Disturbing Fashion
Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 10:06AM MAD21 By Beth
OK, so I don't want to be known as one of "those moms" who want their children to be social rejects by not having the 'right' clothes. I'm all for my kids looking nice and fitting in to a certain extent. I do make sure my daughter especially dresses in clothes that cover her enough as to not be a walking advertisement for sex, I do know how boys' minds work. She shops at the 'rght' stores, Abercrombie, Holister, American Eagle and Aeropastle when we can afford it. I don't know who decided these were the stores you had to shop at, but that's besides the point.
Somehow, I ended up on the email list for most of these stores. Probably because I have ordered things online in the past. Most advertisements are fine, geared toward the teen crowd, "look good for your boyfriend/girlfriend" kinds of things. Some of the pictures are a bit provocative but there hasn't been much that has disturbed me so much that I need to write about it, to let other parents know what these stores are saying to our kids.
I got an email from Holister this morning. I usually just delete them without opening them but the subject line made me think twice before hitting that delete button. The subject read: "Your Mom Won't Like Them" When I opened it, I was shocked. The shirts are so incredibly sexual in nature, I cannot believe any parent would allow their child to wear them. The people who came up with the shirts must not have children, or morals. I have tried to attach the photo that came with the email to this note but I am not sure it will work. In case you cannot see the pictures, here is what they say:
1. Chicks Dig the Long Board (the most innocent of all of them, but still has an obvious sexual undertone)
2. Sand Jobs are for Surfers
3. She goes Both Ways (arrow pointing to Beaches, and one longer arrow pointing to Longboards) - obviously referring to bisexuality
4. Ride the Tip
I believe Holister has gone too far this time. I, for one, will not allow my daughter to shop there anymore. Even disregarding what the shirts say, to have an advertisement to teens that their moms won't like the shirts is wrong. "Hey, let's cause even more problems between teens and their parents!" And, personally, I think anyone who would wear these shirts is just sick. The shirts are disgusting. A line has been crossed here and I will no longer give my money to a store that wants to sell my daughter's honor.
I don't know how many of you receive these emails, but I thought maybe you'd want to be aware of how Holister is targeting our kids.
Call me what you will, tell me I'm overreacting, I know my daughter won't be happy that she can't shop there anymore, but there are some things I will just not bend for, my daughter's honor is one of those things. I'm sure teens will think the shirts funny and harmless, I probably would if I was their age. But as an adult I know that it is not harmless.
This is just sick. I have sent an email and drafted a letter to Holister. Completely irresponsible. This stuff belongs in an adult sex shop, if anywhere, and I told them that in my email. I'll keep you posted as to whether I hear anything from the company or not.
In the world, not of it.
Family, Family Life, Parents, Teens, Young Adults in Family Life
Reader Comments (5)
I did hear back from them. They said they are trying to keep things "fun and casual", the rest was the standard form letter you get from companies when you complain. No apologies though, not that I expected any. No admittance of any wrongdoing either, again, not expected.
CALM DOWN. Holister isn't targeting kids. Look at their models, they are all young adults, who the brand is targeted at. You make me laugh, calling their morals into question. Maybe we should quesion the morals of a parent who lets their kids shop in "adult" stores.
First of all, the email was targeted to my 12 year old and if you have ever been in a Hollister store you would clearly see that the target population for their clothes is the 11-17 age range. Their models are older because what preteen/teen doesn't want to look older? Yes, older people shop there, but the main group is that age. Take a look around your local middle and high schools and see how many kids are wearing their clothing. Not only are these shirts disgusting and inappropriate for kids, they are inappropriate for adults as well. I, for one, do not want my child walking around with a shirt on that clearly advertises sex and you are the first person who has responded negatively to this article. Everyone else I have talked to about it or emailed has been in agreement with me.
I completely agree with you Beth. There has to be some common sense here. Regardless of who we think they are targeting, this clothing line of shirts is really completely inappropriate for any age group. Honestly, they may be funny to some, but one has to wonder what message they are really sending.
It's hard enough to find clothes for my 8 year old that are appropriate. I feel your pain. As long as there is peer pressure in school to look and dress a certain way, marketers will continue to push the limits. I'm sorry to say it's not going to get better, only worse. We have pretty strict dress codes where I live, but kids still try to get around them. Maybe the baggy look will come back in style. We can only hope.