How I know that Abercrombie doesn't want my business...
My customer profile: thirty-something who reserves a significant portion of disposable income for unneeded fashion and refuses to dress her age (a girl's got to have some fun).
Dislikes: anything seriously "preppy", mom jeans, the color teal, sensible shoes, shoulder pads, button- down collars, ironing
Likes: anything 80s inspired but not officially retro, signature pieces to match with classics (like a silver belt, Chuck Taylors, my new yellow bag), lots of thin layers
I know, you can't tell any of this by looking at the picture on my blog...seriously, don't look directly at it. I was having a bad hair month and dressed in what I "should" wear, not what I wanted to wear. I'm over that now. I'm about to change it anyway.
So here is my point: I can't imagine who, aside from fabulously wealthy people, would spend more money on clothes than someone like me (at least as far as mainstream retailers go). I started taking the tags off of clothes when I first bought them so I don't have to go through the introspection involved with discovering a still-tagged item that I don't remember purchasing. Clothing retailers should be bending over backward for my customer profile, don't you think? You know, the kind of person that needs to drop bags off at the car to continue shopping?
So why, why, why do some retailers like Abercrombie play horrible music that makes our ears bleed? Evidently, that is part of the young shopping experience and while I think the whippersnappers can do without it, I can't tolerate it. I'm perfectly happy to live out my Peter Pan fashion persona by spending lots of money in their store. Just...can't...do...it. Ears are ringing just thinking about it.
Juxtapose that with The Gap, which just re-opened their store here in Bellevue Square. Really cute and fun clothes (enough for me to still feel like I am fooling the clock without making a total mockery of myself) that appeal to multiple age groups. My friend Suzanne and I had an extra special treat thanks to our new Gap buddy Derek B. who invited us to their re-opening event (my wallet is panting). Anyway, if you haven't checked out the Gap recently, you should (especially if you live here). I used to find their clothes too preppy, but now it seems they have added a little rock and that suits me well. Less "buttoned up", more "waiting to be discovered". And the lighting didn't make it perfectly obvious that I needed to maybe check out some eye cream on my way out of the mall.
Now, if someone tells me that Abercrombie intentionally plays that music to keep people like me out, I am going to be upset. Keep in mind that I could have a teenage kid so there would be a perfectly legitimate reason for me to be in there, if you don't consider dressing age inappropriately a reasonable hobby.
Comments
Anonymous
October 30, 2006
Haven't been to either store in a while, since The Gap left Germany a few years ago and we never had Abercrombie here (shopped at both when I still lived in VA though). Doesn't Abercrombie target a younger age group than Gap? I mean as in mid-teens (probably confusing it with another place)? I remember finding the music there annoying two years ago and I was 26 then, which means it was plain bad since I'm a total snob when it comes to music. The Gap, by contrast, is sorely missed here in Germany (at least by me). The closest thing we have is Hennes and Mauritz (H&M) which is on virtually every corner across Europe. They also have a slightly younger audience in mind and their stuff tends to be low-quality wear-once-then-toss. I've recently discovered American Apparel and I plan to spend a lot of money there. They have two stores in Germany so a certain novelty is part of the appeal, I guess (I know, I know... shoot me). I really like their style though - simple, no logos, a handful of colors. Cool.Anonymous
October 31, 2006
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October 31, 2006
Just to show my lack of fashion sense, I prefer button-down collars.Anonymous
October 31, 2006
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October 31, 2006
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October 31, 2006
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October 31, 2006
Hey now, I used to have long hair! :-PAnonymous
October 31, 2006
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October 31, 2006
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October 31, 2006
The same reason that MTV plays Real World vs. Road Rules, My Sweet 16, and NeXT all day long: THE KIDS LOVE IT! And I think they are buying into the marketing research that says 15-21yr olds have 2+billion dollars of disposable income. (I don't remember the exact numbers.) I agree with you. I find the music offensive and appauling and I can proudly say the I have never step foot into this A and F store. However, if they were blaring some good Chicane, Coil, Delerium, Everything But The Girl, Faithless or The Faint, then I'd probably wander in. And that is only my C-F list.Anonymous
October 31, 2006
eROCK- My brother used to think the same way (re: software/hardware mfr branded polos), but since being recently divorced was advised by female friends to burn them all. That is if he ever wanted to get another date. :)Anonymous
October 31, 2006
Pat-luckily, unless I decide to paint my own pottery, I can pretty much avoid that corner of RTC. John Davies- hah! It can get drafty for us gals. eRock-are you trying to make me admit that I am not cool and can't pass for a teenager? I won't do it! : ) I just think they could have both segments if they turned the music down. Who doesn't want to make more money? The experience makes me feel old though I have to say that Eddie Bauer makes me feel old for a different reason...it's so sensible! Jay R. Wren-hey, I watch some of those shows. Time for me to grow up you say? Never! I have to admit that I don't know any of those bands that you mention but I am guessing that you are within their target demographic just with different taste in music. Am I right? tod-your brother's female friends did him a favor. I'd be happy to run a fashion clinic for anyone that needs it. But suffice to say that you can throw out any free logo merchadise and pleated pants. Trust me, you are doing yourself a favor! Ahh, the pleats....they just add bulk to the body. We did this exercise with a co-worker once and he is now engaged. He was wearing his cellphone in a leather pouch on his belt. I asked him if he was moonlighting as tech support because we were not on call. I explained to another co-worker recently that he couldn't wear a short sleeved t-shirt under a suit jacket with jeans unless he wanted me to hum the theme to Miami Vice every time I saw him (ooh, he's going to read this now too). Seriously, guys...if you need fashion advice from a female perspective, don't be afraid to ask. Let me help you. I know about these things.Anonymous
October 31, 2006
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November 01, 2006
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November 01, 2006
mrscrooge- I guess I say "where are the parents?". Companies want to make money and they know what sells. I do find the slogans a little crass (and coming from me, that is saying something) and in poor taste, however, I think parents should be involved in decisions their kids make and should be the ones ultimately responsible for what their kids wear. We all know I don't have kids, so that is just my unqualified personal opinion. eRock- I'm glad to hear you don't wear the polos out on the town. I certainly wouldn't give someone in a sponsored polo the look of death if I saw them out at night, I just probably wouldn't look at them at all (OK, I am only partially kidding...I think we should all take pride in how we look and that means making an effort..that's all I am saying). Thanks for letting me know I am still cool. I do believe I have my moments! Interesting to think that the music actually draws kids in. I am going to ask my friend Suzanne, who has boys in the target age group. Maybe A & F needs an upscale brand for folks like me. They can take advantage of real estate economies by placing the store fronts next to each other. I bet they have done testing on the music. I guess I am just feeling a little ignored by them : )Anonymous
November 01, 2006
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November 01, 2006
Margo, I like thinking about that sassy elderly lady. Cool! Express is owned by TheLimited so we must be pretty close in terms of taste. It's just the easiest place for me to buy pants. Any place that does not carry short lengths is a waste of my time. I cycle through pants too quickly to spend too much money. I have a cute pair of $140 pants (from Nordstrom) hanging in my closet that are too big for me and I'm just waiting for the day I decide to get them taken in. That is the most that I have spent on pants that aren't part of a suit and I don't quite feel I've gotten my money's worth out of them. All the rest of my pants will eventually make their way to goodwill.Anonymous
November 01, 2006
Word of advice...Please dont wear the free polo shirts for a night out. That is so .com circa 1998. :)Anonymous
November 01, 2006
And for the record, I don't think those polos are attractive as day-wear either. : )Anonymous
November 01, 2006
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November 01, 2006
Wine-oh, what are you talking about...they go well with the cell phone clip!Anonymous
November 01, 2006
Too bad we don't have Urban Outfitters. Overpriced but not bad. And for t-shirts there's always threadless.com. My $100 worth of merchandise finally arrived last week... in time for the winter. ;-)Anonymous
November 01, 2006
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December 06, 2006
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January 14, 2007
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January 14, 2007
Yeah, but I just want a pair of sweats!Anonymous
February 19, 2007
I do not think abercrombie's music is too loud. Its probably been a LOOOOOOOOOONG time since you old folks have been in abercrombie. I love their clothes. I shop there a lot. They have awsome clothes. And I don't think their clothes are too anything like you guys do.Anonymous
April 15, 2007
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April 16, 2007
OK rebekah, I think you kind of just made my point. Thanks Rick - don't let anyone else tell you that you can't wear their clothes. Dressing your age is overrated!Anonymous
December 08, 2007
Umm why would abercrombie want to hire u.They only hire teens.but ur really pretty. ( :Anonymous
December 09, 2007
Awww, thanks sweet pea :)Anonymous
December 11, 2007
I went into a&f as I thought it would be a good spot to find a down jacket. o.m.g.! What is up with the REEK in that place?? Came home, tried changing my clothes, I still smell the repulsive Aberstench! That place is grubby! The reek stuck on the inside of my nose and apparently will be there for awhile, I hate that place.Anonymous
December 11, 2007
haha...try a saline spray.Anonymous
January 22, 2008
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December 09, 2010
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