Why are we so obsessed with the size that is on the label of our clothes? Why does it matter if your jeans say size 8 or size 10 if they have the exact same measurements? The honest answer is that people feel better about themselves when they are buying a smaller size, even if it doesn’t actually mean they are skinnier. This is the basis of vanity sizing. Some companies label their clothes with smaller sizes so that the customer can feel better about the size that they are buying. For example, a size 7 in Levi jeans is 26 inches, while a size 7 in Hollister jeans is 28 inches. This is so that people who come to shop at Hollister can buy a size 7, whereas in other stores they would be a size 9. When they feel better about themselves they buy more.
I think it is sad that some people base how they feel about their bodies by what the tag on their jeans says. As a society, we put too much emphasis on numbers. How much you weigh, how many calories you eat per day, what size you wear. If we could step away from that mindset and focus more on how people feel in their clothes, then I think people would be a lot happier. Companies buy into this vanity sizing in order to sell their product. That is their goal. They don’t think about the effect it has on their customers. Stores are doing what is in their best interest, and it is up to consumers to not let that change the way they view themselves.
A quote from the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch has many people upset. When asked why Abercrombie & Fitch doesn’t carry large clothing he said, “We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong (in our clothes), and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely”. Abercrombie & Fitch only carries up to a size large, and if you have seen their clothing you know that a size large looks more like a size small. The store not offering larger clothing makes a lot of teens feel insecure about their bodies. They want to be able to wear all the same brands their friends are wearing. The size worn by the average woman in the US is a 14, yet the store only carries up to a size 10. Many people believe that by refusing to sell larger clothing, the store is facilitating bullying.
People of all sizes have banned together to protest Abercrombie & Fitch. A YouTube user started a campaign called Fitch the Homeless. It asked customers to give all of their Abercrombie & Fitch clothing to the homeless in order to rebrand the store. People are outraged by the CEO’s statement and the company is taking a hit.
What do you guys think? To play the devil’s advocate, we aren’t boycotting plus sized stores for not offering clothing in small sizes. Is it right that people are offended by Abercrombie & Fitch’s controversial statement, or should a company have the right to sell whatever they want?
But the media told me to... 
Wow that can definitely be an image bruising type of remark!
Personally as an econ major I try to see the logic and business side to this. From that perspective I think tis statement is just plain stupid and uneconomical. If this company sold more variety in size they would attract an expanded consumer base and thus increase their profits.
The statement they released honestly made me cringe and want to take part in “Fitch the Homeless”. I think this is a humorous way to tell the company that what they said is wrong. In regards to your last question about “should a company be allowed to sell whatever they want?” the answer to that is yes! but they don’t have to the right to alienate the people they are not trying to reach. Which is essentially what they have done
I think that our society does revolve around numbers now. I think that people getting up and arms about Abercrombie and Fitch is a little out of hand. Just don’t wear their clothes. Personally I think that Abercrombie and Fitch is very overpriced and I would not want to buy their clothes because of the high prices. I could find a similar shirt for $10-$15 cheaper at another store. It is really just the brand name that people want. Besides the fact, I completely agree with your claim that people’s lives now revolve around sizes and numbers , which it shouldn’t. People should be happy with the way that they feel about their appearance and if they don’t they can change, but people’s lives should not be focused on the size that they are.