Target offends shoppers after it uses 'manatee' to describe plus-size dress

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/04/04/target-offends-shoppers-after-it-uses-manatee-to-describe-plus-size-dress/#ixzz2PaUasyWH

By Leora Arnowitz

Talk about a fashion faux pas.

Target caused quite an uproar this week when they named the color of a gray plus-size dress for sale on their website “Manatee Gray.”

The same dress in regular sizes was labeled “Dark Heather Gray,” leaving online shoppers wondering just what the retailer was trying to imply with their word choice.

The color switch-a-roo was noticed by online shopper Susan Clemens, who promptly captured images of the color titles and tweeted it at Target.

The retailer was quick to apologize for the seemingly offensive word choice.

Clemens tweeted she didn’t expect an apology from Target, but the retailer was quick to fix the error regardless.

Target spokesperson Jessica Deede told FOX 411 that “Manatee Gray” is a color label often used by Target.

“Manatee gray is actually a seasonal color that is used across product categories on Target.com, from apparel items to home items. This was an unintentional oversight,” she said. “We will take this opportunity to learn.”

Deede explained that the varying color labels for the plus and regular-sized items occurred because of a communication error between two teams working with the dress.

“There were two teams working on uploading products to Target.com and there was a discrepancy,” she said.

The plus-size gray dress has temporarily been removed from the website, but Deede said it should be back shortly.

“We are working on fixing that color label on Target.com.”