Topman makes a Top cock-up!

sunflower27 · 16-09-2011 12:11AM #1

Well, would you have worn it?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2011/sep/14/sexist-topman-tshirts-off-shelves

Topman has withdrawn two T-shirts from sale amid claims that they are sexist and that one made fun of domestic violence.
One of the T-shirts features a list of excuses for doing something wrong, which many posters on Facebook and Twitter perceived to be hitting a woman. Its slogan reads: "I'm so sorry, but … You provoked me; I was drunk; I was having a bad day; I hate you; I didn't mean it; I couldn't help it."
On Topman's Facebook page Marie Horner, who set up the STopman group on the site in protest, posted: "Promoting the excuses that men use to get away with abusing women is clearly wrong, whether it's on a T-shirt or not."
Another Facebook user, Mel Parkin, added: "Many woman and children flee for their lives every year from domestic violence. It's very poor taste to promote it."
The slogan on the other T-shirt reads: "Nice new girlfriend – what breed is she?"
Bella Mackie, who works for the Guardian, tweeted: "Seriously, comparing women to dogs? Classy."
Topman, which is part of the billionaire Sir Philip Green's retail empire, has withdrawn the T-shirts from sale and apologised for any offence caused by the designs.
"We have received some negative feedback regarding two of our printed T-shirts. Whilst we would like to stress that these T-shirts were meant to be light-hearted and carried no serious meaning, we have made the decision to remove these from store and online as soon as possible."We would like to apologise to those who may have been offended by these designs."
Both T-shirts are now listed as "out of stock" on Topman's online store.
But the statement provoked further criticism online, with a Facebook user, Helen Highwater, stating on Topman's page: "There's nothing 'funny' or 'light-hearted' about casual misogyny or domestic abuse."

Da Shins Kelly · 16-09-2011 12:13AM

They were probably ridiculously over-priced too.

The_Kew_Tour · 16-09-2011 12:13AM

What fooking planet were the designers living in...

there is thousands of educated people unemployed, yet a lot of idiots seem to have jobs

sunflower27 · 16-09-2011 12:15AM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

What fooking planet were the designers living in...

there is thousands of educated people unemployed, yet a lot of idiots seem to have jobs

I know, how many people must have essentially signed off on it?

Top heads will roll...

hatrickpatrick · 16-09-2011 12:16AM

The fact that this was withdrawn under sexism complaints is a disgrace.

Don't get me wrong, the clothes were absolutely disgusting. But in yet another modern example of "equality", these can still be sold anywhere without issues:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindcircus/139278592/

I'm actually getting so sick of the number of aspects of life where people think it's ok to hold double standards. One set of rules for absolutely everyone I say. If it's not ok for the goose it's not ok for the gander, etc.

By all means ban the Topman stuff but for God's sake why is it ok for young boys to have to put up with taunts like that on girl's clothes and not the other way around?!

Aishae · 16-09-2011 12:17AM

ive seen similar for women - but saying similar things to men. ive never like t shirts like that though. they seem dull if nothing else. just not funny

strobe · 16-09-2011 12:18AM

Was it really intended as a domestic abuse joke? Could read just as excuses for anything. Surely they can't be that stupid.

sunflower27 · 16-09-2011 12:19AM

Aishae wrote: »

ive seen similar for women - but saying similar things to men. ive never like t shirts like that though. they seem dull if nothing else. just not funny

A bit like 'If found return to pub' and 'touch here' :rolleyes:

Saila · 16-09-2011 12:19AM

wow that is bad, one thing for a garage company to do it but a high street brand :eek:

hatrickpatrick · 16-09-2011 12:20AM

From that same line as above:
"Boys lie, poke 'em in the eye" can be sold on girls' t shirts and it has a pic of a guy with his eye gouched out:
http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/d5/6/AAAAAmwXmV8AAAAAANVoCw.jpg?v=1203921157000

I double dare anyone here to draw a picture of a bruised girl and write "but she's a liar" under it and try not to wind up in court. And well you should land up in court, it's disgusting, but so should whoever made the original t shirt as well.

sunflower27 · 16-09-2011 12:21AM

strobe wrote: »

Was it really intended as a domestic abuse joke? Could read just as excuses for anything. Surely they can't be that stupid.

The slogan on the other T-shirt reads: "Nice new girlfriend – what breed is she?"

So, yeah, God only knows what they were implying...

Pompey Magnus · 16-09-2011 12:22AM

The slogan on the other T-shirt reads: "Nice new girlfriend – what breed is she?"

Bella Mackie, who works for the Guardian, tweeted: "Seriously, comparing women to dogs? Classy."

She sounds like a right bitch.

Aishae · 16-09-2011 12:23AM

ah no - the fell off me barstool shirts are amusing. they take the piss out of the drink, not the sex.
its only a t shirt. but it is very much a double standard situation if its ok for girls to walk around in sexist joke shirts when lads would be slapped for doing the same. just let us both do it - or neither.

sunflower27 · 16-09-2011 12:24AM

Pompey Magnus wrote: »

She sounds like a right bitch.

:D:D

later12 · 16-09-2011 12:24AM

Bit ridiculous that the first tee shirt was automatically perceived to have been references to domestic violence against women.

No offence Topman, but many of your customers aren't even that way inclined.

I'm with hatrickpatrick on this; if you want blanket gender political correctness (and that would be an awful thing) then it has to go both ways.

k.p.h · 16-09-2011 12:25AM

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

I double dare anyone here to draw a picture of a bruised girl and write "but she's a liar" under it and try not to wind up in court

That sounds awesome where would I get one of those ..

Logical Fallacy · 16-09-2011 12:25AM

sunflower27 wrote: »

The slogan on the other T-shirt reads: "Nice new girlfriend – what breed is she?"

So, yeah, God only knows what they were implying...

I think they are implying that people who buy t-shirts in Topman enjoy intercourse with canines.

strobe · 16-09-2011 12:26AM

sunflower27 wrote: »

The slogan on the other T-shirt reads: "Nice new girlfriend – what breed is she?"

So, yeah, God only knows what they were implying...

Jesus Christ, isn't something like 95% of their clothing women's wear? Idiots.

MrStuffins · 16-09-2011 12:31AM

sunflower27 wrote: »

The slogan on the other T-shirt reads: "Nice new girlfriend – what breed is she?"

So, yeah, God only knows what they were implying...

Now wait a minute, this is more double standards! Because I have seen the same thing written on a WOMAN'S t-shirt. There's loads of stupid bitchy t-shirts like that around like "While you're reading this your boyfriend is checking me out" and whatever.

Why wasn't it offensive to compare women to dogs when it was a woman making the statement? Why did this only come up when it was a man?

the_syco · 16-09-2011 12:34AM

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

What fooking planet were the designers living in...

At least they know who their market are... :pac:

sunflower27 · 16-09-2011 12:34AM

MrStuffins wrote: »

Now wait a minute, this is more double standards! Because I have seen the same thing written on a WOMAN'S t-shirt. There's loads of stupid bitchy t-shirts like that around like "While you're reading this your boyfriend is checking me out" and whatever.

Why wasn't it offensive to compare women to dogs when it was a woman making the statement? Why did this only come up when it was a man?

I don't know!!!!!! I only posted it.

I suppose because the 'your bf is checking me out' is not 'advocating' domestic violence, which is what people were saying about the Topman t-shirt.

Eroticfishcake · 16-09-2011 12:37AM

No reason to get upset, more controversial the slogans the more these t-shirts sell. Just don't wear them, they are marketed for knackers.

MrStuffins · 16-09-2011 12:38AM

sunflower27 wrote: »

I don't know!!!!!! I only posted it.

I suppose because the 'your bf is checking me out' is not 'advocating' domestic violence, which is what people were saying about the Topman t-shirt.

No I wasnt asking you, I was just asking in general.

and I was talking about the same statement about breeds of dog. I saw a woman wearing the t-shirt saying "Nice new girlfriend. What breed is she?"

sunflower27 · 16-09-2011 12:40AM

Eroticfishcake wrote: »

No reason to get upset, more controversial the slogans the more these t-shirts sell. Just don't wear them, they are marketed for knackers.

Not this time. They are not selling them anymore!

Bodhisopha · 16-09-2011 12:42AM

T-shirts bearing slogans are for cúnts.

strobe · 16-09-2011 12:43AM

Bodhisopha wrote: »

'T-shirts bearing slogans are for cúnts'.

I'm totally getting that printed on a t-shirt.

Bodhisopha · 16-09-2011 12:56AM

strobe wrote: »

I'm totally getting that printed on a t-shirt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EVFdPjFR5s

Plazaman · 16-09-2011 01:05AM

Pffffttt, TopMan are amateurs. Now THIS is a good insulting T-Shirt..... and maybe THIS

AnneElizabeth · 16-09-2011 01:11AM

I don't see the problem at all with that t-shirt, why would anyone assume it was over domestic abuse in the first place? I think some people just love complaining.

Paparazzo · 16-09-2011 01:11AM

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

The fact that this was withdrawn under sexism complaints is a disgrace.

Don't get me wrong, the clothes were absolutely disgusting. But in yet another modern example of "equality", these can still be sold anywhere without issues:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindcircus/139278592/

I'm actually getting so sick of the number of aspects of life where people think it's ok to hold double standards. One set of rules for absolutely everyone I say. If it's not ok for the goose it's not ok for the gander, etc.

By all means ban the Topman stuff but for God's sake why is it ok for young boys to have to put up with taunts like that on girl's clothes and not the other way around?!

Domestic violence against men isn't serious, everyone knows that. Remember The Sun and The Mirror took the piss out of Steve McFadden because he was hit by a girl.
Story
And just so you know karma works, that's the same Rebekah Wade (now Brooks) thats up to her neck in shít over the phone hacking scandal.

jill_valentine · 16-09-2011 01:25AM

Paparazzo wrote: »

Domestic violence against men isn't serious, everyone knows that. Remember The Sun and The Mirror took the piss out of Steve McFadden because he was hit by a girl.

To be fair, as you've pointed out, in one of these stories, the perpetrator wasn't just any girl. She was an influential figure in Murdoch's creepy spider's nest, and it was in the interest of the red tops to try and shame the victims and diminish her crime in the eyes of the public.

It's also worth noting that both The Sun and The Mirror are appalling sh*te rags written by arseholes for idiots. So while it's only fair and right to be frustrated with their impenetrably cynical douchebaggery, you have to bear in mind that these are the same papers that paid cops to help hack the phones of murder victims, and the same readers who tried to protect children by beating up a pediatrician.

Topman makes a Top cock-up!

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