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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

'Every girl wants to look her best' Really Primark? Really?

40 replies

tougholdbird · 10/07/2013 19:27

www.primark.co.uk/products/childrenswear/

My DD couldn't give a hoot how she looks, but she does want to have fun, but that's allegedly only for the boys. I had hoped that campaigns like LTBT might have started to turn the tide against girls being ornamental and boys being active. Clearly not for clothing.

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tougholdbird · 11/07/2013 20:02

I sent Primark an email, bet that scared them Wink. Looks like I will have to dust off the twitter account if I really want to get anywhere. Feels a bit cheeky asking LTBT, but maybe when they have converted the toy shops they might want a new challenge....

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StickEmUp · 11/07/2013 16:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ilikepinkwine · 11/07/2013 11:36

The clothes aimed at older girls tend to be a bit slutty in Primark. So hard to find nice things for my girls right now that are quality, practical and that look good (it is a factor but not the only factor). The boys plain hoodies are good though, DD and her friend always wear them.

CashmereHoodlum · 11/07/2013 11:28

for the younger ladies

Awful.

NoComet · 11/07/2013 11:24

Yes, a superb example of stereotyping rubbish.

I wouldn't mind 'Practical clothes for looking their best, while having fun.'

Clearly a clothes shop has a vested interest in us worrying what we look like. It's that looks are all that should concern girls that angers me.

Catalogue props where girls get flowers and butterflies and pretty chairs, while boys get bikes, balls and bats always make me see red too!

gaggiagirl · 11/07/2013 11:19

I never buy DD girls clothing from primark cos its poorly made the sizes are shit and its all bloody impractical ornamental wear.
The boys clothes aren't too bad which is great as my daughter doesn't want or need to look her best she wants to climb trees and eat soil.

samandi · 11/07/2013 11:11

When you think of boys, you think young and fun

Actually, I often think annoying as hell.

But seriously, this is pretty appalling. Girls aren't "young and fun", they are just miniature "ladies". Presumably, girls' clothes aren't practical either ...

DP is always trying to get me into skimpy sundresses instead of practical shorts, even though we do a lot of walking, cycling and other activities. Trying to explain that I don't want to flash my knickers every time I get on the bike or a gust of wind blows past is trying to talk to a brick wall. He just doesn't get that women's (and girls') clothes aren't practical. Bit of a digression there, but these girls could well grow up into women that don't "do" things as well.

KaseyM · 10/07/2013 22:33

Don't go into Clarks then! They have on their walls - "because girls like style" vs "because boys test their shoes to destruction".

OP, take a picture and tweet it to @lettoysbetoys. You'll be surprised what catches on. If enough people tweet they might listen.

CoalDustWoman · 10/07/2013 22:01

Ugh.

Fuck right off. The lot of them. [/tether]

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 10/07/2013 21:56

How fucking insulting. Girls want to look their best - i.e be decorative. Boys want to do things.

If I actually shopped in Primark, my anger might be better directed as I could boycott, but I find the whole thing too depressing. I'd rather have stugg I can pass down (or wear passed down) so I don't think I've set foot in there for years.

Do they tweet? Maybe someone who actually shops there could tweet them?

tougholdbird · 10/07/2013 19:42

I may have to use your last sentence Regina, sums it up better than I could Grin

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ReginaPhilangie · 10/07/2013 19:39

This is why when I'm buying my dds clothes in Primark, I buy them boys clothes. Because the girls clothes are absolutely fucking ridiculous. They're also really fricking teeny, dd2 is absolutely tiny for her age and at almost 7 is still in size 4-5 in all shops except from Primark where she's in a 9-10. Hmm Stoopid people and stoopid clothes.

tougholdbird · 10/07/2013 19:38

And there will be people who say you can ignore their sales pitch or buy clothes elsewhere, but they miss the point. Marketing like this perpetuates a culture in which women don't 'do' stuff, they are just adjuncts to men. Meh. I am going to write to them.

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mynameisslimshady · 10/07/2013 19:31

How depressing, boys get to be young and fun and girls must look their best. I have daughters who are young and fun, do I have to shop in the boys section Confused