Forever 21 Bankruptcy Memes Are Here to Mourn (and Roast) the End of an Era

It’s official—Forever 21 is filing for bankruptcy again. For the second time in six years, the fast fashion retailer has decided that maybe running a business on aggressively questionable branding and bizarre clothing designs isn’t a sustainable model. Shocking, truly. Now, with over 300 Forever 21 store closures looming, the internet has reacted in the only way it knows how—with Forever 21 memes that are equal parts nostalgic and absolutely ruthless. Once a staple of every mall in America, Forever 21 was the place to go for trendy, affordable clothing that would fall apart after three washes. It was where teenagers bought their first crop tops, where impulse decisions were made in the clearance section, and where perfectly decent sweaters were ruined by the addition of a giant Live, Laugh, Love slogan for no reason. Now, as the company faces an “orderly wind-down” of its business in the U.S., Forever 21 bankruptcy memes are bringing the internet together to celebrate (and ridicule) its final days.

The Branding Choices That Led to The Forever 21 Store Closures

One of the biggest themes in Forever 21 memes is, of course, the retailer’s absolutely baffling branding decisions. While competitors focused on sleek, minimal designs, Forever 21 went all in on collaborations that no one asked for. Was the world really in need of Cheetos-branded sweatpants? Did we ever ask for postal service-themed crop tops? No. And yet, Forever 21 insisted on making them.

It’s almost as if the brand was actively daring customers to question their purchases. Shoppers who entered looking for a cute jacket often left confused, wondering why they were holding a neon hoodie with “Taco Bell” written across the chest. With Forever 21 store closures now on the horizon, the internet is using memes to reflect on all the bold choices that led to this moment.

The Fast Fashion Industry Has Moved On

While Forever 21 was once a go-to for affordable fashion, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Foreign fast fashion retailers have taken over, offering even cheaper and trendier options at lightning speed. The competition is brutal, and unfortunately for Forever 21, having random motivational quotes slapped onto t-shirts wasn’t enough to keep up.

This latest bankruptcy filing feels like the final nail in the coffin, and Forever 21 bankruptcy memes are treating it as such. There’s a shared sense of nostalgia, sure, but mostly, people are poking fun at the fact that literally everyone saw this coming—except, apparently, Forever 21.

40 Memes To Say Goodbye

Forever 21 Memes: The Only Thing That Won’t Fall Apart in Three Washes

With liquidation sales beginning and the company searching for a buyer, the brand’s future remains uncertain. But one thing is clear—Forever 21 memes will live on long after the last mall store closes its doors. If nothing else, at least we’ll always have the memories of weird graphic tees, questionable branding decisions, and impulse purchases we’ll never quite understand.

If you’re loving these Forever 21 memes, there’s plenty more retail chaos to enjoy. Check out the best Hooters bankruptcy memes as the internet reacts to another iconic brand shutting down, or dive into Jeep pop-up ads memes, because nothing says capitalism like getting commercials inside your own car. We've also got retail memes for anyone who has suffered through that particular job.

See ya forever, 21ers.