On the Inside of Abercrombie and Fitch
Theresa West
Issue date: 11/9/04 Section: OLExclusives
I started working at Abercrombie in July when a friend convinced me to apply for the job; I needed money badly and the lure of a 30% discount off pre-ripped jeans and "vintage" tees was just too much to resist. After picking up an application and skipping my first scheduled interview, a manager called to persuade me to come in for another interview the following week.
Our interviewer told us a little bit about the store and said he had some questions for us in order to get a better feel for "who we really were". He asked us, "If you could be any celebrity, who would you be?" and "If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?" Somehow, my answers to those two rather trivial questions got me hired.
As a conscientious employee, I decided to read through the 55 page "associate handbook" which I had been given at orientation. The most interesting section of this booklet is the "appearance/look policy": a full page of guidelines on how Abercrombie employees should present themselves. The "appearance/look policy" describes a number of limitations placed on how employees can present themselves. For example, makeup, if worn, "must be worn to enhance natural features and create a fresh natural appearance. Foundation, base or blush can only be worn if it is applied in such a way as to look completely natural." The policy even includes a paragraph long section the proper presentation of fingernails!
Other rules that are not explicitly stated in the handbook include a rule that prohibits wearing black clothing because Abercrombie has never sold clothes in that color. One day, an employee was harshly reprimanded for coming in to work wearing a black polo. Nearly every manager spoke with him that day, telling him how important it was that he not wear black because it "did not represent the store." Every employee had to wear flip flops that did not exceed one inch in height. Employees wearing sandals that did not meet these guidelines were lectured on the importance of upholding the store's image.
Our interviewer told us a little bit about the store and said he had some questions for us in order to get a better feel for "who we really were". He asked us, "If you could be any celebrity, who would you be?" and "If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?" Somehow, my answers to those two rather trivial questions got me hired.
As a conscientious employee, I decided to read through the 55 page "associate handbook" which I had been given at orientation. The most interesting section of this booklet is the "appearance/look policy": a full page of guidelines on how Abercrombie employees should present themselves. The "appearance/look policy" describes a number of limitations placed on how employees can present themselves. For example, makeup, if worn, "must be worn to enhance natural features and create a fresh natural appearance. Foundation, base or blush can only be worn if it is applied in such a way as to look completely natural." The policy even includes a paragraph long section the proper presentation of fingernails!
Other rules that are not explicitly stated in the handbook include a rule that prohibits wearing black clothing because Abercrombie has never sold clothes in that color. One day, an employee was harshly reprimanded for coming in to work wearing a black polo. Nearly every manager spoke with him that day, telling him how important it was that he not wear black because it "did not represent the store." Every employee had to wear flip flops that did not exceed one inch in height. Employees wearing sandals that did not meet these guidelines were lectured on the importance of upholding the store's image.