Abercrombie & Fitch Removes 'Push-Up' From Girls' Bikini Description Following Outcry

The Abercrobie & Fitch Kids website selling the Ashley Push Up Triangle bra. (abercrombiekids.com)

One of America's largest clothing retail chains Abercrombie & Fitch announced Tuesday it would continue to sell its push-up bikini tops for young girls, despite sparking outrage last week.

Instead Abercrombie Kids -- a division of the company dedicated to eight to 14-year-olds -- said it would change its marketing strategy for the "Ashley" Push-Up Triangle bikini to say "padded."

The fashion company, which had marketed the bikinis to girls as young as eight, made the announcement on its Facebook page.

"We've re-categorized the Ashley swimsuit as padded. We agree with those who say it is best 'suited' for girls age 12 and older," it stated on the social networking website.

The company last week attracted criticism from moms and child development experts who were aghast over the garment and the damage it could potentially do to young girls in making them feel inadequate with their pre-adolescent bodies.

"This is appalling! If a parent buys a padded bikini for an eight-year-old, children's services should be called! The sexualization of teens is bad enough and now this trend is trickling down to our babies," parenting expert Dr. Janet Rose told FOX News.

"If we continue to try to make our children value 'sexy' I shudder to think what damage we are doing to their future self-concepts and adult values. In the long run, I fear we are creating girls who will suffer from low self-esteem and all the issues that go along with that."

Los Angeles-based psychologist, Dr. Nancy Irwin, said wearing a chest-boosting bikini top at such a young age can pave the way for sexual promiscuity.

"Wearing a padded bra at that age when unnecessary is encouraging sexual precociousness, a dangerous muscle to flex for the girl as well as for peers and predators," she explained.

Other experts say the onus is on parents, not the fashion industry, over what young children wear.