Don't clothing companies think that girls play outside?

[HowlingCow]

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that clothes/shoe manufacturers seem to think its only boys who play/walk in the outdoors? I know you can get specialist gear e.g regatta etc. but I was in Clarks yesterday as we're off to the Lakes for 2 weeks, I wanted sturdy shoes for 5 year old DD. They had decent boys shoes but DD didnt want brown boys shoes and girls stuff was just sandals or trainers. Same goes for clothes-wanted jumper for DD3 (4 months)as we all know what our summers are like (except clothes shops!) tried Boden which has nice boys jumpers but only cardigans for girls!!! My girls play out all the time and as we live an hour away from Snowdonia I would love for Next, Clarks etc to realise that its not just boys who love the outdoors!!(angry)

[HowlingCow]

Damn-I can never do those faces properly!!!(blush)

[Dynamicnanny]

Agree - even the trouser options are usually light weight and in pastel colours

[Dynamicnanny]

use the [ ] brackets instead of ( )

[HowlingCow]

See!!!!

[belgo]

I agree - it's hard to get practical clothes for girls that also look reasonably nice.

[HowlingCow]

Oh yes-thanks! Didnt spot those brackets!!

[HowlingCow]

Glad you agree-I even bought spiderman sandals once for DD (she was going through tomboy stage anyway)in sainsburys because they were so much sturdier than any of the girls sandals which all seemed to be made of foam!!!

[juuule]

Why can't you get outdoor wear from somewhere like Decathlon. That's what we do.
We've never had any trouble getting suitable clothes for our dds.

[hana]

lands end
mec
ll bean

all cnd/american companies that do fab sweatshirts/fleeces/shoes for kids. all outdoors stuff. maybe not good for this trip but have a look for next time!

[PrimulaVeris]

Sympathies - drives me mad too

Have you got a Milletts locally? They do children's walking boots and sturdy shoes which are actually quite trendy.

[HowlingCow]

Thanx for suggestions-have been trying to remember 'Decathlon' for ages as mate recommended it!!

[Dottoressa]

I agree on the shoes thing - the nearest Clarks have to "sturdy shoes" for little girls are sandal-like shoes with lots of holes that let water in!

They do have sturdier things in winter, but they're not to my taste - too many pink butterflies. Even DD doesn't like them, and she lives in Disney princess dresses!

[Seeline]

I have to confess that DD spends most of her time outdoors in DS out grown things and Granny's knitted jumpers! Wellies in the winter but agree that summer is very badly catered for.

[HowlingCow]

yes will have to try Millets-thanx Primula. Maybe we'll pick something up in the Lakes. Would be interested to hear from any clothes manufacturers/suppliers as to why they don't cater for girls and why they haven't caught on to the fact that British summers are not always hot and dry!!

[juuule]

I'm not sure why you are saying that girls aren't catered for. As I've said we haven't really had any trouble finding what we need for our girls.

Tesco, Asda, Primark, Adams usually have something that we are looking for. Wellies for winter with warm socks. Waterproof jackets. Fleece tops.

Decathlon, Millets for jackets, fleeces, walking shoes.

Are you looking for other specific things? I'm a bit confused now.

[Marina]

I agree with Juule. Hoodies from Gap/Ladybird/Next, leggings or jogging bottoms from Pumpkin Patch or Milletts, done!
Peter Storm rainwear is excellent and dd has a pair of fab HiTec girls' hiking boots for £5 from TK Maxx

[HowlingCow]

Maybe I have just been looking in the wrong places-where I've looked (Next, Sainsburys,Boden among others) it seems to me that boys clothes are geared towards the outdoors whereas the girls clothes are flimsier and definitely not geared to the outdoors. I know there are the specialist places-just looked at Millets website which seems good but I think the general high street clothes shops do have that discrepancy.

[HowlingCow]

Just looked at the Next website and compared boys and girls shoes-there are quite a few sturdy looking walking boots for boys but I could only see a pair of Kickers for girls. I know theres wellies and we do buy them but why don't Next have as many walking shoes for girls?

[juuule]

But there's not only Next to shop from. If they've not got what you want, go somewhere else

[Marina]

Adults would not expect to buy proper outdoor gear from Next or Clarks though - I think you are labouring the point a bit tbh HowlingCow. As Juule says, go elsewhere.
Next is a high-street fashion chain - I'm not sure their boys' clothes are intending for scrambling around in becks!
Millets have really cornered the market IMO and where I live (outer London) - everywhere there is a Next, there is a Millets!
If you are going to the Lakes, Keswick Woolies has excellent cheap childrenswear...and if you can get to a TK Maxx they always have Regatta, Berghaus and HellyHansen waterproofs and footwear at silly prices, for adults and children.

[lizinthesticks]

"Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that clothes/shoe manufacturers seem to think its only boys who play/walk in the outdoors? I know you can get specialist gear e.g regatta etc. but I was in Clarks yesterday as we're off to the Lakes for 2 weeks, I wanted sturdy shoes for 5 year old DD. They had decent boys shoes but DD didnt want brown boys shoes and girls stuff was just sandals or trainers. Same goes for clothes-wanted jumper for DD3 (4 months)as we all know what our summers are like (except clothes shops!) tried Boden which has nice boys jumpers but only cardigans for girls!!! My girls play out all the time and as we live an hour away from Snowdonia I would love for Next, Clarks etc to realise that its not just boys who love the outdoors!!(angry)"

Couldn't agree more. Pisses me right off on a regular basis.

[HowlingCow]

Oh well-sounds like that makes at least 2 of us then liz! I know I was labouring the point-I was telling myself to shut up but felt like I wasn't quite getting my point across-maybe I'm the reincarnation of a bra-burner!!

[lizinthesticks]

Nowt wrong with that. Not by a long chalk.

[Litchick]

Don't get me started on this...
And don't get me started on Mothers who dress their DDs up like flippin' dollies.
Whenever I'm at the park I see so many girls stumbling about in spangly flip flops while my kids are up a tree in trainers.
Yesterday at an animal sanctuary open day I have never seen so many halter neck tops, gypsy skirts, gold ballet pumps...grrrr...how are girls supposed to stay active when they're too busy trying not to show their knickers?

[juuule]

My eldest dd insisted on pink ballerina type dressup outfits to play out in. Bangles, beads,tiaras the lot. It didn't stop her climbing trees and tearing around keeping up with her 3 brothers.
She would sometimes ditch the sandles though for trainers if she couldn't do something that they were doing, though.