A storm has been brewing recently on social media over a women’s T-shirt sold by Target that bears the word “TROPHY” across it. As in, a trophy wife, someone who is meant only to adorn the arm of another and look pretty. But Target says it’s just part of its collection for women of the marrying kind, and that it’s received an “overwhelmingly positive” response to the item.
“It is never our intention to offend anyone and we always appreciate receiving feedback from our guests,” Target said in a statement about the controversy, noting that the shirt “is part of a collection of engagement and wedding shirts that are available in our women’s and plus size departments. The collection also included shirts that say ‘Team Bride,’ ‘Mrs.’ and ‘Bride.’ These shirts are intended as a fun wink and we have received an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests.”
Perhaps if the “trophy” T-shirt was also available in the men’s section, some shoppers wouldn’t be up in arms. As it stands now, however, there are plenty of Target customers on Twitter who have an issue with the garment, in posts going back to May:
There’s also a Change.org petition called that seeks the removal of the shirt from Target’s shelves, which has more than 11,000 signatures at this point.
“Help women around the world by standing against these types of messages in our culture,” the petition reads. “You may say to yourself, “It’s only a shirt, what’s the big deal?” I would respond by asking you to consider how strong words can be, and the power they have to both help and hinder. This shirt hinders progress made by thousands of advocates before us. It says that, despite being ‘equal’ on paper, we are still viewed as ‘things,’ and Target wants to profit off of that.”
On the other hand, some folks think it’s perfectly harmless.
(Note on above Tweet: the word “trophy” only appears on women’s items, and we weren’t able to locate any Strand brand of underwear for men on Target.com)
One of the two reviews of the shirt at Target.com (both positive) also doesn’t mind the “trophy” idea:
“Great cut makes for a cute fit- and hey- are we talking about my body, or my mind?!!! Yay! Definitely a conversation starter.”
What do you think? Vote below.
by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist