The threat worked. Four days before the official start of the Christmas shopping season — abercrombie and fitch , known for overpriced clothes and underdressed models — ordered its 651 stores to stop selling "The
Christmas Field Guide," the latest edition of the company's pornographic quarterly magazine. It's evidently
the start of a permanent ban on selling the quarterly in stores, and it's evidence that when enough people
get mad — and take action — even the most libertine companies will sometimes back down.
abercrombie and fitch quarterly has long angered parents and others concerned about cultural decay. The 2003
Christmas issue features dozens of naked young men and women in various sexual poses, including group sex.
The pictures are accompanied by a column from a "sexpert" who, among other lewd advice, suggests readers
engage in oral sex in movie theaters "so long as you do not disturb those around you."
Earlier editions featured pictures of Santa in abercrombie and fitch sadomasochistic poses with his elves,
drinking tips, advice on seducing everyone from teachers to nuns, and a recommendation that students
"negotiate a special group rate at a local motel, which your entire quad can take advantage of." A&F recently
outraged parents by marketing, to seven-year-old girls, thong-style panties featuring slogans like "Eye
Candy" and "Wink Wink."
I visited an A&F store at the abercrombie and fitch Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Maryland last Wednesday. I
was planning to write a story about the quarterly, and wanted to see a copy for myself. But when I got to the
counter, the sales associate told me they were no longer selling abercrombie and fitch the Christmas issue.
This was confirmed by store manager Matt Willard, who said all A&F stores were ordered to stop selling the
quarterly last Tuesday. Store managers were given no explanation for the decision, he said.
