Girls' push-up tops? No thanks

Parents have strong opinions about the Abercrombie and Fitch's padded bikini top. We received plenty of comments on Facebook and through e-mails about our column on the subject, and even though Abercrombie has pulled back on the marketing campaign, readers still have some pretty strong feelings about it.

Liz said, "That is horrifying! I will never put that on my daughter! Ever!"

"I do have only boys. But must say that it is bad enough that teen girls are dressing too slutty as it is and to promote this at that young age is ridiculous!" said Judy. "I don't approve of the boys with their boxers showing either and thank God that my boys aren't fans of that idiotic look."

Kim said, "Really, what is the point? It's like what those pageant parents do to their toddlers with the make-up, high heels and big hair. It's so not for little girls. Let them be kids!"

"Says more about the parent than the child," wrote Mark.

"Would you put a 9-year-old boy in padded swim shorts?" asked Mary. "Don't think so. This is so wrong."

"We have walked into Abercrombie & Fitch a few times," said Phaedra. "I've noticed things like necklines that seem too deep for a tween, and shorts that are entirely too short. At 37 I struggle with my self image. And it's my goal that my daughter likes herself as is. "

Some readers thought a little padding never hurt anyone.

"This is a liner—I don't think it's meant to make you look busty," said Joe. "I don't think it's such a bad thing to have a little liner in there so when kids get cold, they don't worry about showing that to the world. I have two girls, and they get self-conscious."

"Premature puberty is not Abercrombie's fault," added Gina. "Maybe we should examine the motives that drive marketing and clean up our own acts and not blame the retailers for studying us!"

"They have those suits already at Target," said Carol. "The liners pop out in the wash and they are so annoying."

jweigel@tribune.com