Safe to say that we won't find any Maxxinistas wearing this.
T.J. Maxx is pulling a t-shirt from its stores after recent online backlash, and it's plainly obvious that the plain white tee is in poor taste (really, how did no buyers for the brand flag this?). The design features a rope shaped like a noose surrounded by the phrase "Hang Loose," which quickly brings undertones of suicide and—even lynching—to mind.
The shirt was first brought to the retail giant's attention when a Twitter user posted a photo from her Kissimmee, Florida store. The retailer replied to her tweet, asking for information about which store she spotted the shirt in. The tee, by the brand Tavik, was quickly pulled from T.J. Maxx's stores and from Tavik's own website.
T.J. Maxx isn't the only retailer in recent years to have to pull offensive items from their racks after public outcry: Urban Outfitters essentially specializes in it, with shirts emblazoned with phrases that seemingly promote anorexia and, oh, that red-spattered Kent State University tee, while Zara has also come under fire for striped children's shirts with gold stars reminiscent of concentration camp garb.
With social media making it easier for consumers to blow the whistle on inappropriate or discriminatory items, more and more retailers have found themselves having to pull clothing (and even lipsticks) from their shelves.
As they say, more power to the people.