Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.With fight obesity messages and fuller healthier models all over the web, a new outcry is centered on Urban Outfitters' (UO) new v-neck t-shirt being sold online that reads in large white cursive print across the front "Eat Less".
Seems harmless given 50% of Europeans are overweight and over 30% of Americans are obese. Messages like "eat less", "make healthier food choices" and "move more" permeate daily news and campaigns.
However what has social networks lit up and blogs like Huffington Post, The Frisky and Jezebel is the advertising of the shirt. A young skinny girl dons the ill-fitted grey v-neck tee reminiscent of American Apparel ads. UO also sells a similar shirt that reads "Alcohol, Nicotine, Caffeine" and another "I fought the law".
T-shirts have been a way to express everything from political views to "I'm with stupid" yet the newspaper Cleveland Leader penned on June 2 "New Urban Outfitters T-Shirt Promotes Pro-Anorexia Movement" stating "perhaps some of the American population could stand to take the shirt's advice, but for those impressionable teens who shop at Urban Outfitters, it's message is more pro-anorexia than anything, especially when worn by an emaciated model."
Apparently not, hear celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton explain why his tee "Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels" is no longer for sale: http://cocoperez.com/2010-06-01-nothing-tastes-as-good-as-skinny-feels
UO got the message and has pulled the shirt as of 9:15 pm EDT according to the Huffington Post. The post also noted that the full description of the shirt read: "Eat less or more or however much you'd like in this seriously soft knit tee cut long and topped with a v-neck."
Those battling anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder where you starve yourself to be thin, and those anti the eat less message took to online forums including HugParty!:
"As a life long sufferer of anorexia nervosa, and a loyal patron to my local Urban Outfitters store, I am both saddened, as well as offended by this product you have chosen to expose your clientele to. What kind of message do you think this is sending your client base, the majority of whom are young adult females? "Eat Less" is blatantly telling your shoppers to starve themselves, which is the equivalent of committing a long, slow, and painful suicide." - Stephanie
"No thanks I enjoy eating" - adamwest
"no thanks at least be fat enough to make that shirt look flattering grrl grrl looks like she has anemia too" - slangtang
On June 3, Amelia McDonnell-Parry, contributor to the style section of the Frisky, reviewed UO's recent intentional controversial tee campaigns including:
- "Does not want to support gay marriage"
- Offering color tee option as: "Obama/Black"
- "Fathers its up to you! To preserve your daughter's virginity!"
"You know what I want? For Urban Outfitters to STFU."
No such thing as bad press? Maybe not, since the t-shirt is no longer available online but all of this attention has offered a lighter way to address a serious issue with friends and children if you are concerned about their unhealthy eating behaviors or your own.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments