Shop pulls ‘body shaming’ plates with ‘Skinny Jeans’ portion sizes after backlash

Famous American department store apologises for selling plates

Macy's department store; Alie Ward's tweet (Getty Images)

US department store Macy’s has removed plates from sale which featured “body-shaming” portion sizes markings after receiving backlash on Twitter.

The controversial plates featured three concentric circles, marking out suggested portion sizes.

The larger portion size was marked “Mom jeans”, the medium size was titled “Favourite jeans”, and the smallest was labelled “Skinny jeans”, an apparent joke suggesting that the portions would enable women to fit into certain styles of jeans.

On Sunday, Alie Ward, a writer and podcast host, posted a photograph on Twitter of the plates at the Macy’s flagship store in New York City.

“How can I get these plates from @Macys banned in all 50 states,” Ward captioned the photo, tagging the department store.

Actor Jameela Jamil retweeted Ward’s post, and tweeted the company: “F**k these plates. F**k these plates to hell.”

In response, a spokesperson from Macy’s replied to Ward and Jamil, agreeing that the company “missed the mark” on the plates.

They added that the product would be removed from all Macy’s stores.

While some Twitter users have highlighted the power in calling out large corporations for injustices, others have accused those who criticised the plates as being “snowflakes”, a derogatory term used to describe people who are considered overly politically correct and who easily take offence.

“Here come all the “I’m never offended” snowflakes that are crying over a plate that they never even thought of buying,” wrote one user.

“Can’t believe they caved Snow Flakes,” wrote another.

One user wrote: “Sorry but I actually like the plates. It would help me no end and it’s a bit of fun. Seriously if you think this plate is going to cause ppl to become obese or anorexic then your thick. It’s meant as fun but my god @jameelajamil speaks everyone must jump!! [sic]”

The plates are designed by a company called Pourtions and were on sale in STORY (a retail initiative which gives small businesses space to sell their products that follow a certain theme) at Macy’s.

The product is still available to by from Pourtions’ website, where they are being sold for £7.63 ($9.50) each.

The plate’s 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.”

Pourtions describes its range of crockery, which includes plates with the words “well done” and “foul”, as “humorous” and a “healthy way to watch what you eat and drink”.

Mary Cassidy, the president of Pourtions,tells The Independent that the company feels "badly if what was meant to be a lighthearted take on the important issue of portion control was hurtful to anyone.

"Pourtions is intended to support healthy eating and drinking," she added. "Everyone who has appreciated Pourtions knows that it can be tough sometimes to be as mindful and moderate in our eating and drinking as we’d like, but that a gentle reminder can make a difference.

"That was all we ever meant to encourage."

Cassidy added that the company believes that a "touch of humour can, for some, be just the right touch".