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AIBU?

to be offended at the lack of floorspace and style for boys clothing

152 replies

KissingAFool · 27/01/2017 17:48

I get upset about this every time I go shopping for my loving boys. Wall to wall girls stuff, you can really pick a style and run with it, the variety is amazing. Across all shops. Across all budgets.

However the boys offerings beyond the toddler stages are so dull, limited, stylish. I love shopping, love clothes and am trying to raise my kids with a healthy interest in their appearance but its so hard when there's nothing I even want to see on my boys and they moan that it's all boring.

Its just feels short sighted and discriminatory to have eg one aisle of stuff for boys vs three if girls which is what I'm faced with.

Are ANY shops geared towards equal floorspace? Because beyond h&m and zara it feels extremely one sided and I actually feel quite hurt!

OP posts:
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LittleMissNaice · 27/01/2017 17:51

I have nothing useful to add except empathy. This annoys me too

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spankhurst · 27/01/2017 17:54

I didn't realise this was a thing until I had DS. Clothes manufacturers are really missing a trick: many mums would enjoy shopping for their sons as much as their daughters but they can't.

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Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 27/01/2017 17:56

And me. Mind you if I had girls I'd be annoyed by 95% of the clothes on offer anyway.

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SolomanDaisy · 27/01/2017 17:56

I used to get annoyed with this. Now I've got a DD too I realise 90% of the girls section is pink shit, so there's no more actual choice.

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MossytheMouse · 27/01/2017 17:56

I was coming on to say h&m. F&f not too bad either. You're right though. Really annoying.

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OneWithTheForce · 27/01/2017 17:58

Yep it's shite. My 11 year has a choice of black, grey or navy. Hmm

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SenoritaViva · 27/01/2017 17:59

I have a DD who doesn't like very girly stuff and nothing pink. Honestly heroptions are SO limited (worse than my DS), so there's only loads if you're a certain type of girl.

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melonribena · 27/01/2017 18:00

I agree. I've had issues with various retailers over the years. Once where they stocked no sun hats for boys over the age of 12 mths but had a whole rail for boys and once because a retailer stocked a selection of snow suits, all in shades of pink.

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melonribena · 27/01/2017 18:00

*for girls!

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Trifleorbust · 27/01/2017 18:00

Honestly can't say I've noticed and I've done a good bit of clothes shopping for kids.

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PoundingTheStreets · 27/01/2017 18:00

YANBU. Until biology kicks in and we start having to segregate clothing by cut, I don't see why they can't just have children's clothes rather than boy/girl. They could arrange by colour, with a much greater emphasis on primary colours rather than the usual limitations of pink sparkly shit for girls and dull-coloured camouflage crap for boys. (mum to one of each)

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thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 27/01/2017 18:01

This has been like this for years, even DH notices and he notices nothing about shopping experiences - other than cost Grin

Also the boys section is always tucked away at the back of the store/upstairs which is fun when you have a herd of DC with you to corral.

I've started knitting - both DSs are really excited about getting to choose design/colour.

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LolaTheDarkdestroyer · 27/01/2017 18:02

Put him in a dress it's mn ffs!

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Mari50 · 27/01/2017 18:03

Och it's the same with men's clothes and women's clothes, take a walk through M&S or Zara. Annoying? Yes. Offensive, nah.

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OldBooks · 27/01/2017 18:08

YY Poundingthestreets I totally agree. DD and I were in Nutmeg in Morrisons earlier and chose several "boys" tops for her because she liked the pictures. And her favourite Paw Patrol characters were on the boys side - she doesn't want to just wear Skye all the time!

Actually OP Nutmeg is quite balanced, at least in my local Morrisons. Boys and girls have one side of an aisle each.

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Flumplet · 27/01/2017 18:08

Yep irritates the heck out of me too.

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MuseumOfCurry · 27/01/2017 18:08

Big UK retailers are terrible for boys' clothes. I was always more acutely aware of it when my boys were much younger but I've gotten used to it.

I buy most of their clothes in the US, where the selection is better.

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Daisypopslop · 27/01/2017 18:09

This has made me so angry over the years, shoes are just as bad boys like bright colours too so why so little choice???
I have 2 boys and a girl so very familiar with children's clothes sections. The girls can be pretty bad also with mini tart gear in shocking pink!
Please can shops sort themselves out!

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starfishmummy · 27/01/2017 18:11

Every time there is a sale on, my local m&s move all the older boys clothing. Ds has outgrown the kids sizes in most places, bit is too small for adult, so m&s abojt the only place I can get cergain items flr him.

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LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 27/01/2017 18:12

You know that male children have to wear pink sparkly shit but girls can't? It's the MN rules Grin

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starfishmummy · 27/01/2017 18:12

By move I mean take it off the sales floor.

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Orangebird69 · 27/01/2017 18:14

Yanbu. I HATE denim on little babies/toddlers. And I'd rather poke my eyes out with a rusty nail than put my ds in that or joggers, which I also find beyond offensive. Sadly though, that's the gemerald offerings for boys 'bottoms'. Pisses me off no end. H&M are not bad though.

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Orangebird69 · 27/01/2017 18:14

Gemerald?! General!

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Fueledwithfairydustandgin · 27/01/2017 18:15

Yup. I stick to Boden, h&m (hit and miss), Zara and sometimes joules

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BurnTheBlackSuit · 27/01/2017 18:15

Yup. It's annoying. I was especially annoyed at Christmas trying to buy a smart shirt for my son and I couldn't find any, but could have dressed him in a party dress in about 15 different styles.

But I do agree with pp- shops should sell things like t shirts in different colours, patterns and designs with no "boys" and "girls" sections.

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