A social media backlash to a Cotton On range of clothing and accessories featuring quotes from the hit movie Mean Girls has forced the retailer to withdraw the items from sale.
Facebook and Twitter post accused Cotton On of promoting bullying with the items, featuring the quote “you can’t sit with us”.
The fashion retailer was selling tote bags, clutches and girls’ T-shirts carrying the phrase, a quote from the popular 2004 comedy about a group of mean high school girls.
However, other posters supported the line, saying the movie actually promoted an anti-bullying message and it was “only humour, people”.
Cotton On also faced a backlash in 2009 to a range of kids clothing, including slogans “I’m a tits man”, “Mummy likes it on top”, “The condom broke”, “I like big boobs and I cannot lie” and “Practice safe sucks”.
Cotton On replied to the posts with:
“The product range has been voluntarily withdrawn from sale, pending a formal investigation.
“As a business underpinned by a sound moral and ethical code, the Cotton On Group does not condone bullying on any level, and takes matters such as this very seriously.”
