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Loading...Above Size 6 Need Not Shop: American Apparel Strikes Again
There are many reasons to hate American Apparel – the sexist ads, perverted boss, sexual harassment lawsuits.
Well, now add this to the list: The company has refused to make certain clothes – like this schoolgirl skirt – above a size 6. The average woman wears a size 12-14.
Among their other grievances, this may seem like the least offensive, but nonetheless it is important to point out, given the enormous pressure women and girls feel to be thin in our culture.
Consider this: 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.
Let me repeat. The children said they would rather lose a limb than be considered fat. Lose a limb!
That’s not all. Did you know that an estimated seven million women in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders? Or that 95 percent of those with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25?
American Apparel’s refusal to make clothes over a size 6 is like a bright blinking neon sign – Fat Beyond This Point – warning girls (and women) to stay thin.
For some, this warning has life threatening consequences. In fact, anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents and the mortality rate associated with the disease is 12 times as high as the death rate of all causes of death for females aged 15 to 24.
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.
It’s also a bad business decision. Imagine the number of additional sales the company would make if it expanded its size selection.
Is American Apparel so hell bent on only catering to the size 6 and below woman that they would give up this potentially lucrative market?
Well, if American Apparel can’t appreciate the + size 6 community, this + size 6 customer ain’t buying.
*Statistics provided from the South Carolina Department of Health website – http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/anorexia/statistics.htm
Read more: american apparel, anorexia, body image, bulimia, eating disorders, rights, skirt, womens, womens rights
Original owner of the photo: D Sharon Pruitt
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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Recent Comments from Causes
Nice one ,,,Thanks....
Thanks for the info.
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343 comments
+ add your ownI used to be underweight, not through anorexia but through stress the lbs just dropped off me. Being underweight is no better for your health than being overweight, it's just less common. Wherever I looked there were ads for weight loss diets and exercises. Now with the menopause I'm the right weight for my height (no less stressed). I'm reasonably happy with my shape. My legs look good now that they aren't skinny and I don't mind showing them. Many women are jealous of my feminine figure. My dress size is UK 14 (I think that's size 10 in the US) . I'm certainly healthier and happier than when I was a size UK 10 (6 or 7?) stick figure.
We vote with our dollars. If they stop making money, they will change or go out of business. I live in Canada, and I had never heard of this company before this article. But here we are giving them publicity by talking about them.
This is ridiculous. Not only will they not be getting my business, I will spread the word to everyone I know as well.
that's so sad. just when i think i want to start shopping there again since sweatshop free clothing is so hard to come by - they go and do something like this. thanks for keeping us informed.
really, though this condition is everywhere but american capitalist are simply horrible.they are simply murderers actually
no way am I gonna buy American Apparel now!
My first objection is that "schoolgirl skirts" should be worn ONLY by female students while at school, enroute to or from, or a school function, it should've never been made a fashion statement, the concept is twisted and perverted if worn by any other person.
My second objection, American Apparel should hide their heads in shame for their attitude and policy on this issue, or any issue like it in their company. The average size of an American female is no secret, and there is zero shame in one who is not a size 6 or lower. American Apparel is apparently totally out of touch with reality. I can sit here and compose this comment easily and objectively, wrong is wrong. By no means is my size a blessing or a good thing, it is based on a TMJ disorder, failed surgeries, no eating disorder, just simple disablement of being able to chew food, eat normally, it is excruiatingly painful, so I wish it on nobody, nor do I embrace it, my reality is that I am a size 0, needs a 35 inch inseam on jeans, so, immense difficulty in finding clothes that fit, jeans or tops, absolutely yes, it's virtually impossible. Even in my personal challenge of having a hard time finding clothes small enough, under no circumstances is there one logical or consumer friendly and respectful aspect to this disturbing American Apparel company policy and choices.
EH AHU LAHUNA !!!
That's Hawai'i an for "wider is better"
they should just go out of business. the whole thing stinks. I think they're creepy and pedophilic as all get out. let them do what they want, just don't shop there! I don't, and I think their clothes are hideous, as well.
It has nothing to do with what they actually do or whether you personally shop there. It's about the message they are sending out to teenagers & young impressionable women who look at models & believe that they have to starve themselves to look like that. Yes, the U.S. has an obesity problem but there are no fashion chains advocating stuffing yourself to become a size 20. As with everything, "moderation" please!!!!
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