Ladies, this one is for you. I have a question that has boggled my mind for sometime, perhaps one of you can shed some light.
As I was driving around the other day, I went past a women’s clothing store that by all accounts is quite successful, despite what I see to be a horrible handicap. Perhaps, someone out there can describe to me the appeal of a store for women called, “Dress Barn”TM?
Admittedly, I am no marketing wizard. I am not a guru of sensibly priced women’s fashions. I have, however, actually spent some time with women. I have yet to find a single one that would appreciate having, at any time, a reference relating themselves to anything to do with a barnyard. Every 3 year old knows what the have on the barnyard… cows and pigs. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would ever willingly call any woman I’ve ever met, either of those. Men know the wrath that can come down for even the slightest offhand remark regarding their ladies… uh… amplitude.
Yet, this store exists. Not only does it exist, it appears to be thriving. According to their website, there are over 800 stores. I am utterly amazed that a company got women to willingly shop in a store called “Dress Barn”TM. Say Dress Barn isn’t a well known store. You’re telling me that if some guy told his significant other, that she should go down to a place called “Dress Barn” to do some shopping, he would not immediately be persona non grata in the household and sleeping on the couch? Really? I can hear it now…
“What are you trying to say? *flashes of anger building*… Are you calling me a cow!? How dare you call me fat! …*now the sobbing starts*… I can’t believe you think I’m a disgusting fat pig. Don’t you love me anymore?” *More Sobbing and storming from the room*
Anyone who is doubting that a female would make such jumps in logic is either a.) a female or b.) never spent time with a female. Leaping from “Dress Barn” to “disgusting fat pig” can happen is less time than it takes for a guy to even know what he said wrong. We’ve all been there, guys. Every guy has at least one time when something they said got them is very hot water, without him even realizing it at the time.
I suppose I could understand if the store was trying to be ironic or something. Kinda like guys shopping at “Knuckle-Dragger Unibrow’s Fine Men’s Fashions” and the store is full of flannel, boxer shorts and T-shirts with crude sayings on them. But this isn’t the case. For the life of me, I can’t understand it.
I really have to plead ignorance here. Maybe some executive from Dress BarnTMTM will see this post and be able to shed some light. If not, maybe someone who has voluntarily shopped at a store where the name conjures up images of mucking stalls and feed troughs could explain their thought processes.
Just one more small step in the advancement of understanding between the sexes.
Jas I have often wondered the same thing. Mom and I had this conversation in fact years ago when I was first introduced to the Dress Barn. I have to admit that I have been there twice, have in fact found items that I liked and have worn several times, but I will not shop there of my own accord, for reasons you have clearly stated. The two times I was there I believe was with mom, who, so sensibly minded, merely chuckles at my silliness for wishing not to shop at an establishment that makes me think of large fat animals rather than women’s fashion. While we’re on the subject, who’s the brain-wave surgeon (*wink to mom*) who thought up “Sag Harbor” for a brand of women’s apparel?
Having never really been there…tho maybe with mom once, now that I think about it…. I have NO idea. Seems like a prescription for marketing failure to me.
who knows?