Forever 21 is reportedly filing for bankruptcy, and the internet is divided about it
According to a new report, Forever 21 is filing for bankruptcy. Bloomberg is reporting that the company’s financial struggles in recent years might force the Los Angeles-based retailer to change its business strategy, which might mean closing or restructuring “unprofitable” stores.
Forever 21 hasn’t yet commented on the report, but the news comes amid a slew of mall favorites suffering the same fate, with stores like Toys R Us, Claire’s Accessories, and Payless all filing for bankruptcy in the past few years. As consumers shift to online shopping—thanks to fast shipping and a growing range of options at various price points—retail culture as we once knew it is evolving, and the internet has thoughts.
For many of us, Forever 21 has been a one-stop shop for affordable fashion. (Blake Lively even admitted she wore the brand’s clothes on the red carpet at the beginning of her career!) But the company hasn’t been without its fair share of controversy. Fast fashion in general is not the most sustainable (or, often times, ethical) way of shopping, potentially exploiting workers and the environment. So some Twitter users are pleased to see a step toward the end of fast fashion, while others are sad for some very valid reasons.
Some users had hilarious takes about the demise of Forever 21.
forever21 stores looking at their stock and wondering what they're gonna do with all of their unsold sequin "taco tuesdays" crop tops and glitter emoji booty shorts after filing for bankruptcy pic.twitter.com/UaPpo6V2Aa
— ⚰️ (@Vampyreus) August 29, 2019
Maybe if they'd stop adding phrases like "pizza is my bae" to otherwise cute pieces this wouldn't be happening… https://t.co/dVN4JYYcRv
— Sophia Tulp (@sophia_tulp) August 29, 2019
Forever 21 sealed their own fate when they did a collab with the post office https://t.co/6RuravUQ4y
— bunsenburger (@two_cansam) August 29, 2019
not being able to make enough money to independently exist is the most true to its name thing Forever 21 has ever done https://t.co/RXHWN2FnMh
— maura quint (@behindyourback) August 29, 2019
Forever 21 is going bankrupt bcz who wants to buy a floral crop top that says I Love PICKLES on the back?
— kay🌸 (@OKAYYYWOWWW) August 29, 2019
Forever 21 was making priority mail onesies and hot cheeto dresses. Should’ve known the end was near…
— 🦄 (@DrEstrogen) August 29, 2019
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Others were happy about what this could mean for the end of fast fashion.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1167069781624856578
false
Forever 21 is one of the biggest players in fast fashion that is horrible for the environment AND unethically produced. How else do you think they make a profit from a $7 tee?? I’ve been making more conscience shopping efforts- like thrifting! Hope y’all can too if they close. 💜 https://t.co/zWjpXEbNBT
— Tiff Mink ✨💜 (@minkus) August 29, 2019
But others pointed out that Forever 21 and similar stores offer affordable options for those at different sizes.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1167060562553036801
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1167060465912090626
I know ppl don’t wanna hear it but it sucks that forever 21 is going bankrupt cause they were one of the best known brands catering to plus size/budget folks.
Size inclusivity matters y’all! Being able to have a stable income of clothes when you need it is important to ppl!!!
— Haley🍊 (@hholmberry) August 29, 2019
Though some pointed out that the size options weren’t all that inclusive to begin with.
Forever 21 Forever 21
clothes and now that it’s goin
their small bankrupt so
sizes there’ll be a sale pic.twitter.com/9RZeW7tREU— Firelord Vips (@_2much2say_) August 29, 2019
With Forever 21 going bankrupt, I have no idea where I'm going to get dresses displayed as size 14 that are actually size 4.
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) August 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1167062367487660033
Only time will tell what the future looks like for Forever 21, but we do know people have lots of feelings about its potential demise. Here’s hoping we won’t have to say goodbye to those signature yellow shopping bags for good, and that the move will signify a positive shift for the beloved mall brand.
