To let my 2 yr old son wear a tutu in public

[Onbehalfofmyhusband]

Apologies as I know this has been done to death but I need to settle an argument with my husband.

DS is 2.5 and likes to wear tutus and dresses (often borrowed from his older sister). AIBU to let him wear these in public? It's not every day, just maybe a couple of times a week. DH thinks I am.

Maybe beaten up was harsher language than what would happen. But I stand by it. 3 year olds can be mean. I've seen children snatch things/push kids over/mock them and say 'this not for you it's just for boys/girls or make other disparaging comments they've clearly heard at home/or outside.

That is normal toddler behaviour and nothing to do with what they are wearing.

My nephew used to love dressing up in princess dresses, he's almost 5 and doesn't so much now. My sis never said anything, she just let him get on with it.

I think its cute and tbh its not children that are the problem, it's adults and their ideas of what is classed as 'normal'.

Sometimes my 2yr old son wants to wear a dress. So he wears a dress.

I refuse to believe that there's a man or boy on the planet, if he has older sisters, who has not been dressed as a girl at some point in his life.

Totally agree with this.

What males fancy dress inappropriate?

Ds3 wore jeans with a tutu loads ditto the odd dress. Ds4 lives in fancy dress and dd as well. She did the sxhoold run with a tut on and leggings, thick winter coat and hat and a small tutu on her head. It looked hilarious but hey she is three.

I was trying to share some pics but they arent in the right album on my phone so I cant get it to upload them.

Meh kids dress up and yes my boys have dressed up in Tutus etc I have out pics up before. It's really not unusual I regularly see kids dressed up and provided they have suitable layers on footwear etc there is nothing inappropriate about it.

Let the kid where what he wants. Clothing battles are one not worth fighting provided they are weather suitable. Ds2 went to London zoo in a buzz lighters outfit. They generally get smiles and compliments. Ds3 age 8 in a tutu was given high fives by some goth teens when out. Not had any negative comments.

I really want to see your DD with a tutu on her head 5Mad

I can only speak for my area but around here an 8 year old boy in a tutu would be stared at most definatly teased.

I am not saying that's in any way right of course not, but I go think there must be areas of London that really are extremely different to the rest of the country.

and there's a massive difference between 2 and 8,

what worra said

lets BAN femised pink shite for everyone hahahaha

so NO, get your son to wear gender neutral clothes and hug a fucking treee instead

well i realise usually on here the attitude is let him where what he likes .but lets be honest have you ever seen a boy going about in a tutu in public ?.my son had prams dolls .but no way was he let out of the garden with them .he would not have been allowed out in girls clothes .my hubby would have had a coronary fit .sorry but he is a boy

totally agree with Worra. It's 'fine' for boys but heaven forfend you let a girl wear an actual dress!

This is a pure MN thing and super try-hard. I've never seen a boy wearing a dress or tutu, although I wouldn't care less if they did. Likewise I wouldn't give a toss if a girl was wearing one.

And I live in a part of south London well known for its poncey parents and over indulged offspring.

Grey that's interesting as I
Had assumed it must be a trendy London thing.

I hate the crap of kids in tutus wellies and fairy wings anyway. It's all about the parents. Boy or girl.

but lets be honest have you ever seen a boy going about in a tutu in public ?

Yes I have seen a young family walking through town. 3 dc's all wearing Tutu's/fairy dresses over their clothes. 2 of those Dc's were boys of about 3 and 5 years of age. Nobody batted an eyelid

my son had prams dolls .but no way was he let out of the garden with them .he would not have been allowed out in girls clothes .my hubby would have had a coronary fit .sorry but he is a boy

So did your Dh not ever look after the baby or take the baby out in his pram on his own then?

Its role play why would a male child not be allowed to act out role of a parent looking after/walking a baby. I'm sure one day he will have to do it for real. Unless of course that role is only assigned to females.

Thebody I don't know, maybe because I don't hang out with toddlers any more I don't notice it, but it seems such a MN thing. Not real life. Not that anyone would actually give a toss, that's why I can't understand the angsty posts on here about it.

I very much doubt most 8 year old boys would want to wear a tutu etc, but then again most 8 year old girls wouldn't either.

I hate that welly/tutu cliche too, btw

but lets be honest have you ever seen a boy going about in a tutu in public ?

No

I've seen tons at playgroup/nursery/dressing up at home

But somehow I've managed to go 45 years without ever seeing a little boy, wearing a tutu or pink princess dress in public.

I'll keep my eyes peeled

Ok people were being all sensible for a minute. Worrappened?!

Tutus are fabulous. I don't blame anyone for wanting to wear one.

MandarinCheesecake - your 16 year old son still likes Hello Kitty and Unicorns? Really?

Yes I sort of equate this with me wearing a baby doll nighty in public and trust me that would turn heads and provide amusement.

Why in earth would you it guide your children to wear appropriate clothes In public with regard to the weather and being a kid!

Who could climb a tree or use a zip slide in a frozen dress or a tutu.

It kind of smacks to me all about the parent saying'look at me arnt I right on and cool' it's just a tad strange.

What do you mean tutus are fabulous? They are fine in ballet class but frankly ridiculous in a play park.

I still like Hello Kitty and unicorns and I'm 26

Why tutus AND wellies? Is this a "thing"? I am confused. Is it some kind of cultural meme or something?

Because it says we are rebels and alternative and edgy and so are our kids.

Huge yawn fest.

To those decrying a tutu as impractical for play. Ballerinas manage to leap, twirl and do the splits in these things. DD2 merrily wears hers to the park and can be found hanging upside down on the monkey bars if it's cold she wears tracksuit trousers to do the same. I also remember wearing long skirts and climbing trees bloody well.
Red herring.

Whichever way you try to dress it up - Tutu's are not practical for outdoor play. They are delicate and get in the way. Yes ballerina's jump and leap, but you don't see many riding a bike and playing in the sand.

I say this as a parent of a ballet obsessed boy (who wouldn't wear a tutu).

Loving these accusations that boys in tutus are somehow a sort of Nottinghill yummy mummy preserve.

Dd's friend used to wear her dressing up clothes (West Country). My cousin used to ask me to put nail polish on him when he was about three (Scotland, 1978).

As for its all OK as long as they have a coat - I think Dd (13) has had about 5 coats in her entire life, most of them bought by her grandmother. She doesn't feel the cold, so either doesn't wear them or leaves them places. She uses an umbrella when its wet. So far no frostbite or pneumonia.

I think its really sad boys can just play and do what they want like girls do,

Its beyond ridiculous that there is this panic about boys playing with so called girls toys etc, or wearing so called girls clothes in case they catch "gay", and if they want too, parents at 2 saying all sorts of connotations, girls dont have this - they can wear and play with that they want and its seen as cool

I dont have a son, but I would let him play with and wear what he wants I wouldnt want to imprison him.