<p>i shop a lot at A&F b/c their clothes r cute and i have a tiny frame (i mean i can't buy skirts at gap or old navy...way too big). but...i'm pretty cheap so i only buy their clothes when they'r on SALE. i don't mean 5 dollars off, but at least like 40% off. lol. i will never buy $80 for a pair of jeans or $60 for a skirt.</p>
<p>What thoughts come in your head when you view the logo of Abercrombie & Fitch or any of their sub-divisions (i.e. Hollister)?
It depends on the person. If you are 14-16 then I guess it is okay, because they make nice looking albeit generic clothes. It always gives me a laugh when someone 18-20 is wearing their polos though. Actually, here in Canada you can always tell who is an American coming up to take advantage of our 18 drinking age because they are all decked out in stripped A+F oxford shirts.</p>
<p>What is your take on the quality and style of their clothing?
There is no doubt that their clothes are made with pretty good materials, and they have a good fit. I find their Jeans are too pricey for what they are - the fit isn't great and the denim is rough. If I am buying "trendy" jeans I would be more inclined to go for sevens/tavernitis once I am spending the money. I think the "comedy" (read: narcissistic) t-shirts for men are just awful and totally tasteless
How do you feel about their advertising methods?
I agree sex sells. I have no problem with it. People can be such prudes
What is your opinion regarding controversies that surrounded formerly used hiring practices?</p>
<p>What is your opinion of people who wear Abercrombie & Fitch?
Below 16: You are not confident enough to establish your own style, but you like to look good.</p>
<p>16-18: You should probably be shopping somewhere else.</p>
<p>18+: Unless you are wearing it to the gym/beach, you should wear something else.</p>
<p>Abercrombie jeans cost $80?! Definitely agree you might as well go to Nordstrom Rack for the <em>real</em> names, but teenagers know more about A&F, Hollister than Hudson, True Religion, Rock & Republic, etc.</p>
<p>Anyway, whenever I go there I go directly to the clearance table...the only thing I own from them is a blue top I bought two years ago, and three henleys my sister just gave me (they're too tight or short for her now or something?). They have some cute stuff on the clearance section on their website right now; I should check it out sometime.</p>
<p>My cousin from Germany went in about a year ago and said "There's so much nice clothes in here!" Soo I guess they do have pretty clothes, beyond the name (no A&F in Germany, so she would be unbiased).</p>
<p>lol. i was just rounding the prices. but they are usually eye-popping. so everytime i go in there. i see somethin i like and i go right to the price tag. if it's too expensive, then i just turn and walk away. haha</p>
<p>Yeah same, but I think my mom and I were caught in a consumer trap at Nordstrom Rack the other weekend. It's all so "cheap"! </p>
<p>Really, it's all about the fit and how you look. If you look good in the clothes, feel good, and are comfortable, that's all that matters right?</p>
<p>lol. feel good, are comfortable, and uncostly...then yeah!</p>
<p>Yeah, it's not so much that the stuff is crap that bothers me (because it's not). There are a few reasons:</p>
<p>1) Really gross advertising. I can't stand it.
2) Generally bad service. I either get ignored or harassed by forty employees all asking "Can I get you anything? Need help? Really? Nothing?..."
3) Completely unoriginal clothing. It's not classic like some of the preppy brands, but not trendy enough like some others (D&G comes to mind). They are for teeny-boppers who are either petite (if you are, shop there! If you're not, there are better places I think) or want to fit in but don't know how to actually dress themselves.</p>
<p>"Abercrombie jeans cost $80?! Definitely agree you might as well go to Nordstrom Rack for the <em>real</em> names, but teenagers know more about A&F, Hollister than Hudson, True Religion, Rock & Republic, etc."</p>
<p>^I know, we completely agree. That's exactly how I feel. I would add Diesel and 7FAM (and CoH) to your list though.</p>
<p>And inexpensive, of course. Other than that, I love this quote from Tim Gunn's book, "A Guide to Quality, Taste, and Style" (just got from library): </p>
<p>"Since this is all about personal style, why should you be turned off--or on, but that's another story--by the marketing of a particular brand? This is about you, not who you're wearing...Keep the safari metaphor in mind. You are taking a trip through foreign lands--the locals may look different from you, and you might not want to trade iPods with them, but that is no reason not to enjoy the fruits of your adventurousness."</p>
<p>Right, unless I oppose it for ethical/moral reasons in a way. :P As in, I find the hyper-sexualized image destructive to the development of teens, so I don't want to support a company that clearly disagrees.</p>
<p>dollyflower:
I LOVE TIM GUNN. It's funny how Heidi Klum thinks that Project Runway is still about her.</p>
<p>On the subject of A & F, I'd say about 80% of my school practically lives in their clothing. I think it's tacky, overpriced, and generally unflattering. It's not my style, but apparently that of many of my peers.</p>
<p>ok, i like funky stuff..and a+f's preppiness does not call an image of fun and creative clothing..i don't really like those stores..</p>
<p><em>Rob looks down and is ashamed of his Hollister shirt, Pac sun jeans, American Eagle boxers, and Aeropostal flip flops</em></p>
<p>I am a walking clothing ad.</p>
<p>Seriously, people who wear that type of clothing is generally perceived as arrogant, and usually are. I once did yield in to the attractiveness of AE, couple days after wearing it, I felt fake, so to speak. I felt mortified to some degree. </p>
<p>I do have nothinhg against "preppy" type of clothing when females wear it...ooo they look soo fabulous.</p>
<p>^ I know what you mean. I am not arrogant, generally, but I like the clothes because I think they look good on me. It more of an appearance thing than a "I think I am better than you" kinda thing.</p>
<p>Yeah, it really depends on how someone perceives the situation. But the majority of most people view it as a "I think I am better than you" kinda thing.</p>
<p>^ Though I don't like using stereotypes, that one is very true.</p>
<p>Not many people at my school wear Hollister/Abercrombie. Some do, but those are actually the ones who don't spend as much money on clothes. <em>sigh</em> Kids can't just wear anything they want anymore.</p>
<p>First, I'm an employee at Abercrombie & Fitch. I've been working there for a month now and to be honest, all it is is just clothing. C-L-O-T-H-I-N-G. Yes, abercrombie is trying to target a certain demographic but if you don't fit into that demographic due to body weight or are not employed there due to lack of great looks then MOVE ON! and find another store. There are stores that will gladly have clothing for "Overweight" people. I don't see why people bash abercrombie so much. They have every right to target good looking people for employment and for their lifestyle. </p>
<p>Secondly, their quality does surpass most stores out there and there cvlothing last a very long time. If you can't afford it theres no need to bash the price just because you're envious. Try Hollister!</p>
<p>All in all,Abercrombie and Fitch is the most successful specialty retailer in operation today. The casual, classic, all-American lifestyle brand of clothing is synonymous with quality. Although they specifically target college students between the ages of 18-22, their appeal is universal. </p>
<p>The A&F Culture is one-of-a-kind. They design, merchandise, market - and live - the Abercrombie & Fitch brand. They are their best customer. A&F's brand powered momentum is fueled by additional lifestyle reinforcement. Every aspect of their stores - the music, the marketing and photos, the overall aesthetic - has made the in-store experience more potent than ever.
In my opinion, Abercrombie is the Chanel & Dior of the malls.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you can't afford it theres no need to bash the price just because you're envious.
[/quote]
fwiw, nothing at abercrombie is expensive. it's over-priced for what you get, but not expensive.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In my opinion, Abercrombie is the Chanel & Dior of the malls.
[/quote]
i guess we shop at different malls, because the ones i go to have both chanel and dior stores...</p>
<p>"I've been working there for a month now and to be honest, all it is is just clothing. C-L-O-T-H-I-N-G."</p>
<p>Clothing? Interesting, because in this same post you say that people and employees LIVE the brand, and there is an associated lifestyle. Going in is an experience. I would know. It is quite an experience. Last time, I was almost blinded by the nude male models and asphyxiated by the noxious perfume. If all this exists, and you point it out, how can you claim that it's just "clothing?" </p>
<p>"Yes, abercrombie is trying to target a certain demographic but if you don't fit into that demographic due to body weight or are not employed there due to lack of great looks then MOVE ON! and find another store."</p>
<p>Right, but people who have a concern (arguably legitimate) about body image issues but aren't necessarily fat may ALSO have a problem with the targeting of a certain demographic. Plus, AF's idea of "great looks" is incredibly narrow and racist. Otherwise I would see black people or Asian people working in there more than once every three months, and there wouldn't have been a lawsuit brought against them. You can't just tell victims to "move on." Justice Scalia tried to, and people didn't like it so much (his comment about the 2000 election: "Get over it.")</p>
<p>"There are stores that will gladly have clothing for "Overweight" people. I don't see why people bash abercrombie so much. They have every right to target good looking people for employment and for their lifestyle."</p>
<p>You said it was just clothing. Are you lying, or did you make an honest mistake? I'll leave it up to you, actually. Why DOESN'T Abercrombie offer clothing for overweight people? Is it because their so-called "lifestyle" glorifies those who suffer from anorexia or are just incredibly petite? Did it ever occur to you that people don't like the fact that a store has a lifestyle that ostracizes overweight people? Does that not bother you at all?</p>
<p>"Secondly, their quality does surpass most stores out there and there cvlothing last a very long time."</p>
<p>Let's play a game and name brands that last longer or the same: Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, Chanel, Gucci, LV, YSL, Armani, Nordstrom (generic store brand), most jean companies including Levi's, most thing's sold at Macy's, Dsquared, Ann Taylor, it goes on and on. Interestingly, there is a wide spectrum of prices here. Abercrombie doesn't last longer than most places, sorry. Maybe if you're talking about knockoffs from China or something.</p>
<p>"If you can't afford it theres no need to bash the price just because you're envious. Try Hollister!"</p>
<p>Again, you miss the point completely. Number one, you claim that people who can't afford it are automatically envious. This statement is founded on ANOTHER erroneous and unsupported principle: That people who claim it's overpriced or say that can't afford to buy it all the time consider it always out of their price range. Not true. It's overpriced. Period. The fact that the clothing in the clearance section is so much cheaper just tells you that the clothing's value is not that high in the first place. I could buy a Lacoste polo for a little bit more. Is it overpriced? No. Better quality? You bet. Plus, read my earlier posts: Abercrombie is a ripoff because my 7 For All Mankind and Diesel jeans cost me a little bit more at Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack, but are far better quality, period. They are jean companies, and all they do is make jeans (and a couple jackets and/or shoes). Claiming that Abercrombie clothing is overpriced doesn't tell you anything about the person. It could mean they can't afford it, or it could mean that they have an elevated sense of taste that doesn't involve comparatively cheap and bad-quality teeny-bopper clothing.</p>
<p>"All in all,Abercrombie and Fitch is the most successful specialty retailer in operation today."</p>
<p>Britney Spears sells many albums. Is she good? Not at all. The fact that Abercrombie is so successful just sheds light on the fact that it's brainwashing and pathetic "lifestyle" marketing have worked on the teenage masses eager to fit in.</p>
<p>"The casual, classic, all-American lifestyle brand of clothing is synonymous with quality. Although they specifically target college students between the ages of 18-22, their appeal is universal."</p>
<p>Their appeal is NOT universal. Look up any fashion magazine or website. See any mention of Abercrombie? Didn't think so. Most adults would not be caught dead in their clothing, and even the kids (who either dress well or terribly) at my school would not be seen in Abercrombie, either because they are far more casual/nonconformist or have a refined sense of style that does NOT include Abercrombie. </p>
<p>You want quality, check out Ralph Lauren. Or Tommy Hilfiger. Even Calvin Klein trumps Abercrombie.</p>
<p>"The A&F Culture is one-of-a-kind. They design, merchandise, market - and live - the Abercrombie & Fitch brand."</p>
<p>But it's just clothing! Which is it? Should people move on because it's just clothing, or should they try to break into the lifestyle and culture? Obviously, the culture is one that rejects any deviation from near-Aryan appearance and shuns anyone who weighs more than 100 pounds as a girl. Don't even try to claim it's not true, because it definitely is.</p>
<p>"In my opinion, Abercrombie is the Chanel & Dior of the malls."</p>
<p>Coco Chanel and Christian Dior would be disgusted to be compared to such trash as Abercrombie. How often does Abercrombie get name-dropped? "Oh, let me just pull out my Abercrombie tote." Never happens. Kanye West with Dior, Fergie with True Religion, Flo Rida with Chanel. Even hip-hop and R&B stars recognize when something is worth mentioning in a song. Abercrombie doesn't even hold up against any of the true fashion houses, sorry. Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks all offer Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Balenciaga, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach (which has boutiques in malls now, as do Lacoste and Burberry). There's no such thing as "_____ of the mall" anymore. You can get designers at malls now. It's commonplace.</p>
<p>Seriously, that post ticked me off majorly. House of London embodies everything that I dislike about those stores. I cannot believe how far the brainwashing penetrates.</p>