Abercrombie jet crew ‘must wear boxers’

The boss of fashion chain Abercrombie & Fitch demands that the male models who work as stewards on his private jet wear boxer shorts and a “spritz” of own-brand aftershave, according to US court documents.

It is claimed that chief executive Michael Jeffries also instructs the models to wear flip flops. The claims are made in an “aircraft standards” manual for male flight crew that was seen by Bloomberg News. Other alleged stipulations are that the male crew must be clean-shaven in a uniform of Abercrombie polo shirt and jeans. The documents state that gloves must also be worn — black for handling silverware and white for laying the table. Its four cabin crew are supplied by a model agency.

Further alleged details include a requirement to pipe music — specifically Phil Collins’s Take Me Home — over the intercom during take-off on homeward bound flights. The manual emerged during an age discrimination action brought by former pilot, Michael Bustin, 55, who alleges he was replaced by a younger man. It was filed in 2010 in a federal court in Philadelphia. Crew must respond to requests by Mr Jeffries, 68, or his partner, Matthew Smith, by saying “no problem” instead of “sure” or “just a minute”.

The fashion chain has been criticised for allegedly degrading its staff. In 2009, London worker Riam Dean, who was born without the lower part of her arm, won a tribunal case and £8,000 damages after she was banished to the stock room for not fitting the firm’s strict “look policy”.

Abercrombie & Fitch could not be contacted for comment.