into this masculine ideal, yet they refuse to advertise in any gay magazines. Bruce Weber does there photography for god sakes.

They released a thong for girls 10 and up, with suggestive prints. It's truly disgusting.

The clothing is the same season after season, and terrible qualtiy. I've never owned anything from there and never will.

 

[Madhuri]

A&F just has basic, casual clothes which is fine for some people. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with people who want to wear these clothes. Most labels have a target audience in mind for their clothes. High End designers use the same strategies as A&F as far as creating an image for their clothes and relying on fashionistas who are willing to pay for clothes which are technically more overpriced that A&F.

I used to get jeans for A&F all the time because they fit so well. After reading about the founder I was so creeped out and turned off that I haven't set foot in there since.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

To me Abercrombie is a destination brand, people are trying to buy into a life style and its pathetic.

uhhh...this is how most high fashion labels work p.s.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

A&F just has basic, casual clothes which is fine for some people. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with people who want to wear these clothes. Most labels have a target audience in mind for their clothes. High End designers use the same strategies as A&F as far as creating an image for their clothes and relying on fashionistas who are willing to pay for clothes which are technically more overpriced that A&F.

agreed.


It's just kinda gross when you see people in it head to toe complete with accessories. It's like "ok dude, seriously, what are you supposed to be?"

 

[Yanka]

Clothes are meaningless. The only meaning they have is the one we give them, there isn't an item whose nature is tacky or tasteful, masculine or feminine, original or conformist. They signal different things to different people and statements like "he wears abercrombie therefore he has to have no opinion of his own" are inaccurate and show a person who in this aspect was victimized by certain sociological stereotypes. It is true that anyone who's got a choice in dressing wears clothes that communicate a part of who she/he is. but a wearer of an abercrombie polo shirt doesn't nessesarily want to say "i am a colelge jock and i have a big dick" or whatever, maybe he just likes pink or poloshirts cause they're comfortable and the choice of abercrombie was accidental and these clothes have no connotations to him. Let me give you another example. When I was 12 and left russia, very few people knew what a louis vuitton bag was. When I started to regularly notice women in a german town where I lived carrying those little classic print pouchettes, I was confused and thought they were very ugly. A year later I moved again, went to a different school where people were older and more fashion-savvy, some of them had vuitton bags and people admired them and I started perceiving them differently. Some time later those graffiti bags came out, they were all over fashion magazines and there was an article in vogue about eugenia volodina who had one and it immidietely became desirable to me, so I soon got one. I carried it around proudly and people were complimenting me all the time. But the times were changing, i finished school and went to an art college, full of fashion snobs. There I soon realized that having a vuitton bag was a crime and in order to conform and win some respect among the crowd of people who, like me, studied fashion design, i had to shove my favourite bag in the darkest corner and pretty much change half of my wardrobe. The year after i changed locatins again and I am now at the place where people are much mroe relaxed about labels. Nobody thinks that wearing comme de garcons makes you a superior person, because it doesn't. A shirt is always just a shirt, it doesn't have a moral or intellectual value. It is a mystery to me why some people here are so proud of hating abercrombie, as if that somehow means that they are smarter more original and have better taste. What is good taste anyway? Who decides that something is acceptable and somethig isn't? Is a martin margiela shirt only accesable to people with high IQ? You can be anyone if you dress the part. It's all PR. I am just urging you to be smarter and more open-minded about these things.

 

[Margo]

Clothes are meaningless. The only meaning they have is the one we give them, there isn't an item whose nature is tacky or tasteful, masculine or feminine, original or conformist. They signal different things to different people and statements like "he wears abercrombie therefore he has to have no opinion of his own" are inaccurate and show a person who in this aspect was victimized by certain sociological stereotypes. It is true that anyone who's got a choice in dressing wears clothes that communicate a part of who she/he is. but a wearer of an abercrombie polo shirt doesn't nessesarily want to say "i am a colelge jock and i have a big dick" or whatever, maybe he just likes pink or poloshirts cause they're comfortable and the choice of abercrombie was accidental and these clothes have no connotations to him. Let me give you another example. When I was 12 and left russia, very few people knew what a louis vuitton bag was. When I started to regularly notice women in a german town where I lived carrying those little classic print pouchettes, I was confused and thought they were very ugly. A year later I moved again, went to a different school where people were older and more fashion-savvy, some of them had vuitton bags and people admired them and I started perceiving them differently. Some time later those graffiti bags came out, they were all over fashion magazines and there was an article in vogue about eugenia volodina who had one and it immidietely became desirable to me, so I soon got one. I carried it around proudly and people were complimenting me all the time. But the times were changing, i finished school and went to an art college, full of fashion snobs. There I soon realized that having a vuitton bag was a crime and in order to conform and win some respect among the crowd of people who, like me, studied fashion design, i had to shove my favourite bag in the darkest corner and pretty much change half of my wardrobe. The year after i changed locatins again and I am now at the place where people are much mroe relaxed about labels. Nobody thinks that wearing comme de garcons makes you a superior person, because it doesn't. A shirt is always just a shirt, it doesn't have a moral or intellectual value. It is a mystery to me why some people here are so proud of hating abercrombie, as if that somehow means that they are smarter more original and have better taste. What is good taste anyway? Who decides that something is acceptable and somethig isn't? Is a martin margiela shirt only accesable to people with high IQ? You can be anyone if you dress the part. It's all PR. I am just urging you to be smarter and more open-minded about these things.

Oh good lord, thank you for your time.

If I never post anything else in this forum, Ill be ok with that. I praise you.

 

[shoexgal]

I'm a collage student and I love AF, over in OC its very big. I know they are a rip off because they keep producing the same styles over and over each season but what about places like the Gap, J. Crew, even coach. Its like that with a lot of stores. I'm actually very fond of AF and my best friend is a store manager at one of their locations. Their clothes are comfortable, fashionable, well-fitted, and don't fall apart. They are extremely great quality. That's just my 2 cents

 

[artxstatic]

I find A&F very ordinary.

 

[Madhuri]

A shirt is always just a shirt, it doesn't have a moral or intellectual value. It is a mystery to me why some people here are so proud of hating abercrombie, as if that somehow means that they are smarter more original and have better taste. What is good taste anyway? Who decides that something is acceptable and somethig isn't? Is a martin margiela shirt only accesable to people with high IQ? You can be anyone if you dress the part. It's all PR. I am just urging you to be smarter and more open-minded about these things.

Awesome post! I could not agree more. I'm not a fan of conspicuous labels but don't begrudge anyone who choses to wear them-- it's their style and if head-to-to Gucci makes them happy then so be it. You raise a good point about how judgemental people are with regard to clothes which are merely pieces of fabric at the end of the day.

 

[Tourni]

The only thing that is out of the 'ordinary' with A&F is the image they are trying to sell to people. Most teenagers want to look like the A&F models (which they advertise more than the clothing itself.)
Put the same clothes on someone else other than the blonde American model and nobody is going to buy their overpriced crap. A&F isn't the only brand that sells T's, Jeans, and Polo shirts.

 

[angela xx]

Meh, A&F to me is just a brand of plain, casual clothes that people buy that don't really want to invest a lot of creativity into their outfits but still want to look "nice."
But the CEO is absolutely

 

[dare-]

I can't say I hate A&F. But I will say, I don't care for it, will not buy it, and won't wear it. I think that's what most people mean by it when they 'hate' a brand. Hating a brand isn't the same as hating Hitler or hating George Bush, but that's just how our language is. It's not fair to imply that people have some strong moral aversion when they say they hate abercrombie. You're implying a pomposity that just isn't there. So here's why I 'dislike' abercrombie.

1) ugly clothes (but of course, taste is subjective after all)
2) tasteless advertising (but of course, you might like naked bodies, and prepubescent girls)
3) their CEO is creepy as sh*t -> http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2006/01/24/jeffries/index_np.html
(but of course, that might be your idea of 'graceful' aging)
4) bad shopping enviroment

 

[Avant Garde]

In the society that is built on insecurity, sameness inevitabley prevails. To be original (whether in thought, action, or appearance) is to be an outcast, and in the world of the uniform suburbia where even the houses look the same it becomes even dangerous - after all, a teenager can only sustain the mockery of the football players and the cheerleaders for so long.

This is so true, sadly. Surburbia is a breeding ground for sameness. Sometimes its even applauded, and with limited clothing store choices, you chose to either wear abercrombie or to be different. Different is very hard though, because not only are you outmatched you are outnumbered. There is no in between in surburbia. Abercrombie and Fitch gives people the perfect excuse to find a common sameness, and be cool without using their own braincells for personal style.

 

[hikarupanda]

All I can say is A&F is totally overpriced, and the styles and qualities aren't even that great, my husband's cousin actually works for this contracted company that make clothes for A&F in HK, we got samples all the time, and so when she told me how much it costs to make one t-shirt compared to the suggested retail price, I know I will never ever shop at A&F.

 

[marsmars]

Inexpensive clothing for the regular joe.

 

[Ladypink]

Conformity?

In 6th grade, when peddle pushers and jeans, spaghetti straps and Limited Too were "In", i wore black spandex pants and a sparkly psychadelic top to this party. Let's just say i stood out and remained conscious of trends since that night.
Is it so bad that teens feel obligated to be accepted? As a young teen, i think conformity is definitely pushed to an extreme (everybody mimicks what the rich and/or popular girls are wearing) in order to feel a connection with people their own age, to feel accepted and wanted. This stage is natural for kids and it ultimately teaches them the ways of society, how to interact and communicate with others around them, and in essence prepares them for a society in which image IS everything, whether we like it or not. Growing up is the process in which we take these experiences of wanting to fit in, and refining our definition of who we are in this world. As kids we need friends to interact with socially and to build confidence and a little bravery in order to take a chance and break away from mainstream thought. We need a little experience in order to learn from it.
That, in essence, makes us stronger.
And then there are the lucky bastards that are just born with confidence and can easily slide into their individuality with ease.

But i digress from the main thread...
As for A&F, it is a social staple which helps teens fit in, though at the same time it screams Conformity (and as someone here mentioned, the styles never really change).

But hmm, i like to think we need a little of both sides (conformity, individuality) to balance this society out. Moderation= Key.

 

[pnin]

Clothes are meaningless. The only meaning they have is the one we give them, there isn't an item whose nature is tacky or tasteful, masculine or feminine, original or conformist. They signal different things to different people and statements like "he wears abercrombie therefore he has to have no opinion of his own" are inaccurate and show a person who in this aspect was victimized by certain sociological stereotypes. It is true that anyone who's got a choice in dressing wears clothes that communicate a part of who she/he is. but a wearer of an abercrombie polo shirt doesn't nessesarily want to say "i am a colelge jock and i have a big dick" or whatever, maybe he just likes pink or poloshirts cause they're comfortable and the choice of abercrombie was accidental and these clothes have no connotations to him. Let me give you another example. When I was 12 and left russia, very few people knew what a louis vuitton bag was. When I started to regularly notice women in a german town where I lived carrying those little classic print pouchettes, I was confused and thought they were very ugly. A year later I moved again, went to a different school where people were older and more fashion-savvy, some of them had vuitton bags and people admired them and I started perceiving them differently. Some time later those graffiti bags came out, they were all over fashion magazines and there was an article in vogue about eugenia volodina who had one and it immidietely became desirable to me, so I soon got one. I carried it around proudly and people were complimenting me all the time. But the times were changing, i finished school and went to an art college, full of fashion snobs. There I soon realized that having a vuitton bag was a crime and in order to conform and win some respect among the crowd of people who, like me, studied fashion design, i had to shove my favourite bag in the darkest corner and pretty much change half of my wardrobe. The year after i changed locatins again and I am now at the place where people are much mroe relaxed about labels. Nobody thinks that wearing comme de garcons makes you a superior person, because it doesn't. A shirt is always just a shirt, it doesn't have a moral or intellectual value. It is a mystery to me why some people here are so proud of hating abercrombie, as if that somehow means that they are smarter more original and have better taste. What is good taste anyway? Who decides that something is acceptable and somethig isn't? Is a martin margiela shirt only accesable to people with high IQ? You can be anyone if you dress the part. It's all PR. I am just urging you to be smarter and more open-minded about these things.

Bravo. Popping out of lurkdom just to highlight this post.

Some of the smartest people in my college are A&F and American Eagle-wearing fratboy types. And some of the more obnoxious people I've ever encountered are Gauloise-smoking pseudo-intellectuals who think wearing vintage and Comme des Garcons somehow elevates them to a higher level of being.

Take away all the pert pretensions, and clothes are still just clothes.
Nobody has the right to look down on another solely on the basis of what they wear. That's not decrying the mistakes of their vanity, that's only feeding into your own.

"Style" is ephemeral. Don't mistake shadow for substance. If our best barometer for detecting who is individualist and who is conformist is by what they wear, then all the arbiter elegantia in the world are no better than the plebes they look down upon, because like it or not they're also conforming to a certain sartorial standard - a more elitist and less mainstream one perhaps, but conforming nonetheless.

True nonconformism is not caring if one is being conformist or nonconformist. And true individualism is judging others by the merits of their persons, not by the merits of their fashion sense.

 

[Erin]

Reading through this forum... I've gotten a few chuckles.

I bought a bit of Abercrombie while in high school... not to be "in"... but because I found some pieces there that I really liked. I dig their graphic tees (and still do), and their pants fit me perfectly. Their track jackets are quite cool, too... they just have some of the basics I dig for lounging around, and it's available (not just at A&F), I'll buy it.

 

[dior_couture1245]

I used to buy EVERYTHING from A&F....I look back on those days and say...what was I thinking...and I'm not even 16 yet! Between the end of 7th grade and the middle of 9th grade, that's the only place I shopped at.

Now, I don't really care where I shop. I like simple, and slim fitting stuff. A&F is not simple or slim fitting. Everything there is ripped, torn, frayed, bleached or stained....and the men's jeans are terrible. They're huge! I like my jeans snug!