When I was pregnant, I ended up buying a ton of clothes from Forever 21 because they were cheap, the empire-waist was the trend at the time, and I didn’t have to worry about spending a ton of money to get my clothes over my belly.
? This dress right here? Forever 21. 10 bucks. Wore it throughout my pregnancy and then after. (This picture was taken after. On my honeymoon. Six months after my daughter was born. I was still breastfeeding. Yeah, AWKWARD. I’ll have to write about that some other time.)
So I do understand how young women, who might not have the money to spend $70 on maternity jeans, might need more options when they get pregnant.
Here comes Forever 21 with its maternity line, Love 21. When I tell you people are pissed, they are PISSED. They think a store that caters to teens should be ashamed of itself (can a business be ashamed?), that selling maternity clothes promotes teen pregnancy and makes it “normal.”
While I can see that point (Pregnant Teen and Non-Pregnant Teen can shop at the same store together! Yay!) , I don’t think it promotes teen pregnancy. Can clothes actually do that? Unless they’re selling shirts that say, “So glad I got knocked up!” on the front, I don’t understand the correlation.
Check out this post to see what I mean:
Forever 21 is glamorizing teenage pregnancy by normalizing it. If you’re pregnant you can dress just like your friends! You can be pregnant AND fashionable! While it is obviously wrong to ostracize someone for becoming pregnant, it is even worse to actively encourage teenage pregnancy, and for Forever 21 to do so just to turn a profit is irresponsible.
What do you think? Is it wrong for Forever 21 to sell maternity clothes? Or do pregnant (young women, not just teens) need a place to buy affordable maternity clothes just like anyone else?
I think people automatically have a knee-jerk reaction when it comes to certain things like teen pregnancies. I think that teen pregnancy is an (unfortunate) part of life, but these young ladies still need a place to shop for affordable maternity gear. I’d rather forever21 have maternity line than see a young pregnant lady still squeezing into her pre-pregnant skinny jeans! I think forever21 saw an underserved population and filled a need.
.-= Yetunde´s last blog ..Organize your filing cabinet =-.
well, I’m almost 25 and I shop at Forever 21!
The clothes are CHEAP! I never thought… or knew that it was suppose to be a “teenage” store.
I mean, if they want to sell Maternity fine, whatever… it’s not like Baby Gap has a maternity line, you know?
.-= Samantha @ Mama Notes´s last blog ..Standard Policies Maam =-.
That’s pretty interesting. I never knew that Forever 21 was supposed to be a teen spot either. I don’t do a lot of shopping there, but whenever I’m in there I notice women of many ages. During my pregnancy (7 years ago) I could fine nothing that fit properly (I carried small) and nothing that didn’t look like it was from the early 90s! I think affordable, fashionable maternity wear is an awesome idea.
Nobody’s going to get pregnant because these clothes exist. I can’t believe people are actually getting worked up over it! Some girls are pregnant, and they need affordable clothes. What’s the big deal?
Banning these clothes would just make things harder for girls in an already difficult situation. That helps nobody, and reinforces the stigma against pregnant teens.
.-= Betty´s last blog ..9w4d- Fooooood om nom nom =-.
I loved shopping at Forever 21 while I was in grad school (ages 21-28) because of how affordable + cute the clothes were. So I don’t think its limited to merely teenagers. So to me, these folks’ angst is moot. *smh*
.-= Yakini´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
I think this is a silly argument. How many teen pregancies were prevented when the only maternity clothes were those gosh-awful giant bows our moms had to wear? Do they really think that girls are going to say “now that I can get fashionable clothing at low prices, I think I will get knocked up at 14”? There are so many things that can actually be done to prevent teen pregnancy, it is a shame that some think that denying fashion choices is one of them.
It’s assumed Forever 21 is a teen store. However, I know a few 40 year old moms that can fit and shop at Forever 21. So, the assumption is inaccurate about who Forever 21 caters to.
I’m 29 and I shop at Forever 21 from time to time. I’m glad that there’s another store that will cater to those that may be looking for trendier maternity items. If you go to the mall right now what are your options: Pea in the Pod? Mimi Maternity? I don’t think Macy’s even has a maternity section. With all the Miley’s, Britney’s, Lindsey’s, etc. blurring the lines between teens & twenty-somethings, I agree that Forever 21 probably realized there was an opportunity there and decided to take it. H&M sells maternity clothes and there are definitely lots of teens that shop there. I think it’s a great idea and maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to go buy cute maternity clothes there myself!!
.-= Brenn´s last blog ..Im Back =-.
Yes, Tara. People are pissed. It’s been the talk of the week AND has taken over the blog world too. The thing is, I’m 26 and I STILL shop at Forever 21. Granted, I’m a poor grad student and their clothes are pretty affordable, especially when I’m just looking for a cheap shirt or dress to throw on, but hey… People need to realize that the store doesn’t only cater to teens, but also young (and in my case, mid 20’s) adults.
.-= alicia´s last blog ..Dealing With The Drama King =-.
My comment is simple. It’s just maternity clothes! Sheesh! The person that decided they wanted to attack Forever 21 for this, can’t possibly be a mother! The issue of teen pregnancy will still exist whether someone designs clothes for them or not.
Um, I don’t think non-pregnant teens are in Forever 21 going “those maternity pants look hotter than these non-maternity ones”… I mean, at the end of the day it’s not about trends or what the sex they are encouraging.
It’s about making a buck- I think it’s a smart move because I’ve been in those maternity stores that charge TOO much money just for a little wiggle room. And Forever 21 is not only limited to teens- I know plenty of women who shop there that are grown.
And it’s also about personal responsibility, as always. It’s always easier to blame someone else (ie: corporations) for problems parents are scared to handle at home.
Um, I don’t think non-pregnant teens are in Forever 21 going “those maternity pants look hotter than these non-maternity ones”… I mean, at the end of the day it’s not about trends or what the sex they are encouraging.
It’s about making a buck- I think it’s a smart move because I’ve been in those maternity stores that charge TOO much money just for a little wiggle room. And Forever 21 is not only limited to teens- I know plenty of women who shop there that are grown.
And it’s also about personal responsibility, as always. It’s always easier to blame someone else (ie: corporations) for problems parents are scared to handle at home.
.-= Tracita Linda´s last blog ..Tuesday Teaser- Watercolored Pearls =-.
LOL! This is foolishness. People are so ignorant! Is there such thing as “teen” store anyway? People are made in all shapes and sizes and there are many women who are petite enough to shop in “teen” stores for life! And you dont even have to be that petite to shop in such stores – it all depends on your style. Lol, people will always have something to say. What else will they do with their time!
I am so glad you shared this with us because in a few months, I will be frequenting this store!
Thanks
.-= Tsahai Green´s last blog ..7 Week Survey Sorry Ive Been MIA =-.
I don’t see the problem. Who made Forever 21 a store for teens anyway? I thought Forever 21 was for any young woman, even women over the age of 20. Women our age like to shop there when they are not pregnant, so why wouldn’t they want to shop there when they are?
.-= Mrs. CJ´s last blog ..Give a Little Bit of Love =-.
First of All, Forever 21 is not or has ever been a teenage oriented store. Forever 21 is all about vintage style, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s clothing american AND euporean adapted to today. It’s more of a trend rather than a marketing target. The truth is, in my opinion, it is absolutely ridiculous to dress oversized and overpriced when pregnant and pregnancy clothes obviously are necessary but unfortunately not too useful when the child has been born. It is not only ignorant, but those who say they are a corporation looking for wealth overlooking values, well hooray! I am glad someone is in fact thinking of the teenage moms, and mid 20’s moms and mid 30’s moms who are pregnant. Hey if JLO can wear Dolce and Gabbana and look hot pregnant, why can’t I or any other girl who wants to feel forever like she’s 21 look hot too? (and have extra money for baby formula)
I don’t think they glamorize teen pregnancy. That actually didn’t even cross my mind when I first read it. TONS of non-teens shop there. Now, if Libby Lou or Gap Kids started selling pregnancy clothes, I’d have a pretty big attitude, but not for FOREVER 21.
Forever 21 meaning someone who wants to be 21 forever. Right? I love the store and I wish they sold maternity clothes a year ago. Its not a teen store.
I don’t think thatmaternity is going to encourage teens to get pregnate. They are just providing clothing for girls who already are.
I am a 23 yr old petite woman. I can’t fit into regular maternity clothes….they just don’t work. I was very excited when I found out that I can get cheap maternity clothes that should fit at forever 21!