Brandy Melville, the controversial one-size-fits-all teen fashion brand, is closing its in-store fitting rooms nationwide, but has offered few details about why.
The Independent confirmed Tuesday through a phone call with a corporate customer service agent about they new policy. Details, including the cause of the closures, were not shared. However, employees in Boston and Austin told the BBC last week that the change was prompted by “vandalism,” including chewing gum being stuck to fitting room curtains and walls.
Customers had also complained that the curtains would not stay fully closed, according to the outlet.
The Independent has contacted representatives for Brandy Melville by email for further information.
Brandy Melville, founded in the 1980s, has long been criticized for its one-size, smaller-body-focused clothing and concerns about body image standards. A 2024 HBO documentary, “Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion,” also alleged the company promoted eating disorders and sexualized young female employees.
The company has not publicly addressed the accusations in the documentary.
The clothing company currently operates stores in 24 states and the District of Columbia, including Texas, California and Massachusetts.
With the closures swirling on social media, a TikTok user further fueled the gum theory in a video that has surpassed 3.8 million views, showing dried, stained residue on dressing room curtains and walls.
“POV: the reason why we can’t try on clothes at Brandy anymore,” text over the video stated, though the poster said further stated that they did not know if the gum was the official reason for the closures.
The move has sparked a storm of complaints from the brand’s teenage fanbase, as one user stated, “It’s not difficult for a multi-million dollar company to get some Velcro for some privacy.”
“They should have just added doors,” another user suggested.
Others said the brand should reconsider its in-store no-return policy if customers are no longer able to try items on before buying. Brandy Melville does not offer full refunds on in-store purchases, which are limited to exchanges or store credit. Online orders, however, can be returned within 30 days for a full refund to the original payment method.
“The fitting rooms is understandable but the no returns is where they lost me,” one person wrote.
“And they removed all the mirrors, “ another woman claimed.
“I’ve had soooo many clothes that I loved on the rack that I tried on and ended up disliking. Like 9 times out of 10, I’ll hate and end up buying one thing… why are they doing this,” a third fan asked.