Macy’s is taking a new line of decorative plates off its shelves after the departmental store chain received reservations from people that the plates conveyed ‘a body-shaming message.
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The plates in question had three circles on the top, demarcating portion sizes corresponding to skinny, favorite or mom jeans.
The social media outrage against the plates was initiated by author Alie Ward when she tagged Macy’s in a Tweet, saying: “How can I get these plates from @Macys banned in all 50 states.”
Ward’s tweet was accompanied by the photos of the controversial plates that she captured at a Macy’s in New York.
How can I get these plates from @Macys banned in all 50 states pic.twitter.com/1spntAluVl
— Alie Ward (@alieward) July 21, 2019
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“Macy’s just casually promoting eating disorders and body shaming,” read a response to Ward’s Tweet. “MOM JEANS FOREVER,” another user commented.
Within a matter of hours, Ward was approached by Macy’s on Twitter to reassure that they will remove the plates from their stores.
“Hi, Alie — we appreciate you sharing this with us and agree that we missed the mark on this product,” Macy’s wrote in response. “It will be removed from all STORY at Macy’s locations.”
STORY is a brick-and-mortar retail initiative by Macy’s, allowing small businesses to market and sell their products at the locations allotted to them in the store.
Created by Pourtions, the controversial plates were up for sale on STORY and were never listed on Macy’s online store.
However, not everyone seemed happy after Macy’s took the plates off their stores.
Replying to Ward, one Twitter user wrote: “If you don’t like them, don’t buy them. The world doesn’t revolve around you. Sit down.”
After removal from Macy’s, the product can still be purchased online from Pourtions at a price of $9.50 per piece.
Hi, Alie — we appreciate you sharing this with us and agree that we missed the mark on this product. It will be removed from all STORY at Macy's locations.
— Macy's (@Macys) July 22, 2019
The product description on the website reads: “There’s nothing like broken-in, faded, ripped-in-the-right-place jeans. They look great, and more importantly, they fit great.
“So, keep your eye on the middle circle and you’ll always be in fashion.”
Offering plates, wine glasses, bowls, and other items, Pourtions has their own view about their collection which, according to them, is “a humorous + healthy way to watch what you eat + drink.”
Other messages from Pourtions include “manicotti” vs. “man overboard” on a pasta bowl, and “feed me” vs. “feed bag” on an appetizer plate, and “on the lips” vs. “on the hips” on a wine glass.
Macy’s quick reaction surprised Ward.
“Companies, people, everyone screws up,” she told The Washington Post. “It’s not about being perfect or tiptoeing, but it’s just about listening when someone says, ‘yeah, no.’”