Becca recently forwarded me a very interesting blog entry about American Apparel (AA). There is no shortage of controversy around AA. As the blog points out they have a history of sexist ads, an allegedly perverted boss, and sexual harassment lawsuits. The entry titled, “Above Size 6 Need Not Shop: American Apparel Strikes Again”, goes on to add another black mark.
The author argues that since the company does not make certain items above U.S. size 6 (basically a size small), they are adding to the tremendous pressure felt by women of all ages to be thin. The author states, “Women and girls are literally dying to be thin. Refusing to sell clothes beyond a size 6 only serves to further fuel the unrealistic standards of beauty impressed upon women and girls in our society.”
Not that anyone would need convincing, but the author states some very powerful evidence of the pressure women feel:
- “When a group of children interviewed on 20/20 were asked if they’d rather be fat or lose an arm, they unanimously answered that they’d rather lose an arm.”
- “An estimated seven million women in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders” and “95 percent of those with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.”
The entry definitely garnered quite a bit of interest. Last time I looked, 336 people had commented on the blog and 1825 responded to a poll asking, “Should American Apparel cater to women above a size 6?”
Glancing at the comments and based on the results of the poll (83% voted yes + 9% no), most of the readers agree with the author.
However, Becca also pointed out a commenter that takes a different view on the subject.
“American Apparel does cater to women over size 6. I wear women’s XL/12-16 and I shop at AA. I have no trouble finding clothes there. I have never had sales staff be rude to me.
No, that one skirt doesn’t come larger than a 6 but the vast majority of their clothes do. The article makes it sound like the entire company doesn’t carry anything larger than 6.
Also AA is 100% sweatshop free. They pay their employees better than a lot of jobs and give them real benefits. I would rather support a company that treats its workers well and has a few items not in my size than support a company that is nothing but a huge human rights violation just so I can get a skirt.”
I find the last sentence the most interesting, “I would rather support a company that treats its workers well and has a few items not in my size than support a company that is nothing but a huge human rights violation just so I can get a skirt.”
Other commenters who were being a bit reflective remarked that Americans have steadily gained weight over the years and that perhaps having an item only available in a smaller size might be a useful carrot to those who are aiming to get in better shape (through fitness, not starvation).
This is definitely an interesting debate. AA is great in many ways, but oh so wrong in others. So, what do you think?
To gather other opinions, I thought I would do a poll of my own.
[polldaddy poll=3388291]
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P.S. If you’re curious about Atayne’s design orientation, we are designing to a lean athletic body type. As a small company with limited working capital, we cannot offer a huge range of sizes and stylings to fit different body types right now.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I support the right of any company to cater to whatever customer they want.
If AA feels that limiting their customer base to small and/or thin women, then that’s fine. Women who wear larger than a size 6 can either buy something else (since according to the above they do carry larger sizes for some items) or can spend their money elsewhere and give their business to a competitor.
Is it annoying if you want to buy something and somebody doesn’t sell in your size? Yes. Do you have a right to be catered to? No. Do you wear a size 6 or smaller but are offended by their product line? Then let them know by shopping at their competitor.
I haven’t voted in the poll above because not being a customer and only seeing this article here on the matter I don’t know enough to classify as “Angel”, “Devil” or “Jekyll and Hyde” but if there was an option for “Just Another Business” that’s probably what I’d choose.
Thanks Blaine! I wish I had included “Just Another Business” as an option.