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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let 10yo wear football kit to pub lunch?

115 replies

Haveyouanyjam · 19/04/2025 10:12

Not super fancy but nice pub for lunch with family, AIBU to tell him to take his football kit off and put something a bit smarter on?

Or is that just snobbery?

It’s an all black smart ish kit if that makes any difference…

OP posts:
Moonnstars · 19/04/2025 11:03

I would say fine for a pub lunch. I don't understand why people make a thing of dressing up. I can't stand the idea of little girls should be in dresses if that is not what they want to wear and the same with boys, if he is wearing a clean kit and not what he has been playing in then to me that is absolutely fine.

Comedycook · 19/04/2025 11:00

At age 10, my ds pretty much lived in football kit...it was a phase and important to him at the time. As long as it's clean, then I think it's fine. It's only a pub...even if it's a nice one..no one will bat an eyelid at a primary aged boy in a football kit.

This is not a hill to die on.

SP2024 · 19/04/2025 10:57

That would be a no from me too. Sports kits are for playing sports, possibly sitting around at home. This is why I hate that young boys clothes are almost exclusively jogging bottoms, they look so scruffy I refuse to buy them.

dottydodah · 19/04/2025 10:56

For a 10 year old this would be acceptable I think.(not a fully grown man though!) I doubt anyone will notice in the Italian Restaurant either .Just go with it if it is clean and tidy then OK .Went to M and C say they have a strict dress code ,but when there people in Jeans and t shirts!

Cynic17 · 19/04/2025 10:52

Quite right. Football kit is for football. It looks awful to see kids wearing sports kit at other times.

SnoopysnoopDog · 19/04/2025 10:43

Sounds like you generally let him wear whatever he wants, so it's not unreasonable to say that on some occasions you want him to wear slightly smarter clothes. He can go back to wearing what he wants the next day.

CurlewKate · 19/04/2025 10:42

Is he clean? Is it a normal sort of pub with no dress code? Then of course it’s OK.

Needmorelego · 19/04/2025 10:42

I'd go 50/50 - footy top with jeans (or whatever trousers he usually wears).

hockityponktas · 19/04/2025 10:41

Oh I think this is tricky, I’m all for everyone wearing what they feel comfortable in actually and not being people pleasers.
I would say along the lines of “it’s going to be fairly smart, we’re all wearing xyz and other people will probably be smart too. Do you still want to wear your kit or choose something a bit smarter?”

IAmNeverThePerson · 19/04/2025 10:39

Trousers/jeans/smart shorts and clean t-shirt/shirt are the non negotiables for meals out here.

Comedycook · 19/04/2025 10:39

olympicsrock · 19/04/2025 10:21

Happy child in clean clothes - that would make a better family lunch than a miserable child forced to wear clothes that he doesn’t want to.

Exactly this.

CowboyHatAndBoots · 19/04/2025 10:37

I’d let him wear it.

Westfacing · 19/04/2025 10:35

No footie kit for an adult but a10 year-old can wear anything in my book, particularly for a pub lunch

Needspaceforlego · 19/04/2025 10:34

Haveyouanyjam · 19/04/2025 10:31

Dad will be in button down shirt and smart jeans. Girls will be in dresses.

He fairly easily agreed to put on a polo shirt and jeans of his choosing.

Show quote history

If the girls are in dresses I'd draw the line on the footie kit.

Viviennemary · 19/04/2025 10:32

It's a pub lunch not the Ritz. Of course he can wear his football kit if it's clean.

Original poster
Haveyouanyjam · 19/04/2025 10:31

Needspaceforlego · 19/04/2025 10:27

What's everyone else wearing?

Is Dad in a t-shirt or polo top?
If Dads in a t-shirt then I wouldn't fight over the football strip.

Dad will be in button down shirt and smart jeans. Girls will be in dresses.

He fairly easily agreed to put on a polo shirt and jeans of his choosing.

OP posts:
Whoarethoseguys · 19/04/2025 10:31

Bubblesgun · 19/04/2025 10:18

Not snobbery no. I do excatly the same. I often say to my girls no leggings/tracksuits/hoodies. It s perfevtly reasonable they need to learn how to dress appropriately for an event/venue/ etc

Show quote history

I don't see why a clean, football kit or clean leggings and a hoodie is not appropriate clothing for a pub lunch!
I think anyone dressing more formally for a pub lunch would be dressed inappropriately.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 19/04/2025 10:30

What's the pub's policy on football shirts? A significant number ban them - and will not differentiate between an adult and a child in refusing entry.

Might be an easier way to get the desired outcome.

Bubblesgun · 19/04/2025 10:29

Enrichetta · 19/04/2025 10:25

And I put it to you that casual clothing - including football kit - is perfectly acceptable for a nice pub for lunch with family, as long as it is clean, not torn or stained or covered in offensive or naff slogans.

Show quote history

Well i beg to differ. you know everyone is different?

jean shirt or teeshirt and a knit or sweatshirt fine. Tracksuits leggings hoodie or football kit for a lunch in a restaurant (gastro pub or reataurant) NO.

if pub lunch booked after a hike / walk lunch in your walking hiking gear YES.

my opinion is mine. You dont have to agree.

the OP was asking if she was reasonable, in my opinion she is.

Favouritefruits · 19/04/2025 10:29

I’d pick my battles this isn’t something I’d get worked up about, as long as it’s clean! Nobody is going to be looking at your DC they’ll be enjoying their meal.

Original poster
Haveyouanyjam · 19/04/2025 10:28

Kit is clean. Clean clothes are just about the only non negotiable in this house! I’ve told him to change because I’ve remembered he’s also due to be taken out to an Italian for dinner with aunt and uncle this evening so saves him changing later.

I let him wear football kit nearly everywhere so long as it’s clean because he prefers it but as sports wear often isn’t allowed in restaurants etc when you’re a grown up feel like it might be better to draw the line somewhere now.

Interesting range of opinions.

OP posts:
Whoarethoseguys · 19/04/2025 10:28

As long as he hasn't just been playing football in it I don't see the issue.
It's only a t shirt and shorts. Plenty of children and adults wear football shirts as t shirts
It is just snobbery to say its chavvy as PP did.
I hate the word chavvy anyway but a child wearing a football shirt signifies nothing other than the child likes football!

Needspaceforlego · 19/04/2025 10:27

What's everyone else wearing?

Is Dad in a t-shirt or polo top?
If Dads in a t-shirt then I wouldn't fight over the football strip.

MamaorBruh · 19/04/2025 10:27

Does it really matter, as long as he's clean?
You're not going to a wedding or important event, pick your battles and decide if its worth the fight.

Enrichetta · 19/04/2025 10:25

Bubblesgun · 19/04/2025 10:18

Not snobbery no. I do excatly the same. I often say to my girls no leggings/tracksuits/hoodies. It s perfevtly reasonable they need to learn how to dress appropriately for an event/venue/ etc

Show quote history

And I put it to you that casual clothing - including football kit - is perfectly acceptable for a nice pub for lunch with family, as long as it is clean, not torn or stained or covered in offensive or naff slogans.