Who at H&M kids gave the green light to this?!

[Shallow07]

Looking for summer clothes for nursery and running around in the garden with my 17 mo DD, I found this fake leather mini skater skirt complete with chunky metal zip today in H&M available from 18 months to 10 years.

I asked to speak to the manager who gave me their Head Office number, which I will definitely be calling. Who the fuck thought this was a good idea?

It made me feel sad and angry to see this- childhood is so short and our girls deserve better. How can any kid run and climb and play in this? Why would you want to dress your toddler like she's about to go on a night out? It would be so easy for delicate toddler skin to be caught in this zip

I'm looking forward to hearing their justification for selling this. I know there must be a market for it but blimey, can't we let our kids enjoy their childhoods in fun and appropriate clothes that aren't restricting and adult?

It's just another example of the sexualisation of girls, beginning in their babyhood. It's so sad I seem to remember Mumsnet running/promoting a campaign years ago about this issue, holding retailers to account- does anyone know if it's still going?

WTF is that. Not only is it inappropriate it's also horrible and ugly to look at Call me old fashioned but I think little girls should be dressed like little girls in pretty and frilly dresses.

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

WTF is that. Not only is it inappropriate it's also horrible and ugly to look at Call me old fashioned but I think little girls should be dressed like little girls in pretty and frilly dresses.

No concerns about restriction of movement by pretty frilly dresses?

Call me old fashioned but I think little girls should be dressed like little girls in pretty and frilly dresses

Well that sounds practical and easily laundered!

It's all about connotations. What do black leather and zips usually connote in adult clothing? BDSM usually.

What does a pair of frilly pink dungarees with a cartoon rabbit face on the front connote (for example)? Baby girls, for most people. (probably.)

If H&M were selling bright pink rabbit dungarees aimed at middle-aged women (for example) I doubt there'd be an outcry if someone observed that those are more suitable for a baby girl.

Why aren't both sides of this argument equally valid?

Personally I think it would look pretty cute with a thick pair of tights and a long sleeve top.

Chunky boots and hi tops on an 18 month old?

As we say in Scotland.... Aye, right.....

Yes, Clark's and Boden make these for toddlers , as do dr Martin and converse etc!

It's just a skirt, and. Just a zip. Plenty toddlers wear trousers with zips and shirts and tutus. Bet the manager had a good eye roll!

@Hallyup6

My 13 year old has something similar because she wound her grandma around her little finger, but as I was putting it away in her wardrobe after washing it, I couldn't help but feel she was too young for it. That photo is incredibly disturbing though. 18 months? The parent that buys that needs a social worker on their case.

That’s a bit extreme. Christ.

Not my taste but I don’t see a problem

I'm sure the manager did have a good eye roll. I actually used to work for H&M as a student (in the very same shopping centre) so yeah, I bet they did. I expressed my opinion far more politely than the people behind me who were angry about being in the wrong queue 🤷‍♀️

It's impractical at best for little kids.

Mine lived in dungarees or shorts at that age.

It's a shame that a zip or leather is automatically assimilated with the BDSM|porn world.

Maybe more generic stores stocking generic products across a range of ages with zips or in leather will dispel that.

That's so grim.

I had a green leather skirt and matching jacket (yes I know awful) in the 80's when I was about 6/7.
I'd complain more about the taste in style than about it being too inappropriate tbh.

People are being deliberately obtuse here.
Of course they are. It's the same on any thread where an OP is concerned about, or expresses dislike for, children's clothing/style being modelled on items usually worn by adults and reflecting adult sexuality.

According to various threads on here, lots of posters think hotpants with bum cheeks hanging out are fine for girls, that padded bras for prepubescent girls are ok, that it's entirely normal for junior school girls to go out with a face full of make up on, and it's totally normal for pre-teens to wear mini versions of outfits that would otherwise be seen on adults in nightclubs. Apparently if anyone objects to this then they must see children in a sexual way or be a prude who loves body shaming children.

Meanwhile the rest of us know fine well most parents don't let their children dress like that because they are children, not adults.

My girls have this, I bought it around 2 years ago. Reason I bought it was because I often wear similar. All of us wear it with dark tights, long sleeve/high neck black top and flat Chelsea boots (in winter) doesn’t look even remotely sexual.

My girls are older. I wouldn’t put an 18m old in it mind you, because I just simply can’t imagine it would be comfortable or practical

I don't see the issue. It'a not the kind of thing you would dress a kid in to go to the park but probably fine for a party if you have a toddler that tolerates skirts (mine is a leggings or nothing kind unfortunately
). maybe with some tights.

Me and my sister had matching pleather mini's when we were little, back in the mid 90's actually. Matching jackets too (with faux fur trim). I remember going to a christmas party dressed in them when we were 5 and 9. We were also wearing slingback patent mules, hoop earrings and high pony tails My mother did not have the classiest of tastes but we didn't come to any harm from our outfits!

I think this would be ok for my 8yo with tights, ankle or doc marten boots and a sweater or shirt/tee and cardi. Would buy it for younger than 6 I would say.